Tattoo Master VI - Editorial

Morality has been called into question in so many quarters of life these past few months, be it bankers and their incomprehensible greed, members of the British parliament and their expense claims that range from moat cleaning to duck islands*, and, closer to our own hearts, insurgents in the tattoo industry.

I recently received an email from a Chinese supply company who asked if I might be a helpful chap and direct them towards distributors in the West. He quite proudly mentioned that his company was producing counterfeit versions of many items, including a very well known brand of ink complete with descriptions taken from the manufacturer’s website, and that they didn’t see that they were doing anything illegal or immoral because they clearly stated that their products were copies. I’m not sure if my newfound friend thought such candour would find favour but if so, he was sadly mistaken, and his details have been passed on to the genuine manufacturer.

Another incident of late regards a popular online auction site (see what I did there?) and the sale of cheap copies of trusted and renowned machines under the guise of being the genuine article. The guilty party was rumbled and his operation ceased with whiplash-inducing rapidity, but I can’t help but feel the legitimate operators who strive to make the best possible tools and materials for tattoo artists are playing a perpetual game of Whack-A-Mole with these parasites.

The protagonists’ cause is certainly not helped by the lackadaisical enforcement of the aforementioned online auction site’s policies concerning items protected by copyright, but the problem extends far beyond that when wholesale copyright violation surfaces on the high seas of the internet proper, making the enforcement and application of laws tricky to say the least. So, perhaps that leaves us hanging on in the hope that a sense of right and wrong might prevail…and we are all aware of currency’s ability to erode ethical practices when people allow it to.

Too often, morality has little standing where money is concerned. Tattooing’s exploitation is nothing new in regards to the manner in which the mainstream media and fashion plunder iconography and motifs to sell a product, but to have people without any knowledge of tattooing or concept of ethics enter this arena purely to make money is akin to jackals tearing at the soft underbelly of the industry.

The most direct and obvious manner in which the industry can endorse the genuine article is to buy from reputable suppliers and machine builders, the ladies and gents who are in it to deliver the finest equipment that they can. Supporting those who have love and respect for this most unique of worlds might not eradicate the unscrupulous traders, but it ensures that your money finds its way to those who believe in the same principles that you yourself hold dear.

Bon appétit,



* If any of our international readers are unaware of the scandal of MPs’ expenses in the UK, please do read up on it. The stories are so good they just have to be fattening.

Tattoo Master V - Editorial

About twelve months ago in an office far, far away (well, somewhere near Chester), forces beyond the comprehension of all but the most brilliant scientific minds burst forth in a dazzling spectacle of bright colours. Neurons fired, synapses crackled, and maniacal snatches of laughter escaped into the night sky, until eventually the power was shut off and the visceral noises abated. We tentatively approached the smouldering creation that lay before us and clung with all our might to the hope that what we had spawned was indeed that holiest of grails…something useful to tattooists.

The beast that arose from our late-night laboratory tinkering was bestowed the title of Tattoo Master, its development nurtured with love, care, and endless cups of Twinings, and so with its first birthday already hoisted upon us, it’s hard not to be a little teary-eyed at the occasion. They grow up so quick…

With this in mind, I would like to extend my humblest and heartfelt gratitude to everybody who has built this magazine upon the foundations of their generous contribution of time, and very special thanks go out to the guest editors. Tattoo Master is an organism that could not survive or prosper without the continued support of this wonderful community and I am eternally grateful for all of your input.

I’m privileged to observe and document the perpetually altering world shaped by the incredibly gifted tattooists that inhabit it, and the lightening pace of progress in tattooing appears to have plotted a similar course to that of technology, whereby outstanding leaps to previously unimaginable heights occur with increased rapidity as more people clamber on board. It may appear a tad conceited of me to bring up such a subject in this issue (seeing as its on-sale date was also Tattoo Jam’s ARTIST friDAY), but I see the bountiful sharing of information and genuine enthusiasm for forwarding the art and correlate it to this accelerated evolution, and, as a lay anthropologist of sorts, I think it has great significance.

CERN (European Organisation for Nuclear Research) is a wonderful case in point. As home to the Large Hadron Collider and the epicentre of research into the very building blocks of our universe, it is a colossal undertaking and only made possible by the expertise of scientists from every continent, all combining their knowledge to progress our understanding of how all we know came to be.

*A bold statement this may be, but I’m going to run with it anyway because drawing a comparison between scientists and tattooists seems fun*

This meeting of minds can be compared to the manner in which many tattooists come together, whether it is in a formal setting such as a seminar or merely conversing over a post-show beverage, and go on to impart their wisdom with ready abandon to their peers. The benefit this is having on the artwork is self-evident and long may this ideology of liberating information continue.

Bon appétit,

Tattoo Master VIII - Editorial

I’m in a state of shock. An adult discussion has taken place on Big Tattoo Planet whereby points have been made eloquently and calmly. So, what caused such mature behaviour amongst the inhabitants? The question of why there is such a lack (or a perceived lack, on behalf of the thread starter) of world class tattoo talent in the UK. Just for the sake of posterity, I’m playing the role of Devil’s advocate in all of this.

There were a number of noteworthy points raised over the ensuing pages of debate as individuals pointed out numerous factors that could hamper UK-based artists: the ‘line, shade, colour, done’ mentality of the established order; the reluctance of art institutions to recognise the validity of tattooing as a medium; the advent of seminars…variables: don’t you just love them?

In my opinion, the lynchpin of the discourse was this: artists emerging from what is often referred to as the old Eastern Bloc don’t necessarily have the traditional tattoo mentality engrained into their culture that the UK does. You could even go so far as to argue that the young bloods of tattooing are institutionalised in the same manner that many art students are upon collecting their certificates, although upcoming tattoo artists needn’t justify how an installation comprised of a garden gnome fellating a mummified goat surrounded by vomit is a thoughtful commentary on social decline to complete an apprenticeship…

To return from my slight digression, it would appear that the next generation of artists from foreign shores approach a tattoo as they would any other medium, and in doing so, they have freed themselves of any conventional restrictions or rules. Perhaps this oversimplifies the progress our new breed has made, but the liberty afforded by taking an unorthodox stance and loosing an outpouring of artistic expression to fulfil a brief that a client insists upon. The issue of whether it is successful or not as a tattoo can be set aside to some extent because this is unchartered territory; we’ve yet to see how realistic work with subtle tones and gradations present themselves after twenty years’ wear and tear. Taking educated risks is one of the foundation stones of progress and breaking away from the established order is a catalyst to tattooing’s development.

Freedom of expression considered, perhaps the brightest flame that yet flickers has been lit by the adoption of Bauhaus influences (forgive me for using trite art terminology: I promise it’s going somewhere). The landscape of tattooing has drastically altered and we boast an international community of tattooists who are eager to share ideas. There are now seminars, DVDs and books galore from many of the world’s greatest ink smiths - they are literally selling the secrets to their success and offering to help other artists improve their skills. Could anyone have foreseen such a shift, fifteen, even ten years ago?

The perfect candidate, as it were, would appear to need a combination of a liberated approach, a burning desire to innovate, and to be receptive to fresh input and nonconventional suggestions. After all, old school tattooing was once a radical concept…

Bon appétit,
Alex

www.tattoomaster.co.uk
Issue VIII is on sale now to registered tattoo artists only.

Tattoo Master VII - Editorial

Today, ladies and gentlemen, I shall deliberate upon and ponder that quality which artisans in any discipline can sometimes struggle to retain, one of the most fundamental elements in maintaining a mind which is fertile and conducive to progression: humility.

Achieving a state of humility can be a Sisyphean task for any artist, regardless of discipline, but to use another ancient Greek example, the Spartans provide an inexhaustible resource of wisdom: as masters of war and unparalleled as a ground unit, the Spartans produced their warriors through the agoge, a disciplined training program. It was said to be brutal beyond description and made their soldiers into the best the ancient world had ever witnessed. One element of this training regime was known as ‘tree fucking’, whereby the boys would fall into line and push against a tree that had no chance of moving (mimicking a tactic used to quell enemy troops) until they collapsed. For the first few hours, laughter would inevitably erupt as the youths fell and tried again, but as they were ordered to continue as darkness descended and rain fell, the laughter stopped. This, believed the Spartans, was when learning could truly begin; a modest state of mind was achieved and ready to learn.

That is not to say that confidence or assurance are inhibitors of education, but harbouring ego often means that an individual is unwilling to accept criticism from others, even when it is proffered in a constructive manner. Conversely, all of the artists interviewed in this edition of Tattoo Master are undoubtedly aware of their prowess and flair for what they do, and yet all have such a solid grounding and refuse to be swept away by the compliments inevitably showered upon them. All are idiosyncratic, but they do share certain traits that drive them forward in the pursuit of refining their art. They observe; learn; hunger for knowledge; and head back to the studio and put into practise the things they have witnessed. These tattooists share their knowledge willingly and comprehend that suggesting a detail that may benefit another does not imply that said recipient of advice would abuse this nugget of tattooing gold. Without coming across as contrived, I feel as though they are conductors of the spirit of Tattoo Master; the one which advances the abilities of everyone with a love for tattooing and the drive to create excellent artwork.

It is said that genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration, but a good idea and strong deodorant do not an Einstein make; humility, dedication and determination are the attributes that will take your artistic skills into the stratosphere. Raw talent demands to be tempered and channelled, or else it will never realise its full potential.

Bon appétit,

Best Design My Own Tattoos

If you asked the question "How I can design my own tattoo" I'm so glad you're reading this article today. In this article, you will learn exactly what you need to do to get the tattoo of your dreams. When you finish reading this you should have no trouble choosing where you get your tattoo and it should be.

1- The colors


The colors are very important when it comes to tattoos. The reason is that you can have exactly the same tattoo as someone else, but if the colors are different, so the tattoo is completely unique and different. If you are confused, what colors to get, you must first start to try black and white. Some tattoo is actually cooler in black and white, if you do not like it, you can always add more later.

2 - The location Another very important aspect of designing your own tattoo is to know exactly how you want. Some Nice tattoos on the back, while other tattoos look terrible. To get a tattoo on his back, it is best to get something that is small enough to fit just behind the shoulders, or large enough to meet all of your entire back.

3 - the current project is clear when you get a tattoo, the design is the most important part. All the boys reading this, you get the best design, which is masculine, but not too much, it seems that you are trying to show. Women, a nice and soft as a fairy or a heart works.

Top Angel Wings Tattoo Designs

Most of angel wings on the drawings illustrate symmetrical. However, browsing through the hordes of tattoo sites, you can find models that lean toward the unique. In some galleries, is asymmetrical wings of an angel holding a post of its own. Although this is not your choice, at first sight, a pair of angel wings with different models allow a shift in the heart and design. This particular design is usually represented in shades of black and white. Basically, it is because the angels are usually portrayed as beings with full white suits. However, the work and dark blue one, you can choose to use. The color scheme can also be used to inject the illusion of movement in the tattoo. Some models are designed specifically for three-dimensional, which implies that the wings are in flight.

Angel wings tattoos are all so beautiful as an angel of high ink. design is quite classic in its simplicity, many details still paid in each model is unique in itself. It 'also possible that you can put your own twist angel wings theme, with different models based ink. This situation is Nicky Hilton may be the winged heart on the wrist. The same could be done with any brand. Other celebrities who have tattoos angel wings are Pharell Williams and Amy Winehouse. Williams has a tattoo behind the neck while Winehouse opted for the classic angel wings between her shoulder blades.

New Dove Tattoo Designs

Tattoo Designs to describe the different meanings. Picture of a bird, for example, a dove would be different interpretations. It may mean peace, freedom, happiness and even love. Moreover, others consider it to express aspects of life after. Can be of yourself or purity of the soul soaring dove to describe their journey in the spirit world. Eagle on the other hand, provides a strong willed and presentations male phrases.

An appearance in the Bible describes how he dove green leaves of parchment, and Moses said that there is life on the rise after the great flood. The scene itself mean that the dove of hope in times when life seems bleak. This conveys the same meaning to different people of different nationalities in place in time of war or crisis, they represent the hope and freedom of a dove. Others pointed to the same form in which it found in the Bible - a dove with a sprig of leaves in its beak. The fans also consider this tattoo design but also very symbolic because it has the same mark inked on your body.

Love for a loved one is also represented with a dove. To remember always expensive, some people have a tattoo of a dove to the side of someone's name. In some respects, have this type of representation is a way of thinking that the soul is at peace and has taken to life after death event. It also means that life has already accepted the passing of the beloved. While the symbol of a dove might somehow be related more to the female function, but it often means a feeling or softness. Pigeons were also used for projects such strong belief that freedom and peace, a condition that can be obtained through the difficult battle as war or bloodshed. In this sense, this design is one of a kind known in the tattoo industry. Fans of all ages, all nationalities used this model to deliver peace, hope, freedom, intense love, spirituality and simple reminder of their acceptance to a passage of a loved one.

SephirothTattoo art 2010

SephirothTattoo Gallery

Best Nautical Star Tattoo Design

Nautical star tattoo gallery

Traditional Tattoos-Japanese Tattoo

Japanese tattoos are known for their full body styling, bold lines, historic patterns and traditional images. The techniques for tattooing that developed in Japan used hand tools, and it wasn’t until the mid 20th century that machines first came to Japanese tattooing.


Japanese Tattoo

Japanese tattoo is called “irezumi” or “horimono” in Japanese. In Japan, tattoo is usually considered to be a symbol of a yakuza and tends to be perceived negatively by people. For example, many public bath facilities in Japan inhibit customers who have tattoos from entering. Traditional Japanese tattoo covers arms, shoulders, and the back. In recent years, it’s becoming popular for Japanese young people to get contemporary tattoos.

Japanese Tattoo

Celebrities Tattoo-Johnny Depp Tattoos

Johnny Depp has 13 tattoos, many of them signifying important persons or events in his life, including an American Indian in profile and a ribbon reading "Wino Forever" (originally "Winona Forever", altered after his breakup with Winona Ryder) on his right biceps, "Lily-Rose" (his daughter's name) over his heart, "Betty Sue" (his mother's name) on his left biceps, and a sparrow flying over water with the word "Jack" (his son's name; the sparrow is flying towards him rather than away from him as it is in Pirates of the Caribbean) on his right forearm.

Johnny Depp Tattoos


Johnny Depp Tattoos

Actor Johnny Depp has the most tattoos in memory of the people and events that have marked his life. It is a kind of tattoos "reminders" on the life events. "My body is a kind of travel, that is, as the hands, in which each tattoo some importance, it is characterized by a certain event that you want to remember, but no matter, or use an ordinary knife or the make tatto at professional tattoo artists "said Johnny.

Accidentally Tattoos of Chinese Calligraphy

Accidentally tattoos of Chinese calligraphy

Teenager, who was four years ago made a tattoo on the back of 'mother' of the letters of Chinese calligraphy is appalled recently found that such composite calligraphy in reality: "Friend from hell!"
Darling blunder
Today 19-year Charlene Williams is suspected that some of her tattoos is not good when an old Chinese one day, appalled yelled to her: "horrible, evil, very bad!"
The tattoo, which is a master of tattoos made easily assembled from Chinese characters, not knowing what really means and how to alter their meaning if it stands together, the Charlene subtracting 10 pounds. The new tattoo in the form of sheet, which has sought to hide the accident tattoo, is now subtracting an additional 40 pounds.


Chinese calligraphy

Another ugly truth
Worse, however, happened teenager, which has paid 90 pounds for a tattoo of the Chinese calligraphy to him now to hand in written translation: “At the end of the day, this is only one terribly ugly guy! "Lee Beeks, hairdresser by profession, was convinced that his tattoo in mandarin words mean: 'Love, loves, and obey', but as long as it is in the fast-food restaurant with a Chinese food one Chinese lady in laughter tell him," you people really want make laugh"
Lee, who has brought tattoo about from a master of tattoos, then paid a further £ 600 to his unfortunate tattoo removed by laser.


Chinese calligraphy

Be careful when you make a choice of tattoo !!!
In such a fashion tattoos, especially those of Chinese calligraphy, more caution is necessary. Although they look very trendy, the real importance of their meaning often means much less like.