Monday, May 21, 2007

Choosing a Back Tattoo

Back tattoos are probably the best kind of tattoos around. And it is very popular too.

Added to this factor, the even surface of the human back also counts as a plus in the aesthetic value of back tattoos.

There are two things you need to consider in getting a back tattoo: symbolism and aesthetics.

Symbolism - There are a number of symbolic meanings behind back tattoos. The placement of each tattoo often alters its meaning, and the placement of a tattoo in the back can have many interpretations.

A back tattoo can mean that someone has turned his/her back on whatever the tattoo signifies. One may choose to have a tattoo of a vice or habit, an ex, and anything they wish to tell people they have left behind in their lives.

In the east, having a back tattoo of an animal, or an organizational logo can mean that someone is “watching your back”. This would serve as a protection for those sporting the back tattoo.

A back tattoo found near the shoulder, especially on a woman, signifies a sort of innocent sensuality.

This enhances the sexual attraction to the wearer, especially if the back tattoo is revealed accidentally.

Another symbolically sensual location of a back tattoo is at the small of the back. It just seems so sexy, somehow… doesn’t it?

The use of back tattoo to convey hidden messages is evident in the fact that a slightly revealed tattoo on a person arouses another person’s curiosity and thus leads to social interaction.

Of course, the symbolism of tattoos also involves the images themselves.

With every image come a dozen or even more interpretations. You need to be careful in choosing a tattoo image that actually symbolizes or reflects your character.

However, for all the interpretations of other people, you need to remember that you are the one getting the tattoo. What’s important is the meaning the back tattoo has for you personally.

Everything else is just a matter of perception.

Aesthetics – You need to make sure that the back tattoo you will be getting actually looks good.

In aesthetics, you need to consider the skill of the tattoo artist. Some people tend to only look at the catalogues of the tattoo artist in order to see if they can get a good back tattoo. However, you also need to see examples of the tattoo artist work on actual akin. This way, you can be sure whether you are getting a quality back tattoo or not.

Included in the aesthetic quality or factor of a back tattoo is its size. Some people prefer small, yet elaborate back tattoos while others choose big, yet comparatively simple ones.

Some people would also prefer their back tattoos to be like frescoes on their bodies, with different elements, making a story on their backs.

Colors are also an important part in back tattoos. Some people prefer “earth” colors, blending those colors with the color of the skin and thus, achieving a “natural’ look.

Some people prefer to have back tattoos with colors that really stand out. This way, their skin color acts as the medium to truly express the image of the back tattoo.

There are some tattoo parlors which offer colorless and 3-dimensional tattoos. More like piercing than actual tattoos, these are getting very popular because of their “modern” look.

http://www.todaytattoos.com/Articles/49.html

Dragon Tattoo- Your Choices From East to West

The dragon, more popularly seen as a strange reptile that is fond of abducting damsels, breathing fire and mercilessly killing knights, and not to say hoarding treasures had been a part of human culture. For thousands of years, this mythical creature had been the subject of human curiosity and his adoration for art. And while they are often portrayed in the books, paintings and the likes, the modern world has seen the dragon's potential place in the tattooing world.

Thus, its popularity as major tattoo designs.

It is the symbol of power, of fear, of honor, of evil (and sometimes good), of protection, of virtually anything, depending on who you would ask. Nevertheless, dragon tattoos lend themselves so beautifully for the appreciation of both artists and audience.

Both the eastern and the western world adopted dragons in a wide spectrum of art forms including depicting them in body arts.

The cultures in Asia, more significantly the Chinese, Japanese and the Koreans were oriented to the belief that dragons are the benevolent protectors of humanity, the bringer of good fortune, the healer of the sick and the bearer of life. Eastern dragons were extensively used in marking human skin for ages.

Eastern dragon tattoos are significantly more mythical-like than western tattoos. These usually have grinning flat faces, and a serpentine body that extends long enough so as to accommodate a number of feet (only in size). But actually, these dragons only have two pairs of feet, one pair as front legs and the other as hind legs.

These dragon tattoos are also depicted large and elaborately designed, often seen wrapping a person's back or crawling on the surface of the skin. While the art of tattooing is perceived to have spread in many cultures around the globe, it is thought that the earliest tattoos were of eastern dragon designs since the formal art of tattooing actually started in Japan.

Western dragons, on the other hand, were portrayed in the exact opposite of the eastern dragons. They are unmerciful, breath nasty fire, and wreak havoc against humankind.

These dragons are often seen with more reptilian images. Scales cover their entire body and they are characterized with razor-sharp teeth and snouted mouth and face. Their wings are large and powerful as well. Thus, they were considered as the embodiment of evil and myths and legends testify to these attributes. Nonetheless, they are covered with certain degrees of mysteries and mystique that lead other people to conclude of their existence.

In dragon tattoos, western dragons are beautiful creatures with less elaborate designs as compared with those crafted from the eastern dragons. Western dragon tattoos with smoking nostril are popular as well as those that depict impressive span of dragon wings.

With the two types of dragon tattoos compared, it is likely that we discover that eastern dragon tattoos are more elaborately designed than the western dragons are. The latter are also smaller in size.

The meaning dragon tattoos represent may vary with the person wearing it or the person observing it. In a sense, their implications are so varied that it is impossible to contain all them and define them in one heap.

Not only do dragon tattoos testify to some symbolism, they are also so fluid that you may see them covering the entire or majority of the body parts. Some hard core tattoo enthusiasts even choose to adapt a dragon tattoo design that starts from their lower body towards the torso and the above parts.

http://www.todaytattoos.com/Articles/52.html

Tattoo Conventions

If you’re looking for a quick introduction into the world and the culture of tattoos, you can find no better place to start than at a tattoo convention. Of course they aren’t just for newcomers, but also a great place for enthusiasts to meet the legends of the tattoo world, to make new friends and to get more ink.
The Artists attend not only to do business and create more living art, they can also look forward to meeting up with old friends and to attending seminars about the latest techniques. Conventions offer something for everyone who is interested and involved in the world of tattoos.
Conventions vary in size and scope, some are local festivals lasting a day or two and featuring the talent from one particular city or area, others can last up to a week and draw artists and attendees from around a region, country, or even from all around the globe. Some of the highlights:
# The Artists: Tattoo artists set up booths where they display photographs of their work and apply tattoos.
# The Contests: Usually there will be competitions run for tattoos inked on a particular day and for the duration of the convention. Categories may include such as “Best Gray Scale,” “Best Sleeve (Arm or Leg),” “Most Original Design,” etc.
# The Seminars: Some of the larger conventions will feature seminars on how to master techniques like gray scale, the latest health procedures, or how to maintain your equipment, etc. These are taught by professionals and generally last for several hours.
# The Entertainment: You might find live bands, DJ’s spinning the tunes, parties (often held somewhere off-site but close to the convention venue), and even sideshows and “freak shows” featuring unique acts - even fashion shows turned up. Some conventions will also have car & bike shows, sometimes skateboard demonstrations or play areas for the kids.
# The Extras: There may be art exhibitions on the history of tattoos or the designs of certain artists, etc. Sometimes you can view old tattoo machinery on display.
# The Goods: Not only could you get a new tattoo, you will probably also find that body piercing is available at the convention. There may be body painting and henna tattoos as well. Vendors will be supplying food, apparel, cosmetics, accessories and jewelry.

http://tattoodesign.com/tattoo-convention.html