|
||
|
|
||
INKEDblog takes you beneath the skin of today's tattoo culture. Our mission is to celebrate tattooing as a modern art form which incorporates art, fashion, style, and pop culture. While paying homage and respect to the past, we look to present a contemporary take on the present and future of skin art.
Wednesday Aug 31, 2005
"Seen At The Clubs" - Photos By Mark The Cobrasnake
You can see more of Mark's photos here.
| Wednesday Aug 31, 2005
Quotable Tats
Quote Garden is an amazing site that features a collection of terrific literary and classical quotations beautifully inked on boedies around the world. A couple of our favorites include “seize the day; trust not unto the morrow” and an ace quotation from Motley Crue – “If you wanna live life on your own terms, you gotta be willing to crash and burn”.
Photo above from the amazing BME. Click here to enlarge.
Tuesday Aug 30, 2005
Every BODY Has A Story - Suze75
"I'd been thinking about getting a tattoo for years, but never could think of what to get. I wanted it to be individual and 'me', but couldn't work out what.
Last week, my partner suddenly worked out what he wanted for a tattoo (the impossible stars southern cross thing) and booked in to get it done at smart arts in Melbourne (after much internet research to find a good studio).
That day i was posting our stuff I'd sold on ebay, & I looked twice at a fabric i was sending (a shag-style retro print) and noticed just how cute the little cats on it looked. So I took some of the fabric along to show the tattooist (Woody). He had time to do it that afternoon, so before i knew it i was under the needle.
It's feeling a bit sore now, but I'm rubbing in the nappy rash cream and waiting for my mum and dad to tell me off ;0)"
Tuesday Aug 30, 2005
Ancient Tattoos Banned
The Berbers are an ancient tribe of people living primarily in Morocco and Algeria. Desert dwellers, the Berbers have many beautiful and artistic traditions most typically rug-making and tattooing.
The traditional Berber tattoo is a female-centric form of body art, using symbolic images most often on the face and hands as a form of protection and tribal identification.
Currently, most Berbers identify as Muslim at this point, and in the Muslim religion tattooing is forbidden. Henna tattoos are often used as a replacement, and sometimes women draw on the traditional facial tattoos with marker.
Monday Aug 29, 2005
Every BODY Has A Story - Joey
"My tattoo is a statement but more a reminder to myself. I have always loved and have much respect for artists like sailor jerry. for about six years I battled drug addiction and went through two long years of methadone treatment and after constantly relapsing, I overdosed. after all that I made one final promise to myself to stay off the junk. a friend that never gave up on me through the hard times showed me this artwork and I loved it, I knew it would be my next tattoo. I got the work done by a close friend named Jake at Tiggers Tattoo in Dallas, during that time Jake and I were in a band
together. the tattoo is on the ditch of my elbow and on the original
artwork, the banner was blank so I had to decide what I wanted the tattoo to say. "heaven bound" is what I chose, because at this point in my life, I have seen enough of hell. its a reminder of where I was, sailing a dangerous sea and being able to navigate through it all and come out ok, ive been clean over a year now."
Friday Aug 26, 2005
From Street to Skin - Banksy's Girl with the Heart Baloon
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE TATTOO
Friday Aug 26, 2005
"Seen At The Clubs" - Photos By Mark The Cobrasnake
Thursday Aug 25, 2005
"Seen At The Clubs" - Photos By Mark The Cobrasnake
Wednesday Aug 24, 2005
"Seen At The Clubs" - Photos By Mark The Cobrasnake
Wednesday Aug 24, 2005
INKED Tonight on A&E at 9pm EST/ 8C
If you haven't yet checked out INKED on A&E, tonight's a great night to do so, as two of the series most popular episodes come back for an encore...
At 9:00PM/8:00C - "The Trouble with Quinn"
Quinn, the receptionist, is running amok and Monica, the shop's manager, can't take it anymore. Rumors start to surface that Quinn is getting the axe. But before Monica can fire Quinn she gets into a car accident that takes her away from the shop.
and then...
At 9:30 PM/8:30 C - "The Big E-vent" - "H & H tattoo artist, Big E - a former gang member (now a loving dad) and current Mixed Martial Art Champion - wants to get back in the cage. He's training hard for the moment of truth. Will he defend his title or will his dreams be left a bloody mess in the cage?
** INKED on A&E is a sponsor of INKEDblog.com
Tuesday Aug 23, 2005
Sanskrit on Skin
Sanskrit is an ancient Indian language. Some scholars refer to it as the mother of tongues, claiming that Latin is derived from it, and therefore all Indo - European Languages. It’s used by healers and yogis of different traditions to harness energy or Prana in the form of mantras or chanted sounds such as AUM or SO - HUM. This particular tat. found here, displays the Gayatri mantra, written in its native form. The Gayatri mantra is one of if not the oldest written prayers. The premise of the prayer is the wish for all beings to be enlightened. The most interesting feature of the tattoo is the symbolism of the bumblebee. It is said that if you follow all of the known laws of physics, it’s impossible for a bumblebee to fly. However the limitations of science should not confound our faith in the greater universe.
Tuesday Aug 23, 2005
"Seen At The Clubs" - Photos By Mark The Cobrasnake
Tuesday Aug 23, 2005
Symbols From The Twilit Grotto Esoteric Archives
For those interested in ancient and medieval esoteric practices, the Twilit Grotto Esoteric Archives may be of interest. There’s an impressive collection of symbols and woodcuts drawn from subjects ranging from alchemy to obscure seals for angels and devils. Interesting and historically accurate, the site is full of good ideas for original (and meaningful) tattoos.
Monday Aug 22, 2005
From Street to Skin
"Just recieved photos of my new favourite maniac, a guy called Shane who's had Shat-at tattooed onto his back! RESPECT!
Quite odd seeing your work on someone's skin, but very cool none-the less! Don't have any info on the tattoo artist or the parlour, but looks like a sweet job to me!"
... Eelus
Monday Aug 22, 2005
Every BODY Has A Story - Lady Labobo
"The Little Prince is one of my favourite books and holds so many different meanings for me. Although its a child's story, it has adult themes and - to be honest - it really teaches adults how to be children again... and I think that's an important skill to have.
The second part of the story is that I get tattoos to mark important points in my life. I haven't been too well lately and as a result was made redundant from my place of employment. Instead of getting down, I was really chuffed and wanted to do something to celebrate my freedom from the shithole of doom.
The Little Prince seemed the obvious choice to me as its very much about freedom.
Its slighly "cutesy" for me - I'm more a skull and rotting flesh fan but it was fitting and I love it."
... Lady Labobo
(The Little Prince Tattoo was done by Michael of Bodyline in Glasgow)
Monday Aug 22, 2005
"Seen At The Clubs" - Photos By Mark The Cobrasnake
Friday Aug 19, 2005
"Seen At The Clubs" - Photos By Mark The Cobrasnake
Friday Aug 19, 2005
"Seen At The Clubs" - Photos By Mark The Cobrasnake
Photo by Mark The Cobrasnake
Friday Aug 19, 2005
Rocket From The Crypt - The Tattoos
The San Diego based rock band Rocket From the Crypt has basically gone into hibernation for the past year and a half, but its legacy still lives on in the tattoos of its fans. RFTC has long had an amazing tattoo fan club: anyone with a Rocket From the Crypt tattoo would get into shows for free, and even get special limited edition 7 inches. The most interesting aspect of the tattoo club is that it’s not just the same uniform tattoo on different skin: each fans customizes the basic design in numerous creative ways, as you can see here in this gallery.
Friday Aug 19, 2005
An Introduction to Adrinka Tattoos
Adrinka traditionally refers to a decorated cloth produced among the Ashanti of Ghana. Each of the stamp patterns have different names and refer to various Ashanti proverbs, animals, historic people, and even common household objects. In more recent years, however, Adrinka symbology has been adopted in areas outside of clothing, including, of course, tattoos. You can see a gallery of Adrinka tats here.
Thursday Aug 18, 2005
Yakuza Tattoos - A Quick Introduction
Japan's Yakuza have been known for their full body tattoos. During initiation, men receive intricate tattoos that can often take more than two years to complete from start to finish.
"Irezumi" is the art of tattooing in Japan. The word means "insertion of ink." Irezumi can be used either as an adjective or a noun, and can be used to refer to a tattoo artist, the person who gets the tattoo, or the actual design.
Irezumi designs often use images from Kabuki theatre. One of the most popular irezumi designs is Benten Kôzô. Benten Kôzô was a criminal who would disguise himself as a woman. When he was caught, he pulled off his clothing and people discovered that he was a heavily tattooed man.
Thursday Aug 18, 2005
Traditional Tattoos in Borneo
If you're interested in learning more about the history of tattooing in Borneo, then be sure to to check out this article on the National Geographic website.
From the article:
"In Borneo, tattoos denote an affiliation with spirits, deities, or ancestors — or to ward off harm or disease. Others mark the coming of age, signify tribal rank, or distinguish friend from foe.
For Borneo's Dayak people, spirits embody everything: animals, plants, and humans. Many groups have drawn on this power by using images from nature in their tattoos, creating a composite of floral motifs using plants with curative or protective powers and powerful animal images."
Click here to read the full article. It's terrific.
Wednesday Aug 17, 2005
Killer Klowns
The gallery of clown tattoos featured at Tattoo22.com certainly aren’t the ‘kid friendly balloon twisting’ clowns that pacify rambunctious toddlers at your niece’s birthday bash. And we’re pretty sure that most of these ghoulish characters would feel quite at home at www.ihateclowns.com -- a site entirely dedicated to the depiction of clowns as sinister and evil characters. However, whether you’re into ‘killer klowns’ or not, it’s hard to dismiss the incredible needlework that has gone into creating some of these creepy creatures. The color and detail is certainly impressive, and the expressions on their faces are real enough to invoke terror in even the toughest big kid.
Wednesday Aug 17, 2005
Tattoo Trivial Pursuit
Ok, so you think you’re a tattoo aficionado. But how far can you get in Vanishingtattoo’s tattoo trivia challenge?
We hate to admit it but even the primary level is pretty difficult. Although the first question leaves you feeling at least a little knowledgeable, it’s a trick to lull you into a false sense of security. If you don’t know that Samuel O’Reilly patented the electric tattoo gun, we suggest you skip straight to the answers, because the questions get infinitely harder. And, if you want to advance to the next level without getting at least seven answers correct, they will decline you access (we know this because we tried it). But don’t dismay, it’s not like one of those cruel Nintendo games where you stay stuck on the same level for years, Vanishingtattoo is kind enough to supply you with an answers page. So, if you didn’t know that “Life” magazine estimated that 10 percent of Americans had a tattoo in 1936, you can skip straight to the cheat sheet.
Wednesday Aug 17, 2005
Do you know what that symbol means?
Symbols.com is an excellent resource for those considering a new tattoo. The site features an enormous encyclopedia of over 2,500 symbols. With a diversity that encompasses signs such as this ideogram for marriage from Ghana to contemporary graffiti, Symbols.com can provide numerous ideas available for new skin art.
Wednesday Aug 17, 2005
New Episodes of INKED Tonight on A&E at 9pm EST/ 8C
Later tonight, there's two new episodes of INKED on A&E.
At 9PM/8C - "The Big E-vent" - "H & H tattoo artist, Big E - a former gang member (now a loving dad) and current Mixed Martial Art Champion - wants to get back in the cage. He's training hard for the moment of truth. Will he defend his title or will his dreams be left a bloody mess in the cage?
And then at 9:30PM/8:30C "Meet the New Boss" - H&S gets a new boss when former receptionist, Brian, gets promoted to manager. Brian's new job is certainly not an easy one, especially as troubles with the receptionists and helpers seem endless.
** INKED on A&E is a sponsor of INKEDblog.com
Tuesday Aug 16, 2005
Samoan Sensation
Samoa.co.uk is an excellent resource for those of you that are interested in learning about the history of Samoan tattoos. Traditional Samoan tattooing of the pe'a, a body tattoo, was an ordeal that was not lightly undergone. The entire process was often highly ritualized, with most of the tattoo motifs being of animal origin, as various animals were considered to be sacred by different families. Also extremely interesting are the ancient tools used to tattoo indigenous Samoan men and woman. The site lists the Samoan words used to describe various tattoo paraphernalia, as well as featuring an English translation on how the tools were used. There are also some beautiful illustrations and diagrams of the intricate five stages of tattooing – starting at the back and ending at the navel. The site also includes a traditional song that was sung to Samoan’s while they were being tattooed. The lyrics talk about the beauty and strength of their tattoos, and their ongoing will to endure pain.
Tuesday Aug 16, 2005
"Seen At The Clubs" - Photos By Mark The Cobrasnake
Photo by Mark The Cobrasnake
Tuesday Aug 16, 2005
"You Need Eyes On The Back Of Your Head"
Inspired by his children’s remarks about his driving, Martin Reilly recently had eyes tattooed into the back of his head.
What makes it even more unique is that the piece was done for a good cause. Reilly collected sponsorships totaling more than £350 (plus free work from The Ink Pot in Oldham) to raise money and awareness for Fantastic Dyspraxic Kids. Dyspraxia is a learning disability that also effects motor skills, and affects many children and adults.
You can read the story here.
Monday Aug 15, 2005
Elvish Tattoos by Ned
If you’re a Lord of the Rings fan, or simply interested in exotic scripts, Ned Gulley will translate your name or phrase into Elvish for a very small fee.
And if you’re not interested in paying, he’ll teach you how to do it yourself.
Monday Aug 15, 2005
Every BODY Has A Story - Liberation Iannillo
"Most of my tattoos are of the work of other artists who have inspired me in some way. Right now I am very much into street art so of course it had to find its way onto my body.
I would love to give you some profound statement as to why I chose my Neck Face tattoo, but honestly I chose it because it makes me laugh. Neck Face’s work has this 1987, stoner, heavy metal quality to it that, for some reason, I identify with. I am attracted to the rawness of his style and I look forward to seeing how he develops as an artist.
After looking at what seemed like hundreds of images I chose this one because it looks hideous but for some reason he colored him Barbie pink. Again, I wish I could intellectualize it but I can’t. My gay devil just makes me smile."
Monday Aug 15, 2005
"Seen At The Clubs" - Photos By Mark The Cobrasnake
Friday Aug 12, 2005
Every BODY Has A Story - Sarah Braun Hamilton
“I was traveling in Mexico (after finishing college, I lived in Chiapas for almost a year) and when I was at Palenque (awesome ancient Mayan city in the jungle) there were these folks outside selling copies of the Mayan carvings burnt onto leather. I saw the figure that is now my tattoo, and I was totally drawn to it, so I bought it. It's not one of the carvings from Palenque. I eventually found a picture in a book at the library that looked like it, and shows that it is at Copan, another ancient city in Honduras, where I have still never been. I kept the leather picture.
I later lived with Tanya "Pinky" Goldberg, an NYC tattoo artist. We also went to school together in first grade, and most of high school. I decided I needed to have another iteration of the carving, on my flesh. I had her do it in brown so that it matched the leather version. Anyhow, the book I found did not offer any detailed information as to what it depicts. Looks to me like something (scrolls?) burning in a pan and the smoke rising becoming a serpent from the mouth of which a person appears. The person is about to say something. All the people in old Mayan pictures do that thing with their hand when they are talking, and then little Mayan speech bubbles come out of their mouths. Something about prophecy, maybe?
It's a commemoration of my time in Mexico, and my work in school, which focused on the conquest/colonization of Central America and the use of translation as a survival tool by both the indigenous peoples and the Spanish. There’s also the natural desire of the text (work of art) to perpetuate itself, in this case by attracting my attention on a piece of leather and then jumping onto my back. Another thing I like about it is the way that it has changed since I got it. People ask me if/when I am going to get touchups/color (like they start asking me about the Mayan Calendar), but I really like the way that it has faded and chipped, like the carvings on ancient temples have.”
Sarah Braun Hamilton is the drummer and oboe player for the experimental psychedelic band Spacehawk
Friday Aug 12, 2005
Tattoo Removal Tips
In today's Philidelphia Enquirer, Knight Ridder reporter Melissa Dribben writes about issues centered around tattoo removal. Included in the article are five things to know about tattoo removal proceedures:
1. Some states, including New Jersey, require laser surgery, and any other invasive procedures, to be performed by a doctor. Pennsylvania requires supervision by a doctor.
2. It is safest to see someone with specialized training in lasers. The best bet is a board certified physician, preferably a dermatologist, who has an understanding of the skin, how the laser works, the interaction of the laser and the skin, and how to handle any problems that might occur.
3. Ask questions to make sure that the right lasers are being used for the colors in your tattoo.
4. Remember that tattoos with white pigment in them can be a problem to remove. And if you've had an allergic reaction to the dyes (the contents of which are not yet regulated by the FDA), be aware that laser treatment might not be right for you.
5. Be prepared to return for a series of treatments, spaced over six weeks or longer.
Friday Aug 12, 2005
"Seen At The Clubs" - Photos By Mark The Cobrasnake
Thursday Aug 11, 2005
"Seen At The Clubs" - Photos By Mark The Cobrasnake
Thursday Aug 11, 2005
Teens and Tattoos
The Chicago Tribune reports today that the Governor of Illinois vetoed legislation yesterday that would have allowed teens to get tattoos in the state of Illinois. Currently you need to be 21 to get a tattoo in Illinois, while at 20 you can buy cigarettes, join the army, and carry a gun. While most states allow anyone 18 or older to get inked, Illinois is one of two states that have set the age at 21.
We asked our resident expert, Jessica Lund, to share some thoughts on teens and tattoos....
Should teens be allowed to get tattoos? While every family has their own style and rules, here are some things to consider:
- Ask your teen why they want a tattoo. The answer may surprise you! If the desire to get a tattoo has to do with artistic expression, listen. Maintaining a dialogue with your teenager is a very important step to a good relationship. The point is not to have an identical sense of aesthetics. If her/his answer has to do with conformity to peers, mention that you hear that, and attempt to open a non-threatening discussion that boosts your teen’s ego.
- Have there been significant changes in your teen’s behavior lately? If so, a tattoo might be an expression of something else that might be worth examining.
- How will the tattoo be paid for? Is your teenager willing to earn the money needed for a well done tattoo?
- How educated is your teen about infection and aftercare? A positive first step might be to ask your teen to educate you about the risks and maintenance associated with the tattoo process.
- How old is your teen? There is a large difference between the stylistic choices at 13 versus the choices at 18. If you are having trouble agreeing to a tattoo immediately, perhaps you could let your teen know when it would be acceptable.
- Lastly, another good compromise is to have your teen sketch or find his/her design and sit with it for six months to a year. They will discover if they still want the same design choice, or if their style has changed.
This may feel like forever to your teenager, but as long as you do not go back on your word, teens will know you are listening to them, respecting them and will support their choice when the time comes.
Thursday Aug 11, 2005
INKEDblog Interviews Jarrett DeMartino
"Ok, I'll admit, when I was a teenager, I listened to Suicidal Tendencies about a zillion times a day. The chorus of "all I wanted was a Pepsi, just one Pepsi..." came out of my mouth anytime I drank the carbonate beverage.
So when I moved to Venice, CA, I couldn’t help wondering what it must have been like when the 'Suies' were running wild in the streets of Venice. Well, I won’t ever know first hand, but I can imagine those times by talking to ST Tattooist, Jarrett DeMartino. ST Tattoo is the Tattoo shop originally started by Suicidal Tendencies singer Mike Muir of the Suicidal Tendencies and tattooist Jason Brown.
Although not originally a Venice man, Jarrett seems to have the same spirit of those times. Jarrett started his artistic pursuits at the School of Visual Arts in New York and then honed his tattoo skills at Murder Ink Tattoo in Queens. Two years ago, Jarrett moved to California and picked up his trade again at the infamous Venice ST Tattoo shop. Jarrett has been able to consistently merge East Coast and West Coast styles and find his niche here in Venice.
To see more of Jarrett, go to: http://www.Bloodshovel.com"
... Logan Hicks
INKEDblog: How'd you get into the tattooing field?
Jarrett: My mother is an artist and my father is a musician. They had no work, but some of their friends did. From a kid's perspective, I thought having a picture in your skin was fascinating. I tattooed myself at 13 (that went over real well), went to the School of Visual Arts in NYC at 18, and that's where I met my mentor "Bee" Cortes. He took me under his wing and opened up a world to me that has let me do things that I never imagined. This I do not take for granted.
INKEDblog: So, what makes a tattoo "good"?
Jarrett: Everything from it just being drawn right - composition, proportion, light source, traditional formulas followed-then tweaked. Unless you are doing a one point style tattoo the body is part of the art too. The body's lines and curves should be complimented by the art and vise-versa. They should all flow as one. Finally the way it's applied will determine how it looks forever. It should be smooth to the touch with no holidays in the ink.
INKEDblog: What are the best and worst things about being a tattoo artist?
Jarrett: The best part about being a tattoo artist is the people that you are able to meet, and the traveling opportunities that come as a result, which results in meeting more people.....
INKEDblog: Describe your favorite tattoo of all time?
Jarrett: My favorite tattoo of all time is whatever I am working on at the time. That's not a cop out on the question. I believe the journey is the destination. So with that said, its what you are doing at that moment is what counts. Yesterday was yesterday.
INKEDblog: What's your thoughts on Old School vs. New School styles?
Jarrett: My thought on that is why are they competing? I think people that are hung up on this have a stick up their ass. You need classic traditions to make new ones. Who want's to reinvent the wheel? Art is art. Either you're going to love something, or you're gonna think it's shit. Just get your reference together, don't bite too hard and draw. Just like shut up and skate.
Wednesday Aug 10, 2005
"Seen At The Clubs" - Photos By Mark The Cobrasnake
Wednesday Aug 10, 2005
"Seen At The Clubs" - Photos By Mark The Cobrasnake
Photo by Mark The Cobrasnake
Wednesday Aug 10, 2005
Video Game Totem Tattoo
Gotta love this video game totem tattoo. We found it on Joystick.com. The owner of the tat explains on Joystick:
”...as the native people in the pacific northwest (and other places) used totem poles to tell stories and keep family chronologies, my design was intended to tell a history of some of the important games that influenced me and my family as i grew up.”
Wednesday Aug 10, 2005
New Episodes of INKED Tonight on A&E at 9pm EST/ 8C
Later tonight, there's two new episodes of INKED on A&E.
At 9PM/8C - "Busting Out" - Vegas begins proving to be too small a town for both Thomas and Carey who can't wait to head to Florida to scout out the location for the new shop. Back at the H&H, Quinn makes a trip to the plastic surgeon.
And then at 9:30PM/8:30C "Love On The Rocks" - Shop manager Monica, whose relationship with co-owner Thomas takes a messy turn. At the tattoo shop, Monica breaks down during a live Tony Hawk radio broadcast from H & H.
** INKED on A&E is a sponsor of INKEDblog.com
Tuesday Aug 09, 2005
Rae Schwarz and Jessica Lund talk Tats, Pagans, and Snoopy Dances…
One of best resources on the internet for information about tattoos is Rae Schwarz's Body Art collumn for Bella Online. Recently INKEDblog contributor Jessica Lund sat down with Rae to talk Tats, Pagans, and Snoopy Dances…
Jessica Lund: Hey Rae, good morning! Tell me about you and tattooing.
Rae Schwarz: Actually, I'm not a tattooist. I seem to get that a lot.
Jessica: Oops.
Rae: I'm an enthusiast or collector, as they say in the tattoo world. And a writer.
Jessica: I read your columns and you seem to specialize in some really interesting tattoo ideas.
Rae: Well, I've been crazy about tattooing and body art in general for about 20+ years now, so I just keep learning what I can and passing it on.
Jessica: Your stories are remarkable... Did you ever consider tattooing, or has writing always been your focus?
Rae: If I had any drawing talent, I would be tattooing.
Jessica: Yeah... I hear ya! What was your first tattoo?
Rae: My first tattoo was the Japanese kanji "koto" which means "to be different" when I was 21 years old. I had already had a few episodes of drawing on myself in junior high, and in high school I used some of the first temp tattoo products too, so really, my interest is the ink in general. The Japanese style is one of many traditional forms of skin art that I like.
Jessica: What is your favorite tattoo that you have?
Rae: I love them all, but presently, I'm really into what was the most recently work I had done, which is some symbology and designs on my chest. On the left side is the plant 'honesty' and an old Coptic design, right side is the sign for 'quinta essentia' and peacock feathers.
Jessica: What does this tattoo mean for you?
Rae: It's part of my spirituality. The left side is how I take in energy and the right is about how I put it out into the world.
Jessica: Nice. Do you write pieces other than on tattoos for Bella?
Rae: I'm also their Pagan topic editor. Recently, I’ve been exploring the holiday Lughnasadh, the first harvest festival is July 31st, so I've got articles on that. Plus I'm working on the review of a documentary about people who still worship the old Greek gods in Greece, and the conflicts they get into. It's like the Christian/Pagan conflicts in the US.
Jessica: Can INKEDblog readers find this info at Bellaonline?
Rae: The Body Art topic can be found here and my Pagan-oriented writing is here. Actually, Bella has over 400 topics covered, all mostly written by women, so there's a lot of everything to be found.
However… At body art, the readers seem to want a lot on movies and celebs. The pagans don't seem to care about celebrities, LOL.....
Jessica: Ug., I never write on celebrity tats...
Rae: Ha! Every time Britney Spears gets another tattoo with a mistake in it, I do a Snoopy dance.
Jessica: Double HA!!! I’d like to see that! You’re cracking me up, girl! So I heard you get a ton of emails with questions about piercing and healing- are most of them similar??
Rae: Yes. About 90% of what I'm getting are nose piercing questions. People think they are a casual piercing, but healing cartilage can be tough. I got so many (questions), I wrote an eBook that sells pretty steadily.
Jessica: What are the main problems people experience with piercing (and how the heck can readers buy your book)?
Rae: The main problem is that cartilage piercings have a great inclination to form 'keloids' which is a type of raised scar tissue. It winds up looking like a bump, right next to the piercing.
Jessica: Eww, Bummer,. What do you do about it?
Rae: Well, they are sort of hard to deal with. I had a few on my ears (nearly cartilage piercings) and I managed to shrink them down to nothing with tea tree oil. That's in the book, btw..... which is available on Bellaonline.com and costs just $2.95.
Jessica: Excellent! So, any last words of wisdom for INKEDblog readers?
Rae: Take as much time as you need to think about the design and if you are ready, before getting tattooed. It makes me sad when people email me and they are unhappy with, or worse, they hate their tattoos.
Jessica: I agree. Thanks so much Rae- I'll keep reading your stuff and I bet a lot of INKEDblog readers will too!
Rae: Thanks!
Monday Aug 08, 2005
"Seen At The Clubs" - Photos By Mark The Cobrasnake
More from Mark here.
Monday Aug 08, 2005
INKEDblog Interviews Todo
"It is safe to say that tattoo artist Todo has a pretty decent lifestyle. When he's not tattooing in his private studio south of Atlanta, he's touring and tattooing with members of Velvet Revolver, Stone Temple Pilots, Aerosmith, Foo Fighters, Ministry, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ozzy Osbourne, No Doubt, Sarah McLachlan, Kottonmouth Kings, ICP, Poison, Stone Temple Pilots, and Ministry. As if that isn’t enough to keep one man busy, he's also an accomplished airbrush artist and illustrator.
Take a look at Todo's website, www.artbytodo.com, under the celebrity section and it looks like you are flipping through an old issue of Cream or Circus magazine."
... Logan Hicks
INKEDblog: How'd you first get into tattooing?
Todo: Tattooing has been a positive attraction visually and mentally since the 70's. I didn't turn to skin art for a career choice 'till 1985 when I then seeked an apprenticeship.
INKEDblog: What's the strangest request you've ever had for a tattoo?
Todo: I got to say since my career got going I've met some very strange and interesting people. I have a bunch of strange request including one gentlemen that wanted his whole bottom lip tattooed Pink. At first I had to think about it but it had its purpose in a cosmetic sense. I was asked to do this to cover a pigment discoloration on his lip. After a few sittings the spots where gone and this guy didn't stop coming to me, he wanted it done every 6 months even if it needed it or not. " I think the guy started to like the feeling or something, OUCH "..
INKEDblog: What makes a tattoo good?
Todo: Good tattoos are ones that aren't rushed, hardly bleed at all, Have smooth gradients and crisp line work, Last is quick healing time with hardily no or little scabbing.
INKEDblog: What are the best and worst things about being a tattoo artist?
Todo: I love being a skin artist because it opens doors to the worlds of music, travel, and independence. Plus connecting with people spiritually and making a lot of friends. Working on the weekends and working for someone besides yourself.
INKEDblog: Describe your favorite tattoo of all time?
Todo: My favorite tattoo would be my Chrome sexy Robot girl holding a shield and sword that originally is a painting by Sorayama.
INKEDblog: What's your thoughts on Old School vs. New School styles?
Todo: Hmmm... without Old there would be no New. As for the styles Old vs. New, I love both since I came into the tattoo world during the 80's I saw the transition happen. Some where successful some got there hands broke..lol
Friday Aug 05, 2005
Why Do Tattoos Fade?
Been wondering exactly why tattoos fade over time? Is there anything you can do to prevent it? We asked our resident expert, Jessica Lund to find out why tattoos fade and what can be done about it. Here's her report:
"All tattoos fade over time. Some of the reasons for premature fading are avoidable, some are not.
Avoidable Reasons for Fade:
The most common avoidable reason is the sun. Sun bleaches the color out of a tattoo. In order to minimize this reaction you should use strong sun block whenever your tattoo is exposed to the sun
The second most avoidable reason is improper healing. Absolutely do not go in salt water, chlorinated pools, hot tubs, or spas while a tattoo is healing. This can not be overstated. Until the skin is healed, water can get into the skin and dilute the tattoo, sometimes with disastrous results.
Never let your tattoo get a thick scab and never pick at scabs. This can cause scar tissue that will affect the lines.
Always go to an experienced artist. Tattoos performed by inexperienced tattooists often fade because they are either not done deeply enough and the color leaches away, or too deeply which causes scar tissue and excess scabbing.
Lastly, if you choose a design that is very small, it will have a higher probability of fading, as do tattoos on the fingers and feet. Experts think that the fading on fingers and feet may be due to issues with blood circulation in these areas.
Unavoidable Reasons for Tattoo Fade:
These reasons are a bit more complex, and require a bit of knowledge about the way that your body systems work. Your skin is made up of an outer layer, the epidermis; a middle layer, called the dermis; and an internal layer, the hypodermis.
One month after a tattoo is received, the bottom section of the epidermis is finishing its healing process. In the dermis, ink is concentrated in the uppermost section, surrounded by collagen. Ink is still being eliminated through the epidermis with ink present in tiny cells. This is why picking scabs can remove some of the ink.
After three months, the epidermis is completely healed, preventing any further loss of ink. Ink is now present exclusively in the dermis layer.
Experts believe that ink particles move into a deeper section of the dermis over time while your lymphatic system constantly flushes all layers of your skin to remove toxins in the body. This causes tattoos to look blurry and bluish after a number of years.
The best solution for fading is to make regular appointments for touch ups. When you decide on a tattoo, realize that like most good things, your body art will require some maintenance.
After avoiding all the avoidable reasons for tattoo fade, plan to visit your tattoo artist every few years to keep the lines sharp. Many artists offer this service for a free or reduced fee. This will keep your tattoo looking its best for the long haul!
Friday Aug 05, 2005
INKEDblog Interviews Albie Rock
"Albie Rock is someone that understands that tattoos don’t save the world. Sticking ink into someone’s arm doesn’t make you the cool guy, nor smarter, more attractive or worldly. Albie's outlook is one that could be shared by more tattooists, but unfortunately isn’t. In a profession where it is easy to become insulated by people who constantly boost your ego, he has managed to remain humble about his profession and talent.
In between his tattooing at ‘All or Nothing Tattoo’ in Georgia and White Mountain in New Hampshire, INKEDblog caught up with Albie to get his take on a few questions.
For more info on the world of Albie Rock, including his favorite Vegan recipes, check out www.AlbieRock.com"
... Logan Hicks
INKEDblog: How'd you get into the tattooing field?
Albie: I kinda fell into tattooing. I had dropped out of college, and was running a chain of ice cream shops in Connecticut (i'm vegan, so I wasn't really psyched, but I was also super broke). I was getting tattooed at a shop called Darkside, by a guy named Lou Jacque. One day, he asked me if I'd ever considered trying to tattoo (He liked what I had been bringing in to get tattooed). I told him I'd give it a shot, and he started giving me assignments, unofficial style, to see if I would take it seriously. First just drawing whatever, then drawing specific stuff, larger and more involved every time.....After a month, the owner noticed what was up, and Lou and the manager, a guy named Joey Apartments, vouched for me. I started apprenticing in July, I did my first tattoo ever on October 15th 1999, on my friend Mitch. I started tattooing regular folks in November. I was super spoiled. I wasnt bugging folks to give me a chance, it just fell into place. I worked with some of the best artists on the East Coast. Eric Merrill of Hope Gallery sat in with me on my first tattoo. I was totally not even paying my dues at all. Something I can't stress enough as a bad thing. Needless to say, I ruined that whole experience, and it took years to repair a lot of burn't bridges.
INKEDblog: What's the strangest request you've ever had for a tattoo?
Albie: Strangest request for a tattoo? ummmm, I think people getting their names and surnames on themselves is pretty strange.....I mean, is it in case you forget it? Is it so strangers can pretend they know you? I dont understand it....as for tattoos of pooping hamsters or whatever, most folks who want a piece from me, in my style, have pretty open minds and decent senses of humor, so nothing is off-limits. I've done hitler as the pope, and a pile of other stuff regular folks wouldn't get......I'm way more judgemental about generic stuff, safe bet plain jane tattoos. I'll do 'em, it just bums me out when people want a tattoo, but couldn't care less what it is, as long as its small and cheap, and common....
INKEDblog: So, what makes a tattoo "good"?
Albie: A tattoo is good if the person who gets it likes it. It's that simple. It's not the thick lines, clean outlines, or ugly color scheme. It's not the clique that the artist rolls with. It's not their fashion sense. It's not how many articles or awards, or whatever the artist can claim. Because plenty of folks absolutely love their shitty outlined, unblendy colors, and eyeballed skulls, done by vagrant bikers at house parties. The tattoo styles I like aren't all the kinds I tattoo. The kind of stuff I hate has more in common with the category I'm usually placed in. So really, it's all up to the person wearing it. I've had people love stuff I hated, and vice-versa, so really that sums it all up, for me at least.
INKEDblog: What are the best and worst things about being a tattoo artist?
Albie: Best vs worst stuff. That's hard. Because its kinda all the same stuff...Ok. I got it: The best thing about being a tattoo artist isn't the money, the easy money, the fat stacks or whatever. Its not the groupies who inflate the fragile fevered egos of tattooers either. Its not the girls (or guys) who will totally hump you up because of your job. Its not hanging out with pop-punk bands, or tattooing piles of scenesters who think you're a douche because you've never heard of whatever bands e.p they currently love, or anything like that. The best part isn't doing body suits on 'serious' collectors. It's not. Sorry. If that's what its about, then I missd the point, I guess.
Notice I didnt say what the best thing was? Word. The worst thing about tattooing is other tattooers. For real. It's not tribal, or biker shit, or drunks, or anything like that. It's the self-importance that comes along with any postion of real or imagined power. Tattooers aren't rebels anymore. They may be skaters, stoners, bikers, loners, weirdos, or whatever, but anyone who ends up getting any recognition suddenly becomes a turd. Look around. You'll see it. The space pizza, cosmic broccoli esoteric energy lines and golden spikes crowd. The death metal/ zombie t-shirt black and grey spooky stuff crowd. The sideburns and truckerhat belt buckled traditional crowd. The little ex-graffitti cartoon character crowd. They all have a uniform, a clique, and a shitty attitude. They've become the jocks they used to rebel against. That's why I rarely go to conventions. Its why I don't do drugs. But I dont consider myself straight-edge. It's all the same shit. Delicate egos wrapped up in complicated shells of self-congratulation. Fuck those dudes.
INKEDblog: Describe your favorite tattoo of all time?
Albie: My favorite tattoo of all time? jeez, I'd have to say I really like my tattoos. The ones on me, I mean. A whole lot of doooooooooope artists, and no home runs. A lot of strikes. swing and a miss type stuff. I like that. Its a good remider that nobody hits a home run every time. It makes you work harder, trying to cancel out those dark secrets. But I've got the proof. Right here. Haha. I like that.
INKEDblog: What's your thoughts on Old School vs. New School styles?
Albie: I don't know if im into the terminology, for starters. Traditional themes, progressive themes, simple graphics, complicated illustrations. Its hard to like one or the other more or less, since they all come from the same place. Modern traditional isn't like the old stuff. New new school isn't like the shitty 90's graffiti fat line crap it used to be. Its all evolving. I mean, all these rockstar guys doing photorealistic stuff. Its not fineline, its no line stuff, its traditional themes, roses, waves, hearts, but done way different, black and grey isnt the slack-and grey, whipshade to skintone it was, That organic vegetable/digital computer stencil bloppy style isnt like the new school from when I was in high school. By the time stuff gets labelled, the real artists are already way past it. I like skull tattoos, whether outlined with a 9 round and shaded black to ugly green to skin, or 97000 grey tones, or fat lined with photo negative craziness...... its all decent. and it has nothing to do with school.
Friday Aug 05, 2005
"Seen At The Clubs" - Photos By Mark The Cobrasnake
More from Mark here.
Thursday Aug 04, 2005
Tattoo's and Acne
The other day we received the following email:
Hi INKEDblog,
I'm wondering what the pros have to say about tattoos and pimples/zits/acne. First, whether it's ok to ink skin with pimples present, and second if an outbreak after the inking could screw things up.
Thanks
Djensen
So to find out the answer to Djensen's question we reached out to our resident expert, Jessica Lund. Here's what she had to say:
"It’s actually a pretty complex issue with experts disagreeing left and right. The short answer to your question is that most people advise against getting a tattoo over current acne. This is because acne is a small infection under your skin, and it is important to avoid any infection in conjunction with a tattoo. The acne might make you more sensitive or reactive to tattoo ink, leaving scar tissue that will compromise your tattoo.
Many people also suggest avoiding areas where you often have acne for the same reason. If you are to break out during the healing process, again, you are at risk for an infection. In general, a pimple that appears after while the tattoo is healing will not cause damage, particularly if it is left alone and not picked.
Some people with scarring from severe acne want a tattoo in particular on acne-prone areas in order to downplay scars and pits. This is where it becomes a bit more complicated. While the rate of infection doesn’t seem to be affected by areas that used to be subject to acne, experts disagree about tattoo-ability of scarred skin.
Some dermatologists say that it is impossible to tattoo successfully over scarred skin, but others disagree. The best thing to do in this case is to talk to both your doctor and a trusted tattoo artist who has had experience with this issue.
On a similar subject, if you get a rash of pimples after you are tattooed, it generally means one of two things: you are experiencing a reaction to the ink, or more commonly, you are applying too much ointment to the tattoo.
In both cases, the best thing to do is to wash the tattoo with mild soap then pat dry. Be careful not to rub the tattoo. Apply a very thin layer of ointment for the first three days, several times per day. After that, use a non-scented lotion but do not overdue, as you will be again in risk of a break out.
If the tattoo is infected versus simply reactive, see your doctor."
Wednesday Aug 03, 2005
Paul Frank Tattoo
Photo by Mark The Cobrasnake
Wednesday Aug 03, 2005
Russian Prison Tattoos
One of the most beautiful and symbolically oriented tattooing subcultures can be found in seemingly unlikely locations: Russian prisons
Prisoners there have developed an extremely intricate symbolic language that communicates information not only about their sentences and crimes, but their birth places, personal habits, politics, prestige, and families. There have been several books written on this fascinating subject, including Danzig Baldayev's Russian Criminal Tattoo Encyclopedia
and Alix Lambert's photographic survey Russian Prison Tattoos: Codes of Authority, Domination, and Struggle.
Wednesday Aug 03, 2005
Scott Blake's Bar Code Tattoos
Artist Scott Blake has been working with barcodes for a long time; his work's won numerous awards and appeared in several national magazines. Now, through his website, you can purchase customized temporary bar code tattoos which can actually be read by most scanners.
Wednesday Aug 03, 2005
New Episodes of INKED Tonight on A&E at 9pm EST/ 8C
Later tonight, two new episodes of INKED airs on A&E.
Here's a quick preview:
At 9PM/8C - "Meet the New Boss"
Hart & Huntington has a new boss when Brian, the former receptionist, is promoted to manager.
and then at 9:30PM/8:30C - "The Trouble with Quinn"
Quinn, the receptionist, is running amok and Monica, the shop's manager, can't take it anymore. Rumors start to surface that Quinn is getting the axe. But before Monica can fire Quinn she gets into a car accident that takes her away from the shop.
** INKED on A&E is a sponsor of INKEDblog.com
Tuesday Aug 02, 2005
"Seen At The Clubs" - Photos By Mark The Cobrasnake
Photos by Mark The Cobrasnake
Tuesday Aug 02, 2005
Steed Taylor's Road Tattoos
From Steed Taylor's Artist Statement: "Road Tattoos? Because roads are the skin of a community, a road is to the public body what skin is to the private body. If people mark their skin as a means of commemoration, communication and ritual; then a road can be marked for the same reasons. I am interested in the intersection of memorials, ritual and public art. I have been investigating how personal emotional significance can be placed on a public space and how this emotional resonance can be manifested in public artwork. My Road Tattoos are a result of this investigation.
Road Tattoos are placed at locations of personal significance and are composed of cultural designs previously appropriated to mark skin. Once the design is drawn on the road, names or other specific information is painted within the design, a prayer is said and the design is painted in, covering over the names. They are subtle, usually close in color to the roadway, but made with reflective paint causing them to appear and disappear with passing light. Eventually traffic and weather conditions dissolve them into the road.
You can learn more about Steed's work here.
Tuesday Aug 02, 2005
Femme Coleur: Salon, Coffee Shop, and Tattoo Parlor
If there were a mascot for tattoos' growing mainstream popularity, there's a good chance that it would be Femme Coleur, a full-service. The business is notable not only for its wide range of services, but also for its location - Gustine, California. Gustine's a farming community of about 5,000 in Northern California. If there's any doubt left about tattoos' social acceptance, it should be noted that about a quarter of the salon's customers leave with tats. Owner Bob Sherman states that "People want tattoos. They just don't want to walk into a ghetto to get one."
Tuesday Aug 02, 2005
Congrats to Sue and Chuco
Congratulations to Sue Cornell and Chuco Caballero, who this past weekend were the place winners of the "Overall Male" and "Overall Female" contest at the Philadelphia Eddie Tattoo Convention, held this past weekend.
Monday Aug 01, 2005
Polaroids by The Polaroid Kid
You can see more of Mark's work here.
Monday Aug 01, 2005
"Seen At The Clubs" - Photos By Mark The Cobrasnake
More from Mark here.
Monday Aug 01, 2005
INKEDblog Interviews Erik Desmond
"Ok, so you want an authentic Japanese style tattoo, but don’t have the time to fly to Osaka? Try Erik Desmond. It’s about as authentic as you can get within the United States. With a dedication to Japanese style tattooing, his work leaps off skin with an organic quality that is rarely captured in tattooing. Erik's dedication to authentic Japanese tattoos is as strong as his loyalty to the culture he borrows from. Several trips to Japan to study with the Hiritoshi family have helped him broaden his understanding.
Erik's first introduction to this cultural design came at the hands of his high school art teacher who was Japanese and taught Japanese Calligraphy. Calligraphy opened the gates to Japanese tattooing and remains a passion for Erik.
In 1988, Erik began his tattooing career at Peter Tat2 in West Hempstead, NY. Now, 17 years later, Erik still tattoos at Peter Tat2. In the transient, instant-gratification tattoo field, it is rare to find a tattoo artist that has such patience.
For more info on Erik, visit his site at http://www.horifudo.com"
... Logan Hicks
INKEDblog: How'd you get into the tattooing field?
Erik: I got into tattooing... I got tattooed by Bill Loika in Conn and asked about doing flash for some extra cash and he said...nah just go apprentice and start tattooing. So with his advice I ended up appretincing with Frank Romano at peter tat2 .
INKEDblog: What's the strangest request you've ever had for a tattoo?
Erik: Strangest? Not so sure maybe doing a portrait of my friends wife (whom he loves) as a severed head... or doing a portrait of another friend as a severed head on himself!
INKEDblog: What makes a tattoo good?
Erik: Good tattoo....clean solid image with PERSONALITY.
INKEDblog: What are the best and worst things about being a tattoo artist?
Erik: Best...hours....Worst... hours......nah the best is meeting people and watching things develop. worst, dealing with customers who are rude and suck.
INKEDblog: Describe your favorite tattoo of all time?
Erik: Favorite..Tomomori backpiece by Ed Hardy...seeing it in tattootime... Whoa you can do that.... that just made me feel like you could do a tattoo and give it feeling, that tattoo truly inspires me even today
INKEDblog: What's your thoughts on Old School vs. New School styles?
Erik: Old vs. New.....? I don't know I just think that people get a little caught up in trends, I mean thats what happens but I am seeing more people wanting to cover armbands and chrome eyeballs everyday saying.. I dont know why I even got this. So old is tried and true. New is essential for growth as well though. Hmmm... Tough one.
© Electric Artists Inc. All rights reserved.
