Trufant Bros Host 15th Annual West Texas Tattoo Convention

The other cool thing that makes the tattoo convention what is today is the supportive and encouraging environment that flows in abundance among your peers and among tattoo enthusiasts getting ink done at the convention. It's also special because people get the chance to get work done by specific artists that they admire and follow. Often people will follow different artists and fall in love with their artistic style but are ultimately unable to afford the numerous expenses associated with such an endeavor.

 The West Texas Tattoo Convention continues to provide tattoo enthusiasts with a tattoo paradise with countless tattoo artists to choose from who specialize in just about anything and everything imaginable. Whether it be a first-time tattoo of a butterfly on your lower back, a cover-up tattoo over an ex-boyfriend's name across your chest, an ultra-realistic portrait of your late grandfather, or a complex multi-colored sleeve you're working on, the West Texas Tattoo Convention always delivers.

Although the West Texas Tattoo Convention delivers a stellar experience to all who attend each year, the Trufant Brothers take great pride in delivering a personalized touch for each artist who attends and they celebrate the people of San Angelo and attribute the event’s success to their continued support and involvement. Be sure to check out the Trufant Bro's Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Trufantbrostattoos

Tickets can be purchased at the Stubwire website here: https://www.stubwire.com/venue/fostercommunicationscoliseum/sanangelo/3226/

Alex approached Aubrey with the grand idea. Initially, Aubrey was hesitant toward starting a tattoo convention in San Angelo because he felt the West Texas community might not be ready for such an event or able to support it. In addition to those challenges, he also felt that a convention primarily devoted to body ink might be met with disdain and criticism in such a conservative city.

However, Aubrey is a “calculated risk taker” and a savvy “businessman.” Aubrey saw the potential for hosting the tattoo convention because San Angelo was evolving in many ways. Aubrey realized that the culture was shifting along with the local public perception of tattoos as he took notice of bartenders,, restaurant servers, baristas, and other service industry workers displaying their ink while on the clock. Alex attempted to convince Aubrey by saying, “If you build it, they will come.” 

It was their field of dreams. And they did come. After the Trufant Brothers pulled the trigger on the first-ever West Texas Tattoo Convention in San Angelo Texas, countless additional tattoo shops, tattoo artists, vendors, and fans flocked to the San Angelo Coliseum for many years to experience the city's exploding tattoo scene. Every year the event grows in attendance and reputation, attracting world-renowned tattoo artists, social media tattoo influencers, sponsors, vendors, and many more tattoo enthusiasts than the previous year, 

For their very first convention, only 50 booths were showcased, around 60 tattoo artists were booked, and there were approximately one hundred people in attendance, according to Aubrey.

Aubrey emphasized, “Each year it just kept growing and so we had to keep expanding. We started off hosting it at the convention center by the river but we quickly outgrew that location and had to make the transition over to the Coliseum on the North side.”

The West Texas Tattoo Convention is one of the nation's most prestigious tattooing events due to its record-breaking attendance, amount of talented artists that show up to display their work, and the electric atmosphere that's generated throughout the coliseum during the three-day event each year.

According to Aubrey, they now have 105 booths, hundreds of vendors, tons of local sponsors and local media coverage, and the most highly regarded tattoo artists in the country. Aubrey said, “I guarantee you that the West Texas Tattoo Convention ranks in the top three out of all tattoo conventions in the nation.”

Aubrey described the elements that helped to make the convention what it is today,

“It’s like a huge family reunion. You get to see some of your best friends who live across the nation and who have become like family. You miss these crazy people throughout the year. There’s nothing like being around like-minded individuals who are equally as passionate about something as you are. You get to talk shop, talk business ideas, the latest tattoo equipment like guns and specialty ink that is in style, and most importantly, talk life.”