BECKLEY — When it comes to using human skin as a canvas, there are many things a tattoo artist must consider.

“It’s totally different to draw on the skin. You are working on living, moving skin. The color of the skin, the texture, whether the person is male or female, how much hair is on the skin — it can all affect how the finished tattoo will look,” said Terrence “Terry” Stephens of Forever Yours Tattoo Shop on South Fayette Street in Beckley.

The walls of the shop are lined with myriad images of religious emblems, floral patterns and thought-provoking designs from which patrons can choose.

Portraits, however, have become one of the most popular choices for tattoos these days, Stephens said.

“Lots of people are coming in to have me do portraits of their children or to do a memorial for a parent or special person. I get a lot of those.”

Chef Jack Conley had some tattoos done previously, but hadn’t always been happy with the results. One day, one of his employees at the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center came in with a portrait tattoo Stephens had done.

“I’d never seen anything like that. It was absolutely beautiful,” Conley said. He paid a visit to Forever Yours, and before long exact replicas of the faces of his two children, Leeanna and Jackson, took a permanent place on his left arm.

“He did one from a cell phone picture. I couldn’t believe how detailed and accurate the portraits are. This guy has real talent,” Conley said.

Stephens said his artistic bent started when he was only a child.

“I’ve been drawing people since I was 6 or 7 years old,” he said. “It’s something I really get into. I enjoy it, and I really like seeing the people’s reactions when they are pleased with a portrait.”

A thick portfolio shows the breadth of Stephens’ talent. From elaborate pictures created in his imagination to provocative designs people have in mind, the book is filled with every kind of tattoo imaginable.

Despite his obvious talent, Stephens takes nothing for granted when he begins work on a client.

“I was very nervous the first time I did a tattoo, and I still get just as nervous before I start,” he said. “I know I’m starting something that has to be precise, and it has to be done right, so I don’t let down my guard until it’s cleaned up and done. I have to stay focused the whole time.”

Born in Detroit, and having studied commercial art there, Stephens had done several jobs, including work in the mail room of a newspaper in North Carolina. “Next to art, that’s the job I liked best because I enjoy meeting people,” he said.

Professionally, he’s been doing tattoo art for 13 years, but has applied his artistry for about 20.

“I love art. I’ve seen the tattoo business change a lot over the years. It’s not just the biker guys anymore. People are coming straight out of art school and going into this.”

He spent some time working as a tattoo artist in Orlando, Fla., before coming to Beckley to open a tattoo parlor of his own. Although he had visited the area on many occasions, it took the urging of friends to get him to set up shop.

“For some reason, I just didn’t think a tattoo shop would do well here. I wasn’t convinced the community would support it. I even looked at this location and just kept thinking it would never work here,” Stephens said.

His friends won out, and Stephens opened his shop March 12, 2009.

“My friends were right. I’ve done very well here. I was really surprised because the business has really taken off,” he said.

Once word of his portrait work got around town, Stephens saw a steady clientele, asking for them.

“The portrait tattoos have always been a big thing. People love them,” Stephens said. “It’s a totally different type of tattoo, and a lot of people tell me they had never seen this done.”

It can take four to six hours to finish such a work of art, he said.

During the winter, Stephens used some slow time to start doing portraits on wood. “People really like these, too. It’s something different, and it’s something you can make that’s very personal and meaningful for people,” Stephens said.

The limitless scope of art makes Stephens believe he’ll never get tired of this career.

“There are some other things I like to do, but there is nothing that gives me the kind of pleasure and satisfaction that art does,” Stephens said. “When I finish a tattoo, I’ve left something behind that will last a lifetime.”

For more information, call 304-222-6109.

— E-mail: bdavis@register-herald.com