Bjorn sent in this great recreation of a Loish (Lois van Baarle) pinup, done by Miro at Skinlab Tattoo, Prague.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Miro-culous!
Bjorn sent in this great recreation of a Loish (Lois van Baarle) pinup, done by Miro at Skinlab Tattoo, Prague.
Thigh, Robots
Awesome reader submission here from Gareth, whose sci-fi themed sleeves were done by Mo Coppolett of the Family Business in Lahdan
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Polynesian Tattoos
Polynesian tattoos are an ancient art that has been receiving a lot of attention in modern times. Though few of us who are not from the Polynesian islands would be willing to undergo the painful and lengthy procedure that real Polynesian tattoos necessitate, we might well be attracted to elements of the traditional tribal designs and wish to incorporate them into our own tattoos – using modern methods (most of us anyway).
Hawaiian face tattoo
The people of the Polynesian islands have evolved their own distinct culture over hundreds, even thousands of years. Though there are many islands in this area, the people all came from a common homeland – though no one is exactly sure where this might have been, or when they came or how.
Polynesia is a group of islands spread over the Pacific Ocean (over 1000; Polynesia is the Greek word for many islands). The Marques islands are probably where the Polynesian people came to first and they later spread to:
* New Zealand: Aotearo (Maori for NZ) is where the Maori people live. Tattoo art or Ta Moko as they call it, is a very important aspect of their culture. Discover all about Maori Tattoos here
* Hawaii: Hawaiian tattoo designs are distinct from other Polynesian tattoos in that sense that they have a more personal meaning. Popular today are Hawaiian flowers, turtles and abstract tribal.
Hawaiian tattoos
* Easter Island (Rapa Nui): the tattoo designs of the inhabitants of the Easter Island have a huge variety: stylized boats, vaginas, spears, birds, geometrical patterns, .... Women and men had a combination of bold lines and dots on their forehead, from one ear to the other. The tattoos made their skin sacred and enabled them to communicate with the gods.
* Samoa: Samoan tattoos are generally very large and denote the social status and rank of the man or woman who wears it.
* Tonga: the Tongan tattoo is similar to the Samoan tattoo.
* The Cook Islands: the tattoo designs of the Cook Islands were spread over the entire body. Each tribe had its own tattoo sign.
* French Polynesia (Tahiti): traditionally, only people of a high social ranking had tattoos. Tahitian tattoos covered the whole body, except the face. Women as well as men were tattooed. The women were tattooed at a very young age. Later they are tattooed again when they reach sexual maturity. When they desired a man, they would show their tattoos by lifting their skirts.
* The marquesa Islands: a group of islands in French Polynesia with a deeply rooted tattoo tradition. The people of the Marquesa islands were the most heavily tattooed of all the Polynesian tribes.
* Several other islands which now house distinct ethnic groups.
Though they are distinct, a lot of cultural similarities remain. For example, practically all of these people practice the art of tattooing, and they do so in startlingly similar ways. Tattoo art was very important in the Polynesian culture. Because they had no written language, tattoos were used to depict social status, family history and spirituality.
The Motives For Polynesian Tattoos
Here are some of the reasons the Polynesian people had tattoos:
* The tattoos were a symbol of courage. The tattoo process was very painful and a lot of perseverance was needed to endure the long tattoo sessions.
* Getting the first tattoo marks the transition between childhood and adulthood. It is a rite of passage.
* Tattoos added to the sexual attractiveness of a man.
* Tattoos offered protection, they were a talisman.
* Polynesian tattoos read like a book. By looking at a tattoo, insiders get to know the social status and rank of the tattooed person.
Hawaiian face tattoo
The people of the Polynesian islands have evolved their own distinct culture over hundreds, even thousands of years. Though there are many islands in this area, the people all came from a common homeland – though no one is exactly sure where this might have been, or when they came or how.
Polynesia is a group of islands spread over the Pacific Ocean (over 1000; Polynesia is the Greek word for many islands). The Marques islands are probably where the Polynesian people came to first and they later spread to:
* New Zealand: Aotearo (Maori for NZ) is where the Maori people live. Tattoo art or Ta Moko as they call it, is a very important aspect of their culture. Discover all about Maori Tattoos here
* Hawaii: Hawaiian tattoo designs are distinct from other Polynesian tattoos in that sense that they have a more personal meaning. Popular today are Hawaiian flowers, turtles and abstract tribal.
Hawaiian tattoos
* Easter Island (Rapa Nui): the tattoo designs of the inhabitants of the Easter Island have a huge variety: stylized boats, vaginas, spears, birds, geometrical patterns, .... Women and men had a combination of bold lines and dots on their forehead, from one ear to the other. The tattoos made their skin sacred and enabled them to communicate with the gods.
* Samoa: Samoan tattoos are generally very large and denote the social status and rank of the man or woman who wears it.
* Tonga: the Tongan tattoo is similar to the Samoan tattoo.
* The Cook Islands: the tattoo designs of the Cook Islands were spread over the entire body. Each tribe had its own tattoo sign.
* French Polynesia (Tahiti): traditionally, only people of a high social ranking had tattoos. Tahitian tattoos covered the whole body, except the face. Women as well as men were tattooed. The women were tattooed at a very young age. Later they are tattooed again when they reach sexual maturity. When they desired a man, they would show their tattoos by lifting their skirts.
* The marquesa Islands: a group of islands in French Polynesia with a deeply rooted tattoo tradition. The people of the Marquesa islands were the most heavily tattooed of all the Polynesian tribes.
* Several other islands which now house distinct ethnic groups.
Though they are distinct, a lot of cultural similarities remain. For example, practically all of these people practice the art of tattooing, and they do so in startlingly similar ways. Tattoo art was very important in the Polynesian culture. Because they had no written language, tattoos were used to depict social status, family history and spirituality.
The Motives For Polynesian Tattoos
Here are some of the reasons the Polynesian people had tattoos:
* The tattoos were a symbol of courage. The tattoo process was very painful and a lot of perseverance was needed to endure the long tattoo sessions.
* Getting the first tattoo marks the transition between childhood and adulthood. It is a rite of passage.
* Tattoos added to the sexual attractiveness of a man.
* Tattoos offered protection, they were a talisman.
* Polynesian tattoos read like a book. By looking at a tattoo, insiders get to know the social status and rank of the tattooed person.
Polynesian tattoos
Polynesian tattoos
Polynesian tattoos
Polynesian tattoosMonday, December 7, 2009
Eminem Tattoos
Lets have a look at the various tattoos of rapper Eminem (Marshall Bruce Mathers III) also known as 'slim shady'.
Eminem has a tattoo of a tombstone and grave on his stomach, with the name of his former wife 'Kim' and the words 'Rot In Pieces' just below.
The tattoos on his left arm include, a dedication to his uncle, Ronnie Pilkington, who committed suicide in 1991, the tattoo is meant to represent the hard life of Detroit and includes an evil mushroom with skeleton face, tall buildings, and the eye of a woman, with "Ronnie RIP" below.
On the lower half of his left arm is a tattoo that reads "Proof" which is dedicated to his fallen friend, who had the same exact tattoo.
The tattoos on his right arm include, a portrait of his daughter 'Hailie Jade', with roses around her, plus the names 'Bonnie & Clyde'.
On the backside of his right forearm is the name of his daughter 'Hailie Jade'.
Some of Eminem's other tattoos include, a tribal wristband on his left wrist, the words 'Slit Me' on his right wrist, and a 'D' and '12' on his right and left forearms.
Checkout theses pictures of Eminem and his tattoo designs.
Eminem has a tattoo of a tombstone and grave on his stomach, with the name of his former wife 'Kim' and the words 'Rot In Pieces' just below.
The tattoos on his left arm include, a dedication to his uncle, Ronnie Pilkington, who committed suicide in 1991, the tattoo is meant to represent the hard life of Detroit and includes an evil mushroom with skeleton face, tall buildings, and the eye of a woman, with "Ronnie RIP" below.
On the lower half of his left arm is a tattoo that reads "Proof" which is dedicated to his fallen friend, who had the same exact tattoo.
The tattoos on his right arm include, a portrait of his daughter 'Hailie Jade', with roses around her, plus the names 'Bonnie & Clyde'.
On the backside of his right forearm is the name of his daughter 'Hailie Jade'.
Some of Eminem's other tattoos include, a tribal wristband on his left wrist, the words 'Slit Me' on his right wrist, and a 'D' and '12' on his right and left forearms.
Checkout theses pictures of Eminem and his tattoo designs.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Dennis Rodman Tattoos
Here we have the former NBA all star basketball player Dennis Rodman, winner of five NBA championships (1989, 1990, 1996, 1997, 1998).
Dennis Rodman has an extraordinary amount of tattoos, covering his 6 ft 8 in body.
His tattoos include, two large bulls on each side of his chest, plus an extensive amount of large tribal tattoos on his stomach and also around the shoulders and neck area.
He has a cross with a few stars around his belly button, and his last name "Rodman" on the back of his neck.
The tattoos on his right arm include a large sun with a shark in the middle, a red dice, a tribal design of sorts, a motorcycle among other pieces of artwork down his arm.
The tattoos on his left arm and shoulder include a small cross, a devil lady with pitchfork, a giant squid, plus various other designs which are difficult to see clearly.
Checkout these pictures of Dennis Rodman and his many tattoos.
Dennis Rodman has an extraordinary amount of tattoos, covering his 6 ft 8 in body.
His tattoos include, two large bulls on each side of his chest, plus an extensive amount of large tribal tattoos on his stomach and also around the shoulders and neck area.
He has a cross with a few stars around his belly button, and his last name "Rodman" on the back of his neck.
The tattoos on his right arm include a large sun with a shark in the middle, a red dice, a tribal design of sorts, a motorcycle among other pieces of artwork down his arm.
The tattoos on his left arm and shoulder include a small cross, a devil lady with pitchfork, a giant squid, plus various other designs which are difficult to see clearly.
Checkout these pictures of Dennis Rodman and his many tattoos.
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