Ray Allen Hughes opened for business in 1993, in this small humble location. With big dreams of doing the best Tattoos and PIercings in the cleanist safest studio in the world. So how goes it? Well we are OSHA certifed public health approved state licensed studio former members of the APT and would like you all to know that in alll the health inspections that we have had we have never ever had not one thing wrong. Mathmaticly improbable? Maybe? But not for us! And we have the letters hanging around just to prove it! WE have been recognized at dozens of shows across the nations with 1st 2nd and 3rd place finishes. But ray is by know means the best artist in the world. But he is working on it. With a little artistic freedom, you will find that he is a very accomplished artist capable of BRINGING YOUR VISIONS TO THE WORLD (hence the name).
Give Back!
I Ray Allen Hughes Having done a couple millon dollars worth of tattoos and piercings feel like I have given back in the following ways. I took over were Nicks tattoos in Pekin left off and started a mailing list with all the tattoo shops in the state of illinois. With the goal of changing the state tattoo law from age 21 to age 18 so that illinois tattoo artist could tattoo people at the same age as other shops in other states are allowed to. A several year project. We started off with mailing list then form letters than phone scripts than , senators phone #s and state repersentives phone #s , than we found the shop states repersenitives and senators mailing address and phone # based on the addresss of the shop.I contacted the shops each step of the way. with precise directions. Than we taught tattoo artist how to look up there senators and state represtative vote record. Then when that insane crooked ex governor Rob Blagoivich vetoed the bill. We were up to 2a.m. mailing out letters to contact state reps and senators agaign.And I talked my state rep and senator to go back to the floor and house to overide the veto on days they were not planning on being there. I received death threats and had many artist wanting to kick my ass paid lawyers fees to make sure everything was done legaly correct. I was called crazy Ray Hughes the law is never going to change. This is why I left the APT they were no help none. I stood up at every meeting fighting for fair tattoo regulations at the state tattoo piercing law meetings and fought hard for every tattoo artist in the state. To try and help protect illinois tattoo artist and their clients. While most shops did not show up or said stuff like well as long as I can tattoo I dont care. While the states view was do you know how many confirmed cases of hepatis have been given out by non caring non educated cheap ass tattoo artist. I would guess that is was way less than when the Las Vegas health department ruined over 4000 peoples lives by using unsterlized equipment and infected over 4000 people in one month with hepatis, and remember they are the ones doing the licenseing! I stood behind my reputation as the safest tattoo studio in the state. That i had earned the respect of my local health deptment inspectors. And my health inspectors knew how concerned I have been over the last 17 years here in business for the safety of my clients. That respect and 17 year relationship, along with attending and standing up for what I believe in lead to illinois state tattoo artist haveing a reasonabile health code that we can alll live with. I was the first Tattoo studio here in Champaign Urbana. And the health deptment didnt want one here. There was only two commerical properties that would lease to a tattoo studio at the time. Because tattoos were dirty. I believe that I made tattooing respected in Champaign Urbana. And that all shops in cu owe me for breaking the ice. I have shown that Tattoos can be ART, Tattoos can be safe. Bikers , and wierd people love america and are good hard working people. I have given back to the community by raising thousand of dollars for local charities. I have donated Thousands of dollars to local charities. I have covered tattoos for free for the needy. And I shop locally. And I love Champaign Urbana. Thats how I gave back to the art which has given so much to me. God Bless. Ray Allen Hughes
