POCATELLO — Veterans Scott Houston and Larry "D" Chamberlin believe their military background is what gives them the drive to succeed.

    "I have a no fail, no back down attitude," Houston says. "I aim to give customers exactly what they want at an affordable rate. I've always been dead set on my business being a success."

    Houston founded Scratch Ink Custom Tattooing in July 2006. The business has been located at 404 W. Maple St. for the last five years.

    Chamberlin was hired on to be the store manager two years ago.

    "I never imagined I would be running a tattoo shop," Chamberlin says. "It's one of those things that just happened."

    Chamberlin first met the self-taught tattoo artist when he booked his first appointment.

    "I was so happy with the results. I thought, 'This artist thinks like me,'" he explains.

    The Army veteran has tattoos on his stomach, neck, back and arms. Houston, a former Marine, says 75 percent of his body is covered in tattoos.

    "We both share a sense of comradery since we both served our country," Chamberlin says. "I have a military-related eye injury. I wear custom made eye pieces, because I am 95 percent blind in my left eye. It's sensitive to light."

    Houston first started drawing when he was 7-years-old. He took art classes throughout his high school and college careers.

    "My first drawing was of a TV Guide cover that featured Bart Simpson," Houston recalls. "Since then, I have progressively gotten into all sorts of artistic mediums."

    Eventually, Houston got his hands on some tattoo equipment while he was in the military.

    "I wanted to keep going (as an artist)," Houston says. "Being able to do this (tattooing) every day is something I could only have hoped for."

    The tattoo artist does not do piercings, apply cosmetic tattoos or ink portraits.

    "He (Houston) is a cartoonist," Chamberlin explains. "He likes to work on designs that are complicated and detailed. The more the detail, the happier he is."

     In all, 11 photos depicting Houston's work have appeared in the magazine titled "Tattoo International."

     "I like the magazine, because it's worldwide," Houston adds. "My photos have appeared next to artists' work from France and Spain."

     Houston says if tattoos are properly cared for, touch-ups may not be needed for up to 15 years.

     "If you take care of it, by wearing sunscreen, it will remain bold and bright," Houston says. "I also try to instill in customers that the first two weeks are crucial. You have to let it heal. The best way to do that is to just kick back. You shouldn't be rolling down hills or anything like that."

     Half of the appointments that are penciled in at Scratch Ink Custom Tattooing are for cover-ups, according to Houston.

     "There's a different process to cover up unwanted tattoos these days," he says. "I can make almost anything 'disappear.'"

     In the state of Idaho, Chamberlin says a 14-year-old can elect to get inked as long as they have parental consent. The parent must also be present throughout the duration of the appointment.

     "I've had teenagers come in with a note and that won't work," Chamberlin says.

     For more information, dial 208-406-2612 or visit www.scratchinktattooing.com.