New Mexico tattoo artists will put their talents in the spotlight this weekend as they ink their human canvases for cash prizes and national recognition.

The Physical Graffiti Tattoo Show and Expo begins today at 3 p.m. at Expo New Mexico and continues through 6 p.m. Sunday.

Producer Don Birchfield said the expo, where tattoo experts from around the state will work on their subjects in public, is a freak show and more.

But don't expect to find only bikers and 20-year-olds, he said.

"One out of every eight people in America has a tattoo. The most tattooed person in America is (typically) a 30-year-old soccer mom," Birchfield said.

"(Tattooing) is a legitimate art and should be treated like one," he said.

Last year's show was held in Las Vegas, Nev. This year, tattoo expos will be held in seven cities.

"I picked Albuquerque because Albuquerque is absolutely ready for this," Birchfield said. "You have 50 or more tattoo parlors."

Veronica Valencia, media relations manager at Expo New Mexico, said this is the first tattoo show held here.

Other expo sites include Las Vegas, Nev.; Nashville, Tenn.; Cleveland; Louisville, Ky.; Oklahoma City; and Tacoma, Wash.

Chip Davis, the expo's event coordinator, said it will feature about 50 artists from New Mexico, plus a few from California.

Contestants will compete in four categories: traditional Japanese; best use of color; traditional American; and black-and-gray or photo realism/re-creation.

Five tattoo artists from California will judge the competition and pick the best of show.

Winners in each category will receive $1,000 and move on to a national final competition, Davis said.

What sets this show apart from others, according to Davis, is that tattoos have to be started and completed during the course of the event.

"It's unique because all tattoos have to be fresh," he said.

Cash prizes also make the show unique, Davis said.

"We're not afraid to give away money," he said. "We'll end up giving away $100,000 (nationwide) this year," he said.

The event will also feature a Ms. Tattoo USA pageant, an art gallery by tattoo artists, music and vendors selling tattoo paraphernalia.

Birchfield said he expects to see a lot of good tattoo art in Albuquerque.

"The portraits are going to be amazing," he said. "A lot of color tattoos, a lot of freehand work in Albuquerque - the talent is there."