More than skin deep

March 20, 2008 at 6:00 a.m.

by Karen E. Segrave

Shawne Ballard of Cabot relaxes as Simon Garcia, a Sherwood tattoo artist, works on a large tattoo of Jesus Christ on Ballard's right side during the 2nd annual Arkansas Inksplosion held at the Statehouse Convention Center.
Shawne Ballard of Cabot relaxes as Simon Garcia, a Sherwood tattoo artist, works on a large tattoo of Jesus Christ on Ballard's right side during the 2nd annual Arkansas Inksplosion held at the Statehouse Convention Center.

Shawne Ballard dreams of going to Rome to see Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel art, but he doesn't have to.

All he has to do is take off his shirt.

"I'm a deeply religious man," says the 32-year-old Cabot resident. "My faith is the most important thing in my life."

One way he expresses that faith is in body art. Both sides of Ballard's torso have intricate tattoos with images such as King Solomon, hands in prayer, 24 angels, Scriptures and other religious artwork.

For more information see today's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

Subscribers can read the story here on ArkansasOnline.

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