Tattoo Gallery - Where To Find Your Tattoo!

Finding the right tattoo is obviously very important since you'll be wearing it for life. Finding that tattoo can be challenging, and exhausting if you don't look in the right places. A tattoo gallery can actually take many forms. From print, to online, to outdoors. Here are three forms of a tattoo gallery where you can find your ideal tattoo.

1. The Parlor. Naturally there is going to be a decent tattoo gallery in a tattoo parlor. Here you can go through books of various designs and photos. The walls should also be covered with various tattoo design ideas. The disadvantage is you're not in a library where you can sit down and scour through the books for hours or check them out to bring home. You may need numerous visits to a tattoo parlor to look at your favorite designs over and over before making that important decision.

2. The Outdoors. Here's a tattoo gallery one doesn't generally think of. But the outdoors provides a vast assortment of tattoo ideas and if you can develop your eyes to see in tattoo imagery, the outdoors can be a great tattoo gallery. Areas of specific interest are graffiti areas where you can view not only potential tattoo images, but murals as well. I personally have a whole graffiti mural picked out which has inspired a tattoo design. Be sure to bring a camera and photograph any ideas.

3. Print books or Online Catalogues. Perhaps the best place to see a tattoo gallery is in the comfort of your own dwelling, alone, sifting through a printed book or an online catalogue. Here you can really feel out your tattoo design, let it sit with you for a few weeks and then come back to it and see if it's personally the real deal for you. Many guides or books can cut to the chase and show you the latest and best designs available as well as older, classic, tattoo designs.

For an online tattoo gallery, check out http://www.tattoo-book.info Here you can find hundreds of unique designs as well as the classics - http://www.tattoo-book.info

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How To Choose What To Have Tattooed On Your Body!

Many people have a hard time deciding exactly WHAT to have tattooed on their body. I can tell you a couple of things, right of the bat...

1. It's not a good idea to have your boyfriend/girlfriend's name tattooed on your body! You may think it's a great idea now, how romantic! - but there just may come a day when you WILL regret it -- and laser removal can be costly and cause bad scarring (along with pain). Most people opt to have them covered up with another tattoo (again, more $) if they split up. The lovers name is just a bad idea all round in my opinion;

2. Not a good idea to have anything tattooed on your hands or your face/neck area - unless you plan on being in the tattoo industry the entire rest of your life! You may think it's just righteous right now, but there will be occasions when you will wish you could "blend in with the crowd" and that will be impossible with tat work adorning your knuckles/neck/face/head. Many artists refuse to tattoo on the hands or face area for that very reason;

3. It helps to have some thought of what you are looking for when you go to the studio, - your tattoo artist may blend some ideas with yours and come up with something totally unique. Be creative, tattoos are meant as a form of expression, although personally mine are kept private and I don't like to show them off, but that's just me. There are lots of websites out there offering "free tattoo flash" and they can give you many ideas of what you might like, check them out. Even if it's something as simple as a letter "T" - you could add a twist on that, make it calligraphy style, or add flowers trailing down it or around it - this is a chance to be creative and put your own personal touch on something!;

4. Your tattoo shouldn't be too small, it will probably end up looking like a little blob in the end - your tattoo artist will give you size suggestions;

5. Remember, the bigger the tattoo - and more intricate the design, the more work involved, thus more cost... and be sure not to "bargain shop" when it comes to artists - word of mouth (see the actual work they have done, also) is the best way to find someone great. There are some things in life that should NOT be skimped on, and something that will adorn your body, probably for the rest of your life, is one of them! Also, don't think that just because someone has only been tattooing for say 2 years, that they are not as talented as someone who's done it 10 years -- like I said, check out the work they've done on others, that will be the best indicator of your results;

6. Important! Get something YOU want, not what someone else has convinced you that you should get! Remember, YOU are the one who will live with this!.

Once you've had your tattoo work done, check out our aftercare, selling on ebay, it's called RAVEN Tattoo Care, it's an aftercare salve for pros - sells worldwide on the web. It will help your tattoo work heal quickly and effectively, and preserve previous tattoo work. Keep your new tattoo completely covered from the sun while healing -- even with the highest sunscreen out there, no one ever remembers to reapply it every hour, you will sunburn - and if you sunburn your new work, well, it's your own fault, enough said.

Enjoy your new tattoo, and feel free to email us at contact@raventattoocare.com if you need help with answering any questions in regards to tattoos!

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How To Find The Right Tattoo Artist

Getting tattooed is a highly personal experience so it's important to find the right artist for your needs. Ultimately, the quality of your tattoo rests on the quality of artist that you find.

These days, tattoo artists are more professional and highly trained than ever, but there are still plenty of unskilled and unscrupulous cowboys plying their trade. So to make sure that you've found a top quality professional, consider these points;

a) Experience

When you approach a new artist, find out how many years of experience they have. If possible, avoid someone who is new to the game. Ask them what type of style they specialise in, and make sure that they have relevant experience with the type of style that you've chosen.

b) Professionalism

Are they a member of a professional body for tattooists in the country?

What qualifications do they possess? What health standards does their studio meet?

c) Portfolio

Ask to see their previous work. All reputable artists will have a portfolio of their work. Alarm bells should start to ring in your head if they don't have a portfolio or seem evasive when you ask them questions.

Look carefully at the pictures, or even better ask to meet one of the people who they've worked on. Check out the tattoo outline. Are the black lines smooth and crisp? Or are they shaky and substandard? Does the tattoo contour with the shape of the body? Are the colors bright and vibrant or dull and flat? Are they blended smoothly? Has the character of the tattoo been properly captured?

d) Personality

Spend some time speaking to the artist to get to know them.

Do you like their manner?

Do they answer your questions in an open and relaxed manner?

Do they share your ideas and enthusiasm for your planned tattoo?

Are they prepared to give you what you want. If they try to convince you to alter your designs then it will be worth your time looking for someone else who is more open to your ideas.

Do you have faith in their skill and ability?

Do they make you feel confident?

Do you trust them?

All artists are different and it might take several visits to different tattoo studios until you find the professional who is right for your needs. But it's time well spent and will help lead to your perfect tattoo.

Gustavo Gomez runs SuperTattooDesigns.com. For free information on all the latest tattoo designs visit http://www.SuperTattooDesigns.com.

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Tattoo Designs - Dont make a mistake that you will regret later on. Chose the right tattoo!

Do you want is a tattoo that you will be proud of ALL of your life? One that you will be more than happy to show off at any time? And be able to tell the usual funny stories about how you were blind drunk, or how odd the tattoo artist was (not that any of them are exactly normal!) or about the crap piece that the dude before you had. Wouldn't it be great to have a design that would turn heads and either inspire your friends or make the jealous ones more jealous! If you're like me, my tattoos all mean something special and are a source of strength and energy just when I need it, they lift me up when I'm sad and remind me to be strong when I'm weak, they serve as symbols of what I and about and speak for me, yours should too.

I got my first one at the age of 13 and managed to hide it for a year until I was 14, boy was I in trouble when my mother found out. But it was too late I was hooked, people often ask me why I have them and continue to have more. I simply reply "Because I want to, it's my choice, and it is YOUR choice too, I have my reasons and you have yours. However, I do have rules, and my rules are to only have 2-3 new tattoos per year, I figure that if I go crazy now there will be no space left in my body for later (I would hate to see an excellent design and have no where to put it!).

This is a great strategy because it ensures that you are thoughtful of where, when and most importantly which great tattoo design to have. I regret none of mine and look forward to this years brandings, however I have good friends that are deeply remorseful of theirs choices and wish they could turn back the clock. I'm glad its not me, don't let it be you.

Over more years than I am willing to say here I have had many tattoos; tribal tattoos, heart tattoos, wrist tattoos, Maori tattoos, Celtic tattoos, back tattoos and tattoos a few in places best left off this article! I worked as an artist for 6 years and in different parlours, some good and some bad (very bad!), and in all that time there is just one problem that people with tattoos face that nearly always becomes an real issue. Its poor designs. It doesn't matter how good the artist is, a bad tattoo design, is a bad tattoo design. The mistake that people make continually is choosing the wrong art to begin with, trust me I've seen it its down hill all the way from then. Impeccable tattoo design art is imperative to having a joyful life with your tattoo and not with a monster sharing your body. We all have heard the stories, or have friends that DEEPLY REGRET their tattoos, in most cases poor designs quickly turn into points of embarrassment and self anguish, you avoid seeing the tattoo in the mirror and cover at all times - no matter what the weather. Art chosen from a limited or sub standard tattoo galley will invariably lead to unhappiness and potential further cost and inconvenience if you choose to have a tattoo removal later on

Take my advice and choose the best designs possible.

Award Winning Tattoo Designs - Get it Right First Time!

http://www.Tattoo-Designs-Gallery.co.uk

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Looking For A Popular Tattoo or Body Art Design?

Flower tattoo designs symbolize life, birth, procreation, death and rebirth. These tattoos are the embodiment of nature and the elements.

Flower tattoo designs are popular but the red rose beats them all, especially with women. Its almost as popular with men, the rose has a spiritual significance in the developing world. The red rose is considered to be a symbol of love and has been revered in both, secular and religious context.

The rose design has many accepted traditional meanings that are applied to the body art design by association. It has become the ultimate floral symbol on account of its unmatched fragrance and beauty. A red rose is also a symbol of martyrdom. It is associated with Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary. A rose tattoo is sometimes worn in honor of a passed loved one. If you want to have a rose tattoo, It's important to know the meaning behind the rose colors.

A dark red rose stands for unconscious beauty.

The red rose is for love, courage, beauty, respect and romance. A red rose bud tattoo also shows purity and loveliness.

Blue roses symbolize impossibility.

Coral roses indicate desire.

The black rose usually means death.

The white rose tattoo design is a symbol of innocence, reverence, youthfulness and purity. White rose tattoo designs also celebrate the little child.

The yellow rose shows friendship or achievement.

A red rose with thorns tattoo design is also popular. Tattoo artist say, a red rose with thorns reminds the person that beauty does not surface in the absence of adversity and sacrifice. The flower can be flaunted singly, as trailing vine or as a bouquet.

Rose body art have been popular in the west for decades. This piece of body art shares the most intriguing history and symbolism. The rose tattoo is a traditional choice and more popular than the hibiscus, daisy, lily or even the orchid tattoos. The lotus body art designs are probably the only ones that can be compared to these designs. Tattoo artists around the world have made an effort to promote the flower tattoo art. The rose tattoo is available in many different shapes and sizes. You can add to the flower design with a heart or fairy or even a butterfly. It can also be combined with a dagger, a tiger, a cross or even a Celtic armband. You can get a rose and barbed wire tattoo done on the shoulder or chest. Whatever you choose, its up to you and what your style is.

I am the creator of a new tattoo design shop online. Right now we are creating a site about the different tattoo designs and why some tattoos like the Rose Tattoo is becoming a very popular design. Butterfly tattoos are also a great choice for a design or even adding the rose and butterfly tattoos together to make one.

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Female Tattoos

Tattoos used to be just for the bad guys in the army, in jail, and those who had Harleys. However, today tattoos have an amazing following and there are tattoo fans among all age groups and more frequently among women. It’s amazing since tattoos used to be a guy thing, but today they are finding more and more women fans. In addition, more women are choosing a tattoo that is big and bold. Some of the most popular tattoo designs for women include tribal designs, stars, rose, and newly designed hearts. The types of tattoos women are choosing are certainly becoming bigger and bolder!

One of the most famous locations for the female tattoo is the lower back. Tattoos in this location range from wide, detailed tattoos to much smaller, finer tattoos that aren’t quite as obvious. But, the point of having a tattoo in this location is that it is easily covered up yet can be shown off with low cut means and the like with very little effort. Women have really come to love the lower back tattoo!

Another reason for the lower back tattoo is that it is sexy. An upper arm tattoo is more of a man’s style, but a lower back tattoo is much more attractive and sexy than other locations. Lower stomach tattoos are also popular among women and carry the same sex appeal. So, basically, the two locations women choose most often for tattoos are sexy and can still be covered up.

Once upon a time tattoos on women were taboo. In fact, women who crossed the line and got a visible tattoo were often talked about, turned down for jobs, and just looked upon as trash. It has only happened in the last decade that women have become confident with tattoos and begun experimenting with them. Growth of tattoos among women has spread like wildfire. Approximately 50 years ago on 10% of the tattooed population were women. Now, more than 65% of the tattooed population are women.

If you are interested in a female tattoo then you should think more about what makes you happy and what will complement your style more so than what everyone else is doing. For the most part you will probably be like most other women and want a tattoo that is easily covered in case it doesn’t go so well with that formal dress or at your job. Additionally, you might want your tattoo to have sex appeal and choose your lower back or lower abdomen for that particular purpose. Regardless, there are a lot of places to have a tattoo and special creams to cover up in the event you need to do so.

Before getting a tattoo, however, do a little research and think about your lifestyle. You want to get the best tattoo for you so it is worth thinking about it a little while. You can even have a tattoo artist specially design a tattoo just for you. Don’t feel like you have to choose a particular tattoo or body location just because you are a woman. Instead, pick the tattoo you love and have it placed on any part of your body. As long as you are happy with your tattoo and will be happy forever then that is all that matters!

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5 Most Popular Star Tattoo Ideas

The star has numerous meanings depending on who is wearing it. For some it may signify truth and honesty. For others it is a symbol of hope and beauty. Star tattoo ideas vary from person to person. The number of points the star contain is the most meaningful way to personalize it. A particular color of the star is also a very great way to personalize your star tattoo. While the most common types of stars are the 4 pointed and 5 pointed stars, other star tattoo ideas are out there if you look hard enough.

1. Four pointed stars

The typical way to depict a 4 pointed star is a simple plus sign, with special emphasis given to the ends of each point. The 4 pointed star tattoo idea was especially popular in early America, traditionally used by Native American tribes. The simplicity of the 4 pointed star is an ideal choice when used in tribal designs, for instance in a larger chest piece.

2. Five pointed stars

This is without a doubt the most popular of all star tattoo ideas. There are 3 main groups of 5 pointed star designs: the filled star (like you would find on a flag), the simple outline, also known as a pentacle (like you would draw in grade school) and the upside down pentacle (most often used to represent darker symbolism).

3. Filled star

The most commonly used design is the filled star. This star tattoo idea is found mainly in celestial style designs, and is often combined with the sun and the moon. It can also be a great accent to a butterfly or a fairy tattoo.

4. Pentacle

This star tattoo idea is most often used to symbolize witchcraft. It generally represents feminine energy, and the secrets of life. The 5 points represent the five elements: earth, air, water, fire, and spirit. It is also coincidental that the 5 pointed star is only found in organic forms of life, such as flowers and starfish.

5. Reversed Pentacle

While it is known to represent Satanism, the reversed pentacle or pentagram, has also been known to represent the pagan horned god. It may not have any special meaning at all, just an upside down pentacle. It has a growing following of people who are looking for individual star tattoo ideas.

There are many great star tattoo ideas out there if you look hard enough.

Find ideas for you next tattoo online by browsing through 1000's of gorgeous tattoo designs that you can print out for your favourite tattoo artist. Get your special FREE gift "How To Find And Maintain Your Dream Tattoo" now.

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Tattooed

Francis winced in pain as the needle jabbed in and out of her arm, guided with meticulous details by tattoo artist Gus. He was tattooing the Japanese symbol for protection on her right shoulder, so, as Francis explained, she always had someone ‘watching her back’. Francis did not want to elaborate, mysteriously hinting at a rogue past. Obviously, I persisted; there is more to the story. Why make an obvious statement if you don’t want to talk about it? ‘It’s personal’, she replied, ‘let’s just say it is what it is. My protection.’ Not an uncommon response according to Gus, who says that the symbolism of tattooing is becoming more and more obscure. More than half of Gus’s clients have Japanese character designs in mind, and usually as their first tattoo. And, he says, it is the appeal of the exotic, and superstition that leads them there. ‘The days of mum and heart are just about gone,’ he says from his busy tattoo studio. ‘I swear half of my clients think they are the last samurai!’

Japanese and Chinese symbols have been used in tattoos for hundreds of years, but they have only recently gained popularity in Western circles. The earliest record of the Japanese using kanji as tattoos can be traced back to the samurai from the Kagoshima region in the south of Japan. While many of those sporting Japanese tattoos believe this practice was popular amongst the Japanese warrior men, the use of kanji as tattoos was traditionally uncommon in Japan. Tattooing amongst Japan’s receding indigenous communities, such as the Ainu, were believed to be more culturally representative of Japan in its early history. These tattoos were mostly decorative and symbolic rather than representing a word or idea as a kanji symbol does.

Strangely enough though, tattooing was widely used in Japan to mark criminals and those who had been rejected from society. Despite the popularity of tattoos in western youth culture, a Japanese woman sporting tattoos is believed to be linked to the Yakuza, the Japanese mafia. This is a traditional view, and one commonly shared in rural areas of Japan. It is likely that this is linked to the outlawing of tattooing in the mid 1900s, and its barbaric uncultured image at the time. Yet even now, women in the onsen or sento (Japanese public baths) will scatter at the sight of a tattooed Japanese woman. A tattooed woman is to be feared, a prostitute, a criminal, Yakuza. While a tattooed foreigner causes less of a stir, the use of kanji in tattoos is complex at best.

Takanori Tomita, a kanji tattoo translator and designer confirms this. ‘I get asked to translate some really strange things. Sometimes there is not such a word in Japan, so the translation is often difficult if it is true meaning the client is after.’ And, he thinks, often the client needs some serious guidance in choosing a Japanese tattoo. ‘Often you will see a foreigner with a random kanji printed on their arm, like rabbit or something, and Japanese people just think that is funny. You guys think we are weird wearing Japlish on our t-shirts, but at least we don’t print it on our skin!’ ‘Think about it! Big daddy translates to large father!’ But, he says, kanji tattoos are at there worst when the kanji are drawn incorrectly. ‘We are superstitious still,’ Takanori says ‘Some kanji are just unlucky, and even for the lucky kanji, if the design or stroke order is wrong, it can easily bring you bad luck.’

Nathan, an Australian travelling in Japan, has experienced this first hand. ‘My ki (energy) symbol doesn’t mean a thing. And I’ve seen some of my Japanese friends really spooked by it. I’m looking into having it tattooed over, or removed if I can afford it.’ ‘Check out your tattooist carefully, and get advice from someone who is actually Japanese,’ he says.

It may stop your white rabbit from being a white elephant.

Takanori Tomita is a professional Japanese translator who is specialzing in Japanese symbols. For more information about his, please see his blog: http://takanoritomita.blogspot.com/

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