Thursday, July 29, 2010

Tattoo Art For The DIY Crowd

Los Angeles, California January 26, 2007: With popular culture's recent interest in tattoo arts, it's no surprise that the web has been inundated with various tattoo related sites. Perform a search in Google, and you'll be amazed by variety of results. Some sites function as an introduction to a tattoo artist or studio, while there are some that gleam the web for pictures and stories surrounding tattoo culture. Other sites are merely portals hoping to make a quick buck off tattoo flash. However in my search, I happened to stumble across a tattoo blog that dares to offer the chronicle of two brothers learning to tattoo themselves. This should be good.

"Ink Trails" is a journal of two brothers, Jason and David who set out to learn how to tattoo while documenting the entire process. The blog starts out with the simple premise that one need not have a desire to tattoo professionally to work within the medium. According to comments posted on the site, a traditional tattoo apprenticeship can be very difficult to find, and can require the student to spend years working as a lackey before ever laying the needle to skin. Tattoo artists tend to be very territorial, as teaching an eager student their hard earned skills can create instant competition and are a liability to their main source of income. There is also those that see tattooing as a trade and therefore expect those interested in learning to be wholly committed to learning the craft as tradition has prescribed. If TLC's Miami Ink is any indication, the job of an apprentice can consist of little more than moping floors and answering phones for years before they are entrusted with the knowledge of the trade.

While the first few posts on the site document the trials of finding out what supplies they will need and how to operate the equipment, it's the posts of their work that provide the most interesting reads. Filled with stories, pictures, and even video clips of each tattoo, Jason (the main author) documents the mistakes made and lessons learned with earnest voice and a remarkable clarity. One of their first tattoos on a friend even shows a video clip of the exact moment when David fudges a line! While I'm glad it wasn't me, it's this kind of unflinching honesty that makes the site stand out from so many other sites trying to capitalize on the upsurge in popularity.

Surprisingly, in a little over three months, the work featured on the site has improved dramatically. Many of the new completed pieces actually have a rough, yet stylized traditional quality to them. Of the most recent, David finished a sailor tattoo based on a traditional flash design that looks authentic. They seem to be getting increasingly more comfortable with the tools and their work speaks to this fact.

While the brothers caution that they are not in the business of teaching anyone the right way to tattoo, they sure offer enough information to get the newcomer started. For any body interested in learning to tattoo, or just understanding more about what goes into the tattooing process, this site is an invaluable resource. Keep up the good work, fellas! I'll definitely be a regular reader.

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Hawaiian Arm Tattoo and Hawaiian Armbands

One of the biggest and hottest growing trends in the art of tattoo design is Hawaiian arm or leg band tattoos. As this trend goes a lot of people think to themselves, well of course." At least that is what I said to myself at first. You can hardly drive more then 10 minutes on the freeway in southern California where I am from and not see a big SUV like a Lincoln Navigator or a Cadillac Escalade and not see a Hawaiian sticker. Things with flowers designs, or turtles, dolphins. Ya see it started off with the sticker and then the car seat covers with hibiscus flowers everywhere and it just grew from there.



This trend of Hawaiian design has then met it's match with the whole tribal tattoo movement. Tribal tattoos have been the hottest thing in the tattoo world since sliced bread or the old school WWII era Hula dancer. You see these influences have been all around us for a long time my grandpa even has one of those Hula Girls tattoos still. Granted it is a little saggy and faded now but he still has one on his forearm nonetheless.

So the whole tribal tattoo and the growth in interest for Hawaiian designs have combined to make a hot and growing market for Hawaiian tattoos. This is really an up and coming thing and it not huge yet. However many tattoo artists are spotting the trend and jumping on it already.

Of course there is a lot of controversy on this subject also like anything. If you look on the internet there is a controversy about getting Kanji and Japanese Tattoos also. Anytime you try and take the designs of a culture and do not depict them accurately it creates a sense of bastardization or what I call the "Disney Effect" towards the culture. I mean how would you feel if you were in China and someone said, oh you should try this hot new restaurant out it serves this great food that is really American. They have fried chicken and apple pie that is the best." Well, at first you would be excited right? Sure it would be nice for a good home cooked meal if you have been out of the US for a long time. However once you get there you see the place has really tacky and awful reproductions of 50's art and the all the food tastes kind of strange. It would probably bee kind of close or resemble what you were thinking of but it would be missing something or a few key ingredients. I bet this would leave you feeling a little sad and like your culture was not totally understood.

Well, I can not speak for you and maybe you will feel different but I was pretty sad when after staying in Japan for 3 months I was invited to a 1950's classic hamburger joint. When we got there it was Elvis with a funny accent playing on the jukebox and when my hamburger came it had a fried egg on top of it with teriyaki sauce. WOW what a surprise that was for me. I kind of felt weird about being in the place that had tried to recreate something from my own culture.

So, the same controversy rolls on in the world of tattoos. Anytime you get a tattoo design from another culture just make sure you go with a professional. Do not have your friend trace out some Kanji in a book for a tattoo and don't go and rip some design of the internet because it states that it is Hawaiian. Go to a real custom tattoo designer and have them do the research and come up with some designs. After all this is going to be on your body for the rest of your life and since Hawaiian arm band tattoos and leg tattoos are typically big it will be a significant investment in pain, time and money to get the thing done. So you should consult with a professional and get top notch work done.




Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Tribal Tattoo Designs

Over the past decade, tribal tattoo designs have gained popularity among ordinary people and New Age practitioners. Some of these tattoos speak for themselves, showing off deities and symbols associated to ancestral magical practices, spiritual protection or inner enlightenment, representing the equilibrium of the masculine and feminine energy of the universe.

The role of women in ancient tribal cultures, contributed to the popularity of tribal tattoos designs, featuring feminine symbols, representations and energies not seen before, except when tribal art was originated. This approach to the feminine nature gained the acceptance of many modern women, who basically wear tribal tattoos as arm bands or low back designs.

Because tribal tattoo designs can mix the forces and elements of nature, they are a natural choice when it comes to people wanting to wear sun, moon, clouds, stars with no conventional design, although there are many other forms of tribal designs, including abstract art.

One of the most popular tribal tattoo designs is the sun, which is represented in as many forms as the existing tribes of the present and past worldwide. The peculiarity of these designs is that anyone can identify a tribal sun tattoo, but very few can determine which tribe it belongs with if one exists, because many tribal tattoo designs have no background, being the result of modern art.

Another interesting characteristic of tattooing tribal designs is the application of tattoos portraying ancient representations; tribal vestiges found in caves, designs discovered on protective totems, or many other forms currently housed in galleries and museums, drawn with skill and accuracy by modern artists.

Some tribal tattoo designs resemble Gothic, Wiccan or pagan symbols with intricate lines, particularly popular in the 2000s, evolving everyday until the present when present and past of the tribes have been fashioned to design unique tribal art not available before. In fact, many tribal tattoo designs are the result of retouched and modified ancient designs.

Because tribal patterns are more often composed by lines and geometrical forms, only an expert on the subject can differentiate the real ancient tribal tattoo designs, from the new self contained art. Abstract patterns to resemble the original tribal designs, are often most used by the master of contemporary tattooing

Beyond all the expectations and meaning of tribal tattoo deigns, sociologists consider that if tribal tattoos have remained focused for thousand of years, it is because they have the power to motivate people on a subconscious level, in the belief of getting a particular benefit wearing a certain figure or symbol.




Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Dolphin Tattoos: What is the Symbolism Behind Them.

Lotus flowers are amazing and have strong symbolic ties to many Asian religions especially throughout India. The lotus flower starts as a small flower down at the bottom of a pond in the mud and muck. It slowly grows up towards the waters surface continually moving towards the light. Once it come to the surface of the water the lotus flower begins to blossom and turn into a beautiful flower.

Within Hinduism and Buddhism the lotus flower has become a symbol for awakening to the spiritual reality of life. The meaning varies slightly between the two religions of course but essentially both religious traditions place importance on the lotus flower.
In modern times the meaning of a lotus flower tattoo ties into it's religious symbolism and meaning. Most tattoo enthusiast feel that the a lotus tattoo represent life in general. As the lotus flower grows up from the mud into a object of great beauty people also grow and change into something more beautiful (hopefully!). So the symbol represent the struggle of life at its most basic form.

Lotus flower tattoos are also popular for people who have gone through a hard time and are now coming out of it. Like the flower they have been at the bottom in the muddy, yucky dirty bottom of the pond but have risen above this to display an object of beauty or al ife of beauty as the case might be. Thus a lotus flower tattoo or blossom can also represent a hard time in life that has been overcome.

Lotus flower and peonies are also two flowers that are very popular among Japanese tattoo artists and they make a great compliment to Koi Fish tattoos. Ironically enough the two koi fish and lotus flowers can often be found in the same pond in front of a temple. The Koi fish is a symbol typically for strength and individualism.

dolphin lower back tattoo


dolphin lower back tattoo

dolphin lower back tattoo

dolphin lower back tattoo

Monday, July 12, 2010

Tattoo Design Of Your Choice

This article which you are about to read has been written because I have noticed a growing interest in the art of tattooing, and a lot of people are asking questions about it. This article will answer some of those questions, so, firstly,

What does it feel like to be tattooed? It is painful, alright. After all it is an art. Art needs emotions (which presumably cover pain!) to bring out the best from an art piece. The money aside, pain in tattooing is part of the investment.

And depending on the design of your tattoo, the process will become more and more painful. So please bear with it.

The more decorative or the more symbolic your tattoo design is, the more artistic it will get. Tattoo is simply a means of self expression. It is after all, used among wide scopes of culture and its history runs down from ages to ages. And understandably, as the ages went, the tattoo designs became more elaborate so that some developed more like living artworks rather than simple accentuations imbedded into human skin.

There are literally myriad of tattoo designs that often leave customers overwhelmed. Let us take a look at some more popular designs these days so you and other people planning to get tattooed would have more defined ideas of what design to punch into the skin. Note: This is not easy and the process is equally not handy so focus on what you truly desire and work on it until the last point of the needle.

No culture in the world is more responsible for the development of the tattoo than the region of the Polynesia. The word itself came from its ancient language, which meant to make a mark.

The designs patterned from ancient ideas spotted in this region are normally referred to as tribal, one of the most intuitive and versatile designs there are. Aggressive bold lines and symmetrical patterns, tribal tattoos remain popular (and are constantly working its way to extreme popularity) because it primarily allows the influence of other cultures, artists personal expression and fusion with other designs.

Like its tribal ancestors, designs patterned from Celtic ideas dont actually contain or convey a single concept, rather it communicates feelings and illustrations depending on the interpretation of the audience. Celtic concepts were typically borrowed from ancient Celtic culture tracing back from the 1st century. These designs dont present specific images, except for those that depict certain pieces of Celtic history and literature. Designs covered in this genre have no beginning and no end. They are composed of intertwining loops and knots. While unquestionably famous, Celtic tattoo designs should only be done by artists who have dedicated their profession in this single style.

Now before you read any further let me just jump in here and say that I really do hope that you are finding this not only interesting, but informative because I have written this in order to try and provide some information on this subject. So, having said that, lets continue.

Yet it is not only the looks that matter in tattoo designs. Because it is for self expression, people often find themselves content with adding specific religious symbols that make their faith more pronounced. No wonder, the extreme prevalence of angels, crosses and other religious tokens can be seen throughout many regions.

Well, who would forget patriotism? (Or is it due to lack of choice? Probably not.)

The eagle, the eagle, the eagle. Well, thats stereotypical. How many times have we seen myriad of eagle designs that depict the Great America? We have already lost count actually.

Americans seem to have this special commitment towards the country that they are even willing to leave marks of its symbols into their skin. You may choose to follow after their practice but you may also not. That really depends on your preference. However, if you want to be unique, you can try looking for more seldomly used design rather than the American eagle or any other eagle of that sort.

The only key here is to ask yourself what really matters to you. Will I love Mary mean the same thing a few years from now? Think it through.

Let me finish by saying that there is a lot of information out there on this subject just waiting for you to unearth. Try your local bookstore, your library, my blog, or the internet, and you will be amazed at how much more you can learn.

kanji tattoo

kanji tattoo

kanji tattoo

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Should You Get a Body Tattoo?

In the past, body tattoos seemed to be reserved for primal tribes out of the loop of civilization and sailors who voyaged far from home in quest of adventure. Neither of those lifestyles necessarily permeate today's culture, and yet thousands of people from every walk of life are choosing to get tattoos of one kind or another, and sometimes multiple variations to adorn various parts of their exposed skin surface. Young and old, male and female, and rich or poor can be seen proudly displaying words, images, and designs on shoulders, backs, ankles, and even the face as today's social climate fosters more tolerance of this tradition that was perhaps once forbidden or frowned upon in Western society.

Tattoos are made when the artist uses a sharp needle that has been sterilized to poke tiny holes in the skin to create a design of the customer's choice. Then dark ink is inserted in each hole to link the holes and bring the design to living color. These can be tiny rosebuds or huge dragons, depending on the client's choice. Some people decorate a small area of skin, while in others it may be difficult to find a square inch of un-tattooed flesh.

Tattoos are one way of proclaiming individuality. In the past, those who wore tattoos might have been considered renegades in one way or another. But today you can find tattoos on housewives, teenagers, teachers, and even clergy; it all depends on an individual's background, taste, and purpose in choosing to have a tattoo emblazoned on his or her body.

Those who create body art of this type could be fly-by-night operators looking to make a fast buck on a fleeting sensation. But there are those who take their work seriously, having studied art over the ages or the human body to minute detail. Their goal is to create a lasting artwork that bears the imprint of their talent and expertise on the person receiving the tattoo. These artists are careful to use clean instruments and maintain a positive image in their studio. Some tattoo artists are interested only in this artistic expression on the human body, but others experiment with a variety of designs that include body piercing, implantations, and variant jewelry to accent the human-made artistry in a vivid array of hues.

If you are thinking about getting a tattoo, look for a reputable parlor and someone who has received the license to perform this work. Look for word-of-mouth recommendations as well, to see if past customers would consider returning or recommend that others try a particular establishment. You have just one body, and tattoos last indefinitely, although they may need to be touched up from time to time. Take your time, check the local artists, and make a wise selection rather than rushing into something you may later regret.

flower tattoo

flower tattoo

flower tattoo