MARIO BARTH: WHY IT MATTERS THAT HE OWNS STARLIGHT TATTOO

Mario Barth has lived a life of tattooing unlike any other tattoo artist in the world.

He hand-selects and trains each of his artists, perhaps in unconventional ways at times, but also from his decades of experience with what REALLY works. His tattoo skills turn traditional tattooing rules on their heads from time to time, but the tattoo results are undeniable.

Twenty eight years ago in Western Europe, becoming a tattoo artist took determination and bravado, especially for Mario Barth. Growing up in Austria, where tattooing was not just frowned upon but completely illegal, he came up through the underground.

Riding motorcycles and hanging out with a rough bunch, he learned the secrets of the trade in the dark shadows of the earth, every piece of knowledge earned through blood, sweat, and courage.

Despite the many obstacles and dangers presented, Mario devoted himself to learning how to tattoo; no matter the risk. Little did he know that one day his work (28 years tattooing with 15 of them spent on the hard road, winning over 200 International Awards) would become the center of his very own international enterprise.

With a celebrity clientele including Lenny Kravitz, Sylvester Stallone, Tommy Lee and Usher to name a few, Mario owns five tattoo studios including Mario Barth's Starlight Tattoo at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas as well as his latest venture, King Ink at the Mirage. In addition to these monumental tattooing destinations, Mario Barth is the creator and founder of INTENZE Products, the world's leading tattoo pigment manufacturer.

In 2009 Mario hosted and produced The Biggest Tattoo Show on Earth at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino with over 1,000 artists and over 43,000 attendees. This convention set the Guinness World Record for the largest tattoo convention in history.

In addition to these professional achievements, Mario has been accepted into some of the most rare and coveted tattoo families in the world. Mario has a full tebori back piece by Horitoshi 1, considered the Holy Grail of tattoos by tattoo enthusiasts the world over. He was also made a Suluape by the sacred Suluape Tatau family in Samoa.

See Mario's Tattoo Portfolio here.