Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Angel Tattoos: an expression of masculinity of men and divinity of female
An angel tattoo is popular tattoos for females and usually takes on the appearance of the stereotypical cherubs sitting on a cloud or as an avenging angel but often they are exemplified as gentle guardians, guides, and personal protectors. Such tattoo emphasizes her search for purity within the soul, her divinity, patience and her presence as a gift to the world and implies that she regards self-confidence as a significant part of beauty and believes in protecting herself and others and will not compromise for anything but the best.
Angel tattoos are also symbolic to men and are believed that men who wear angels are extremely fond of women and a means of an expression of their masculinity and their love and respect for an angelic woman in their life. Men those who are madly in love prefer to have angel tattoos on their body. However, there are several men who wear these tattoos to simply exhibit them as a symbol of personal style.
Generally the most common place to get angel tattoos is on the upper arm or chest for men and on the shoulder or abdomen for females. It can even be seen on the inner wrist or even on the foot! Angel tattoo wings are another common impressive form of tattoo that can be tattooed full size on the back in black ink. Some people depict expired family or friends as guardian angels in their tattoos in order to immortalize them. This is completely a new concept to remember your dear ones. But the most common and reliable reason why people get angel tattoos is probably because angels symbolize protection.
http://www.articlefrenzy.com/Article/Angel-Tattoos--an-expression-of-masculinity-of-men-and-divinity-of-female/121740
Which Tattoo design is for you?
You need to do lot of research to every detail of the design of the tattoo including the color, picture, and meaning and to the part of your body where it has to be inked. Colors and pictures correspond with different vibrations of feeling and understanding of things and placing a tattoo is as personal as the tattoo itself. There are some people who figure out where they want it to be for their own viewing pleasure while others place tattoos in certain areas of their body as symbolic representations as well. Apart from these basic factors one more factor should also not be overlooked and that is the health of the individual who is interested in tattooing. Age and the type of skin are very important while tattooing. Skins allergic to ink should avoid or take precautions before going for this particular process. Next your budget is also very important consideration. Your career or profession may not support tattooing and probably you need to cover your tattoo while working.
It is recommended that you talk to your tattoo artist to get their expert view on tattoo placement since tattooing needs considerable thoughts and calculation. Among the various tattoo artwork designs, Abstraction tattoo that follow the expression of ancient tattooing for instance be ancestral, primitive or clan type symbols and are normally done in black or gray ink. Naturalistic tattoos are lifelike representations of animals, plants, and insects, anything in nature. Dedication tattoos are borne on service men and women, as well as those wishing to make a statement of dedication to an occasion or in honor of someone. Simplification tattoos ranges from action figures and cartoon characters to zodiac signs and flowers. Complex or combination tattoos as the name suggests present themselves as body suits of art work or colorful jumbled puzzle pieces.
Whatever type of impression you want to convey to the world it is important that you do some research before it is too late!
http://www.articlefrenzy.com/Article/Which-Tattoo-design-is-for-you-/122250
Female Tattoos: add attraction to the overall appearance
There are numerous tattoo designs each depicting different stories and both male and female can go for it. But female body art is entirely different from male body art in its appearance and intentions. Female generally get tattoos mainly for two reasons. First strong reason is that they simply like to do anything to add complement to their appearance in some way and the second reason is that they have some likings towards body arts. Women would go for anything like body piercing or adding images to their skin that will add spark to their appearance even in the most elusive ways. Tattoo designs like flowers, butterflies, stars, or other symbols that is related to feminine character are accepted by women. They particularly emphasize on the fact that is beautiful and they would also like to have that beautiful piece of body art as permanent image anywhere on their body that will add extra attraction to the overall appearance.
The location of female body art is very significant and also selected very carefully. Women will choose a place to put a tattoo based on parts of the body they feel most confident in, comfortable and that which would give a very hot and sexy look. Location on the body for a particular tattoo should be emphasized because there are some tattoos that enhance the shape of the body. Such tattoos are gaining popularity because women like to have such tattoo on their body. Places like lower back, ankle, or any place that is can be concealed by clothing are selected commonly to be tattooed by the women. There are still others who like get tattoos on those very erotic parts of the body with an aim to look sexy and to draw attention to these parts.
It could be concluded that female tend to get those tattoos that enhance the shape of the body and that which add sex appeal to their body.
http://www.articlefrenzy.com/Article/Female-Tattoos--add-attraction-to-the-overall-appearance/123443
Tribal Tattoos: Reflection of certain aspects of life
Many would like to know what tribal tattoos mean. The answer to this question will vary from region to region and from culture to culture. Tribal tattoos are certain designs that depict different stories made on the different parts of the body. Various objects were used to make holes in the flesh. The process was painful and to reduce the pain soot of some sort and berry juice was rubbed into the wounds. Some of the tribal designs were as simple as a few lines or circles in certain patterns while others were highly intricate pieces of work but whatever design it ought to be it was painful and sometime fatal as the methods used was not so highly safe and sophisticated as it is today. Tribal tattoos were generally performed to mark the wealth, rank, tribe affiliation, and direct family, their role in society, acts of strength, and deeds of bravery. Tattoos of many other tribes indicate various aspects of their lives, like they believed to prevent and cure sickness associated with the evil spirits or as decoration. Surprisingly unlike the modern days women were denied to the "privilege" of being tattooed with a tribal marking or identity earlier in some tribe and the strong reason behind is that any adornment that would equal the women of their tribe to men was not allowed but there were some tribes that allowed both sexes to be equally tattooed.
Tribal tattoos which was practice only in some cultures has now broken the boundary and extended its influence in every culture throughout the world and has become one of the fashion statements. Like many of our ancestors we also would like to adorn ourselves to separate, unify, or just because we like the way something looks on our bodies and it is inborn to desire to decorate our bodies be it with jewelry, clothing, or permanent artwork.
Tribal tattoos are instantly recognizable with their dramatic use of aggressive dark lines in jagged symmetrical shapes spread throughout the skin most often done in simple black and skin tones. They can also be infused with other colors to brighten the overall look. Unlike other tattoo styles that depict a specific object, tribal tattoos are not objective but rather related with the ‘feel’ than what it specifically looks like.
http://www.articlefrenzy.com/Article/Tribal-Tattoos--Reflection-of-certain-aspects-of-life/123757
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Christian Cross Tattoos - Outward Signs Of Inner Faith
Yet there are some Biblical scholars who believe that this passage is actually referring to a practice belonging to pagans that time, in which they would carve images of their idols on their bodies at funerals, to make atonement for themselves and the dead.
Because you, or any Christian who decides to get a tattoo is not doing it to find favor with a pagan idol, the New Testament has no such restrictions. And Christian tattoos have indeed become an extremely popular way for many young Christian to both make a public statement about their faith, and display some of the most meaningful Christian icons.
Praying Hands, chalices, Jesus himself, the Sacred Heart, angels, Mary, the Apostles, and the Holy Spirit are all images which have been adapted into striking tattoos.
But the Christian tattoo which is far and away the most popular is the Christian Cross. The Cross has become the universal sign of the Christian faith, and tattoo artists have invented many striking designs to incorporate into their Christian cross tattoos.
While some of the more intricate Christian cross tattoos actually show a figure of Jesus, many of them have an empty cross, sometimes with a remarkably life-like wood grain.
The cross may be adorned with a crown of thorns, or a reference to a passage from Scripture. Sometimes the crosses will have a background of flames, and sometimes the beams of the cross will be made of nails or spikes.
Butterflies, as a symbol of the Resurrection of Jesus, and of the rebirth of sinners, are often incorporated into with Christian cross tattoos. If you’re patriotic, why not combine the Christian cross tattoo with the flags of your country? The cross against a background of the Stars and Stripes is popular in the Bible Belt of the US.
Some Christian cross tattoo designs have their roots in very early evangelization. A strategy the early Christians used in spreading their faith was to adapt its symbols to those of the cultures whose people they were trying to convert.
One legend has it that when St. Patrick came from Wales to Ireland and saw the Druidic stones inscribed with the circular designed which represented the Druid’s moon goddess; he simply bisected the circle with a Christian cross. In doing so, he laid the groundwork for one of the most beautiful of all the Christian cross tattoos, the Celtic cross.
Celtic Christian cross tattoos, because the ancient Celts believed that their souls were simply threads of a divine fabric to which they would return after death, has elaborate knots of “plaitwork,” symbolizing those threads.
http://www.articlebliss.com/Article/Christian-Cross-Tattoos---Outward-Signs-Of-Inner-Faith/142381
Foot Tattoos - Why Do Many Tattoo Artists Have Such A Hard Time Agreeing To Do Them?
The simple truth is that both hand and foot tattoos are rarely requested and even more rarely done. Part of the reason for their rarity is that new tattoos need to be kept clean, dry, and free of irritation while they heal completely, which can take from two to three weeks.
That lets hands out; but foot tattoos are still in the running. That is, if you can figure out a way to avoid irritating them with shoes and socks while they are healing, and simultaneously keep them clean.
Okay, you might have a hard time getting and caring for a foot tattoo. But why do so many tattoo artists have such a hard time agreeing to do them?
First, foot tattoos don’t like to stay where they are put, and their inks tend to “migrate”, meaning that your sharply defined new tattoo may eventually become blurred and faded.
Tattoo artists are almost always willing to do free touchups for tattoos on any other part of the body, but the likelihood of foot tattoos needing touchups is so high that the artists will either not do the foot tattoos, will not offer to do touchups at all, or will charge for the touchups.
Tattoo artists, at least the good ones, are true artists, and they don’t like to take on work which won’t let them do their best. One of the things you may not know about your feet is that they have reflex points, just like the one in your knee which the doctor hits with the little hammer to see if your nerves are still talking to your brain.
In spite of your best efforts to keep still while getting a foot tattoo, your foot may engage in some twitching and jerking, and the tattoo artist may have difficulty controlling the needle when it does. If the tattoo artist is good enough, he or she may be able to cover up any resulting squiggles, but that’s a chance you’ll have to take.
Another thing: You have a lot of nerve endings and capillaries in you feet, and not much cushioning between the skin and bones. Most people who have had both foot and body tattoos done report that the foot tattoos are far and away the more painful; and those nerve endings can also make some people very ticklish.
If your feet are ticklish, pass on trying to have a foot tattoo done; and all those capillaries are so close to the skin’s surface that foot tattoos tend to bleed more profusely than body tattoos.
But if you can find a willing artist, and after assessing all the potential negatives decide go ahead and get a foot tattoo, using a pre-inking anesthetic ointment to numb your foot is a good idea.
You can still expect to have swelling and soreness for a few days afterwards. If your work requires you to be on your feet for any length of time, consider holding off on the tattoo until your vacation.
The Beautiful: Because there just aren’t a lot of souls brave enough to face having their feet tattooed, your tattoo is sure to get extra attention. And you’ll have some stunningly beautiful foot tattoo designs, both simple and highly stylized, to choose from.
The foot provides a small but nearly flat canvas on which the artist can work and the results, like garlands of flowers or stars, or tarantulas or frogs poised to leap, can be amazingly three dimensional.
http://www.articlebliss.com/Article/Foot-Tattoos---Why-Do-Many-Tattoo-Artists-Have-Such-A-Hard-Time-Agreeing-To-Do-Them-/142364
Monday, October 29, 2007
Learn How To Do Henna Tattoos In 5 Minutes.
The tattooing world has very few favorites. Phoenix bird is one of them. Do you know where this interesting picture comes from? What is the symbolic significance of this awesome picture? We will look at the reasons this bird design has become one of enduring symbols of time.
Mythology says that the Phoenix is a creature that rises from its own ashes after burning down. The name itself originated from the Greek word for “red”, the universal color of fire. Being the bird of fire, Phoenix can be aptly used to symbolize a person’s inner fire and zest for life. The rage for the Phoenix bird tattoos has started a few years back. The Phoenix bird epitomizes the rebirth and resurrection from the ashes. You can use this symbol if you have had a tough patch in life and successfully overcame it.
It is fairly easy to draw the Phoenix bird tattoos which are normally painted in bright and lucid colours that represent life. The uniqueness of a phoenix bird design lies in its different interpretation by different people. You can very easily personalize a phoenix bird tattoo to highlight emotions close to your heart. You just need to tell a good tattoo artist what you want to depict with your tattoo and he or she will easily give you the best.
Jewish legend says that the phoenix was the bird that refrained from eating the forbidden fruit of paradise, set itself on fire but rose from the ashes three days later. The Phoenix bird was also considered to be the representation of the rising and setting of the sun. However later on it was widely accepted as the symbol of resurrection of life. Originally tattoos were just beauty symbols. Of late, they have become a medium to express ones life experiences and emotions. Therefore, the Phoenix bird designs have attained big popularity. Keeping in line with this, the tattoo artists have creatively designed many forms of the Phoenix bird tattoo.
The emergence of the Phoenix Bird tattoo as a popular one is not documented well but people believe that it has its origins in the Far East. Men like to have a phoenix bird picture on their arms, while the ladies normally prefer to have it on their lower back or on their belly. There are people who consider Phoenix to be the symbol of the devil and that pagans expressed their love for Satan through the phoenix. In the vastly popular Harry Potter series, the phoenix has been depicted as the bird that has healing powers. This is more in line with the symbolic meaning of Phoenix, the resurrection. In the chronicles of Narnia too, a phoenix is pictured saving one of the characters from imminent danger.
Historically the phoenix was used not just as a tattoo. It was also printed on the coins by the ancient Romans, who believed that it would ensure the longevity of the Roman Empire. No matter what the reason, the phoenix tattoo designs are beautiful and at the same time have definite, deeply held symbolic significance. Therefore, these designs are, like diamonds, forever.
http://www.copypastearticles.com/article/5606/learn-how-to-do-henna-tattoos-in-5-minutes/
Flaunt Your Trim Figure With Amazing Tattoos On Lower Backs
With the tremendous advancement in fashion technology, a vast range of newer dimensions is being sought everyday. Tattoos are one of the most favorite fashion statements of the modern world. Some tattoos are “In” for men and some for women. The tattoos on lower backs are huge hits among girls and women nowadays.
The tattoos on lower backs are considered as a sex symbol for women. It is literally fun to exhibit your lower back with amusing designs. The lower back area is such that it accommodates fairly good design that can be either hidden or exposed depending on the need. Many horizontally expanding designs can find a place on this larger surface. Another plus point of this region is that the lower back area does not expand quickly with the increase in weight. At least, there is no variation in the tattoo size and structure. This makes the maintenance of the tattoo easier.
Horizontal designs like butterfly, spreading flower, fairies, heart etc are the popular tattoos on lower back. Literally sky is the limit for inking your lower back as it provides a good canvas for the tattoo artist. The traditional tribal designs are also in vogue for low back tattooing. Unique designs like dragons, lotus and other traditional symbols are widely used especially in the eastern countries for tattoos on lower backs.
In ancient scripts, the lower back is considered as a power center as the power resides in this area. Getting tattooed on lower back also has this special meaning for many people, as they want to arouse the lenient power within them. Many women also seek serpent tattoos on lower back since it is considered as a feminine force and a storehouse of subconscious knowledge. As the lotus symbolized wealth and divinity, it is also a favorite for tattoos on lower back. It is also a symbol of creativity and brightness.
There are literally hundreds of tattoo designs to choose from for the lower back area. It is absolutely not necessary to go for an already done symbol. You can give your imagination a run and customize your own masterpiece to exhibit on your lower back. You can take help of vast options available online and decide the design. But be cautious to select the design after considering all options because you definitely don’t want to harass yourself later by spending on removing the tattoo.
Only thing one should be careful about is the aftercare of the tattoos on lower back. It is necessary to be cleaned and dressed until it is healed completely. As the lower back is considered as a painful area for tattoo, the care is a must in all cases. One more word of caution though- if you are pregnant, any tattoo can be harmful as there is more chance of bleeding, more so with the lower back tattoos because it may interfere with the epidural anesthesia during childbirth. So, prepare everything in advance before going to the tattoo artist.
With wild imagination and creative skills, your lower back can be very sensual and erotic to show off over low rider pants or bikinis!
Phoenix Bird Tattoo - Symbolic Beauty
The tattooing world has very few favorites. Phoenix bird is one of them. Do you know where this interesting picture comes from? What is the symbolic significance of this awesome picture? We will look at the reasons this bird design has become one of enduring symbols of time.
Mythology says that the Phoenix is a creature that rises from its own ashes after burning down. The name itself originated from the Greek word for “red”, the universal color of fire. Being the bird of fire, Phoenix can be aptly used to symbolize a person’s inner fire and zest for life. The rage for the Phoenix bird tattoos has started a few years back. The Phoenix bird epitomizes the rebirth and resurrection from the ashes. You can use this symbol if you have had a tough patch in life and successfully overcame it.
It is fairly easy to draw the Phoenix bird tattoos which are normally painted in bright and lucid colours that represent life. The uniqueness of a phoenix bird design lies in its different interpretation by different people. You can very easily personalize a phoenix bird tattoo to highlight emotions close to your heart. You just need to tell a good tattoo artist what you want to depict with your tattoo and he or she will easily give you the best.
Jewish legend says that the phoenix was the bird that refrained from eating the forbidden fruit of paradise, set itself on fire but rose from the ashes three days later. The Phoenix bird was also considered to be the representation of the rising and setting of the sun. However later on it was widely accepted as the symbol of resurrection of life. Originally tattoos were just beauty symbols. Of late, they have become a medium to express ones life experiences and emotions. Therefore, the Phoenix bird designs have attained big popularity. Keeping in line with this, the tattoo artists have creatively designed many forms of the Phoenix bird tattoo.
The emergence of the Phoenix Bird tattoo as a popular one is not documented well but people believe that it has its origins in the Far East. Men like to have a phoenix bird picture on their arms, while the ladies normally prefer to have it on their lower back or on their belly. There are people who consider Phoenix to be the symbol of the devil and that pagans expressed their love for Satan through the phoenix. In the vastly popular Harry Potter series, the phoenix has been depicted as the bird that has healing powers. This is more in line with the symbolic meaning of Phoenix, the resurrection. In the chronicles of Narnia too, a phoenix is pictured saving one of the characters from imminent danger.
Historically the phoenix was used not just as a tattoo. It was also printed on the coins by the ancient Romans, who believed that it would ensure the longevity of the Roman Empire. No matter what the reason, the phoenix tattoo designs are beautiful and at the same time have definite, deeply held symbolic significance. Therefore, these designs are, like diamonds, forever.
http://www.copypastearticles.com/article/7321/phoenix-bird-tattoo-symbolic-beauty/
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Nautical Star Tattoos - The Original Meaning
But what are the origins of the nautical star tattoo? Where did it come from and what did it originally represent?
Almost everybody, without exception, accepts that sailors were the first group of people to wear nautical star tattoos.
In previous centuries, working at sea was a very dangerous and unpredicatable way of life. Sailors had very little to guide them at night, apart from the stars. And the one that they relied upon most was Polaris, or the North Star. As this star is positioned close to the north pole, it appears to be stationary at all times, unlike other stars which appear to move as time passes. This provided early sailors with a fixed reference point. And once they know where the North Star was, they could position their ships accordingly and be reasonably confident that they were going in the right direction.
Over time the North Star became a symbol for finding your way home safely and symbolically finding your way in life. But beyond that, as many sailors were deeply superstitious with a rich history of lore about life and death at sea, they were always looking for lucky charms. So many sailors began to place nautical star tattoos on their forearms or hands as a symbol of good luck and a desire to get home safely.
Skip forward through the centuries and the meaning of the nautical star tattoo has become broader. Not only is it a symbol of the sea, but also a sign of security and guidance for all sailors and travelers. It has also become a sign of following your dreams and achieving success in your life.
However, these is some disagreement concerning the design of the nautical star. Most people accept that the basic design of the nautical star is a five pointed star. But a minority of people claim that the nautical star represents the traditional design of a ship's compass. This consists of the four cardinal directions, North, South, East, West, and possibly the intermediate directions of North East, South East, South West and North West. So their idea of the nautical star is a four pointed design or even an eight pointed star.
Personally, I think that the five pointed star best represents the design of the nautical star tattoo, especially when you consider that on many nautical maps, north is shown by a compass style five pointed star.
But whatever style of design is selected, one thing is clear; the nautical star has had a long connection with naval tradition and was originally a symbol of finding your way home safely. And while other groups may attempt to link themselves to the use of the nautical star tattoo, the sailors of bygone centuries will always retain the distinction of representing the original interpretation of this iconic tattoo design.
http://www.articlebliss.com/Article/Nautical-Star-Tattoos---The-Original-Meaning/124804
Friday, October 26, 2007
Tribal Tattoos - How To Find The Right Design
Skip forward a couple of thousand years and tribal tattoos are a popular fashion statement worn by people all over the world. These days, instead of using tribal tattoos to group people into the same tribe, people use them to express their personality and their individuality. Part of the appeal of these designs is that they represent the only link between the present and the mysterious and elaborate tribal rituals of the past which have been lost in the mists of time.
The most developed forms of tribal art originate from locations all over the world, including; the Celts (Scotland, Ireland and Wales), the Maoris (New Zealand), the Marquesans, the tribes of Africa, North America and Borneo.
So once you've set your heart on getting a tribal tattoo, how do you find the perfect design?
At first glance, it might seem easy to find the perfect tribal tattoo design due to the large amount of examples that are available. However, it pays to do your research if you want to find a design that genuinely means something to you.
If possible, try to avoid choosing a design at random. Many people have done this over recent years due to the rapid growth in the popularity of tribal tattoo art. It goes something like this; they decide to get a tribal tattoo (often because one of their friends has just got one), they flip through a few designs and pick the first one that they like the look of. They often don't know what their chosen design means and what other choices they could have made. Shortly after they start to have regrets (especially if they got it as part of a fashion trend that has since died down). Too Late!
If you want to find the right tribal art for your tattoo, it's important to do you homework and find some personal meaning from the design that you finally choose. Don't jump on a fashion bandwagon. Look for a symbol that says something about who you are or what you believe.
Use the internet to browse through as many tribal tattoo designs as you can just to get a feel for the various styles developed by the different ancient tribes. And once you find a tribal style that you like, do some more research into the artwork of that tribe. See what else their history of art has to offer. And only once you've found a design that says something to you, should you end your search. If the design doesn't excite you now, how do you think you'll feel about it in twenty years?
Alternatively, if you find a tribal design with elements that you like, it may be possible for your tattoo artist to incorporate it with various modern design features so that the finished design reflects both modern and ancient art. This approach will take much more time and research to create, but ultimately you'll much happier with your uniquely personal tribal tattoo.
http://www.articlebliss.com/Article/Tribal-Tattoos---How-To-Find-The-Right-Design/122262
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Preventing Infection When You Get A Tattoo
Tattoos are created on your body by injecting the ink under your skin. For this purpose an electric powered tattoo gun is used and this gun has a needle which is going up and down very fast. Through this needle the ink is injected under the skin every time the needle punctures your skin.
The components of a tattoo machine includes: tube system, needle, electric motor, and the foot pedal. The needle should be sterile in order to prevent infection of the skin. And the pedal is used for controlling the work of work of the tube and the needle. So, if the pedal is pressed the needle is moving up and down and punctures the skin. This is somewhat similar to the way a sewing machine with a foot pedal operates.
Sanitary conditions are essential. Using the same needle on two people must be strictly avoided. This can cause the spread of infections and diseases such as HIV. For this reason you are advised go to a tattoo artist only if you are sure that the equipment is sterile and materials are disposable so they won�t be reused.
Double check the materials before it is used to you. The tattoo artist should open it in front of your eyes. All of it is sold to them in sterile packaging and it is stated on there it is for single use. The materials that should be used only once are: needles, gloves, ink and ink cups. Also, the hands of the artists should be washed before touching you or the equipment.
Next, the skin area where the tattoo will be applied must be disinfected. After that, the skin is shaved and then disinfected a second time.
The pain of getting a tattoo depends upon your tolerance. Also the pain is determined by the location of the tattoo and if you have decided to get a tattoo on a sensitive part of the body this can be quite painful. And finally the pain depends upon the experience of the artist. If he is more experienced this can mean that you might suffer less.
After the tattoo is applied, the area should be disinfected again in order to avoid an infection in the punctures. Also you should be given instructions from the artist on how to care for the tattoo. The instructions will likely be printed out so you can take it home and follow the instructions without forgetting.
http://www.dotattoos.com/vre/
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
New ink promises easy tattoo removal
Set in the Sicilian community of New Orleans, Williams' heroine is Serafina whose truck-driver husband is killed while smuggling drugs. For three years she mourns the man whose chest bore the emblem of the play's title. Then another truck driver comes knocking at the door.
The last major London revival of the play was Peter Hall's 1991 production starring Julie Walters. The forthcoming National production will feature Sheila Ballantine, Darrell D’Silva, Susannah Fielding, Stephanie Jacob, Rosalind Knight, Andrew Langtree, Maggie McCarthy and Jules Melvin.
Wanamaker was previously seen at the National in His Girl Friday, Battle Royal and The Crucible. She recently appeared at New York’s Lincoln Center in Awake and Sing!, earning a Tony nomination for her performance. Other credits include Donmar productions of The Boston Marriage and the title role in Electra for which she won an Olivier Award for Best Actress.
Pimlott directed the National production of Sunday in the Park With George and, more recently in the West End, And Then Were None and Bombay Dreams. The Rose Tattoo will be designed by Mark Thompson.You once adored Janie, but Laura is your honey now. That dragon circling your arm wowed your college buddies, but the executives in the office aren't nearly as impressed.
Just as the number of Americans sporting tattoos has soared in the past decade, so has membership in another group: people who want their bodywork removed. Only then do they come to know the truth -- that laser tattoo removal is painful, expensive and may not do the job completely.
Soon there may be a solution to the phenomenon of tattoo regret -- removable tattoo ink. A company founded by doctors says it will begin selling such ink early next year. The ink is applied just as with any tattoo, and will remain in place as long as desired. But if the owner later decides that the artwork has to go, it can be removed fully and safely with a single laser treatment.
The founders of the New York company making the removable ink, Freedom-2 LLC, say their goal is to help those who have come to regret permanently decorating their bodies. But backers say the technology will not only simplify tattoo removal, it will create an expanded market for body art -- since consumers can be now assured that the tattoo will come off easily and without exorbitant cost.
"I think it will open a floodgate for people who want tattoos," says Dr. Bruce Saal, a Los Gatos dermatologist who specializes in laser tattoo removal and has invested in the company. "People will say, 'I want to do something a little wild. Now that I know it's not a lifelong commitment, I'll do it.' "
But others wonder if tattoo artists and their customers will spurn the new ink if it doesn't meet their artistic needs.
Almost one-quarter of U.S. adults have at least one tattoo, according to a study of 500 Americans published September in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. Of those, 17 percent were considering removal, the survey found.
Many doctors who perform laser tattoo removal, however, say that as many as half of all people with tattoos eventually want them off.
"A very high majority of people would desire to have them removed if there was a simple and easy way," Saal said.
Most conventional tattoos can be removed, but even a simple, small, one-color tattoo can require several laser treatments at a cost of around $1,000. Removals of large, multicolored tattoos can require more than a dozen laser treatments and cost $5,000 or more. And no, laser tattoo removal is not covered by medical insurance.
Multiple treatments are needed to avoid skin damage from the laser. During conventional tattoo removal, brief pulses of energy are aimed at the tattoo, heating skin cells and breaking up the ink particles. Then the body's natural ability to remove foreign particles clears away the ink fragments. The top layer of skin, however, often bleeds slightly and forms scabs. Because of the inflammation produced by the laser, only a small area of skin can be treated at one time.
There are other complications, too. Doctors often don't know which type of ink was used, at what depth the ink was applied and other factors that could help make removal easier, Saal said. (He is a member of Freedom-2's scientific advisory board.) Scarring can occur if multiple treatments are needed, and some tattoos can't be completely removed.
Some people who have gotten tattoos in recent years may have assumed that laser tattoo removal would deftly deal with any regrets, says Dr. Tina Alster, director of the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery in Washington and who is not associated with Freedom-2.
But, she adds, they are often stunned to learn of the cost and time involved. "They thought it would be as easy to take off as to put on -- in just one session," she said. "But now with this new dye and polymer, we will be able to remove it in one session."
Freedom-2's ink is removable because it is encapsulated in tiny beads made of polymethylmethacrylate, a synthetic material commonly used in surgical glue and in many types of artificial joints. The fact that the ink is encased in the tiny spheres doesn't affect the application of the tattoo or its appearance, says Martin Schmieg, chief executive of Freedom-2.
"Our inks look and feel and give a result equal to the current tattoos," he says.
Because of the way the beads are constructed, they fall apart when laser energy is applied, Schmieg said. Unpublished tests on humans and animals show that only one laser treatment is typically needed to fully remove a Freedom-2 tattoo and that most Q-switched lasers that doctors use for tattoo removal can be used for the job. A one-time laser treatment to remove a tattoo should cost less than $1,000, Schmieg predicts.
The new ink will be slightly more expensive than conventional ink but will likely add only about $50 to the cost of most tattoos, Schmieg says, because most of the cost related to tattooing is for the artist's time and talent.
The company will sell only black ink initially but will eventually add other colors. It is also developing a "time-limited tattoo," which will consist of ink in biodegradable polymer beads that dissolve and fade over time.
But tattoo artists may prove lukewarm to the idea of removable artwork. According to Dr. Stuart Kaplan, a dermatologist in Beverly Hills who does laser tattoo removal and isn't associated with Freedom-2, tattoo artists are picky about the colors of their inks. They care about whether they blend well and are durable. An inferior or expensive ink won't fly.
Tattoo artists are also unlikely to be swayed by the convenient removal factor because as a rule, they don't think about tattoo removal, says Sailor Bill Johnson, executive director of the Orlando, Fla.-based Alliance of Professional Tattooists.
"That's not our concern," he says. "If someone comes into my tattoo studio and says, 'I may want to remove it later,' we'd just try to talk them out of getting one."
Johnson says part of the experience of tattooing is the commitment. When someone has "Sophia Forever" inked on his biceps, the sentiment is that Sophia is permanent, just like the tattoo. Besides, says Johnson, "You make that decision in your life that you are going to put this artwork on your body. It's a statement that you don't worry about what other people think of you."
Johnson says he won't use the ink. "To me, it's a negative to the profession."
But Chris Winn, a San Diego tattoo artist, says he was instantly intrigued when he heard about the ink at a tattoo convention.
"I think it will be interesting to see the different ways this can bring in clients," he said. "I think it will bring in a group of people who love tattoos but are afraid to get them."
http://www.tattoohealth.org/news/news_details.asp?ID=70
UV tattoos: for those who want to get marked up but be, like, discrete
McDaniel stumbled into a culture she found fascinating one afternoon when she was sitting in her mother’s one-story ranch home outside New Orleans: the world of UV tattoos--body art done in a reactive ink that appears invisible under normal light and emerges under black lighting.
“I saw UV tattoos one day on television, on 'Ripley’s Believe it or Not,' and thought, ‘Wow, that’s really cool,’” said McDaniel, a student at Louisiana State University who got her first tattoo when she was 18. “I started hanging out at a local tattoo studio that made their own UV ink and became friends with the owners.”
Within months McDaniel was sporting a band of three stars on her right forearm done entirely in white UV ink, and a tattoo on her wrist that has UV ink accents, allowing the design to morph under black light.
The popularity of UV tattoos--also known as black-light tattoos--has skyrocketed in recent years. Long found on the rave scene, the tattoos have blossomed, reaching teenagers, body art enthusiasts and people looking for a way to sport tattoos in a discrete way.
However, safety concerns about UV tattoos abound. The chemical makeup of the different inks used has been questioned, individuals have reported skin rashes and infections, and some scientists suspect the inks might be carcinogenic. Because of these concerns, some tattoo artists will not work with UV inks.
Others, however, have no qualms about inking black-light work. With no regulation over what ink is safe, and with studios often concocting their own blends, it can be hard to tell exactly what pulses through tattoo guns.
In the past, serious skin problems have resulted from the use of inks containing phosphorous--a substance that can often cause the body to reject the ink. Horror stories about UV tattoos turning brown after a few months or recipients developing serious skin rashes have circulated for years.
Many of those fears are valid, according to Dr. Joshua Fox, a dermatologist in New York who has treated people with skin rashes resulting from UV tattoos and who is researching new techniques for tattoo removal.
“Statistically, there have been more reactions with UV tattoos than with normal tattoos,” Fox said. “Sometimes the inks don’t mix as well, and your body reacts against the foreign agents.”
Fox added that despite the chemical advances with UV tattoos--mainly the elimination of phosphorous in some inks--there will be no way to tell how safe they are until the federal government starts regulating tattoos.
For McDaniel, safety was a prime concern. She had her work done by Imperial Tattoos, a studio located in Chalmette, La., a suburb of New Orleans. While volunteering at the studio, McDaniel witnessed exactly what went into the reactive concoctions pumped under people’s skin.
“I got to talk to the artists and found out how they made the ink,” she said. “Knowing what was in the ink, I knew it was 100 percent safe, with no phosphorus.”
Some tattoo parlors advertise that they use UV ink approved by the Food and Drug Administration. A dangerous caveat often goes unnoted, however. According to the FDA, the most widely used UV inks are approved for use only as tracking liquids to be injected into fish, not as tattoo ink for human body art.
Marisa DiMattia, an attorney and writer in New York who has traveled the world in search of fine tattoo art, advises people to take note of the ambiguity that exists around government approval and UV ink.
“Companies claim to have FDA approval, but when you read the fine print it says nothing for human use,” she said. DiMattia said some inks were even suspected of containing carcinogens or allergens that can cause severe itching and rashes. No long-term studies on the side effects of UV inks have been done, she said.
With no definitive answer on the safety of the inks, tattoo artists lean both ways.
Craig Latimer, an artist at Black Dragon Tattoo in Shreveport, La., has been on the fence regarding the safety of UV tattoos for years. Recently, when a customer approached Latimer with a UV ink he wanted to use, Latimer began researching the substance and agreed to give it a shot.
Taz, a tattooist in St. Joseph, Mo., avoids the potential pitfalls of UV ink altogether. He said that even though the quality of UV inks seemed to be improving, he won’t do any black light work.
Richie Streate does extensive UV work at Electric Soul Tattoo, a studio in Lancaster, Calif. He believes UV tattoos are suffering from old stigmas.
“The new inks have been tested extensively,” he said. “A big part of the problem is the old-timers don’t realize the advances that have been made in the ink. They all think it causes cancer and other problems, and we’re not seeing that.”
http://www.tattoohealth.org/news/news_details.asp?ID=71
Body art tattoo
I,ve got great news - there are several things you can do to help make sure that over-priced ink underneath your skin stays put and continues looking great until they bury you - or cremate you, either one.
BEFORE YOU GET THE TATTOO:
Decide what you want and where. If tattoos are in places that are exposed to much light (especially sunlight) they,ll quickly fade. That, and wrinkles don,t flatter many tattoos - so keep your tattooing in places that are usually sheltered from the light and the ink should look sharp and clear, without fading.
Also, tatoos that are scratched at, scraped, bruised, or otherwise traumatized won,t look great forever. For example, if you,re a mechanic I would advise against having obscene four-letter words tattood on your knuckles, as that's a part of your body that takes a beating almost every day. I hate to say it, but tattoos that aren,t exposed very often - such as on your lower back or the back of your shoulder - are generally the longest-living.
If you,ve got a skin type that doesn,t recover fully from injuries, you might want to re-consider the tattoo. For example, if you,ve got dark skin, but it heals several shades lighter after you cut it, you,ll most likely have to live with either not having a tattoo or having a tattoo that looks very, very bad in a few short years or less. Let's face it, not everyone can get a tattoo and still look good.
Also, please keep in mind that impulsive tattooing just isn,t going to work itself out in the end. Don,t ever have your lover's initials tattooed on your ankle, for example. It,ll cost too much to have it removed should things not work out between you and Mr./Ms. Wonderful. The same story applies to artwork that's decided on while you,re under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a Smashing Pumpkins album.
AFTER THE TATTOO:
Keep Vasoline smeared on the site for a couple of weeks - this is to keep it moist so that you don,t scratch. (If you scratch, the tattoo goes bye-bye.) Keep the Vasoline covered with a gauze bandage, and don,t get the site wet. Do this for just a couple of weeks, then you can go about the task of showing your new ,too off to all your friends.
As noted before, sunlight is murder on artwork. Don,t sunbathe with the tattoo exposed, as that,ll just fade the ink. Besides which, who wants to increase their chances of skin cancer?
Take care of your tattoo and it,ll provide you with a lifetime of enjoyment.
http://www.nutricraze.com/Article_about_Body-art-tattoo-a-4538.html
Friday, October 19, 2007
Female Tattoos: add attraction to the overall appearance
There are numerous tattoo designs each depicting different stories and both male and female can go for it. But female body art is entirely different from male body art in its appearance and intentions. Female generally get tattoos mainly for two reasons. First strong reason is that they simply like to do anything to add complement to their appearance in some way and the second reason is that they have some likings towards body arts. Women would go for anything like body piercing or adding images to their skin that will add spark to their appearance even in the most elusive ways. Tattoo designs like flowers, butterflies, stars, or other symbols that is related to feminine character are accepted by women. They particularly emphasize on the fact that is beautiful and they would also like to have that beautiful piece of body art as permanent image anywhere on their body that will add extra attraction to the overall appearance.
The location of female body art is very significant and also selected very carefully. Women will choose a place to put a tattoo based on parts of the body they feel most confident in, comfortable and that which would give a very hot and sexy look. Location on the body for a particular tattoo should be emphasized because there are some tattoos that enhance the shape of the body. Such tattoos are gaining popularity because women like to have such tattoo on their body. Places like lower back, ankle, or any place that is can be concealed by clothing are selected commonly to be tattooed by the women. There are still others who like get tattoos on those very erotic parts of the body with an aim to look sexy and to draw attention to these parts.
It could be concluded that female tend to get those tattoos that enhance the shape of the body and that which add sex appeal to their body.
http://www.articlebase.info/Article/Female-Tattoos--add-attraction-to-the-overall-appearance/2479
Tribal Tattoos: Reflection of certain aspects of life
Many would like to know what tribal tattoos mean. The answer to this question will vary from region to region and from culture to culture. Tribal tattoos are certain designs that depict different stories made on the different parts of the body. Various objects were used to make holes in the flesh. The process was painful and to reduce the pain soot of some sort and berry juice was rubbed into the wounds. Some of the tribal designs were as simple as a few lines or circles in certain patterns while others were highly intricate pieces of work but whatever design it ought to be it was painful and sometime fatal as the methods used was not so highly safe and sophisticated as it is today. Tribal tattoos were generally performed to mark the wealth, rank, tribe affiliation, and direct family, their role in society, acts of strength, and deeds of bravery. Tattoos of many other tribes indicate various aspects of their lives, like they believed to prevent and cure sickness associated with the evil spirits or as decoration. Surprisingly unlike the modern days women were denied to the "privilege" of being tattooed with a tribal marking or identity earlier in some tribe and the strong reason behind is that any adornment that would equal the women of their tribe to men was not allowed but there were some tribes that allowed both sexes to be equally tattooed.
Tribal tattoos which was practice only in some cultures has now broken the boundary and extended its influence in every culture throughout the world and has become one of the fashion statements. Like many of our ancestors we also would like to adorn ourselves to separate, unify, or just because we like the way something looks on our bodies and it is inborn to desire to decorate our bodies be it with jewelry, clothing, or permanent artwork.
Tribal tattoos are instantly recognizable with their dramatic use of aggressive dark lines in jagged symmetrical shapes spread throughout the skin most often done in simple black and skin tones. They can also be infused with other colors to brighten the overall look. Unlike other tattoo styles that depict a specific object, tribal tattoos are not objective but rather related with the ‘feel’ than what it specifically looks like.
http://www.articlebase.info/Article/Tribal-Tattoos--Reflection-of-certain-aspects-of-life/2544
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Chinese Tattoos - Five Crucial Mistakes To Avoid
But due to the complex nature of Chinese writing it's extremely easy to end up with a permanent embarrassment trapped under your skin unless you take a few basic precautions. So to help you avoid these Chinese tattoo disasters, here are the top five mistakes to look out for;
1) Mistranslation
Chinese writing is very complex and carries many subtle meanings. It's extremely easy to end up with something unexpected written all over your skin. Here are two classic example of these "misunderstandings" that I've heard about recently;
a) A woman wanted a Chinese writing tattoo, but she knew about the dangers of mistranslation. So she went in to a local Chinese restaurant and asked one of the waiters to write out the Chinese characters for the word "free". He duly obliged and she took the design to a tattoo artist who provided her with the tattoo of her dreams.
Unfortunately, he didn't understand what the design meant and the word "free" has two meanings in English. It can mean freedom, which was the meaning that the lady wanted, or it can mean free of charge.
And you can guess which version the waiter translated into Chinese symbols!
So she ended up with the words "free of charge" tattooed on her skin. And when she discovered the mistake it cost her almost $1,000 to get the tattoo removed.
An expensive misunderstanding!
b) A women with a Chinese tattoo was under the impression that the symbols said "love birds". Wrong! Due to a mistranslation it meant one of three things, that she loves birds, that she is a bird lover, or that she loves the male reproductive organ.
A slightly extreme example, but it shows you the mistakes that can happen and the amount of embarrassment that they can cause.
2) Poor Quality Designs
Chinese writing is extremely complicated so the design of your tattoo has to be precise otherwise the meaning will be lost. One slight alteration or a missed stroke can completely change the meaning of the design.
Unfortunately, due to a combination of poor quality tattoo designs and western artists who try to add their own style to the Chinese characters, thousands of people end up with Chinese tattoos that are incorrect and meaningless.
3) Not Knowing What They Mean
I know this might sound unbelievable, but you'd be amazed at the number of people walking around who don't know the meaning of their Chinese tattoo.
But tattooing is a form of self expression, and if you don't know what your design means it becomes rather pointless. So if you plan to get a Chinese character tattoo, make sure that you know what it means before the treatment begins.
4) Misalignment
Chinese characters become meaningless if they are applied upside down or back to front. But this mistake is often made by tattoo artists who don't understand the symbols that they are using. Once they lose track of which way round the designs should be used, it's just luck whether your design is applied correctly.
End result? Another meaningless embarrassment.
5) Standard Tattoo Parlour Designs
Most tattoo studios offer hundreds of Chinese symbol designs to choose from. The different options fill binders and walls in tattoo parlours all over the world. Unfortunately, many of these designs have been wrongly translated or have missing strokes which renders them meaningless. And even if the design that you choose is correct, there will be thousands of people around the world with the same design.
If you want a Chinese writing tattoo that enhances your individuality it's important to avoid these standard designs and get a native Chinese speaker to create a custom design which will express your own personal values.
For more information about chinese tattoos and ideas about a whole range of tattoo designs, visit Gustavo Gomez's site at http://www.SuperTattooDesigns.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gustavo_Gomez
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Lil Wayne Tattoo Picture
When considering a lil wayne picture to be permanently drawn on your body, its important to think about whether if it something you'll still want it in the future. Deciding on the right design of lil wayne tattoo may not be as easy as it seems. Another option is to get a fake lil wayne tattoo that would only last a few days. This lil wayne tattoo picture is just a sample of what you can find at the Tattoo Me Now tattoo gallery. There's thousands to choose from out of many categories including lil wayne pictures. You'll have on hand several thousand of appealing tattoos to choose from right from where you are now. Browse the designs in over 40 categories to find the lil wayne tattoo that you're after!
More often than not clients of a tattoo studio make a hurried decision on tattoo design they will get to wear for the rest of their life. Often it is done while looking through a collection of pre-made designs without going away to consider other designs. The secret is to browse through a lot of tattoo ideas before you settle on the one which is why the Tattoo Me Now tattoo service is all you require. There will be some astonishing lil wayne tattoo pictures available. By having a ideal tattoo it will make you appear hot, others will drool over you for it, helps others to start interesting conversations with you on it, allow you to feel special and stand out from the crowd, and make you more confident. The best solution to finding yourself a Perfect tattoo design is to look at a huge collection of designs first, then decide.
Once You Do, You'll Let Others See It A Lot! This lil wayne tattoo picture will look great on the right person. Remember to think and choose carefully prior to settling on a tattoo. We encourage you to bookmark this lil wayne design for future visits, or become part of Tattoo Me Now, then print out your dream design and take to the Tattooist of your choice.
Some people have compared tattooing pain to a "hot scratching feeling", although it does depend on where on your skin it is done. The discomfort of getting a tattoo should normally last for about an hour after its done. After that it can itch for a few days. If its done accurately in a proficient manner, a tattoos tend to cause very little suffering to skin and heal fairly quickly. The better you care for your new Tattoo immediately after you get it the better it will heal and look for the rest of your life.
http://www.tattoosbydesign.net/tattoos/lilwaynetattoopicture.html
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Learn How to Tattoo-Part One
The thing about the iPod is, it's what you bring to it.
If you want to learn to tattoo the first step you must take is learning everything there is to know about the tools involved in tattooing. There are numerous different types of tools available on the market. Whenever possible, always try to obtain the best quality equipment you can afford. While this may mean you need to go about it more slowly, it will definitely be worth it. Purchasing inferior quality tools and equipment will result in hassles that simply aren’t worth it as well as poor quality work.
One of the most important tools you will need is a tattoo machine. Actually you will eventually need several tattoo machines because there are different machines used for different applications. For example, one machine is used for color shading, while another is used for lining. You will also need a power supply to run to your machine as well as a foot switch and clip cords to make the connection between your power unit and your machine.
If you are planning to open a tattoo shop, or even if you are planning to work out of your home for that matter, you will also need a work table, artist chair and customer chair. A work table should ideally be large enough to hold all of your tools and equipment and have a top that can be easily cleaned and sanitized. Look for both an artist chair and a customer chair that are comfortable. You may wish to choose a chair for yourself that allows you to move easily around. Don’t forget to also include a good light source that is free standing. If you can obtain one that can be used at different angles; all the better.
In addition, to learn to tattoo you will also need various needle supplies such as regular needle bars to hold the main needle group as well as a needle jig, needle bar jig and a soldering gun and stainless solder. Naturally, you will also need various colored inks as well as black ink. If you plan to do flash sheets you will also need watercolors and pencils.
It is important to note the importance of taking proper safety and sterilization precautions when you learn to tattoo. An Autoclave is used to sterilize most tattoo equipment by steaming it at very high pressure. This is an essential piece of equipment. Don’t skimp here. You will also need autoclave bags for this piece of equipment. You can use them to store needles and other equipment after you have sterilized them in the autoclave. Another important piece of equipment is the main ultrasonic cleaner and the solution to go along with it. This is used to clean any leftover residue from your needles and tubes. An ultrasonic tray can also be used to submerge inside the ultrasonic cleaner with the tools attached.
While this may seem like a lot of equipment to gather, if you take your time and make sure you are obtaining quality tools, you will be glad of it. Remember you can always make slow additions to your collection until you have everything you need to progress to the next step in the learn how to tattoo process.
http://www.ultimate-tattoo-guide.com/how-to-tattoo-part1.htm
Monday, October 15, 2007
Tattoo Science
This time around I’ll do my best to map a course that may be translated in to a visible version of all these atomic explanations. Stepping back, the responses received have been very promising as well as educational for me. Problem solving is quite stimulating as well as keeping me on my toes.
The whole idea has been to put forth the notion, that any one inefficiency glitch in the tattoo machine will most likely go unnoticed in the performance of this gadget. But the abundance of physical forces taking place simultaneously has a firing order. If one or more of these forces is set off, out of sync, the machine will never perform to its maximum efficiency, and what I mean is, using the minimum amount of energy to accomplish the task at hand. In our case, to deliver to the skin the desired effect. After all, that’s the idea, right?
I’ve personally watched a lot of the younger tattooers work, and must say I’m blown away at the final results, but at the same time you guys are missing out on a big part of the fun…you’re working to hard at this. The machine is designed to do the work, so you can have the fun, and the satisfaction of enjoying the results of artist prowess.
The understanding of mandatory magnetic and all the functionalities of energy in motion is the key, “in motion.”(kinetic energy ). Look I’m a lazy Fuck by nature, that’s why I got into this business to start with. If I want to Workkk, I’d pick up a shovel. Yeah right!!! See, tangencies again. Sorry. Unfortunately the older I get the more this becomes a lot like work.
Back to meat. At the wall socket, plug in one of those u.p.s. (uninterrupted power supplies). The gadget used to plug your computer into. The a.c. volts coming to your transformer i.e. power supply. This keeps the incoming a.c. clean to the box and will rid current spikes. If you use a battery, never mind this part: it doesn’t apply.
http://www.atimemachine.com/free_tattoo_info/tattoo_info_clearer_view.php
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Art Designs
Movements over the years have made a great impact, such as Art Noveau, Art Deco and Pop Art. I love the Art Deco furniture, architecture and household items. The Art Deco designer, Clarice Cliffe produced wonderful dinner and tea services which are very collectible today. There is still evidence of Art Deco houses and cinemas. Pop Art took everyday objects and presented them in a fresh way. Art designs made by Andy Warhol, who started off as a ladies' shoe designer, were some of the most iconic images of the 20th century. Campbell's Soup Cans and Brillo Pads were elevated to art.
For me, there are certain cars which are more than mere cars. They are pieces of sculpture, worthy of a place in any art designs museum. I would include classics such as the Rolls Royce in that. I also like 1960s Jaguars, Porches and Ferraris. My favorite sports car is the Lamborghini Diablo. Mouth watering prospect! The American cars from the 1950s with their huge fins are great art designs, the Cadillac models being the supreme example. The craftspeople who customize such cars with terrific art work are true artists in my opinion.
I also think that the artists who do art work for fairground rides and carousels should be more appreciated. Some people are snobbish about such things but I think they should be more open to ideas. Tattoos are also art designs. Some are very inventive and intricate. I don't want to be a walking canvas myself, but I can appreciate the artistry.
One of the biggest successes of the publishing world in modern times has been the comic strip. These employ a clever combination of words and images, to tell a story and build characterization. The art designs of the comic books can be of the highest standard. The drawing of the characters, equipment, clothes, vehicles and buildings all play a part in the overall artistry of the work. The American artist Roy Lichtenstein took this format and blew frames up to the size of big canvases. Art designs had become art, just as Frank Miller's graphic novels were transferred to the screen in the movie of Sin City.http://www.refresharticles.com/articles/tattoos/art-designs-23.txt
Tattoo Books
The first tattoo books I glanced through had some incredibly scary looking artwork that I couldn't imagine anyone would ever want. Apparently, people did though. I wanted something feminine and simple that would look attractive on my ankle. I wasn't really sure what exactly would represent me for years and years but I knew those tattoo books would show me something perfect. For the first 30 minutes, I thumbed through pages of hideous tattoos as well as really brilliant ones. Still, nothing jumped out at me and said "Pick me." I was feeling incredibly discouraged. One of the tattoo artists joined me in my search, asking me tons of questions about what I liked and my beliefs. Finally, after trying to explain who I was for 5 minutes, he stood up and dug through some of the tattoo books that I have not yet had the opportunity to look through. He flipped through several pages as well until he smiled. He brought it over to me and pointed. I smiled as well. He was showing me a dainty and attractive small dolphin. It represented me in many ways. I was an artist and this dolphin had a rainbow of colors on it. I loved the ocean and dolphins were my favorite of all of God's creatures. It was perfect. I nodded and laid down the other tattoo books. I'd found what I'd wanted.
Last weekend, I helped another friend of mine look through tattoo books for something that would be perfect for her. She had the same pains of finding something that I'd had. After she'd found what she wanted, I sat there and glanced through the tattoo books for the sole purpose of passing time. In the very first of the tattoo books that I opened, I smiled. Here we go again! My friend and I walked out of the tattoo parlor a few hours later, with smiles on both of our faces. If you're planning on getting a tattoo, consider yourself warned, sometimes those stacks of tattoo books can be rather addictive.
http://www.refresharticles.com/articles/tattoos/tattoo-books-28.txt
Henna Design
But this type of body art is much more than a temporary way to participate in the tattoo revival that has occurred in recent years. Body enhancement using henna design has been around for years. In fact, it has played and continues to be a part of various customs and ceremonies in many cultures throughout the world. In some cultures, henna has also historically been applied for spiritual or healing purposes.
Some say the use of henna originated in India, while others claim that it began in The Middle East or North Africa. Tattooing of the hands and feet with henna as part of spiritual or death rituals has been fairly commonplace in many cultures. In many areas, henna design is used as a body decoration for brides, newly engaged individuals and pregnant women, just to name a few. It has been much more than a way of body enhancement in many regions.
One of the reasons it has played such a heavy part in the spirituality and celebrations of many cultures is that henna is not only very safe to the skin, but actually contains soothing, cooling and healing properties.
Essentially a form of temporary tattooing, it is done without piercing the skin. Henna dyes the skin when it is applied, so it is obviously much less painful than permanent tattooing. A henna design can last on the skin for a time period ranging from as few as three to as many as eight or more days, depending on the thickness of the skin where the henna is applied.
Because it is temporary, painless, artistic, and steeped in cultural traditions, henna design has enjoyed a recent revival in popular culture. Many celebrities have experimented with it, and it has gained popularity with Westerners of all ages. Many opt for the traditional art of mehndi, or the henna tattooing of the hands and feet. But henna design can be found in as many styles and varieties as other types of tattoos.
For some, the practice holds deep cultural and religious significance. For others, it is a safe, fun and creative way to experiment with self-expression through body modification. Unlike many other cultural traditions, henna design shows no signs of fading into history, but is in fact likely to become even more common.
http://www.refresharticles.com/articles/tattoos/henna-design-14.txt
Temporary Tattoo Designs
Temporary tattoo designs are available in an almost unlimited number of shapes, colors, and subject matters. Of course, there are the ever popular, classic tattoo ones; there are hearts with knives through them, flaming skulls, dragons, eagles, Harley Davidson logos, and all that sort of thing. Than there are the ones with cute phrases. These always irritate me, but my little sister seems to like them as much as any other temporary tattoo designs. She's not picky.
They have things like “Too Cute”, or “Princess” written on them – stuff that, for some strange reason, middle school girls think is just precious. In fact, just the other day my sis had one that said precious, except that it was spelled “prrrrecccious” and had a cat on it, playing with a ball of yarn. There are even some temporary tattoo designs in plain black ink that look remarkably real. They are designed like stencils so that you can put different words on your arm. Others have pictures of hearts, ships, or women, and look just like sailor tattoos.
There are also the “tribal” temporary tattoo designs. These are things like naval stars, spirals, iron and Celtic crosses, and various mandalas which you can inscribe all over your body. I feel the same way about these temporary tattoo designs as I do about real “tribal” tattoos; if you can't come up with a tattoo design which has personal significance and is not just something that you got because everyone is getting them, then maybe you should give up.
The coolest, in my opinion, are the temporary tattoo designs which let you build your own. There are kits available with a few stock letters and shapes, and then a whole sheet of that temporary tattoo paper that you can fashion into whatever you want, and then rub on to your arm. The first time I played with one of these kits, I realized that one day I would get a real tattoo. I wonder if my little sister feels the same way.
http://www.refresharticles.com/articles/tattoos/temporary-tattoo-designs-04.txt
Tongue Piercing
One of the most common and most popular bodily holes to acquire these days is the tongue piercing. It appears that every rebelling teenager wants one. Do they even know the story behind the tongue piercing? I doubt it. While you may find the standard barbell though the tongue rather refreshing and different, you might want to think twice before heading to the local tattoo/piercing parlor downtown. Have you ever considered the repercussions to this trite attempt at autonomy? What if your tongue piercing becomes infected? Did you know that the hole in the tongue seals back up incredible fast? I hope you're not planning on taking it out.
Probably the biggest factor of all concerns your precious choppers. Have you been to the dentist lately? What does your oral physician have to say about the almighty tongue piercing? I was absolutely shocked a couple years back when I visited my dentist with a cracked molar. This was the first tooth I had ever cracked in 30 years. I will NEVER chew hard candy again. And that goes the same for ice cubes. These are the usual culprits when it comes to cracked or chipped teeth. After conversing a little with my dentist, he started reeling off about the dangers of a simple tongue piercing. He claimed the standard barbells are terrible for your teeth. Apparently teenagers are constantly flipping them around in their mouths, which sadly results in a split tooth. He said the trend's appeal baffles him, however brings him loads of business.
Therefore if you are considering a tongue piercing, I suggest you do your research first. Although the concept may sound appealing, it just might cause you future grief, not to mention a fat dentist bill.
http://www.refresharticles.com/articles/tattoos/tongue-piercing-03.txt
Removing tattoos and helping the community
Ink-b-Gone is working with several outreach and youth groups in the Denver area providing pro bono tattoo removal and deap discounts to the members of these groups. Most of the young people that want the tattoos removed are trying to start their lives over. Removing gang symbols and other inappropriate tattoos is part of the transformation, but this is not the only venue for starting over.
Colleges and universities are embracing this service because tattoos often make it impossible for graduates to get that "dream job". Students (both high school and college) are eligible for a 50% discount.
http://denver.yourhub.com/Columbine/Stories/Business/General-Business/Story~376649.aspx
Tattoo shops on Key West's Duval St. a long time coming
On an island with its own cadre of celebrities - 6-foot cross-dressing Swedes, Ernest Hemingway impersonators, even wandering chickens - Mencarelli and friend Jim McAlhany are a hip attraction.
They operate Key West Ink, one of two tattoo parlors that opened in late August on Duval, this island's main drag. The shop owners sued the city to erase a Navy-backed, four-decade ordinance that banned tattoo parlors - an anomaly in a town where outrageousness is prized and the biggest festival features topless women covered in body paint.
Key West Ink now attracts a stream of customers and visiting artists from around the country. Artists also say the change is another sign of the growing acceptance of tattooing as a form of expression.
"This Key West and this is Duval. He-llo," Mencarelli said. "You can do anything you want here, and you can see just about anything. Come on ... This town is ready for it."
One would think that getting tattooed in Key West would be as natural as finding a piece of Key lime pie. But in the 1960s, Key West was a bustling Navy port, with some 10,000 sailors and another 10,000 family members helping fuel the economy, historian Tom Hambright said. Sailors got tattoos in places with dirty needles - leading to hepatitis and other illnesses, Hambright said.
"Tattoo parlors at that time were found in a sleazy area of town ... pool halls, the backs of bars," Hambright said. "The same needles were used over and over again. It was not sanitary."
The Navy began pressuring port cities to restrict tattooing, Hambright said. Key West passed its ban in 1966.
To this day, the Navy has a tattoo screening certificate that asks prospective sailors questions such as whether their tattoos are visible while wearing a crew neck T-shirt and whether the body art represents gang membership; racial, ethnic or gender discrimination; drugs or obscenity; or are "prejudicial to good order, discipline and morale."
Forty years passed and tattooing became more mainstream, except in this most unmainstream of cities. In February, Key West Ink and Paradise Tattoo and Body Piercing sued the city, claiming the tattoo shop prohibition violated their constitutional right of freedom of expression.
Some residents feared that tattoo parlors would overtake Duval Street, already filled with gaudy T-shirt shops that many believe cheapen the historic district visited by Harry Truman and frequented by literary giants Hemingway and Tennessee Williams.
But McAlhany pressed the issue because municipalities generally can't ban what the state allows. Cities can, however, regulate where tattoo parlors can open.
The city and the parlors reached a settlement. Key West Ink and Paradise could open on Duval, but new parlors will be limited to a commercial zone away from the street.
McAlhany had a spot picked out and opened his shop the day of the settlement. The parlor has $5,000 chairs for customers, the latest drawing equipment and a hypnotizing wall mural featuring images of swimming dolphins, fishermen, and, of course, Papa Hemingway.
There's also a message on the wall that reads: "We recognize tattoos as a national form of art and therefore protected by the Constitution of the United States of America as a freedom of expression, an unalienable human right."
The shop blows away all conceptions of a backroom tattoo parlor, with tourists flashing photos outside and folks relaxing on comfy chairs inside.
"When you come in you melt into the atmosphere and you become part of us," McAlhany said.
Among McAlhany's first customers was a drag queen named Inga the Swedish Bombshell. Since, he has gotten visits from an 82-year-old woman who got a conch shell tattoo and a man who flew in from Fort Myers on a private jet for a quick inking.
One recent afternoon, it was Jesper Noergaard, of Denmark, getting an Ace of Spades and King of Hearts on his inside forearm.
"They finally got tattoos on Duval Street and I wanted to be a part of that," Noergaard said.
McAlhany, who owns a construction business, said he mortgaged his home and took a risk in spending about $1.4 million on securing and stocking the Duval Street storefront, hiring artists, and promotion. He has health guidelines for artists that include a class on blood-borne pathogens, plus training on HIV/AIDS and first aid.
A Fort Lauderdale native, McAlhany, 50, didn't get interested in tattoos until four years ago.
"Things change as generations get older," McAlhany said, wearing a sleeveless T-shirt to show his arm tattoos. "When I was growing up, I would never get a tattoo. I thought it was a biker thing. You change your thinking as you get older. You get wiser."
McAlhany recruited Mencarelli, 50, to join him in the business. Mencarelli, who started "slinging ink" after getting out of the military in the mid-1980s, jumped at the moneymaking opportunity, calling the shop his "pension plan." He is recruiting visiting artists and the shop has reservations stretching into next year.
Mencarelli takes on apprentices, and he says the talent pool is seeing more college-trained artists than in the past. But he says there's also the "rock stars," those who are "in it for the glory of it, the money. They come up quick and they fall hard."
"Because it's become such a lucrative industry, you've got everybody and their mother trying to own a shop and work a shop," Mencarelli said. "But ... this place could become an attraction actually. This is Key West. There's always something happening."
http://www.miamiherald.com/775/story/270363.html
Tattoo Design Choice (Part 2)
Deciding on what type of tattoo to get is obviously a very important decision right?
There are so many options to choose from but the bottom line is that you should choose something that has significance to you. This may require a lot of thought but it is best to really think about what you want before you have a tattoo done to make sure that you will not regret the tattoo later on.
There are too many options to mention but just a few include religious, tribal, words, cartoons, and just about anything you can think of. You can even get a tattoo that bears a likeness to a loved one. The other options to consider are black and white tattoos or color tattoos. These choices are a matter of personal preference and there are no right or wrong answers.
The most important thing about choosing a tattoo is to choose something that is special to you. That is all that really matters. As long as you like your tattoo, it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks about it.
Those who are happy with their tattoos and those who feel as though their tattoo has special meaning are much less likely to regret their tattoo.
Choosing black and white or color for your tattoo is another decision you will have to make. Again personal preference is the most important factor.
Your tattoo is a lifelong investment so don't let the price persuade you to pick one over the other. Some tattoos may look better in black and white such as pictures while cartoons may look better in color. Choose what you like best and you are sure to be happy with your decision.
There are so many options to choose from that it may seem overwhelming. Tattoo Me is the best place to start your tattoo design search because we are offering thousands of different tattoos divided into categories that make searching for a design really easy just follow a link back to my site.
They offer a LIFETIME membership so whether you are looking for your first and only tattoo or whether you are always adding new tattoos, you will always have the option of browsing our gallery for the tattoos of your dreams.
Where on your body to place your tattoo? That's what we're going to talk about next time. Look out for Part 3
http://skinart-tattoo.com/articles/tattoo-design-choice-2.html
Tattoo Design Choice (Part 1)
If you don't make an educated decision there may come a time when you regret what you did. If you already have one or several tattoo designs inked I hope you're proud of them, but most importantly comfortable in your own skin. Think about not just the short-term gratification but also the long term weight attached.
Will you still be ok with them no matter what direction you may take in life?
Do you want to still have it when you have kids in the future and be a father?
Will it still be ok with you then?
I remember a guy who got a huge devil tattoo design inked on his back 10 years ago when he was in his early twenties. I wonder how he feels about it now...
If you're thinking about going for ink...I recommend you think about it for a few weeks just to make sure that you're totally ok with it. Either be 140% convinced about the decision or don't do it at all.
If you want to get a tattoo design inked it IS a decision that is not to be taken lightly although now they do have laser removal. You should never see that as an option. However strange it may sound, I would personally never recommend anyone to get a tattoo design inked, despite my own love of tattoos. You are an adult and you can make your own decisions.
When making the decision to get a tattoo design inked, always ask yourself for what reason you're doing it. Don't do it from social pressure or for anyone else...do it for yourself!
If you after having asked yourself the questions above are fully sure that you want a tattoo design, and know what you want, then GO FOR IT!
The right tattoo design, one that looks good and means something to you, is an extension of your character and something to be proud of. Don't you agree that trying to decide on what tattoo design to get is extremely difficult?
And the fact that high quality tattoo designs are almost impossible to find online doesn't make things easier...
The sad truth is that most tattoo decision are made in a hurry while flipping the binders in a local tattoo studio. That's not the way such an important, life-long decision should be made, and it often results in people regretting they ever got that darn tattoo! Some go as far as getting surgery to have their tattoo designs removed, which could easily end up in the $1000's! And sadly, even though it cost them an arm and a leg, the result doesn't always turn out the way they were hoping for..
However, if you're lucky enough to find that perfect tattoo design for you, you will have a piece of art that will bring you satisfaction for the rest of your life!
So how do you find that perfect tattoo design?
The secret is to browse through a lot of tattoo ideas before you settle on one. That's where the problem comes in. I've spent countless of late nights and early hours searching for tattoo design ideas online... most of the times quitting in frustration after having found nothing of value..
No wonder so many people are walking around with downright ugly tattoos!
There are too many sites out there to list that offer gallery after gallery of tattoo designs, so a good point to check is if you decide to go with a membership site that offers, a money back guarantee and few good solid testimonials, bonus's are great too. The one above has a great selection but I will write a product review shortly as I have just purchased this myself. Hmm now its fun time!!!
Once you have chosen that perfect design and you just know that its too wicked to be original, think about certain things that you could add or modify to make it original. Hold onto those ideas and go for a visit down to your local parlor and have a chat to one of artists.
I find if you go down on a weekday, say Monday or Tuesday when its not busy is the best time as they'll be more inclined to actually discuss something in more creative detail with a "potential customer" apposed to someone who's just wasting their time.
As some artists may want to charge you an artwork cost, going down to see them in the slower days is a good opportunity because they get paid on per tattoo sales so not wanting to scare you off they'll do the artwork for free and throw in their own ideas (who better to tweak your Tattoo design than an Artist!!!), sneaky but has worked for me a few times. But they are great people and if you give them respect and courtesy most will do it for free anyway.
So hopes this has helped you even if its just a little bit. Thanks for visiting my blog and happy hunting!!!
http://skinart-tattoo.com/articles/tattoo-design-choice-1.html