Skin art sparks NSU on the court

Nicholls State basketball players Fred Hunter, Dwight Fusilier, Kellen Carter, Phillip Ward and Joshua Johnson enjoy looking at artwork, just not the traditional kind.

The likes of Di Vinci, Michelangelo and Van Gogh would probably go unrecognized by the five Colonels.

The creations they like are unique, personal and skin deep: Tattoos.

Of Nicholls’ 15 mens’ basketball players, six sport body ink.

Tattoos have reportedly been around since cave men walked the land. But since the 1970s, the craft has come into its own, according to John Gaudet, a tattoo artist and owner of Marvel Art in Houma.

And while tattoo fans likely just picked an image off a wall in the ’70s and ’80s, skin art today has taken on a greater meaning to its wearer.

“There is realistic stuff people are doing on the skin that’s taking it to another level,” he said. “Before, it was mostly just an outline or an image.”

Athletes aren’t immune to the trend.

Sports Illustrated noted in 1997, “Tattoos have become the sports world’s most flaunted form of self-expression. Ten years ago, only boxers or wrestlers had visible tattoos; today, they are everywhere, in every sport.”

In fact, a poll conducted that same year by ESPN of every NBA team revealed that roughly 35.1 percent of all players had at least one tattoo. Over time, the art form has permeated the college ranks as well.

Carter, a sophomore guard from Fresno, Calif., said he never thought about getting a tattoo, or “tat,” until he reached college.

He’d admittedly toyed with the idea for quite a while before finally deciding to go under the needle.

The basketball playing angel that graces Carter’s arm is a constant reminder that someone is looking out for him.

“Right before I came to college (in 2007), a friend of mine and myself went to get one together,” Carter explained. “He played football and I played basketball, so I wanted something to symbolize me. It means the angel will be with me all through college and when I’m on the court.”

Carter was 18 at the time, but says a year later he has no regrets about the decision and still enjoys looking at his artwork.

“It’s a thought process before actually getting one,” the business administration major said. “It took me three or four weeks to figure out what I actually wanted because once it’s there, it’s there forever. I wanted to make sure I got the right one. I was pleased with the way it came out.”

Marvel Ink’s Gaudet said Carter’s story exemplifies the attraction to body art: It is unique to the wearer.

“It’s not like you walk into a shop and pick something off the wall. You get a piece that nobody else will have,” he said. “That’s what people look for and why tattoos mean so much to people.”

Houston-born Johnson, a freshman guard/forward studying criminal justice, had help picking his tattoo from an unlikely source – his mother.

“Each one was her idea,” he said, pointing out his three tattoos. “I tried to put as much thought as I can in them. I didn’t want to do it spur of the moment. I really put thought into it.”

With a tattoo on each arm and one on his back, Johnson is the team’s most decorated player. But he’s quick to remind teammates that each art piece has a purpose.

Cynthia and Donald Johnson raised all three of their boys to be spiritual, a factor Johnson credits for his success today. That’s why he bears the words “God’s Soldier” across his back. His right arm serves as a reminder of the freshman’s favorite Bible verse: Philippians 4:13 (“I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”) The verse is printed on a basketball cradled in a hand, while a rosary hangs from the fingers.

On his left arm, Johnson wears the first initial of everyone in his family, “C” (mom and brother Chris), “D” (dad and brother Devin) and “J” (for himself).

“Every tattoo that I have has something to do with my family or Jesus blessing me with the talent I have,” Johnson said. “The one on my back reminds me that I am God’s child, one of his soldiers, fighting in his army. My right arm reminds me that ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.'”

The 20-year-old admits that he wants to add one more Bible verse to his collection: Ephesians 6:10-13.

“Put on the whole armor of God,” he said, quoting the scripture. “It’s one of my favorite verses. After that, I’m done.”

Freshman guard Hunter got his first tattoo while he was still playing ball at Denton High School.

His grandfather’s death right after graduation inspired Hunter’s most meaningful tattoo: a cross.

“He passed away when I was young, so this is a memorial on my arm,” he said. “It keeps him close. When he died I made the decision that when I was old enough, I was going to get one. I just knew I was going to get a tattoo.”

The 19-year-old human performance education major admits, “I definitely want a few more.”

That’s common once the tattoo-bug bites, Gaudet said. Once customers are initiated with their first tattoo, they tend to be repeat clients.

“I can’t tell you how many times people come in, get one and say, ‘That’s it. I’m not getting anymore,'” he explained. “Then, two weeks later, they’re walking through the door again coming to get another one. It happens all the time.”

Freshman forward Ward, 18, chose his tattoo before he left his native Fresno, Calif. A cross bearing the name “Lola” across the middle pays homage to his late grandmother. The business major said the artwork is a tribute to her.

While Carter, Hunter, Johnson and Ward have had their body ink for sometime, sophomore guard Fusilier is new to the tattoo world.

The 21-year-old just got his arm art, consisting of Chinese letters, when he went home to Abbeville over the Christmas break.

“I’ve always wanted one, and I just turned 21 a few days ago so I told myself I was going to get one,” Fusilier explained. “I just felt it was time to get it.”

Although he isn’t fluent in Chinese, Fusilier vows he knows that his tattoo means “inner strength,” which he considers vital to succeed.

“I’m sure that’s what it means because I asked the lady at the Chinese restaurant to be sure,” he said, chuckling. “Tattoos are about the meaning. Every tattoo has that special meaning to someone. This was just my way of expressing what I feel is important.”

While they are proud of their artwork, all five NSU players agree that some people can take tattooing too far.

“Dennis Rodman was just crazy,” Hunter said. “Sometimes people get too addicted to it.”

Johnson agreed, saying, “My philosophy on tattoos is don’t get one that doesn’t mean anything. Everybody has their own personal meaning but make sure it means something. Don’t just get a letter for no reason.”

Tattoo artist Gaudet has a different take. With ink images emblazoned on nearly every visible body part, he could give Rodman a run for his money in a game of “Who Has More Tattoos.” Not surprisingly, Gaudet sees himself as an exception to Johnson’s philosophy.

“I don’t have a tattoo on my body that has a meaning,” he said. “I’m an artist, so if I see good art, I’ll put it on me. Now, most people have tattoos with meanings, but that’s not always the case.”

“People do get addicted to it, but it’s a sign of the times. We’re getting more sleeves (full arm tattoos) now than we ever did. It’s a sign that tattoos have really become a major part in some people’s lives. Even doctors and lawyers come in to get them now, people you would never expect.”

Freshman guard Fred Hunter, sophomore guard Kellen Carter, Johnson, freshman forward Phillip Ward and sophomore guard Dwight Fusilier show off their arm tattoos. Six of Nicholls’ 15-man team sport body ink. The sixth, sophomore guard Dominic Friend, is not pictured. * Photo by KYLE CARRIER