This is what $10,000 worth of tattoos looks like?

Ryan Malarkey $10,000 — Ryan Malarkey, a 23-year-old designer, says she spent “probably close to $10,000” on ink. Photo (c) Paul Nathan / Generation Ink.

How many people do you know with epic tattoos? Of those people, how many of them are in a pretty much constant state of fiscal-overdrawnery and/or unemployment (AKA: “freelancing”)? Do they live in Williamsburg? Do they wish they did? They might be in photographer Paul Nathan’s new coffee table book, “Generation Ink: Williamsburg, Brooklyn,” featuring portraits of walking canvases who have spent upwards of $10,000 on their ink. Who are these people, where did they get $10,000 and why did they spend it on tattoos? And who are you to judge? You have a Louis Vuitton bag but are a month behind on rent! Oh, wait, that’s me. Did these people get their money’s worth? And what’s your number?

Frank Palumbo $8000-$9000 — Frank Palumbo, 26, is a freelance producer with between $8,000 and $9,000 worth of tattoos. The FMP stands for his initials but he tells girls it means “Fuck Me Please.” Photo (c) Paul Nathan / Generation Ink.

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Adam Kobylarsz $5000 — Adam Kobylarsz is an actor / musician, 25, who has spent close to $5,000 on his tattoos. The first one was a rose for his mother. Photo (c) by Paul Nathan / Generation Ink.

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Clinton Beahm, a 28-year-old nurse, has spent more than $9,000 on tattoos, starting with a "red life-star surrounding the staff of Asclepius." Photo (c) by Paul Nathan / Generation Ink. — Clinton Beahm, a 28-year-old nurse, has spent more than $9,000 on body art, starting with a “red life-star surrounding the staff of Asclepius.” Photo (c) by Paul Nathan / Generation Ink.

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Brett David $10,000 — Brett David, a 31-year-old stylist, has spent $10,000 on ink. “You get what you pay for in life, and that includes tattoos,” he says. (Is that what his happy trail insignia says?) Photo (c) by Paul Nathan / Generation Ink.

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Sarah 21 — We don’t know how much Sarah, a 21-year-old student / graphic designer spent, but that’s a slammin’ bird cage. Photo (c) Paul Nathan / Generation Ink.

“Generation Ink: Williamsburg, Brooklyn” ($29.95) will be available starting September 1 at retailers including Urban Outfitters.

7 Comments

conaldarcy Aug 16, 2012

Yes, but a Louis Vuitton bag is forever.

Aug 16, 2012 at 11:09 am

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- havilah Aug 16, 2012
  
  YES!!!! Yes it is.
  
  Aug 16, 2012 at 11:33 am
  
  Reply
  - faye Aug 16, 2012
    
    I remember that Brokelyn first very well: new writer shows up to meeting with Luis Vuitton bag AND a bag holder. Maybe you can rent it out to pay your landlord.
    
    Aug 16, 2012 at 11:51 am
    
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Alex Aug 16, 2012

Where does nurse Clinton hang out, is he on the Brokeland dating scene?

Aug 16, 2012 at 11:59 am

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- conaldarcy Aug 16, 2012
  
  Good point. Where is the Brokeland dating board?
  
  Aug 16, 2012 at 12:32 pm
  
  Reply
cancan Aug 17, 2012

if i spent 10 g’s on tats, i would be a nudist.

Aug 17, 2012 at 4:39 pm

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Nancy Aug 10, 2014

I see people at the checkout lines using food stamps and have new $10,000 tattoos.

Aug 10, 2014 at 8:08 am

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