Tat2X Blog

Jewelry Tattoo

Dating back before recorded history, people have used ornaments such as jewelry and permanent markings like tattoos to enhance their appearances and to send messages to their societies.

Bryan Blaha, a master jeweler from Chicago combined his passion for jewelry design and his love for tattoos and started Jewelry My Tattoo, a business that creates jewelry art from your tattoos. That’s right; Bryan and his team will make you a custom piece of jewelry that matches your tattoo! How cool is that?

No matter how simple or intricate, they can make an exact replica of your tattoo using your choice of metals and the option to add color with enamels, gemstones and diamonds. They’ve done many styles of tattoos including but not limited to:

Tribal Tattoos
Celtic Tattoos
Religious Tattoos
Hawaiian Tattoos
Memorial Tattoos
And More!

Interested in Getting Some Jewelry Art? For those interested in getting a custom jewelry piece that matches your ink, the cost is pretty reasonable, just $150.00 for a small silver piece. The final price of course is determined by size, design complexity and the metal you choose. You can get a quote of your tattoo design by uploading a picture and filling out the form here.

Be sure to check out the process video on their website along with their before and after pictures. I think you’ll agree that they are some really amazing transformations. What an Awesome service/product for the tattoo community.

I’m totally thinking of getting my Betty Boop tattoo made into a charm necklace. I’ll post back here if I pull the trigger.

Connect with Bryan Blaha of Jewelry My Tattoo

About the Author

Nicole Bodem is freelance writer and a regular contributor to the Tat2X blog.

Filed under: Style, Tattoo Culture

Glow in the Dark Tattoos

Have you heard of glow in the dark tattoos? Just like a velvet poster or t-shirt design, glow in the dark tattoos are only visible under black lights or no light at all. And they are sickest thing ever!

There are a lot of reasons to consider a glow in the dark tat. If you have a day job that doesnt look fondly on intricately done sleeves, QUIT YOUR JOB. No, just kidding. Instead, consider a form of body art that no one will notice unless theres a power outage at the office. And when you hit the club, youll be glowing. Literally. Everyone will want to talk to you because youll stand out.

Lil Wayne, Kim Kardashian and Lindsay Lohan already have these types of tattoos. So howd they get them done? Well, as you may know, regular tattoo ink is a metal, vegetable or plastic-based pigment suspended in a hypoallergenic carrier solution. For glow in the dark tats, artists use a solution containing phosphorus that is invisible in normal light, but in the dark watch out! You can even ink existing tattoos for added effect.

Not every tattoo artist is on board with the idea, however. Some are concerned about the safety of phosphorus itself, others are concerned about the high costs. After all, phosphorus is a known carcinogen and some side effects are severe blistering, pain, burning sensations and skin rashes. These side effects are rare, of course, but you should keep that in mind.

It would be ridiculous to expect to be hired for a job if you walked into the interview with a shirt displaying something offensive. The same holds true for tattoos. If you have a face tattoo like Mike Tyson or barbed wire covering your arms, you will be shown the door. Keep things within reason. You no longer need to worry about the presence of a tattoo, even a clearly visible one, as long as the message it sends, or the image displayed is appropriate.

If youre still queasy about the glow in the dark method, maybe consider UV tattoos. These are still invisible during the day, but only glow underneath a black light. So showing it off might be a little more difficult. But theyll look super sick, so its really up to you.

About the Author
Luke Aaron Miller is an amateur tattoo artist and long-time body art enthusiast. He lives in Texas on a peacock farm with his wife and kids where he maintains the website Time Warner Cable El Paso

Would you ever consider a glow in the dark tattoo?

Filed under: Style, Tattoo Culture

Upper Back Tattoo

Its the tattoo conundrum: You find yourself caught in the momentum of a rising career that demands the utmost level of professionalism, yet you also feel the urge to get a tattoo before you get too old. You shouldnt feel alone in your situation, considering that the Pew Research Center reported in 2006 that 26% of people ages 18-25 have or have had a tattoo at some point in their lives.

However, this dilemma calls for careful consideration. Three questions in particular should come to mind immediately:

1. What career do I want to eventually end up in, and would having a tattoo there be acceptable?

2. What kind of attire do I wear in the professional setting?

3. Would there be any special circumstances at work in which I might have to expose parts of my body not normally shown?

Once these questions have been answered, you can strategically choose the best place to put your new tattoo. Here are four extremely well-hidden places that still give you plenty of room for your body art.

Behind the Ear Tattoo

Lower Back
By lower back, this doesnt mean the tramp stamp area, rather just slightly above your kidneys. The issue with the lower placement (beyond the obvious cliche) is that body movement is bound to expose your tattoo at some point. Moving it up high avoids exposure during the occasional reach for something on a high shelf.

Inner Thigh
Perhaps the most scandalous of all areas, the inner thigh is really difficult to reveal, even in shorts. Though the process of getting the tattoo will tickle a bit, and the inner thigh is sensitive, its worth having the ability to hide it in almost every outfit.

Between the Shoulders
The key to this tattoo placement is placing it right between your shoulder blades, where the average low cut shirt wont reveal it. This also helps defeat the issue you encounter with tattoos directly on the shoulder when you decide to go sleeveless.

Behind the Ear
If you are dying to get one somewhere on or near your head, most people will recommend the back of the neck for ladies. However, a cleverer place to put the tattoo is behind your ear. There it is covered by both your ear and your hair and cuts the chances of someone seeing it in half. But be forewarned, this tattoo hurts about as badly as getting one on your elbow or ribcage.

Though tattoos may be art, their placement is more of a calculated science. So, before you make the decision to garnish your body with a lifelong emblem, make sure you have thoroughly considered the tattoo from all angles.

About the Author
Stefany Liu is a marketing professional for a clinic that specializes in spa treatments in Houston and has written various articles on skin care and relaxation methods.

Do you have any hidden tattoos?

Filed under: Style, Tattoo Culture, Trends

hand tattoos are a serious committment

Tattoos have existed since the beginning of human civilization (3300 B.C.). Today more than 40% of all adults have one and those numbers are expected to rise. Tattoos generally lead to assumptions about a person’s character. “Is he a drug addict? Does he play music for a band? Is he a skinhead?” The lesson I wish to teach others through this article is:

Tattoos are now a typical way of life and are quickly being approved into the community. This was not always the situation. The older generations are disappointed with this concept as they have adverse associations with body art designs, but they are gradually having to cope with this new concept.

The factors for getting body art differ. However, the style itself is what maintains all the significance. Religious concepts are often integrated into the style and allow each person to be able to wear their family heritage with pride. Why are body art designs so well-known in present society? Most individuals who have body art designs will say that they got them for a particular time or individual in their life that they will never forget. Others say that they don’t really have a particular purpose for getting their body art. For some individuals, body art designs help them feel different from other people.

If your next priority is a tattoo, here is a list of safety guidelines and measures which you should consider before getting a tattoo:

Plan your tattoo:

Tattoos are permanent and you wouldn’t want to get one which you might regret later in life. Before visiting the tattoo studio, make up your mind. Is there a special song’s lyrics that you connect to?, Your favorite artist, who you will worship till your six feet under, or is there a special symbol that caught your eyes.

Do a lot of research and make sure your tattoo signifies what you are. Avoid getting a tattoo which you will be ashamed of later, there is nothing more disappointing than a rushed tattoo which signifies nothing.

Placement:

Decide where you want your tattoo, people who wish to get a tattoo design on body parts that are impossible to conceal with clothing are making choices about their profession and lifestyle and they know it. Face, hand, and throat tattoo designs are relatively uncommon for this reason.

However depending on your idea you can get inked on your arms, chest, back and other similar locations.

Do a background check:

There are a lot of safety measures you need to consider before getting inked. Ideally you should do some background work. You could end up getting infected if you work with the wrong artist. Go by recommendations from your friends or acquaintances who have had a positive experience. You can also refer to group review resources such as Yelp for reviews.

Tattoo Placement

Artists will provide this information without being asked, body art studios are required by law to simply walk their clients through the facility so you can assess their cleanliness devices and techniques. Regardless, before your artist digs in, you need to be assured that the resources are absolutely secure and fresh for use.

Yes, it hurts:

Depending on its placement, size and complexity the process simulates pain, it’s unlike any other pain. It’s not sharp and it’s not dull either. It’s like a toothpick pricking a small sunburn patch on your skin.

Tattoos that are placed over a thin layer of padding near bones and nerve endings are quite painful. However places with muscle content are less painful.

Leave it alone:

Different artists may advice different measures to help develop the tattoo once its done. My advice would be, to leave it alone. Do not prick or peal the skin as it makes your ink dull. Rub an ointment on it twice a day to avoid an itchy sensation.

About the Author
Evita Knutson is a tech writer from the United Kingdom. She is into finance and is at present focusing on ppi claims . Catch her @financeport

Do you know anyone that rushed into getting a tattoo?

Filed under: Medical, Style, Tattoo Culture, Tattoo Health, Trends

By Maya Johnson:

Getting a tattoo is an exhilarating experience, especially if it’s your first time. They are a permanent statement, well relatively permanent as the colors will fade in time and you can always chicken-out and go have the tattoos removed surgically with lasers, but still they are a very long-term commitment. There are many reasons a person decides to get one, and despite what some people think and how the media sometimes portrays it, for most people it is a carefully thought out symbol, a representation or a reminder of a time in their life or a person. In fact a lot of the tattoos I have seen are a combination of a lot of things, especially if it is done to honor a lost family member, a fallen brother in arms or to signify a great change in one’s lifestyle.

However, there are some things you need to know before you sit in that chair and let someone prick your flesh for several hours with a tiny needle. If you don’t have a clear plan, some knowledge on symbolism or a deeper understanding of a particular culture from which the imagery stems, you might just be in for a big, unpleasant surprise that will require you to spend your hard earned money on tattoo removal.

Understand the symbolic significance of the imagery

Snake Symbolism

There are certain creatures that are associated with pretty much the same things across cultures, for instance serpents. I like to use the example of serpents, which include dragons and snake-like creatures as well as snakes themselves to demonstrate the diversity of meaning, because they are found in imagery all around the world, as part of many myths and legends.

Serpents are some of the oldest symbols associated with humanity, representing the duality of good and evil. The snake sheds its skin as it grows which in itself can represent emotional and spiritual growth, change as in casting away of a previous life and starting anew, and also rebirth. In Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Bahá’í Faith) can represent sexual desire and temptation (the snake in the Garden of Eden for example).

On the other hand there are snake like creatures in the Buddhist traditions called Nagas that have their own specific significance, the Jörmungandr of the Nordic tradition which is a huge sea snake associated with Loki the trickster god or the feathered snake god of the Aztec tradition. All of these carry with them specific connotations, and require a certain level of familiarity with their respective cultures to be fully understood.

Another frequently used symbol is the Ouboros, a snake forming a circle with its body and eating its own tail. Here we have symbolism that is several layers deep, especially if the tattoo has the Ouboros outlining another motif. It will carry with it the meaning of cyclical change of the circle, but also recreation of the self, a never-ending state of evolution. This symbol has a similar meaning to that of the Phoenix, but it can have added layers of meaning by simply adding another symbol within the circle, so you end up with a tattoo that is simpler to do, and therefore cheaper and less painful, yet has a more personal touch and deeper meaning. So just imagine you lived a couple of hundred years ago where any mention of tattoo removal and lasers would have you burned at the stake as a witch, where something like this was permanent, and you will get the motivation to spend a few hours on research.

Know what each specific symbol means

This mostly refers to Chinese calligraphy. The signs are often found on their own, forming a short thought or sentiment and in the form of Kanji within some Japanese tattoo designs. The problem arises when people just come up to a tattoo artist point at some random character in a book that supposedly means “Vigilance” or something similar and fail to understand that these characters can often have multiple meanings depending on contexts and a lot of the time the people doing the tattoo don’t really know what something means – they just have a bunch of random, cool-looking characters with some powerful sounding word next to it, that have no relevance whatsoever.

Chinese Character Tattoos

Another big problem with these characters is that people try and string them into a sentence without any previous knowledge of the grammatical rules of the language they are trying to scribble on their back. This leads to the equivalent of a broken English sentence that Tarzan would shake his head at, something along the lines of: “Powerful, Wave, Change, Energy, Life, Warrior, Horse”. If you think that looks funny to someone who speaks the language (and you will eventually run into a Chinese person who will laugh at you) think about the poor souls that have things from a random restaurant menu tattooed on their body.

There is the famous case of the US army medical corps wanting the Rod of Asclepius, a snake coiled around a rod which represents healing and medicine, on their badge, but ending up with a much cooler looking two snakes entwined around a staff with two spread wings on top. The problem was that that particular sign was called the Caduceus, and it was a staff originally carried by heralds, messengers of Hera. In Roman mythology it is associated with Mercury, protector of merchants, shepherds, gamblers, liars, and thieves, and is today used often as a symbol of commerce. Imagine making a mistake like that and having a symbol of thieves and liars on your arm, when all you wanted was to show how proud you were of your medical profession.

You can get rid of mistakes, but it’s best to avoid making them

So let’s say this advice about the importance of research has gotten to you too late and you already have the Chinese word for “fried cat with rice”, an Assyrian God of death and despair holding a piece sign or just a big old tattoo of your ex-girlfriend/boyfriend that you feel ashamed of. Well the good news is that laser scar removal treatment is available for a variety of problems, including tattoo removal.

These are, after all modern times and if you can spare some extra cash you can go and get yourself zapped with some lasers until your skin agrees to cooperate (OK, fine I don’t really know how these things work, I’m not a doctor) and you can be back to your old, ink-free self in a matter of weeks. I would still strongly advise you to do some serious research on the various images and symbols, specifically the ones borrowed from other cultures and thinking everything through before making any permanent changes to the way you look.

About the Author:

Maya Johnson is a passionate author and a guest blogger on many sites where she shares her experience. Her work at a cosmetic surgery clinic in Sydney, Australia gave her the inspiration to write this post. Boy, did she see some interesting cases.

Do you know anyone with a tattoo that they didn’t research properly?

Filed under: Style, Symbolism, Tattoo Culture

By Jenna Diubaldo:

Great Tattoo Tips

Recently I watched a show on the TLC network called America’s Worst Tattoos, which featured some of Amurikuh’s most prized inhabitants displaying some of the most poorly thought-out and terribly executed tattoos I have ever seen.

As someone who is fairly new to the tattoo world—I have seven tattoos in my collection so far— I know firsthand that getting a tattoo can sometimes be a pretty scary and intimidating experience, especially if it’s your first time getting some work done. So, to help make your tattoo experience a bit less painful (see what I did there?!), I’ve put together a few tips based on lessons I’ve learned through getting tattooed myself.

Hopefully by following these steps—and not picking a dumbass design concept—you can avoid being featured on national television getting your playboy bunny tattoo covered up, and instead spend a lifetime looking at a beautiful work of art.

#1 – Consider and reconsider your idea

Not every tattoo has to have some deep and meaningful story behind it, but it’s important to take some time to consider your idea and make sure you’re comfortable with what you’re putting on your body because, well… it will be there forever.

Can you see yourself still enjoying your tattoo in 25 years? Are you getting the name of a significant other tattooed on your neck? Does the acronym YOLO come to mind when thinking of your design?

Spontaneous tattoos can be fun, and often tattoo artists will have a stock of flash designs to choose from specifically for walk-in clients. However, an impromptu tattoo means you’ll need to be flexible about what you get because often you will be forced to choose an already drawn-up design rather than having a tattoo that is custom-made for you.

#2 – Don’t get hung up on the price tag

While getting a tattoo can be an expensive endeavour, paying top dollar for a tattoo does not always necessarily ensure the quality of the finished product. There are many talented, experienced tattoo artists who have very reasonable hourly rates.

That being said, a tattoo is not something that you should cheap out on – the saying “you get what you pay for” certainly applies in most cases. If you can’t afford a tattoo from an artist that you really want to work with then save up, or talk to the artist about splitting the tattoo into multiple sittings to spread the cost out over a longer period of time.

Most tattooists are willing to work within a budget, but be clear about what your budget is prior to being tattooed. When negotiating don’t forget that your artist has invested years into perfecting their craft and tattooing is likely their livelihood. Nobody likes a cheapskate.

#3 – Choose a tattoo artist wisely

No two tattooers are exactly alike, so when choosing an artist do your research. Check out tattoo shops online, add tattooers on Instagram, or even pop into a few shops to check out some portfolios.

Often tattooists are skilled in many styles of tattooing, but most of the time an artist will have a focus or a specialty – one style that they particularly excel in and enjoy tattooing the most. Often, deciding what style of tattoo you’re looking for and then searching for an artist who specializes in that style or has tattooed that specific idea before can help. For example, if you’re looking to get a realistic portrait of a family member you might not want to go to the artist who specializes in traditional tattooing, but if you want a 50s style pin-up, that same artist might be a great choice.

Rule of thumb: if you’re not sure then book a consult – they’re free and it provides an opportunity to meet the artist and get their feedback on the idea you have in mind.

#4 – The artist knows best

Sometimes we have a really firm idea in our head of the tattoo that we want, how it should look, where it should be placed, and what size it should be. Often we’ve been thinking of this idea for years and when it comes time to actually get the tattoo we can be reluctant to accept feedback on our design idea.

It’s important to remember that when getting a tattoo, the artist knows best. If your artist makes suggestions relating to placement, size, and content, my advice is to seriously take it into consideration when making your final decision. Ultimately it’s your call because you have to live with your tattoo for the rest of your life, but just remember that this is what your tattooist does for a living, so any advice given is well-informed.

#5 – Prepare yourself for the big day

Don’t drink alcohol the night before your tattoo and get a good sleep. Hydrate yourself with plenty of water prior to, and drink a sugary beverage during the session. Eat a hearty meal before your appointment, rather than eating only a bowl of cereal for breakfast, getting tattooed for six hours, and then spending the evening trying not to puke because your blood pressure is super low. Not that I did that myself or anything…

And most importantly, tip your artist!

About the Author:

Jenna Diubaldo writes on a wide variety of topics for the The Manitoban. Her work has been featured in numerous online publications and we are proud to have her guest post for our Tat2X blog. Special thanks to The Manitoban for granting us permission to post this piece.

“Great Tattoo Tips” photo credit: Shinobi32768 via photopin cc

Are there any tattoo artists in your area that you would recommend to others?

Filed under: Style, Tattoo Culture, Trends

By Trip Albagdadi:

The Offspring hit the main stage at 9pm on Sunday night to wrap up the last day of the Ink N Iron Kustom Culture Festival in Long Beach, California. Dexter Holland and the rest of the band were in rare form as they tore through their extensive library of California punk rock hits like “Self Esteem” and “Gotta Get Away.” In terms of music alone, Ink N Iron truly lived up to its’ billing as the “Grandaddy of ‘Em All.” The lineup of bands on the main stage included timeless and prolific rockers like the Dead Kennedys, NoFX, Bad Brains, The Stranglers, Iggy and The Stooges, Rocket From The Crypt and Sublime with Rome.

Hes My Brother Shes My Sister on the Main Stage at Ink N Iron

If you weren’t there for the music then there were plenty of other attractions including the crème de la crème of burlesque stars performing in Sin Alley on the Queen Mary herself. It’s almost certain that the Scottish ship yard workers that built the Queen Mary in 1934 never dreamed it would house hundreds of tattoo artists in hosting one of the largest celebrations of tattoo culture in Southern California and the world. The pride of the Cunard White Star Line served as the perfect backdrop for the Kustom Culture Festival.

Day of The Dead Skulls at Ink N Iron

Car junkies were able to their fix at Motorama. Hundreds of custom classics were on display under the Queen Mary Dome as well as an exhibit on the history of drag racing and car clubs in Long Beach. One of the most respected and heralded car clubs in custom hot rod history the Renegades were formed in Long Beach in 1941 by five high school friends. In 1959 the Renegades were chosen as “America’s Car Club of The Year.” Drag racing enthusiasts also got their fill at the Lions Drag Strip Display. The dragsters were fired off several times a day just to remind everyone what real power sounds like.

Sweet Custom Ride at Ink N Iron

If that weren’t enough there was also a festival outside with hundreds of attractions plenty of delicious food and some of the best people watching Southern California has to offer and that’s saying something. Rockabilly swingers, vintage 40’s pinups, Rasta reggae dread heads, beautiful tattooed goddesses, muscled beach bums, Goth girls, punk rockers, Steam Punk tweakers, hippies and all around amazing people were on display all weekend long. Everyone was ready to show off their ink and pose for a picture at the drop of a hat. If you couldn’t find what you were looking for at Ink N Iron then you’ll probably never find it.

Lovely Ladies at Ink N Iron

About the Author:

Trip Albagdadi has written numerous press releases and featured articles for various online and print media outlets. He is a regular contributor to the Tat2X Tattoo Culture and Style Blog.

Filed under: Artists, Events, Style, Tattoo Culture, Traditions

By Grace Beckett:

Across history, the art of tattooing has been regarded in different cultures as a mark of religion, race, fashion, personalization, freedom of expression, and various other good as well as bad associations. However, choosing a fashionable tattoo that is relevant to you as a person that reflects your ideas and feelings can be a challenge. Body art is appreciated by both genders and is not only considered to be guys stuff. In fact the majority of people that have tattoos under the age of 30 are women.

1. Think it Through

Thinking through a tattoo design is important before getting a tattoo done. There might be a design which you love at first glance but change your mind about later. Wait for a sufficient period of time after selecting a personal tattoo design so that you are sure it’s something you want on your body forever. It will be really hard to change your mind after getting inked so make sure you think before you ink. To eliminate this risk it is always essential to spend a reasonable amount of time thinking about the design that you have chosen or worked out with your tattoo artist. It’s not a bad idea to run it by friends or family members you trust who will give you honest advice.

Tattoo Artist Sketch

2. Look for the Right Design

It is important to take a sufficient amount of time to select your tattoo design and once chosen, to think it through. A tattoo is a permanent engraving on your body. The goal of any tattoo is to express something you want to and as such a tattoo should not be copied from anywhere. It is best to design the tattoo yourself or to choose from designs that are really close to your heart and depict your beliefs. Browsing flip boards for tattoo designs isn’t a great idea because those are tattoos that other people have already gotten and as such are not new or original. Although flip boards can sometimes be the source of inspiration for a new idea. Inspiration for a tattoo can be found in many places so keep an open mind.

Tattooing In Progress

3. Find the Right Tattoo Artist

To ensure you get a quality tattoo it is important to get it done from a well respected and reputable tattoo artist. Since there are several health risks involved with getting a tattoo done if you end up in a sub-standard studio, it is important that your tattoo artist maintains a clean studio and follows all the necessary sanitary measures for safe tattooing procedure. You should make sure the artist understands exactly what you want. Many experienced artists are capable of tattooing various styles and designs but you should always discuss your preferences in detail so that the artist is clear about the final tattoo design you want.

Girl with Tattoo

There are people who think that since tattooing involves some amount of physical pain, it is primarily considered to be guys stuff. However, this is not true and getting tattooed has remained equally popular among both men as well as women. Designs may vary from powerful personal messages to flowers and fairies but the ancient art of tattooing remains the same by using the ultimate canvas… your body.

About the author:

Grace Beckett is an expert associated with The Kewl Shop. She writes about all types of fashion including guys stuff. You can visit TheKewlShop for a range of guys stuff!

Photo Credits:

“Tattoo Artist Sketch” – tikigod via photopin cc
“Tattooing In Progress” – Victhor The Vegan AKA Heavy Metal Quilter via photopin cc
“Girl With Tattoo” – Lorena Cupcake via photopin cc

Does your tattoo have any history or meaning behind it?

Filed under: Advice, Artists, Style, Symbolism, Tattoo Culture, Trends

By Trip Albagdadi:

Tat2X: How long have you been involved in the tattoo business?

Todd Grant: I started my apprenticeship in 2005. I finished shortly after that, but I then became ill and took a year off. Then I returned and worked at Guayama Ink with JR Garcia for a year. Afterwards I opened my first shop in Casselberry, FL and named it Granted Ink.

Tat2X: What made you decide to become a tattoo artist?

Todd Grant: I wanted to be able to do what I love and still make money.

Tattoo Realism by Todd Grant

Tat2X: How did you learn the art of tattooing? Did you apprentice?

Todd Grant: Yes. I had an apprenticeship for a year.

Tat2X: Are there any artists tattoo or otherwise that you admire?

Todd Grant: Jason Hoppal a.k.a. Bunny, Mike DeVries, and Nikko Hurtado.

Tattoo by Todd Grant

Tat2X: Has any individual in particular influenced your career?

Todd Grant: Yes, my friend Kelly Schimansky who passed away. If it wasn’t for her passing I never would’ve started my career as a tattoo artist. I got a tattoo to memorialize her, befriended the guy who tattooed me, and then started my apprenticeship shortly after that.

Tat2X: What would you say is your favorite part of the job?

Todd Grant: My clients and the artwork I get to create are my favorite parts.

Tat2X: How would you describe your style?

Todd Grant: I do everything, but I enjoy realism the most.

Tat2X: What’s the most unusual request for a tattoo design you’ve ever had?

Todd Grant: A golden penis with wings. Sometimes my clients have a vision for their tattoo that they feel very strongly about.

Tat2X: Do you have any advice for aspiring artists tattoo or otherwise?

Todd Grant: Do it the right way and get an apprenticeship. Oh, and don’t tattoo out of your house.

Tat2X: What kind of music do you like to listen to?

Todd Grant: A little of everything, but absolutely no Dubstep.

Todd Grant Leg Tattoo

Tat2X: What do you do to relax when you’re not at the studio?

Todd Grant: Between the two shops I don’t get a lot of down time so I work.

Tat2X: Is there anything else we should know about you or your studio?

Todd Grant: I own two shops. Granted Ink in Casselberry, FL and Electric Needle Hut in Winter Park, FL.

About Todd Grant:

To see more of Todd Grant’s excellent work visit his Facebook page Granted Ink Tattoo Studio, check him out on Instagram “Todd Grant Tattoo” or visit his Website directly at Toddgranttattoo.com.

Tat2X is proud to sponsor this blog dedicated to tattoo culture, style and trends. We’ve helped thousands of people protect their body art from their boss and the elements with our Ink Armor and Tat Skin solutions!

Here’s a code that will get you 10% OFF anything in our Tat2X store: BLOG10

Are there any tattoo artists you admire? We’d love to hear about them!

Filed under: Artists, Style, Tattoo Culture, Tattoo Studio

By Trip Albagdadi:

Ivana Belakova

Tat2X: How long have you been involved in the tattoo business?

Ivana Belakova: It has been, about 12 years now, since I did my first tattoo. Professionally it’s less than that.

Tat2X: What made you decide to become a tattoo artist?

Ivana Belakova: Just after I finished my studies, my friend offered me a job in her new tattoo shop. I had no idea what I want to do for work, so I said I will go for it. I had no idea how to tattoo, so I tried them on my friends and after the first one, I was hooked! I pretty much decided that tattooing was going to be my job that very day. That’s all I wanted to do tomorrow, the day after, for weeks and for years to come. What drove me the most was definitely my passion for the arts! I thought tattoos were sexy, and I saw the beauty in them. Tattooing really came to me. I never thought I was going to do something like this in my life. It was “love at first sight” and I love it more every day. I am very grateful!

Skull and Cactus Tattoo

Tat2X: How did you learn the art of tattooing? Did you apprentice?

Ivana Belakova: No, I am a self taught artist. I practiced on my friends and family first, before I went to work for a shop. I slowly figured things out myself.

Tat2X: Are there any artists tattoo or otherwise that you admire?

Ivana Belakova: I admire a lots of different artists for different reasons. I admire painters, street artist, musicians, illustrators, photographers, fashion designers.. There are too many to name! All of these people have something I can learn from; something that inspires me- whether it’s their approach to work, to life, or to art.

Tat2X: Has any individual in particular influenced your career?

Ivana Belakova: Not as such; I am just passionate about what I do and my drive and ambitions are constantly pushing me forward. During my travels I have met many great artists and even now I’m constantly meeting new people that I learn something from! For the past couple of years or so, I have not been following other tattoo artists work. I have been paying more attention to nature.. buildings.. to books.. pretty much to everything that I am surrounded by… and really this is my inspiration. It’s life itself! My influence comes from everywhere!

Everyday life is my biggest inspiration. I am grateful for every new day and what it has to offer to me. And then it’s the people I have around me. And things I see around me and how I perceive them. That’s more than enough of an inspiration. A great deal of inspiration comes from my travels, when I see new things and get to know different cultures and people. I see the beauty in little things. It can be ordinary things we don’t notice much.

Elephant Tattoo

Tat2X: What would you say is your favorite part of the job?

Ivana Belakova: One word: freedom! Tattooing is my hobby. I like the freedom that comes along with it; it takes me to many different places in the world and through tattooing I have made some great friends! I am constantly meeting all sorts of people! The best part is, when I complete a piece and I see the smile on my customer’s faces. When I feel down, tattooing is also a healing process for my soul.

Tat2X: How would you describe your style?

Ivana Belakova: Funky color; yet I am open minded to try new things that are very different from my particular style. At the moment I am doing more ‘street art’ looking tattoos. I was a bit tired of doing realistic looking designs and I’m getting back to my ‘roots’ now, I totally enjoy graffiti style artwork. I just want to have more fun and freedom in my work! I really love creating ‘modern’ funky looking designs. I look at the tattoos I did yesterday and I would change them today. My style is constantly evolving, but there’s similarity in my work when it comes to colors. With every tattoo I do, I’m learning something new and the level I’m at right now is not defined and never will be. My mind is constantly changing; so for me it’s a very natural process of evolving as an artist and as a person. I do what I feel at that particular moment. Every person is so different and every one of them gives me a different vibe.

Tat2X: What’s the most unusual request for a tattoo design you’ve ever had?

Ivana Belakova: Tattooing an asshole… literally!

Tat2X: Do you have any advice for aspiring artists tattoo or otherwise?

Ivana Belakova: As for tattoo artists – Follow your dreams and want something good enough! Do your best to achieve it. Be consistent and don’t give up easily. Tattooing is constant hard work from the very beginning! It takes time to see significant progress and you cannot expect everything to be perfect in the early stages. Always give your best and do it with love.

Melting Butterfly Tattoo

Tat2X: What kind of music do you like to listen to?

Ivana Belakova: I listen to everything. I really choose music according to my mood.

Tat2X: What do you do to relax when you’re not at the studio?

Ivana Belakova: I like to be active! I love to play tennis or I go for long beach walks. It depends of where I live at the moment. My relaxation is actually when I am being active. I like to clear my head and tire by body with different activities. I like sports. I like to take photos and also; I know this sounds funny when I say so.. but my relaxation is also working some more after work on my other projects beside tattooing.

Tat2X: Is there anything else we should know about you or your studio?

Ivana Belakova: Last year I published my first book called Narcissistic Rockstar. I wanted to do something for my customers and people who like my work. They kept asking me whether I sold my artwork and except for tattoos I really didn’t have anything else to offer, sell or show. For these reasons I decided to do a mix of my artwork. Overall, there are some pictures of my old work and tattoos which I liked at the time I made them (some of them may be around 4 years old). There are lots of my tattoos you have never seen before as I never posted them anywhere! There are tattoos close to my heart. There are some blurbs which represent my thoughts. There’s also ‘nothing’… Literally. And some disco. The book is basically a summary of my work… thoughts… and lifestyle… You can find it at:

http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/3355709

My book can be shipped worldwide! There’s hard copy and also e-version for iPads or iPhones available. At the moment I am working on few different projects besides tattooing, so 2014 should be fun!

About Ivana Belakova/Ivana Tattoo:

To see more of Ivana’s spectacular work visit her Facebook page Ivana Tattoo art or visit her Website directly at IvanaTattooArt.com.

Here’s a code that will get you 10% OFF anything in our Tat2X store: BLOG10

Are there any tattoo artists you admire? We’d love to hear about them!

Filed under: Artists, Style, Tattoo Culture, Tattoo Studio, Trends

by Trip Albagdadi:

How do the world’s major religions view tattoos? Not surprisingly the answers for each religion vary and are anything but simple. There are nuances and exceptions to every rule and like everything else that involves religion much is subject to interpretation. The following represents research on Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism and their take on tattoos.

Tattoos and Christianity

Christianity

This bible quote is popular in chat rooms and blogs about tattoos. Someone always brings it up when discussing Christianity and tattoos. Leviticus 19:28, “Do not cut your bodies for the dead, and do not mark your skin with tattoos. I am the Lord.” Based on this quote it would seem pretty obvious that tattoos are not acceptable in the Christian faith. However this quote is taken out of context and the overall passage is really a warning about not practicing Pagan rituals or witchcraft. There are also passages from Leviticus forbidding the trimming of beards. Leviticus 19:27, “You shall not round off the hair on your temples or mar the edges of your beard.” A literal interpretation of the bible would mean not trimming your beard and eating kosher meat only because rare or bloody meat is also forbidden in the Bible. There are quite a few devout Christians that trim their beards and eat rare cooked steak. Are they disobeying the doctrines of the Christian faith? Does trimming your beard mean you are a not a good Christian? The simple answer is no. Tattoos would fall into the same category. Only Christians that interpret the bible literally would take issue with them. In today’s world tattoos are no more of a problem for Christians than eating a hamburger cooked rare at Five Guys would be.

Judaism

Once again Leviticus 19:28 is the primary source of debate here. Many Rabbis interpret the statement “do not mark your skin with tattoos. I am the Lord” as relating to the worship of false idols. In their view the doctrine has to do with not marking your skin with the names of false idols or other gods. There is also the misconception that Jews that have tattoos may not be buried in a Jewish cemetery. Even if a tattoo is interpreted as a violation of Jewish law it does not prohibit a person from being buried in a Jewish cemetery. Many Rabbis agree that sinners are not to be excluded from burial in a Jewish cemetery. So does a tattoo of Jimmy Hendrix or Lady Gaga qualify as idolatry? Much like Christianity there are quite a few grey areas here and there is no clear or obvious prohibition of tattoos in the Jewish faith unless they depict the name of a false god or idol.

Tattoos and Islam

Islam

Islam was started in the seventh century and is a much younger faith than either Christianity or Judaism. This is important to understand when discussing tattoos and Islam. Although you may find some differing opinions the majority of Islamic scholars believe that permanent tattoos are banned in the Muslim faith. This stems from the fact that according to Islam your body is a creation of Allah or god. A permanent tattoo is seen and desecrating god’s work. This is why Henna tattoos are a popular alternative in the Muslim community. Henna tattoos are temporary and can eventually be washed away. This brings up questions about other forms of body modification such as ear piercings, tanning, makeup and jewelry. According to Islamic scholars these are acceptable because they are temporary but we are all well aware that ear piercings eventually become permanent. So just like the other major faiths the question is where does Islam draw the line? Islamic scholars are pretty clear about permanent tattoos but it is still interesting that ear piercings are accepted. Does this mean that ceramic ear plugs are also acceptable?

Tattoos and Hinduism

Hinduism

Not only are tattoos not restricted for Hindus but Hinduism is the source for countless tattoo designs including the very popular and sacred “Om” symbol. In the past Hindu women had the name of their husband tattooed on their forearm. It was believed that they should never speak the name of their husband so the tattoo allowed them to communicate it more easily. The only restriction might be a tattoo that disrespected the Hindu gods in some way. For this reason Hindus don’t often get images of their gods tattooed on their legs, feet or posterior. Placement is important and you won’t often see the god Shiva anywhere below the waist on a Hindu. They are also more apt to get the name of one of their Hindu gods as a tattoo versus an image of the god itself. Hindus are very liberal when it comes to tattoos as compared to the other Abrahamic religions such as Judaism, Islam and Christianity.

Buddhism

Buddhism much like Hinduism is not particularly restrictive when it comes to tattoos. Buddhists believe that the body is impermanent and so are tattoos. Because they are viewed as temporary, getting tattoos doesn’t violate any Buddhist doctrines or beliefs. The story often told is that the spiritual leader of Buddhism in Tibet, the Dalai Lama, once met one of his followers who was covered with tattoos and remarked “Very colorful!”

No matter what your beliefs are they belong to you and you alone. What is obvious about all the major religions and their take on tattoos is that everything depends on how you interpret or practice your religion. Some religions like Islam ban tattoos quite clearly but others like Hinduism don’t discourage them. In the end it’s all up to you and what you choose to do with your body.

About the Author: Trip Albagdadi has written numerous press releases and featured articles for various online and print media outlets. He is a regular contributor to the Tat2X Tattoo Culture and Style Blog.

Photo Credits:
“Tattoos and Christianity” – mrsross! via photopin cc
“Islam and Tattoos” – AamerJaved via photopin cc
“Tattoos and Hinduism” – freebird (bobinson) via photopin cc

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We’d love to hear about your views on religion and tattoos!

Filed under: History, Religion, Style, Symbolism, Tattoo Culture, Traditions

by Sian Morgan:

Mount Fuji Japan

Unlike many cultures in the Western world, Japan is completely unaccepting of tattoos and body art within their country. Tattoos in Japan are heavily denounced and even the smallest amount of ink on one’s skin has people assuming a criminal nature. This is because of the deep rooted association with the “yakuza” which is a mafia-style organisation in the criminal underworld of Japan. The yakuza is the only group in Japan that openly embraces tattoos, with traditional back-covering pieces or half to full length arm-sleeves being common in the organisation. Despite the negative stigmatisation disappearing in most western countries, due to the rising number of people having tattoos, in Japan a negative association is still very much the view of wider society.

The popularity of Japanese art and imagery among tattoo artists and enthusiasts, especially in the UK and USA, seems disjointed to the view of the nationals and cultural history. Common designs chosen for Western tattoos include Japanese dragons, koi fish and kanji symbols. Even the most beautiful piece of body art done by the most talented artist will still result in disapproving looks and negative comments in Japan. Not only that, but even the smallest, most insignificant tattoo will get you thrown out or prohibited from entering certain public places. The majority of public activities that involve the removal of clothing such as the traditional hot spring baths or communal swimming pools will refuse entry to anyone with a tattoo. There are prominent, clearly labelled signs that state anyone with “irezumi”, the Japanese word for tattoo, are banned from entry. However if you have a much larger tattoo or one that is easily visible such as a piece on your neck or hand, it is not unheard of to be asked to leave establishments including restaurants or shops. Don’t think you can get away with it just because you’re clearly recognised as a foreigner. These rules will still apply to any tourists or travellers visiting the facility. You probably won’t be asked to leave places that attract tourists, but public swimming pools and hot springs will definitely apply the same rules to you as to their own community.

Tattoos in Japan

Probably one of the most sought after Japanese tattoo artists in the world is Horiyoshi III. He is recognized for his stunning, intricate full-body ‘suits’ that can take many years to complete. These are the kind of traditional Japanese tattoos that are synonymous with the yakuza — the Japanese mafia, or criminal underworld. This isn’t the glamorous, or honorific lifestyle that is sometimes portrayed, the yakuza are involved in everything from drug sales, prostitution, and gambling, all the way up to crime in the white-collar world, like loan-sharking and personal or political blackmail. Horiyoshi III openly admits that he used to be involved in the criminal lifestyle, although he gave it up long ago to focus on his craft. He hopes that one day his work can contribute to a change in the perception of tattoos for Japanese people, and bring an end to what is sometimes seen as discrimination against people with tattoos. He explains the negative stigma in a simple way: People see tattoos and that equals yakuza, yakuza means criminal.

This has led to a new campaign by the mayor of Osaka to ensure the trust of the local people in their government by asking all employees to log and describe their tattoos on record. It was considered that those who admitted to having tattoos, whether they were easily covered during working hours or not, would be transferred to positions out of the public eye, or worse, even terminated. Those who refused to take the survey were told that their pay would be cut and also threatened with possible termination.

Yakuza Style Tattoo

This kind of deep-seated aversion to tattoos has been passed on through generations. It is now culturally ingrained into the Japanese people’s judgement and perception. Despite the majority of Western cultures now freely accepting tattoos and body modifications such as piercings it is not a global phenomenon. When one culture gradually finds something more acceptable over time, it isn’t always the same for another.

About The Author: Sian Morgan is a freelance writer and journalist who currently resides in the United Kingdom. She has written numerous guest posts on behalf of Barber DTS who provide tattoo studios with a variety of supplies including Tattoo Ink, Tattoo Machines and Studio Supplies.

Photo Credits:
“Mount Fuji Japan” – yamuhaton via photopin cc
“Tattoos in Japan” – Ludo Kanta via photopin
“Yakuza Style Tattoo” – Sushicam via photopin cc

Do you know anyone with a Japanese style tattoo?

Filed under: Asian, History, Japanese, Style, Symbolism, Tattoo Culture, Traditions, Trends

By Trip Albagdadi:

Carlos Macedo Tattoos The Game

Tat2X: How long have you been involved in the tattoo business?

Carlos Macedo: I have been involved with tattooing for the last six years.

Tat2X: What made you decide to become a tattoo artist?

Carlos Macedo: I have been an artist ever since I could hold a pencil but was encouraged to tattoo by a few friends and family members. For me, having my artwork displayed on the human body is an honor and privilege. This is one of the major reasons I decided to start tattooing.

Tattoo by Carlos Macedo

Tat2X: How did you learn the art of tattooing? Did you apprentice?

Carlos Macedo: When I first started I took it upon himself to practice on people that were willing but was finally apprenticed by Franco Vescovi who is the owner of Vatican Studios.

Tat2X: Are there any artists tattoo or otherwise that you admire?

Carlos Macedo: Artists that I admire would be Franco Vescovi, Chuey Quintanar, Mister Cartoon, Tim Hendrix, and Bob Tyrrell.

Tat2X: Has any individual in particular influenced your career?

Carlos Macedo: Franco Vescovi has had a huge influence and impact on my career. I’m a firm believer having a mentor. There is always something you can learn as an artist.

Tat2X: What would you say is your favorite part of the job?

Carlos Macedo: I love being able to make a living as an artist. It gives me such a good feeling to get paid to do what I love.

Tat2X: How would you describe your style?

Carlos Macedo: I would describe my style as fine line black and grey. I love working with black and grey.

Tat2X: What’s the most unusual request for a tattoo design you’ve ever had?

Carlos Macedo: Nothing really stands out as unusual. I respect my customers requests and none of them have been that strange to me.

Tat2X: Do you have any advice for aspiring artists tattoo or otherwise?

Carlos Macedo: I would say that no matter how good a person is, anyone can benefit from being an apprentice under a good tattoo artist. Take advantage of every opportunity.

Tupac Portrait by Carlos Macedo

Tat2X: What kind of music do you like to listen to?

Carlos Macedo: I listen to a lot of different genres but some of my favorite musicians are Tupac, Tech9, Bob Marley and Notorious Big just to name a few. I am a huge Notorious Big fan.

Tat2X: What do you do to relax when you’re not at the studio?

Carlos Macedo: I find spending time with my family is one of the most relaxing things I can do.

Tat2X: Is there anything else we should know about you or your studio?

Carlos Macedo: Vatican Studios is a one of a kind custom tattoo studio that has some of the best, world renowned, and award winning artists. We specialize in portraits, ultra realistic color, traditional, Japanese and unique custom tattoos. Vatican Studios is an appointment only custom tattoo shop.

About Carlos Macedo:

To see more of Carlos Macedo’s work you can go to his web site, www.CarlosMacedoArt.com or you can email him directly at carlosmacedo.ink@gmail.com, you can also Follow him on instagram @ http://www.instagram.com/Carlos__Macedo .

Are there any tattoo artists you admire? We’d love to hear about them!

Filed under: Artists, Interviews, Religion, Style, Tattoo Culture, Tattoo Studio

by Sian Morgan:

Named as the “premier league of tattoo artists” by the organizer, the International London Tattoo Convention returned for its ninth year. Hosted at the iconic Tobacco Dock, it made quite the setting for this elaborate event showcasing weird and wonderful body art from all around the world.

London Tattoo Convention

The three day event is held at the end of September each year. This year’s convention had over 300 artists specially invited from every corner of the globe. Some famous names included Miami Ink’s Ami James (Love Hate Tattoo), Chris Garver (Invisible NYC) and Tim Hendricks (Salt Water Tattoo, USA), with London Ink’s Nikole Lowe (Good Times, London), rubbing shoulders alongside fellow internationally renowned tattooists such as Miss Arianna, Sarah Carter, Rudy Fritsch, Uncle Allan and Valerie Vargas. Nikko Hurtado, the artist behind Cheryl Cole’s infamous rose tattoo, also attended the show. For those who don’t know Cheryl Cole is an internationally famous recording artist who recently got a huge rose tattoo on her lower back that has been very controversial.

In addition to all the exhibitor stands from tattoo studios, this year’s event featured a host of entertainment, live music and merchandise available to visitors. Music included performances from Fun Lovin’ Criminals, Urban Voodoo Machine and Henry’s Funeral Shoe. There was a whole host of scantily clad ladies in attendance too, including alternative entertainer and burlesque dancer Cervena Fox, glamour model Hollie Hatton, fire breathing troupe The Fuel Girls as well as the finale of Miss Pinup UK Competition.

Mohawk at London Tattoo Convention

Many tattoo fans had travelled hundreds of miles to attend the show, hoping to get a slot with their favorite tattoo artist and add another piece of body art to their collection. As so many of the artists present are from overseas such as the USA and Japan, it is a one-time opportunity to get work done by them on your home turf, if you live in the UK, and save travelling abroad, unless you can wait until next year!

It is also a great chance to be immersed in alternative tattoo culture for a couple of days, allowing you to meet likeminded people and soak up the creative atmosphere. There are always some eye catching sights, be it hairstyles, outfits or people’s tattoos themselves. Despite the variety of clientele that attend the convention, it is also a family friendly environment. Children under 14 are allowed to attend for free, and there were plenty of children happily colouring in stencils and having temporary tattoos applied – with some very convincing sound effects from the artists!

There were also awards handed out over the weekend, with categories including Best of Show, Best Black and Grey, Best Back Piece and Best Colour.

Sabina Kelley Signs Autographs at London Tattoo Convention

Photo Credits:
“London Tattoo Convention” – Anirudh Koul via photopin cc
“Mowhawk at London Tattoo Convention” – London Tattoo Convention
“Sabina Kelley Signs Autographs at London Tattoo Convention” – London Tattoo Convention

What’s the best tattoo convention you’ve ever attended?

Filed under: Artists, Celebrities, Events, Style, Tattoo Culture, Traditions

By Trip Albagdadi:

Champion Grubbs Tattoo Shoulder Piece

Tat2X: How long have you been involved in the tattoo business?

Champ: I have been involved with tattooing for about 13 to 14 years.

Tat2X: What made you decide to become a tattoo artist?

Champ: It was a good way to remain an artist and make a living.

Tat2X: How did you learn the art of tattooing? Did you apprentice?

Champ: I apprenticed under Sean Wyett at Blackcat Tattoo in Boise Idaho. I was doing tattoos out of my art studio for a few months. Sean must have gotten sick of me bringing in these tattoos I’d done and asked me If I wanted to learn tattooing the right way. So I was kinda forged in the fire after that because he had me tattooing from the first day forward. I worked with Sean for 4 and half fun ass years then I moved to San Diego at the age of 25.

Tat2X: Are there any artists tattoo or otherwise that you admire?

Champ: All the guys I work at Guru with are really my inspiration. The shop is super creative place with 12 guys constantly busting out new art. Mucha and Rick Griffin are my favorite style masters but for tattooers its hard because there are so many amazing tattooers today. Like Curtis Burgess, Justin Wetherholtz, Jeff Gogue, Grez, Tim Biedron, Adam Turk and James Tex- that guy’s killing it.

Champion Grubbs Tattoo Side Piece

Tat2X: Has any individual in particular influenced your career?

Champ: Kevin Dickinson lit A fire under my ass when I showed up at Guru. We would spend many a late night in the shop drawing after tattooing all day to wake up in the morning and draw more before work. If shit doesn’t work out you’ve got to let it go and start over and get it right even if you have to redraw it 15 times. If it’s not right it’s wrong.

Tat2X: What would you say is your favorite part of the job?

Champ: Making people happy and learning.

Tat2X: How would you describe your style?

Champ: The guys say it’s illustrative style? Fuck that question!! Ha Ha!

Tat2X: What’s the most unusual request for a tattoo design you’ve ever had?

Champ: I covered up a Metallica logo with a bigger Metallica logo that had lightning shooting out of it below a girl’s bikini line. I also did a realistic depiction of a lion fucking a man, on a guys chest. That’s like once in a lifetime shit.

Tat2X: Do you have any advice for aspiring artists tattoo or otherwise?

Champ: Get a real job.

Tat2X: What kind of music do you like to listen to?

Champ: Everything is game at the shop. It’s so diverse it’s weird. But when I’m home drawing in my studio it’s usually Roots Reggae or 90′s Hip Hop and Punk Rock. I love the Descendents, Operation Ivy, Fatt Freddys Drop, J5 and Hank III.

Champion Grubbs Tattoo Leg Piece

Tat2X: What do you do to relax when you’re not at the studio?

Champ: I draw tattoos on one or both of my days off usually. But when I do get some free time I like to surf, golf, shred snow, chill with my chicky and all that.

Tat2X: Is there anything else we should know about you or your studio?

Champ: It’s a great shop to get tattooed at, we have 12 guys with lots of experience. We just had a full remodel and it’s really cool inside. We will be at Ink and Iron again this year in June so look out for Guru… we will be there in force.

About Tattoo Artist Champion Grubbs:

To see more of Champion Grubbs spectacular work you can visit Guru Tattoo or you can email him directly at champ@gurutattoo.com . You can also follow him on instagram @championtattoos .

Are there any tattoo artists you admire? We’d love to hear about them!

Filed under: Artists, Interviews, Style, Tattoo Culture, Tattoo Studio

by Sian Morgan:

Fighting Breast Cancer

According to the American Cancer Society over 225,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year in the United States alone. One in eight women in the United Kingdom will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime, so it is not as rare as it once was. In fact it is the most common form of cancer in women, but with death rates falling by 40% there are more and more survivors from this disease.

Some sufferers choose to have mastectomy surgery which involves completely removing breast tissue. Many women opt to have a double mastectomy to stop the spread of the disease throughout their body and some even use it as a preventative measure if they are at high risk of developing breast cancer. Angelina Jolie recently made worldwide headlines by announcing that she had a double mastectomy. Based on her family history and genetic makeup Angelina Jolie who is a mother of six children had an 87% chance of contracting breast cancer.

Frequently, women are choosing to have reconstructive surgery involving breast implants to recreate their breasts natural form and shape prior to removal. Scarring is often an issue as mastectomy surgery can be very brutal and invasive. Trying to recreate a realistic-looking nipple and areola can be extremely difficult though, leaving survivors with what have been nicknamed “Barbie Boobs”.

Some plastic surgeons and cosmetic tattoo artists have been named as using poor techniques including simply using one of three colours to draw the nipple, rather than matching realistic colours and shades. This can result in a cartoonish appearance of two circles, creating a flat two-dimensional image. It is also very expensive, sometimes costing upward of $1,000 and is not covered by health insurance in the United States.

Vinnie Myers Tattoo Artist

However, there is hope for those wanting an alternative solution. Many traditional tattoo artists have started offering nipple tattoos but one artist in particular has decided to specialise in this practice. Vinnie Myers, from Baltimore, Maryland, in the USA has dedicated his career to perfecting this precise art and has been named as the “Michelangelo of nipple tattoos”. He has now spent more than a decade investigating the art of three-dimensional nipple and areola tattooing, in a bid to give breast cancer patients back their marks of femininity. Myers has previously told about the battle his sister went through with breast cancer, inspiring him to help other women cope with the experience. When questioned about his obvious talent, he states it is “simply art 101: light and shade” and explained that cosmetic surgeons don’t include realistic details such as the Montgomery glands or small raised bumps on the nipple area. He also said that they often don’t take the time to properly colour match tattoos to the woman’s skin tone and can sometimes place them incorrectly on the breast.

Having a nipple tattooed on a blank looking breast can also help distract from the scarring that is left over as result of the surgery. It is said the nipple provides a focal point so the eye doesn’t concentrate on the obvious scars. He estimates that he has drawn around 2,000 to 3,000 breast tattoos in the past ten years, attracting clients from as far away as Saudi Arabia and Brazil. Describing his line of work Mr Myers, wrote on breastcancer.org: ‘I feel like I have the best possible job as a service provider for breast cancer warriors. I’m on the back side of the battle. The finishing touch. The last step. I truly get to put the cherries on the cupcakes!’

Some survivors are opting to have a full chest piece done as opposed to simply having their nipples inked back in place. People that have chosen this route say it empowers them to have art to look at rather than a lot of scarring, and has been beneficial to their emotional recovery.

In March of this year, photos of survivors’ mastectomy tattoos were catapulted into the limelight of controversy when Facebook removed them and others like them from their site, and the struggle began. Facebook basically compared these photos to that of pornography, saying they did not allow nudity and these women were topless.

Battling Breast Cancer

This move was met with a surge of resistance and the photos ended up going viral on social media worldwide. A storm of criticism arose for removing the post-mastectomy photos. A petition to change Facebook’s position has gathered more than 23,000 signatures. How could these photos that have so many emotional benefits for these cancer stricken individuals be pornography?

Since this public outcry Facebook has re-evaluated its position and is now allowing these photos, issuing the following statement, “We agree that undergoing a mastectomy is a life-changing experience and that sharing photos can help raise awareness about breast cancer and support the men and women facing a diagnosis, undergoing treatment, or are living with the scars of cancer.”

For many women, the battle with breast cancer is the most intense fight of their lives and they are seeking a way to acknowledge this, rather than disguise it. Some said that their tattoos changed their scars into a shield which helped them face the world and move on from the traumatic events from their personal battle with cancer.

P.Ink (Personal Ink) is an American charity which aims to unite tattoo artists with those seeking mastectomy tattoos. The tattoo fees which can be thousands of dollars are paid for through crowd funding and donations.

Photo Credits:
“Fighting Breast Cancer” – North Charleston via photopin cc
“Battling Breast Cancer” – ladybugbkt via photopin cc

Has anyone in your life been affected by breast cancer?

Filed under: Artists, Medical, Style, Tattoo Culture, Tattoo Health, Trends

By Trip Albagdadi:

Artist Paul Roustan

Tat2X: How long have you been creating body art?

Paul Roustan: I established my body art studio in 2005.

Tat2X: What made you decide to become an artist?

Paul Roustan: I’ve always been into drawing as early as I can remember. It seems more like art chose me. I’m not so sure I really had much choice.

Tat2X: How did you choose the human body as a canvas? Did you apprentice?

Paul Roustan: I started painting on people out of curiosity. I’d always been a cartoonist/illustrator. While working as an editorial illustrator for an adult magazine, I ran the idea past the editor to paint a model for a photo spread. They were into the idea, that was my first real gig, and I’ve been hooked ever since.

Tat2X: Did you apprentice? How did you perfect your technique?

Paul Roustan: I did not apprentice. I learned through a lot of obsessive trial and error. I retain what works, and maintain awareness of what doesn’t. I can’t say I would I ever be able to perfect my technique. It is a constant exploration.

Tat2X: What are the tools of your trade?

Paul Roustan: I primarily use the airbrush. I paint both freehand and with shields and stencils. I usually employ what is needed for the given concept. I am also exploring the use of Chinese brush on skin a little as well.

Roller Girl by Paul Roustan

Tat2X: Who are the artists that you admire?

Paul Roustan: Stanley Kubrick, Helmut Newton, Glenn Barr, Erich Sokol, William Wray, Egon Schiele, John Currin, Banksy, the list goes on and on. Those are the first ones that come to mind…

Tat2X: Has any individual in particular influenced your career?

Paul Roustan: Gary Fasen. He taught me the airbrush, and how to work for myself. He encouraged me to explore art for myself within a commercial environment.

Tat2X: What would you say is your favorite part of the job?

Paul Roustan: I like getting lost in what I do. I don’t realize how much work actually goes into painting the full body in such a short amount of time. I love doing it, time flies and it’s seems like I just don’t notice the workload. Plus I’m very impatient creatively. I love how fast paced body painting is required to be.

Tat2X: How would you describe your style?

Paul Roustan: Eclectic Exploration.

Tat2X: What’s the most unusual request for a piece of body art you’ve ever had?

Paul Roustan: I was once asked to paint a baby on the belly of a man who had surgically altered his stomach to appear pregnant.

Tat2X: Do you have any advice for aspiring artists?

Paul Roustan: Face your fears and stay away from comfort zones. Try to maintain some level of uncertainty in your goals, just to see the result.

Painted Ladies by Paul Roustan

Tat2X: What kind of music do you like to listen to?

Paul Roustan: I like most types of music. It really depends on what mood I’m in.

Tat2X: What do you do to relax when you’re not working?

Paul Roustan: I love surfing in the ocean.

Tat2X: Is there anything else we should know about you or your studio?

Paul Roustan: If you want to learn more about my process check out my YouTube channel Roustan Body Paint .

Rainbow Vomit by Paul Roustan

About Artist and Artist Paul Roustan:

To see more of Paul Roustan’s amazing work you can visit RoustanBodyPaint.com or you can check out his Google Plus and Facebook pages . You can also follow him on instagram @roustan .

Are there any artists you admire? We’d love to hear about them!

Filed under: Artists, Body Painting, Interviews, Style, Symbolism, Tattoo Culture, Trends

Tat2X: How long have you been involved in the tattoo business?

Artist and Model Azarja van der Veen

I started working in the tattoo industry about 14 years ago as a shop girl/receptionist and then progressed to a variety of other jobs in the tattoo community. I’ve been tattooing for almost 10 years now.

Tat2X: Did you model before becoming a tattoo artist or after?

I started modeling when I was 16 years old, doing mainly runway and catalog work. 2 years later, I got my first tattoo and took a hiatus from the modeling world to learn about tattooing. Around 2005 I got back into the industry as an “alternative model” and have been having a blast. Personally, I think being an “alt model” is so much more fun than straight fashion.

Tat2X: What made you decide to become a tattoo artist?

When I got my first tattoo, it’s like my eyes where open for the first time. I had always been an artist, but had no idea that I could have a “real career” as one. Growing up I was told that the only jobs for an artist were things like “medical book illustrator”- which didn’t sound like a ton of fun to me. Clearly my high school guidance counselor didn’t have any tattoos. Lol After that first one, I was hooked. I knew it was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. One month to the day later I got my second tattoo and a month after that I started working in a tattoo shop.

Tat2X: How did you learn the art of tattooing? Did you apprentice?

Yes, I did a 2 year apprenticeship under Shotsie Gorman. He is such an amazing artist and leader in the tattoo community, it was an honor to learn the craft from him. But I also had the privilege of working next to some other incredibly talented artists, whom i also learned a lot from.

Rooster Tattoo by Azarja van der Veen

Tat2X: Are there any artists tattoo or otherwise that you admire?

As far as other tattooers go, I’m always inspired by the work of Tony Ciavarro and Joe Capobianco. Not only are they ridiculously talented individuals, but they’re also a lot of fun to work with. I’m fortunate enough to have work from both of them and it was some of the most fun I’ve ever had while getting tattooed. Non-tattooers include artists like Derek Hess. His style is so raw an unique, I’m always impressed by it. I also love Alphonse Mucha and all things Art Nouveau.

Tat2X: Has any individual in particular influenced your career?

Probably the greatest influence in my life is my co-worker Scotty “The Flying Ace” Lowe. He’s one of the most well rounded artists I’ve ever met and has the most even keeled personality ever. He has the patience of a saint! …and he always reminds me that our job is a privilege that we should never take for granted. If I end up having even half the career he’s had, I’ll consider myself a success.

Tat2X: What would you say is your favorite part of the job?

My favorite part is definitely when you’ve just finished the tattoo and you get to watch the client see their new tattoo for the first time. All the hard stuff is already done – and no matter how much pain they may have just been in… they’re always psyched. It’s an amazing feeling to see their eyes light up and a smile come across their face. That moment is worth everything.

Black & Grey Tattoo by Azarja van der Veen

Tat2X: What’s the most unusual request for a tattoo design you’ve ever had?

In 2004 I had a guy ask me to tattoo “Thanksgiving ’04“ on him the day after Thanksgiving. He said that it was the day he decided to stop drinking (aka, yesterday) and that every 10 years he was going to add to the tattoo ’14, ’24, etc. I made him promise to come back to me for them – so, hopefully, the day after Thanksgiving this year I’ll be able to see if he’s still sober. I’ve been waiting 10 years & I’m curious to see if he comes back!

Tat2X: Is there a tattoo design style you like to prefer work with?

I like to dabble in a little bit of everything. Working in a street shop, you really have to be able to adapt to all the different styles that people want to get on their bodies. But some of my favorite things to tattoo are less traditional “tattoo” styles and more “artistic” looking tattoos. Such as tattoos that look like sketches or watercolor paintings. I love taking people’s traditional idea of tattooing and flipping it around a little bit.

Tat2X: Do you have any advice for aspiring artists tattoo or otherwise?

Keep your head up! It’s a difficult industry to succeed in, so you better love it. Otherwise you’ll never last.

Hand Tattoo by Azarja van der Veen

Tat2X: What kind of music do you like to listen to?

I love all music, but I’m a punk rocker at heart. Give me the Murder City Devils & The Misfits any day. My brother actually plays bass in Marky Ramone’s Blitzkrieg- talk about a fun show! Every time I see him play I feel like I’m 16 again & singing my heart out.

Tat2X: What do you do to relax when you’re not in the studio or modeling?

Hahaha, I generally work 6 or 7 days a week, so there’s not too much time outside of tattooing and modeling for me. But when I can, I love to eat a really good meal. I’m a total foodie. And I love trying crazy things- the other day I had a braised pork cheek taco topped with shaved cow’s tongue. It was delicious!

Tat2X: Is there anything else we should know about you or your studio?

I love cheese- like hardcore. I have a wheel of gouda cheese tattooed on my arm. So if you wanna get a great tattoo from me, bring some cheese with you! hahaha Also, I’m pretty active in social media, so if you want to know/see more, be sure to look me up.

Tattoo Artist and Model Azarja van der Veen

A Little More About Azarja van der Veen:

To see more of Azarja van der Veen’s beautiful work you can visit www.AzarjavanderVeen.com or you can check out Azarja’s Facebook page. You can also follow her on Instagram and Twitter @AzarjaTattoo .

Photo Credits:
“Artist and Model Azarja van der Veen” – photo by Blue Box Pix
“Tattoo Artist and Model Azarja van der Veen” – photo by G-NYC
Interview Banner Image – photo by Kent Miller Studios

Are there any tattoo artists you admire? We’d love to hear about them!

Filed under: Artists, Celebrities, Interviews, Models, Style, Tattoo Culture

by Nicole Bodem and Trip Albagdadi:

Beautiful Henna Wedding Tattoos

Henna tattoos are popular in Indian, Pakistani and Middle Eastern cultures, where they are used to bless special occasions such as marriages, birthdays and holidays. Many of these cultures believe that henna is good luck and adorn themselves with intricate henna designs in order to denote beauty or joy. Henna tattoos have also become increasingly popular in North America as the short-term alternative to permanent tattoos. Henna tattoo studios are now common in the U.S. and Canada. There are also many North American salons and spas that offer henna tattoos. Henna tattoos are usually harmless but some types of henna can cause powerful allergic reactions.

Henna is a vegetable dye that can be brown, red or green. A Henna tattoo can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Henna or Lawsonia inermis grows throughout Africa, Asia and parts of Australia. Some people refer to it as “Egyptian Privet”. Its use dates all the way back to the Bronze Age and ancients celebrated battle victories by adorning themselves and even some their animals with henna tattoos. The actual dye is made from the crushed leaves of the plant combined with lemon juice or tea which activates the coloring agents in the powder. Most natural forms of henna dyes or pastes are very safe. However, some have tried to improve on natural henna in order to make it dry faster and last longer. In order to do this they add a chemical called paraphenylenediamine, or PPD to their henna dye which in addition to making it dry faster also makes it darker. Henna containing PPD is known as “Black Henna”. The FDA has not approved the use of “Black Henna”.

Because the henna dye is applied while the PPD is in its oxidation process, its potential as an allergen is greatly increased. “Black Henna” tattoos often result in a skin reaction similar to a chemical burn, which in turn results in a scar where the skin was tattooed. The scaring or blistering can take anywhere from 3 to 12 days to appear on the skin. If you’re thinking of getting a temporary henna tattoo, make sure the ink does not contain PPD otherwise it may not be so temporary after all. With all that said some people do not have adverse allergic reactions to a “Black Henna” tattoo but if you’re considering one make sure you spot test it on your skin before you proceed with a full tattoo. Henna tattoos are extremely beautiful and intricate when applied properly using safe or natural dyes which very few people have any allergic reaction to.

Bride with Henna Tattoo

About the Authors: Trip Albagdadi and Nicole Bodem have written numerous press releases and featured articles for various online and print media outlets. They are regular contributors to the Tat2X Tattoo Culture and Style Blog.

Photo Credits:
“Beautiful Henna Wedding Tattoos” – pic fix via photopin cc
“Bride With Henna Tattoo” – frankselmo via photopin cc

Here’s a code that will get you 10% OFF anything in our Tat2X store: BLOG10————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Have you or a friend ever gotten a henna tattoo?

Filed under: Advice, Medical, Style, Tattoo Culture, Tattoo Health, Traditions, Trends

By Trip Albagdadi:

Carl Cocker Tattoo Artist

Tat2X: How long have you been involved in the tattoo business?

Carl: I have been involved with tattooing for 13 years since 2001.

Tat2X: What made you decide to become a tattoo artist?

Carl: I was studying Electrical and Electronic Engineering, as students, my brother King Afa and I were always broke. We needed a way to make money to survive. My brother had a tattoo done in Tonga with a home-made Machine, so he had some kind of idea of how to make them. Toothbrush, sewing needles, motor from my electronic projects, and a piece of hanger to tie the needle onto with threads and away we started tattooing starting with ourselves.

Tat2X: How did you learn the art of tattooing? Did you apprentice?

Carl: I always wanted to make a living off art as I always loved the subject, however tattooing had never crossed my mind… I started tattooing friends of friends, and the word got out, so I decided to approach a studio in the city of Kuala Lumpur for an apprenticeship…Spec Ung took me in for a year before I migrated to the States.

Tat2X: Are there any artists tattoo or otherwise that you admire?

Carl: I admire every artist that has created a style and made a good living off this form of art.. Eg Paul Booth, Filip Leu and the Leu Family, Corey Miller, Kat Von D, Mario Barth and more…

Carl Cocker Polynesian Tribal Arm Tattoo

Carl Cocker Tribal Arm Tattoo

Tat2X: Has any individual in particular influenced your career?

Carl: Yes Filip Leu or Felix Leu (dad)… He made sure that the whole family were tattooists too.

Tat2X: What would you say is your favorite part of the job?

Carl: my favourite part of the job is seeing people happy with the end product…they always make me love my job even more!

Tat2X: How would you describe your style?

Carl: I would call it Polynesian tattoo or tribal.

Tat2X: How do you feel about Western style tattoos?

Carl: I love western tattoos too, in fact I apply a lot of the western techniques to my work. I’m also slowly learning how to do western tattoos.

Tat2X: What’s the most unusual request for a tattoo design you’ve ever had?

Carl: I’ve had a lot of guys requesting to tattoo their genital parts but I just can’t go there, I wouldn’t wanna eat after that, girls are fine though, don’t mind.

Carl Cocker Tribal Sea Turtle Back Tattoo

Carl Cocker Back Tattoo

Tat2X: Do you have any advice for aspiring artists tattoo or otherwise?

Carl: My advice is to follow your dream and work towards it, make every moment count. Don’t take your eyes off the target..give it everything …make sacrifices…
When I first started making money, I made sure I had the best machines and second was my Autoclave, not on smokes and Alcohol.

Tat2X: What kind of music do you like to listen to?

Carl: Depending on my mood, I listen to Easy Listening, Hip Hop, African, Funk, Reggae, RnB, Heavy Metal and also House.

Tat2X: What do you do to relax when you’re not at the studio?

Carl: When I’m not tattooing I’m at the Gym as I also do bodybuilding.

Tat2X: Is there anything else we should know about you or your studio?

Carl: At the moment I’m in the process of teaching my son Carl Junior III ( the 3rd).. To take over my job one day..I started him off with a lot of drawings..I wanna do what the Leu Family are doing and I’m also fighting to become a Pro Bodybuilder by Winning Mr. New Zealand one day.

About Tattoo Artist Carl Cocker:

To see more of Carl Cocker’s excellent work you can visit Kalia Tattoo or you can follow him on Facebook at Kalia Tattoo Ltd or on Twitter at @carl_cocker . You can also visit his tattoo studio in Auckland, New Zealand.

Carl Cocker Polynesian Forearm Tattoo

Are there any tattoo artists you admire? We’d love to hear about them!

Filed under: Artists, Asian, Australia, Style, Symbolism, Tattoo Culture, Traditions, Tribal

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