By Gareth Boreham
For John Kenney, attending the Australian Tattoo and Body Art Expo was about finding some last additions to complete his human canvas.
"I just love it, I am hooked on it. I love the pain, I love the feeling you get and to know the people - they are just like normal people."
Organisers say over the past 20 years, the tattoo industry and popularity of tattoos has grown.
"You can go to a beach or a gym, they are so prevalent in today's society and really the expo is a showcase of that,” tattooist Phil says. “We want people from all walks of life."
The event is also a chance for tattoo artists from around the world to show off their skills.
"It's almost like a connection we are going to have forever. It's like marking them for life,” tattooist Troy says.
The convention also attracted international celebrities, including model Sabina Kelley, a judge on the US television reality show, ‘Best Ink’.
“For me personally I love the look of it,” Ms Kelley says. “I love artwork and the fact that I can get it and wear it on my body and show off how much I love art."
And with the growth in the body art industry, there’s been a corresponding increase in the demand for tattoo removals.
It is something Sabina Kelley knows all too well as she attempts to erase a former husband from the landscape.
“It's not fun, it hurts but it's worth it."
