Modern Tattoos
In the 1960s tattooing for art's sake alone became popular and nowadays the sight of a tattoo on someone's shoulder, hip or ankle has become commonplace. In recent years Celtic Tattoos have enjoyed a revival, as have primitive tattoos. Some people collect tattoos the way others collect antiques or works of art. Others are interested in the super sleek designs that are a product of the thinking of the 21st century such as biomechanical designs which look like muscles beneath the flesh and...
Dont Expect the Moon and the Stars
Like most artists, tattoo artists have their own specific styles that they excel at and styles that they are not so good at. For example, if you want a realistic portrait of Marilyn Monroe on your arm, don't seek out an artist that specializes in reproducing lurid cartoons. Ultimately when it comes to tattooing, you are the art director and you are selecting the talent to realize your dream. Some tattoo artists are better at fine line tattoos than others, others have a knack for the rhythms and...
Wiccan and Pagan Tattoo Motifs
Everything Celtic, angelic, flaming, bony, satanic, druid-like, natural or celestial can comprise a Wiccan or pagan tattoo. Images of Gods or Goddesses or their symbols also comprise the vast array of symbols that represent the many sects to do with these religions. The Leaf Man by Tim Hanan www.fleshink.com Below is a list of common images found in these religions. The Rose Cross is a very important symbol in the Western Mystery Tradition, originating with the Rosicrucians. It is a holistic...
Good Reasons To Get a Tattoo
Self Expression. Tattoos are works of art that can be used as a vehicle to display your unique sense of individuality to the world. For instance, if you are into the undead scene others will be able to identify you by the ghostly spirit tattooed on your arm. If you are an art lover, an Andy Warhol or Leonardo Da Vinici inspired tattoo will deliver the message to others. The tattoo can also give others some idea of your occupation. A good example of a tattoo expressing an occupation or a hobby....
Animals
Animals are chosen as tattoos for many reasons. It may be just because you happen to like the four-legged fuzzy creature. It may be because you need to commemorate the memory of a special pet that has passed away. More often though, the animal is chosen either because the person identifies with the strengths and attributes of the creature and wishes to accentuate these traits in his her or her own character or because the animal functions for them as a shamanic spirit guide. Here is a...
Celtic Irish
Celtic tattoos are mainly characterized by their interlacing knots that are complete loops with no end or beginning. Sometimes the motif also features animals or a zoomorphorphic design that is stylized into a spiral. Knotwork designs are emblematic of the Celtic nationalities, even though the symbolism of many of the images have been lost through time. Trees, cauldrons, shamrocks, spirals, horned gods, wheels, mandalas, serpents, druids, dark jewels are signatures of the Celtic tattoo style....
Birds
Birds are symbols of soul freedom and the flight of the imagination. Tattoos of bird's feathers indicate honor, victory and shamanic powers. Birds' feathers are still used for various magical purposes such as conducting energy and decorating spiritual devices such as dreamcatchers. Tattoos of birds are found in just about every culture. Here is a brief, but by no means comprehensive list of the symbolism represented by birds that often appear as tattoo motifs. Bluebird - represent happiness,...
Flames
Whether they represent the purifying aspect of holy fire or the burning flames of Hell, flames are a huge motif in tattooing. Part of the reason for this may be that flames provide a brilliant background that allows a tattoo to really stand out. Common motifs include motorcycles in flames, babes in flames, sacred hearts in flames, crucifixes in flames and skull in flames. An Iron Cross in Flames by Enrique Patino Bottino www.artesagrado.com An Iron Cross in Flames by Enrique Patino Bottino...
Electronic Tattoo Machines
Tattooing was revolutionized by Samuel O'Reilly's invention of the electric tattoo machine during the last decade of the 19 th century. The time required to complete a design went from hours to minutes, moving the art away from personally conceived, hand picked designs towards stock choices that were displayed like art on the walls of the tattoo parlor. Much of this tattooing was also conducted in the back of beer halls and barbershops. The years ahead would see vast improvements in O'Reilly's...
Celtic Tattoos
In the 1970s, the counter culture in America rediscovered the beauty of primitive and tribal taboos. The most copied designs are primarily from Borneo, Japan, and the islands of the South Pacific. In the 1980's, Celtic tattoos became very popular, probably as a result of the popularity of Wiccan and pagan religions among young people. Most modern Celtic designs are sourced from ancient scrolls called the Irish Illuminated Manuscripts, which were created during the sixth and seventh centuries....
Flora and Fauna
Whether they be large and elaborate, tiny and demure or part of the background of a tattoo, flowers are one of the most common motifs found in tattoo art. The rose with its association with romance and fidelity probably tops the list when it comes to favorite flowers. Stock Rose Tattoo found at www.findatattoo.com Below is a list of common flowers and their symbolic meanings. amaryllis - pride, pastoral poetry aster - symbol of love, daintiness azalea - take care of yourself for me, temperance,...
Demons and Monsters
As tattoos, the creation of demons and monsters on the skin work psychologically and spiritually in the same way that images of skulls and bones do. A winged devil skeleton tattoo by Dave Mcormick. www.fleshink.com The symbolic purpose of the monster is to protect the wearer from evil spirits who may identify the beast as being part of or a guardian of the person. Laughing Red Devil by Dave Mcormick www.fleshink.com Devils, gargoyles, winged creatures and dragons are the most popular type of...
Sailor and Military Tattoos
When European explorers first arrived in the New World, they discovered that tattooing was a large part of the stone-age culture practiced by Native Americans. Common among most tribes were geometric patterns and dots that were applied to celebrate the individual's passage into puberty. Many tribes, including the Sioux Indians believed that a tatoo was necessary in order to gain passage into the other world. After an almost two thousand year absence from popular culture, the phenomena of...
The Golden Rules of Tattoo After Care
1. If the tattoo itches, don't scratch it. Don't pick at scabs, rub it or press it against your body. You may try to allay the itchy feeling by gently patting the area with the flat side of your very clean fingers. Believe it or not it is entirely possible to scratch the ink right out of the tattoo during the first few days of healing 2. Stay out of the sun. This could cause the tattoo to discolor. A sunburn on top of a tattoo can also be very uncomfortable. Don't apply sunscreen on top of a...
Cartoon and Animated Characters
Stock cartoon images that are licensed for the express purposes of tattooing are now big business in North America. On the Internet one can now purchase images of Betty Boop, Scooby Doo, Mickey Mouse, Batman, Spiderman, Superman, the Tasmanian Devil, Babar the Elephant, Nemo and just about any other animated character you can imagine. Anime action figures, which most of us are familiar with from manga cartoons are also big business in the tattoo industry and feature such popular characters as...
Criminal and Prison Tattoos
The symbolism of prison and criminal tattoos is an area of real esoteric interest to some and of real interest to the police. An article written by Sergeant Ken Whitley called Tattoos Recognition and Interpretation claims that a tattoo can tell you three things about a convict who he is, where he has been and what he has done. As these kinds of tattoos are usually done in prison, freehand with ink from a pen. A sewing needle is used to form a picture or a word. Prisoners also make a homemade...
Canada
Artist Cam Famous For Clown, Death, Traditional, portraits, color, black and white Location Toronto, Ontario View the artist's portfolio at Artist Robin Dutcher Famous For Colorful portraits, traditional Location Whistler, BC View the artist's portfolio at Artist Craig Fenrick Famous For Black and white, Traditional, Oriental, Custom Location Saskatoon, Saskatchewan View the artist's portfolio at Artist Mike Hilcox Famous For Oriental, Traditional, color, Black and white, Black and grey...
Pilgrim Tattoos
The rise of the Christian and Islamic religions brought a halt to tattooing in the Europe in the Middle East. In the Old Testament of the Bible, the book of Leviticus states, Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you I am the Lord. This crede against tattooing caused the practice to disappear for about two thousand years as both the Christians and the Moslems revere the Old Testament. Still despite the widespread popularity of this religious belief,...
Biker
Purists would say that a tattoo is not a true biker tattoos unless it contains the Harley Davidson logo. Although the Harley Davidson symbols are pretty much the same, many of them are dressed up with other symbols such as jaguars, eagles, feathers, skulls, dragons, bats, flames and hot babes. Many bikers simply opt to get a photo of their custom chopper tattooed on their arm. Often those into customizing choppers will boast tattoos of nuts and bolts, screws, wheel hubs and other motorcycle...
Fairies Pixies and Nymphs
These mythic creatures that have existed in every culture since before the birth of Christ are especially popular choices for tattoos for women. Most designs find their origins in Celtic or British art. A Dragon Fly Fairy by Enrique Patino Bottino www.artesagrado.com A Flower Fairy by Tim Hanan www.artfultattoo.dyns.net Fairy Under an Umbrella by Stacey Sharp www.sharptattoos.com The most popular fantasy figures are dragons, wizards and unicorns. Images of wizards, with their long cloaks and...
Basic Inking Styles
Just like any art form, tattoos can be expressed as line drawings, paintings, cartoons, caricatures or even as airbrushed creations. Tattoos may be classified into distinct styles, much as painting may be classified into the styles of impressionism, realism, cubism, etc. Each style incorporates specific artistic elements which many are not familiar with. So here's a look at tattoos, not as a form of rebellion, a health hazard, or a display of coolness, but as an art form. The following is a...
Love Charms
In the ancient and primitive worlds, tattoos were also used as love charms. Often the dye used for these types of tattoos was concocted from magical ingredients. For instance, the dye for an ancient Burmese love charm is made from a recipe that consists of a bright purple pigment called vermilion and the skins of a trout and a spotted lizard. This tattoo was usually a small triangle created by three dots and was concealed by clothing so that others could not identify it. Nowadays the...
Celestial Stars Planets and Suns
Depictions of the planets and stars and their symbols are very common motifs in tattoo art. Perhaps one of the most famous planetary glyphs and symbols is the symbol for Mars and Venus that is interlinked. This mark symbolizes the eternal dance between male and female energies. The sun is a motif from early childhood that represents glory, achievement, wealth, love and prosperity. The moon is an occult symbol symbolizing the subconscious, intuition, sexual and esoteric mysteries and the...
Cost is a Factor
If you can't afford a tattoo, than accept your circumstances. Although a tattoo is priceless, it can also be considered to be a form of beauty treatment. You wouldn't allow a bad hairdresser to butcher your hair, so don't let an affordable tattoo artist brand you for life with a marking that you might dislike. As with any product, the cost of a tattoo varies from artist to artist. Popular or award winning artists will always charge more than inexperienced artists. The cheapest tattoo is a flash...
Commemorative
Commemorative tattoos are used to remember or mark an important event such as a death, world disaster or triumph in war. Most commemorative tattoos are custom tattoos that incorporate several elements to make it a personal item. Examples of two custom tattoos remembering the events of September 11th. Photos reprinted with permission of Stacy Sharp www.sharptattoos.com Commemorative tattoos can also mark the passing of a loved or celebrate a birth or the eternity of a special relationship. An...
Eastern Symbols
There are literally thousands of Eastern Religious symbols that find their origins in countries such as China, Japan, Tibet and Thailand. Perhaps one of the most popular of these symbols is the lotus flower that symbolizes the oneness of being with universal consciousness. The symbol stands for the six syllables of the holiest mantra of Tibetan Buddhism OM Mani Padme Hum together form a very powerful symbol of balance, liberation and enlightenment. Stock Tattoo of Lotus Flower Found at...
Egyptian
Egyptian tattoos are usually an expression of an affinity with the occult. The most popular tattoos are the eye of Horus, which is a powerful symbol of protection, health and wisdom. Goddesses such as Isis, the Goddess of Wisdom and Bastet, a goddess with the head of a cat are also popular Egyptian tattoo motifs. A modern depiction of the Goddess Isis By Dave Mcormick of wwwfleshink.com King Tut's Death Mask tattoo by Enrique Patino Bottino www.artesagrado.com