Jfish, an INKEDbloog reader, recently wrote in asking about the effect of colored tattoo inks on dark skin. We asked Zulu, famed artist from Zulu Tattoo whose clients include Janet Jackson, Dennis Rodman, Rosie O’Donnell, Lisa Bonet, David Duchovny, Danny Elfman and Queen Latifah.

Zulu responds:

“White will not show well on black skin at all. Certain colors such as white, yellow, and other light colors will not show well. Color in general does not look well on black skin, I have had cover ups on every color tattoo that I had. Color, over time, tends to look very muted on dark skin. I suggest to all my clients of color to consider black or "tribal" tattoos.

Here's the problem we are addressing...

Tattoos are not placed on the skin's surface; they are placed many layers under the skin. When a tattoo heals, the top layers of skin exfoliate, grow back, and the underlying layer remains. Thus... when you see a tattoo on someone you are not looking at the art on the surface of their skin, you are actually looking through the top layers that are covering the tattoo underneath.

White skin is rather transparent, when skin grows back over a healed tattoo it is like looking through a clear window of skin over the tattoo. On the other hand, when dark skin heals and those layers grow back over a tattoo, you now have a dark sheet of skin to look through on top of the tattoo.

The exact same ink will be present under the skin, but the darker skinned person is at a disadvantage when attempting to see color through the body's dark pigment.

A simple analogy...

View a painting wearing clear gasses = tattoo on white skin
View the same painting wearing sunglasses = tattoo on dark skin.”

Thank you Zulu!!

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Thursday  Jul 21, 2005

"Seen At The Clubs" - Photos By Mark The Cobrasnake

More of Mark's photos here.

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Thursday  Jul 21, 2005

INKEDblog Interviews Kaotic Enzymes

"Kaotic Enzymes is the moniker of tattooist Jesse Smith, a Richmond, VA-based artist who travels often to showcase his talents. Jesse is a renaissance man with an urban eye. One stop to his website and you can see his Aerosol works, drawings, paintings, tattoos, and licensed merchandise. As his full line of merchandise includes flash, prints, stickers, and t-shirts, Jesse manages to walk the fine line between creative person and businessman.

For more info, go here."

... Logan Hicks

INKEDblog: How'd you get into the tattooing field?

Kaotic: I met a fella who was tattin out of the house and he taught me how to make a ghetto gun. I originally had only planned on doing one tattoo just for the experience. After that people started lining up at my front door (mostly cuz I was charging next to nothing). I used the ghetto gun for about a month until I could afford a real machine. I would tattoo on my time off just for fun and finally landed a job at a professional studio a year later.

INKEDblog: What's the strangest request you've ever had for a tattoo?

Kaotic: I tattooed a big dragon on the side of this dudes face once. I thought that was pretty crazy. He wanted to cover some tear drops that were under his eye.

INKEDblog: What makes a tattoo "good"?

Kaotic: Thought and patience.

INKEDblog: What are the best and worst things about being a tattoo artist?

Kaotic: (Best Thing) It's pretty laid back and you're pretty much your own boss. (Worst Thing) It's hard to draw a line between your business life and personal life. I pretty much work all day everyday.

INKEDblog: Describe your favorite tattoo of all time?

Kaotic: That's a hard one. There's tons of tattoos that I really dig. I've got a whole scrap book full of tattoos that I love. Most of them revolve around artists like Tim Biedron, Chucho, Gunnar, Kevin Starai, Travis Franklin, and Jime' Litwalk.

INKEDblog: What's your thoughts on Old School vs. New School styles?

Kaotic: If I answer this question I'm bound to piss someone off so I plead the 5th.

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Thursday  Jul 21, 2005

Latest Tattoo Fad: Fruit

A recent New York Times article (password required) discusses the latest hot tattoo fad: fruit. Not people getting tattoos of fruit, mind you, but actually tattooing produce.

The idea is that by tattooing the fruit’s skin with a laser, store clerks will be able to scan the produce quickly, and customers won’t have to bother with peeling off bothersome stickers. It’s hoped that the increase in convenience will off-set the somewhat unsettling feeling that the fruit looks like it came out of a machine. There don’t appear to be plans, yet, for the introduction of tribal themes to your produce aisle, but with this new technology, will it be long before farms try to distinguish themselves with original fruit tattoos? One of the executives interviewed in the article is already raising the possibility of inscribing advertisements onto apples.

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Wednesday  Jul 20, 2005

INKED Premieres Tonight on A&E at 9pm EST/ 8C

Congratulations to our colleagues at A&E Network on tonight's premiere of INKED on A&E at 9pm EST/8C.

Tonight's back-to-back episodes start with "Change of Hart":

"It’s been several months since the grand opening of Hart & Huntington and the shop’s owners have had enough of each other. Hart wants to keep the shop open but Huntington isn’t playing nice. If Hart and Huntington can’t settle their differences, the shop will be shuttered."

Immediately following "Change of Hart" is the second episode, "Pull It Together, Dizzle"

"Dizzle, the shop helper and resident goofball, has made the decision to become a tattoo artist and the first step on that path is getting an apprenticeship. But apprenticing under Thomas and Clark won’t be easy. These guys earned their ink the hard way and they’re not about to just hand Dizzle the needle."

INKED follows the stories of an unconventional and intriguing band of tattoo-cutlure characters at the pioneering Hart & Huntington Tattoo Company, the first parlor to open inside a Vegas casino.

Each week, INKED goes behind-the-scenes and follows H&H's founder and freestyle motocross champ, Carey Hart, as he caters to high-profile clients, while also managing his staff of temperamental artists.

Every body has a story and INKED gives you a personal look into the tales behind the tats - from the touching the bizarre. From names of lovers and loved ones, to animals, insects, cobwebs, religious symbols, and Asian imagery, the designs inked by the shop's artists span the range of human imagination.

** INKED on A&E is a sponsor of INKEDblog.com

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Wednesday  Jul 20, 2005

INKEDblog Interviews Regino

"Recently INKEDblog featured an amazing tattoo from artwork by the New York collective, Faile. I didn't know much about the artist, Regino, so I set out to see what he was all about. A few questions and answers later, I found out that it is possible to tattoo the 'taint' and that the tattoo industry is lucky to have a talented person like Regino in its ranks."

... Logan Hicks

INKEDblog: How'd you get into the tattooing field?

Regino: I've always been fascinated by tattoos that I saw on people around the town I spent my secondary school years in. These tattoos that I was fascinated and influence by were pretty crudely done home made and prison work but the mere act of rendering complex images with a needle in your skin really made an impression on me. I was really mystified by how needles could make such subtle gradations of tone under your skin. Ignorant and excited enough, I tried to do a few tattoos on willing friends who were nice enough to let me try it on them. I really did not know what I was doing with the exception of the few things I had heard and was told by a friend who was also at the beginning stage in his career. Around 95 while working a crap gas station attendant job, a fellow named Dan Adair heard through a friend that I was interested in learning and offered to train and hire me as an apprentice.

INKEDblog: What's the strangest request you've ever had for a tattoo?

Regino: A customer wanted a small snake tattoo in "No Man's Land", otherwise known as the "Taint" or the "Chode".

INKEDblog: So what makes a tattoo "good"?

Regino: What I like in a tattoo is clarity in parts and as a whole. There are certain subject matters that I enjoy doing more than others but that does not necessarily make a good tattoo in my opinion. Generally, I like tattoos that are well crafted meaning: clean line work, solid colors, smooth shading, and intentfully drawn and rendered. Graphic legibility is also something I strive for, you shouldn't have to explain to other people weather that grey blob on someone's arm is a water or smoke. On the other hand, I believe these are not necessarily rules to live by, One of the most amazing tattoos I've seen was Rubens back piece of a war scene hand poked on an old Russian prisoner. I was in awe when I saw this piece. I guess the combination of context, content, and technique is also something to consider...

INKEDblog: What are the best and worst things about being a tattoo artist?

Regino: I think the best thing for me is the fact that I get to draw, design, and create everyday I'm working. This is what I did in my childhood and what I plan to do in years to come. The fact that I pay the rent with what i enjoy doing is also a big plus. The worst thing would be the politics and creative limitations within the business.

INKEDblog: Describe your favorite tattoo of all time?

Regino: That's an impossible question to answer, I have too many favorites. You would have to specify the era and the genre.

INKEDblog: What's your thoughts on Old School vs. New School styles?

Regino: Styles and fashions are bound to change just like any other art-form and soon enough whatever tattoo has the label "New School" will be labeled by years like "90's tattoo" or something to that effect. These are preferences that I have no authority on commenting on. I've worked the majority of my career in a street shop situation so you had to be versatile and know what the person that walks through those doors is looking for because for the most part they are not coming to you because of your name or your particular style so you have to be well versed in a variety of styles and executed it in a professional manner if you want to pay your rent. Versatility is not a bad thing, it teaches you approaches to problems you would not encounter if you worked in one distinct genre. But on a personal level , I try to wear imagery and subject matter which is not going out of vogue by next fall although I do enjoy seeing well done pop culture tattoos on other people.

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Wednesday  Jul 20, 2005

Military Tattoo Taboos

Sgt. Grit has an impressive collection of U.S. Marine Corps tattoos and the stories behind them. In recent years, all of the United States’ military branches have enacted more restrictive tattoo policies. All branches prohibit tattoos that are obscene, sexually explicit or advocate or symbolize sex, gender, racial, religious, ethnic or national origin discrimination.

There are some interesting quirks. For example, in the Navy, depictions of forked tongues are no longer allowed. Meanwhile, none of the branches can agree about what marks “excess” tattooing. In the Army, no tattoos should be visible when the soldier is in uniform. In the Air Force, only one quarter of an exposed body part can be tattooed. The Marines, meanwhile, permit tattooing anywhere except the head and neck.

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Tuesday  Jul 19, 2005

Big Red

From our friend Nick Walker in the UK: "Check this guy out. Andy the roofer who’s been working on the house next door to me. Mustah HURT that one. The artist’s name is Dave Ayres at the Skin Deep parlor in Bristol."

Cheers
Nick

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Tuesday  Jul 19, 2005

"Seen At The Clubs" - Photos By Mark The Cobrasnake

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Tuesday  Jul 19, 2005

Five Questions For. Dan Witz, Artist

INKED: When and why did you decide to get your first tattoo?

DAN: I was 17, with a close friend on a cross country find America/find ourselves coming of age odyssey. We got to San Francisco and wanted to celebrate our bond. Also, being suburban at heart, I wanted to be "bad", to epater the bourgeoise., which was a lot easier back then.

INKED: What does your tattoo mean to you?

DAN: It's my art collection.

INKED: What makes a tattoo sexy?

DAN: rebellion is sexy.

INKED: What tip to would you give to someone who's getting their first tat?

DAN: think of it as a note to self--a permanent note to self.

INKED: Describe your favorite tattoo of all time?

DAN: Of mine? My little lonesome boat. By Bill Beccio in Venice Beach, Ca. Generally though, I like the old time traditional Sailor Jerry type stuff. By now my collection has pretty much covered all the common motifs.

You can see Dan's art here.

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Tuesday  Jul 19, 2005

‘Crazy Diarrhea’

We definitely need to give some props to Darren Barefoot for giving us the heads up on this site, which is solely dedicated to debunking misused Asian character tattoos.

But we had to draw your attention to this particular tattoo faux pas; we literally fell off our chairs in laughter at this one. Poor little Naomi Chaney mistakenly tattooed the words “Crazy Diarrhea” just above her butt. Astonishingly, the craziest thing about this misnomer is not what the slogan says, but the fact that the owner admits she knew what she was doing, and actually got help from an Asian friend. Apparently the joke is on us -- and she’s actually paying homage to the bunch of ignoramuses out there who are unaware of what their tattoos mean. Yeah right! I’m sure it’s gotta be some kind of cover up, and you better believe she’s got some serious beef with her so-called friend.

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Monday  Jul 18, 2005

Sherri Wood's Tattoo Baby Doll Project

For many years Sherri Wood has been collecting cloth dolls at thrift shops and then sending them to some of the county's most prominant female tattoo artists who then draw original tattoos on the dolls bodies. Sherri then hand embroiders the art on the dolls.

Sherri explains in her artist's statement:

"The dolls, like their artists, are of different races, religious and sexual orientations, and cultural backgrounds. Each collaborating artist is asked to consider her response to tattooing the doll along with my feedback and response to embroidering the doll. From there she is encouraged to name and then write a short statement or story about her doll.

The Tattoo Baby Doll Project serves to break down barriers and prejudices about women’s work and roles, tattoo subculture, craft and art. The project strikes a subtle balance between these varied traditions and the communities they represent, thus questioning the lines that define, separate and empower each tradition. It draws together two distinct and distant marginal groups. Yet the unusual juxtaposition between embroidery and tattoo makes sense because it exposes an underlying metaphor intrinsic to both marginal groups. It is through the recognition of shared metaphors that cultural hierarchies and personal prejudices begin to break down."

Statement by Sarah Peacock, tattoo artist:
"Lydia, oh Lydia, oh have you seen Lydia...?!" Marx Bros. Lydia's tattoos represent many strengths and great courage. She wears a combination of Western & Eastern art; the 3/4 "robe" reflects traditional Japanese tattoos of the irezumi, whilst the imagery belongs to American "old school." Both touch on remarkable beauty, but also give light to social taboo... the Japanese irezumi (literally those with the "insertion of ink") are still very underground. In America it is acceptable for a woman to have one or two delicately placed tattoos, but a fully covered woman is perceived on a much different level, someone to be glimpsed at, watched, commented on, but rarely approached, and often feared. To achieve a full bodysuit of this proportion takes great commitment and endurance for both the wearer and the artist. For this reason I have immortalized Lydia in the backpiece, nestled upon the sacred lotus, under the canopy of tattoo machines, glowing like the Madonna of Guadalupe. On her front, mermaids swim alongside coy carp, giving strength through the waters of the emotions. The bluebirds on her chest show the miles she has traveled on her journey to completeness. So take a good look at Lydia and reflect on her beauty. Next time you see here, go and talk to her.

You can learn more about the project here.

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Monday  Jul 18, 2005

"Seen At The Clubs" - Photos By Mark The Cobrasnake

More here.

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Monday  Jul 18, 2005

INKEDblog Interviews William Thidermann

"It was a roommate after college that first got William into tattooing. That roommate, Chris O'Donnell, has gone on to tattoo at NY Adorned and William has since gone on to Tattoo at Th'ink tattoo in Denver. It’s hard to say whether or not William would have been a tattoo artist if he didn’t meet Chris, although it’s safe to say that has made the most of it since focusing his attention on the field.

Before arriving in the tattoo industry, William was classically trained as a fine artist. This is evident in his tattoo work. His understanding of form, detail, and light has helped develop his unique style of tattooing.

To see more of Williams work, you can visit him here and here."

... Logan Hicks

INKEDblog: How'd you first get into the tattooing field?

William: Well, I got out of art school and I didn't know what to do. I know I wanted to pursue art in some way but I didn't want to starve for too long. Anyway I was in a hardcore band called Four Walls Falling and got to travel around and meet people, at the same time I lived with a tattooer named Chris O'donnell who got me my first job with him and Nate Drew. Everything just came together at the right time... I had a bit of exposure to the old tattoo world, when I was 17 I got to meet Crazy Ace, Bernie Luther, Dannie Fowler, and I was intrigued by that world so when I got a chance to get in I took it, although at that time it was a hard road.

INKEDblog: What's the strangest request you've ever had for a tattoo?

William: Hmmmm...too much to think about there, ok uh, I guess I don't do too much strange stuff, I tend to like to work on things that aren't based on a joke or fetishism, however I tattooed a half sleeve lesbians-in-a-graveyard-thing once.

INKEDblog: So, what makes a tattoo "good"?

William: First off ...if it makes the client happy, does it make them feel the way they want to feel. Secondly and more formally, it should be able to last, have solid fades, be smart compositionally, enhance the body and not detract from it. Tattooists should pay attention to the way it reads in any direction and make sure it is as technically as solid as possible.

INKEDblog: What are the best and worst things about being a tattoo artist?

William: The people, the people, Depending on who you get to deal with your life can be a joy or quite frustrating. I focus on the people who care and respect tattooing so that way I have the time to work on and work out the projects that I really care about on the people I really care about. If you take care of tattooing, tattooing will take care of you.

INKEDblog: Describe your favorite tattoo of all time?

William: There are way too many things I have been impressed by in the last 11 years, too many to mention... I will however say that when I lived in Richmond I saw a piece on Watson's back by Tim Hoyer that at the time was one of the most amazing things I had ever seen, it impressed me hugely and still does.

INKEDblog: What's your thoughts on Old School vs. New School styles?

William: Huh... as far as Traditional American tattooing goes there are probably not that many people doing it in a really old style, most people do sorta neo traditional... it kinda is traditional but it has all sorts of colors and stuff that the old guys never did, so I don't think it is actually very traditional. As far as the term new school, I don't exactly know what that is... if it that bendy-wacky stuff that is overly candy colored with triple highlights, I don't personally like it. I personally like all different styles of tattoos, it just needs to be readable and convey a strong visual impact as well as some structure and a solid application. I think a good tattoo has a timeless feel to it no matter what the style.

If you are interested in getting work or commissioning a painting, or whatever plus check out my convention page to see if I will be around your area.

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Monday  Jul 18, 2005

Evan's Muncha Tattoo

"Saw your entry about Alfonse Mucha, and thought I'd like to share my
Mucha tattoo with you guys. What an amazing artist, huh? Few from
that period (or ever for that matter) could capture the female form as well as Mucha could. Anyways, awesome website, keep it up. Peace..."

.. Evan Zimmerman

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Monday  Jul 18, 2005

"Seen At The Clubs" - Photos By Mark The Cobrasnake

More here.

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Friday  Jul 15, 2005

Why do we love Symmetry?

(Photo above by Mark The Cobrasnake)

Why do we love Symmetry?

"There is something incredibly striking about symmetrical tattoos. Often these special tattoos are of the simplest design, but speak to a deeper desire in the human conciseness. That desire is balance.

Recent studies have shown that men and women who are considered the most attractive by their peers are often the ones with the most symmetrical faces and bodies, versus the ones who are considered the most beautiful who often more unusual and asymmetrical looking faces and bodies.

Biology in general tends to take place in a symmetrical manner. The majority living things can be bisected with even halves, and we are conditioned to consider this a form of beauty.

Nearly all ancient tattoos are symmetrical. African tattoos in particular enhance places on the body considered beautiful, the cheekbones for example, and the forehead.

Tattoos that are created for status in African, Japanese, Balinese and many other cultures are all symmetrical, versus historically asymmetrical tattoos for slaves, or prisoners.

People tend to put a great deal of mystical belief into the idea of two halves meeting. Much literature and art has been based on the idea that when separate halves meet, the result is a magical occurrence.

However, people currently going the opposite direction are giving a strong message as well. Asymmetrical tattoo supporters have created a new sort of aesthetic based on a design of anarchy, which has its merits and supporters as well"... Jessica Lund

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Friday  Jul 15, 2005

Out of This World Tattoos

Sci-Fi has long spawned a fascination that runs the cultural gamut – from counter culture to mainstream, from books to videos, and from cartoon characters to blockbuster super heroes. Tattoos22 features a superb gallery of supernatural tattoos. Most of the alien designs are the archetypal little green martians, but there are a few original deviations. Of course, the very nature of life from outer space is enigmatic, so some of the tats are difficult to decipher. However, they all seem to incite feelings of ‘outer-worldliness’, and many are laden with dark overtones. We particularly like the tattoo of a green lady that’s sitting cross legged, as though she were mid-meditation -- it’s very provocative, as though the owner is trying to make a statement about spirituality and alien life forms. We love tattoos that make you think.

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Friday  Jul 15, 2005

In Memory Of...

Griefwarehouse.org is an incredibly touching page dedicated entirely to immortalizing the memory of children that have tragically passed away. All of the stories are both compelling and compassionate. Interestingly, the tattoo parlor doubles as a therapy lounge for grief stricken parents. For some, getting a tattoo of a lost child can in some way help them to deal with their grief. The site also provides a link to a tattoo support group meeting, in which a bunch of parents get together at a particular tattoo parlor, and either touch-up old memorial tattoos or design new ones.

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Thursday  Jul 14, 2005

The Road Less Traveled

Robert Frost's The Road Less Traveled is one of our all time favorite poems. So we were psyched to see that someone had inked it on their arm, as it makes for a really incredible textual tattoo. We can all relate to the dilemma of coming to a fork in the road, and having to make a choice that will ultimately affect our direction in life. Originality, and thinking ‘outside society’s prescribed conformities’, is always more admirable than letting others dictate your thoughts.

Very cool tattoo.

Artist is Tattoos by Kane - Immortal Images Tattoos in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Photo above was nicked from About.com here.

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Thursday  Jul 14, 2005

INKEDblog Interviews Garrett Ostrowski

"As tattooing has become more popular, you see people approaching the industry like it's a popularity contest rather than a craft. Some of the guys out there think that they need a PR agent just to manage all the "cool" that they radiate. But not Garrett Ostrowski. Garrett is one of those cats who sits back, tattoos his ass off, and makes a solid living off extraordinary talent without trying to live - and look - like a rock star. Although Garrett is one of the few tattoo artists that doesn’t have a website, I managed to track Garrett down for this Q&A.

To check out his work, or to get inked up by him, you can find him at:

Cliffs Custom Tattoo
1446 Middle Country Rd.
Centereach, N.Y. 11720
(631)-698-3833"

... Logan Hicks

INKEDblog: Garrett, how'd you first get into the tattooing field?

Garrett: When I was 14 a buddy and I went to a guy tattooing out of his house, as soon as I felt the sting that was it, I wanted to know everything about it. It was hard then, no one wanted to give up information. So, a lot of trial and error for a few years, a move to Florida and then to New York and I've been here ten years.

INKEDblog: So what's the strangest request you've ever had for a tattoo?

Garrett: Well, that’s a hard one. I live in New York. I guess I would have to say there was this one guy who came in and asked for a cross with a loop at the top (Egyptian Ankh) with the tribal symbol for "white pride" (Japanese Kanji) in the middle..........I think he was a little mixed up....

INKEDblog: So what makes a tattoo "good"?

Garrett: A vision, a patient client, also have patience, and alotta heart.

INKEDblog: What are the best and worst things about being a tattoo artist?

Garrett: Best, the freedom..................Worst, the drama

INKEDblog: Describe your favorite tattoo of all time?

Garrett: Well, if you mean on my body, I would have to say the portrait of my father by an amazing artist from Germany named "Till". If he sees this call me damit! If it's one I've done, I would have to say the 3/4 sleeve I did on my fiancee (judith)...

INKEDblog: What's your thoughts on Old School vs. New School styles?

Garrett: I'm drawn to both so much, I love big, solid, bold, bright color, shades, shadows. They both involve everything I like..... Keeping art electrified...

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Thursday  Jul 14, 2005

Every BODY Has A Story - attractivefilth

"The symbolism behind my rose tattoo lies in the old school traditional images used to depict finding your way. Swallows are used to depict finding your way back home, and the rose - with its symbologist connotations relating it to compasses and travel - also symbolise being guided along the right path.

The rose symbology features prominently in my artwork and stickers around West London. (Props to Kev Grey) I had recently done a number of canvases depicting traditional five petal rose tattoo symbology in them. This lead me to research old school style and eventually to getting the tattoo.

My tattoo was done in April by the most excellent Italian tattooist Amanda Toy who I was lucky enough to get an appointment with when she had a brief stay in London in the Spring.

She had tattooed my swallows back in February, and although I already had five small tattoos previously, until I got tattooed by Amanda - I didnt really realise what it was like to get a proper, large, meaningful tattoo. The rose was a cover up of an attrocious piece of rubbish I had done far too early when I was 19 and didn't really know as much about what I liked as I do now that I'm 26.

I cannot wait to sit under Amanda Toys needle again whenever I can! Shes a great person as well as a top tatooist."... attractivefilth

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Wednesday  Jul 13, 2005

Take the INKED Tattoo Personality Quiz

Be sure to check out this cute little INKED Tattoo Personality Quiz that was put together by our colleagues at ElectricArtists.

After answering ten quick, easy questions, the quiz determines your tattoo personality and you can then download the INK designs that “belong on you.” (The designs were created by our friends at www.Tattoodles.com)

INKED premieres on A&E next Wednesday, July 20th at 9pm/8c…

If you want to learn more – click through here.

*** INKED on A&E is a sponsor of INKEDblog.com ***

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Wednesday  Jul 13, 2005

INKEDblog Interviews Juan Puente

I recently caught up with Juan Puente for a quick Q&A. Juan is a tattooist's tattooist. If you read or hear about the influences of most tattooists, Juan's name is sure to pop up more often than not. He has worked with many legendary tattooists - Hanky Panky, Eddie Deuche, Chris Garver, and Scott Silver, just to name a few. Not limited to tattooing, Juan’s talents are evident in his photography as well as his film work.

Juan is currently tattooing at Spotlight Tattoo. Visit www.JuanPuente.com for the full Juan experience.

... Logan Hicks

INKEDblog: How'd you get into the tattooing field?

Juan: I really don't know how I got into tattooing. When I was young I never really wanted one but I always liked them. When I got my first one, and realized that it was not such a big deal, and that I actually liked the whole process,( I don't mean the pain.) you could say that I became addicted, and that is where it all starts right?? I had done art by painting punk leathers and flyers in the 80's but tattooing is where my career as an artist really started.

INKEDblog: What's the strangest request you've ever had for a tattoo?

Juan: Man there have been a few odd requests but thinking about it as a whole I wonder what is really odd?? Tattooing is not natural, it is a modification, an after market accessory if you will. Subject matter, forget about it. It seems now it is almost boring trying to outdo one another but it definitely is amusing and that leads us to the next question kind of. Quality of tattoos, what makes a tattoo good...

INKEDblog: So what does make a tattoo "good"?

Juan: That is kind of an odd question. There are a lot of different styles today and everyone has their own taste. If the lines are clean, color is solid, has the right amount of shading, technically I guess that makes it a good tattoo. Right???? Magazines have helped and hindered the tattoo community. If these publications put good to great to excellent tattoos in their magazines, we would not have people coming in to the shops with these magazines under their arms saying that they want something like "this" or "that", and as an artist you know it is just shit, but try to explain that to someone who wants it when they want it. "Everyone gets that tattoo they deserve..." I forgot who said that but it is so true.

INKEDblog: What are the best and worst things about being a tattoo artist?

Juan: The best thing about being a tattoo artist is being a tattoo artist. It definitely is not for everybody, in fact there are a bunch of people that are doing it that really have no business doing it, but the world goes round. There are artists, underachievers, overachievers, drug addicts, hustlers, straight businessmen, world travelers, nomads, outlaws, scumbags, we got it all in this business, but as a whole we are a family and we look out for one another and if you are not in, your just not in. Tattooing has taken me all over the world, taken care of me and my family, how much better can that be?? The worst thing about being a tattoo artist is seeing how people have to live such a structured existence while you are having a good time. Another thing is people can really suck sometimes. No one gives a fuck if you have been working late every day that week, if you are sick, if you are having personal problems, whatever, they want their tattoo right then and fuck you if you can't do it, but instead of just splitting or hanging up the phone they are going to bitch and moan to try to see if they will get their way. I have weeded out most of those customers but I still have a few.

INKEDblog: Describe your favorite tattoo of all time?

Juan: As far as favorite tattoos go that one is the hardest one of them all. I just returned from Japan and saw the most amazing Japanese tattoos ever. Whether I am in San Francisco, New York or Los Angeles, I am blessed to be around the most amazing artists that each place has to offer. There are so many favorites that I can't even go into this without it being a twenty page article.

INKEDblog: What's your thoughts on Old School vs. New School styles?

Juan: Old school, new school??? I just had a friend of mine bring it to perspective to me. I was just in NYC for a tattoo convention and there was an art show for tattooists from NYC and also tattooists who have only been tattooing for under 5 years. I have attended this art show for a couple of years now and have seen some amazing pieces, even purchased a few. So my friend calls me, he is in NYC as well for the convention as well, and then he brings up the art show, I tell him I am going later and what not. Then he starts barking to me about Old school and back in the day this and that, how these motherfuckers have no respect, how could they do this, blah blah blah. In the meanwhile he went from airbrusher to piercer, to tattoo artist. Nothing old school about that. I like celebrating tattooing in all forms. I don't care if you have been tattooing for a week, if you are doing great tattoos, fuck yeah, if you know you have a way to go and are humble and want to learn, fuck yeah. There are amazing "New School" artists as well as "Old School" artists, and then there are the shitty ones, what can you do. I like and appreciate both styles but if someone wanted a new school tattoo I will refer them who can just kill it, and that person will just be stoked with his or her new tattoo.

One last thing. This last August my friend Eric Masske died, and I credit him for a lot of what I am today in this business and for without him I may not be where I am today, and I just want to thank him for everything that he did for me.

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Wednesday  Jul 13, 2005

Maori Tattoos’ Mythological Roots

"New Zealand in History" has a wonderful article on the culture of New Zealand tattooing. The Maori history is ripe with mythology and symbolism -- with the act of tattooing strongly associated with ceremonies and rituals. The legend of the inception of Maori tattooing is particularly engaging. According to ancient mythology, tattooing commenced with a love affair between a young man by the name of Mataora (which means "Face of Vitality") and a young princess of the underworld by the name of Niwareka. Unfortunately, Mataora shamed himself by beating the princess. However, through various acts of redemption, he managed to regain her love. After the princess’s father (who lived in the underworld) forgave Mataora, he taught him the art of tattooing. When Mataora returned to the natural world, he passed on his newly learnt sacred art. Interestingly, all high-ranking Maori men were tattooed, and those who were not were seen as having no social status.

You can read the whole article here.

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Tuesday  Jul 12, 2005

"The World's Dumbest Criminal"

This story is too good to pass up.... An article in today's MetroWest Daily News in Framingham, Mass details the saga of a guy named Justin Breakspear. Last week Breakspear was indicted by a grand jury in Middlesex for illegally owning a gun that he had vehemently denied owning.

How did they pin him with the crime?

He had an exact replica of the gun - including the serial numbers! - tattooed on his hip.

Norman Miller writes in today's paper:

"Justin Breakspear, 19, of 14 Temple St., is charged with two counts of the illegal possession of a sawed-off shotgun, the illegal possession of a firearm, two counts of the illegal possession of ammunition, defacing a serial number on a firearm, three counts of the improper storage of a firearm, the illegal possession of marijuana, and three counts of the illegal possession of a firearm -- subsequent offenses.

Breakspear was arrested in May after Middlesex Sheriff's deputies went to his apartment to serve him warrants. Framingham Police said he ran and hid in the basement, where he was found and arrested.

The deputies, though, saw what appeared to be gun parts during the arrest, and informed the Framingham Police, who obtained a warrant.

In the basement, they found two sawed-off shotguns as well as a .380 caliber pistol.

Police said Breakspear originally denied the guns belonged to him. He said the basement was open to everyone in the building and could have belonged to anyone.

Later, police found a large tattoo of the handgun on his hip, down to the serial number, police said.

"I've never, never seen something like this," said Framingham Deputy Police Chief Craig Davis at the time of the arrest. "This is like the world's dumbest criminal."

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Tuesday  Jul 12, 2005

Every BODY Has A Story - Travis Millard

"Me and Mel (Travis' girlfriend) just got back from Kansas the other day. Great trip. Scarring. The photo above is the evidence. That's my brother on the left and middle, me on the right. In terms of the signifance of the tattoos, it's not so much the van, as it is the placement, and the bond. Several months ago my brother Brett got one of my vans tatted over an embarrassing blemish he'd dealt with for many years. The blemish was the result of a homemade tattoo gun and too many drugs at a young age. And it was a brand from those days on display, as a reminder to him all the time. So our good friend Noah in KCMO rocked one of the vans as a cover up. And for Brett, it was a renewed sense of confidence. So this time around, Mel and I were in Kansas, and I went for it on the drawing hand. It's healing up pretty well now,... still a little itchy.."... Travis Millard

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Tuesday  Jul 12, 2005

Remembering Keith Alexander

On June 22nd, we featured an absolutely beautiful koi tattoo that was meticulously documented by Keith Alexander as he went through the process of getting inked. Sadly we learned from BoingBoing this morning that Keith was killed yesterday in a bike accident in New York City.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Keith's family and loved ones.

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Tuesday  Jul 12, 2005

INKEDblog Interviews Phil Holt

"Before I actually interviewed Phil Holt, I first asked some of my friends in the tattoo industry what their impressions were of Phil. I had heard his name, but didn’t know that much about him. Every single artist I spoke with had nothing but the highest regards for Phil. He is one of those rare people that elevate the craft, trade, ethics, and professionalism of tattooing without diluting the rich history that lies beneath its surface. Since my first introduction to Phil, my personal interactions with him have cemented his reputation in my mind.

Phil has been tattooing in towns ranging from Ohio to Chicago to California. His current shop is in Ybor City in Tampa, Florida. Tucked inside a converted cigar factory, quality work remains the mainstay inside Phil's shop, RedLetter/

Recently, Phil's good friend, Tommy Laskas, was stabbed along with his wife after trying to break up a fight between two bar patrons. Tommy subsequently died and Phil has begun collecting artwork for an benefit auction that will be held on July 17, 2005. The email that Phil sent out was one of the most selfless, caring letters I could ever imagine someone writing. This is merely one example of how this powerhouse of talent continues to give. (Those of you who would like to donate artwork to the charity auction can do so by contacting Phil directly at phil (at) redletter1 (dot) com.

To check the tattoo work of Phil has completed, you can visit Redletter here."

... Logan Hicks

INKEDblog: Phil, How'd you first get into the tattooing field?

Phil: I was young, fresh out of highschool scratching on skater kids and teenage junkies in their parents kitchen.

INKEDblog: What's the strangest request you've ever had for a tattoo?

Phil: Strange I can handle. Stupid is what kills me. Its the kids that want "white power" in Japanese. People getting names on themselves when the dont even want to but their significant other wants them to get it so they comply with the request. Its stupid. I think some people take tattoos in the same light as purchasing a teeshirt or a bumper stick from the local truck stop. It just a novelty to these people and its foolish.

INKEDblog: What makes a tattoo "good"?

Phil: Aside from technical aspects of tattooing accurately the drawing means a ton. If the drawing sucks the tattoo will suck. If the drawing rocks the tattoo could still suck if the technical side is failed. I've been trying to make everything flow really well from every angle, every side. Your body has shape and dynamics that shouldn't be ignored.