Born and raised in Irmo, South Carolina, Andy Spreeuwers knows Columbia, and he knows tattoos. A local tattoo legend and owner of 8 Sins Tattoo, Spreeuwers has inked up some of USC’s finest athletes, such as Jadeveon Clowney, Mike Davis and Connor Shaw. The Daily Gamecock caught up with Spreeuwers to ask him some not so skin deep questions.
The Daily Gamecock: You were recommended to me by two completely independent sources. How do you think you’ve become such a prominent tattoo artist in Columbia?
Andy Spreeuwers: I just know so many people. Columbia is so small, and by now I have worked on a lot of different people from all over the country. I am an extrovert, so I will talk to anyone about tattoos, hand them a card and hope they come in! I stay pretty active in charity throughout the year also, so that brings even more. Also, I try to just be a nice guy. Our prices are fair, and with my medical background, I think people are just more comfortable here. Some shops and tattooers are just unkempt and rude. But mostly, I just [kind of] know a lot of people in Columbia.
TDG: You’ve tattooed some big name people like Connor Shaw. Who are some other famous people that you’ve inked up?
AS: Some of my bigger clients are in the NFL and MLB. Clowney, Alshon Jeffery, Melvin Ingram, Brandon Bostick, Mike Davis and Bruce Ellington. At heart I’m a big sports fan, so it's really cool for me to get to work on these guys. Some have even flown me to their city to tattoo them!
TDG: Can you describe your favorite tattoo on your body?
AS: I have so many and have done so many; all of them are awesome. All of mine are really cool to me because of the meaning [or] no meaning whatsoever. I've drawn out of a hat for a tattoo. Sometimes not much thought goes into mine. Others, however, are extremely important to me. My favorite on me has to be the horse with six human boobs that takes my entire right butt cheek up! We have had a lot of fun, so all have been pretty good. Now, I'm seeing my full sleeves and full legs that I have done, and it's really cool.
TDG: Are there any tips you have for people who are thinking about getting a tattoo?
AS: Don’t try to cram all of your ideas into one tattoo. Be kind to your artist, come to your appointment on time, do not expect to get tattooed if you change your design up at the last [minute]. We are a custom shop, so all tattoos get drawn by us, and sometimes that takes a while to do ... Mainly, don’t get a tattoo just because it is cool. Also, research your artist. There are a lot of people that call themselves tattoo artists that are nothing more than a person with a machine, tearing people up ... Be smart so you don’t end up with hepatitis and a crappy tattoo. Then, you still have to pay a professional to fix it, so why not do it by one to begin with?
Located at 2301-C Bush River Rd., 8 Sins Tattoo is open Friday through Saturday from noon to 10 p.m.
