How Far Would You Go?

Sometimes when people hear someone speaking about Body Modification they usually think about anything related to piercings. Sometimes those people fail to do a bit more research on this topic so they can find out there is more than piercings when it comes to this topic. Body modification is not just about getting pierced, it is more complex than actually thought. Some times people don't find themselves to be appealing to the rest of the world or simply are not happy with they way they look or feel and have the need to go through a single or many medical procedures in order to achieve the life they desire in order to be happy with themselves and to have what they consider a productive life or a physical accomplishment that will permit them be part of "society". Sometimes it is hard for an individual to live day by day simply because they're not happy with their appereance and, sometimes they have to live through depression or anxiety on a daily basis.

Those individuals choose to make changes to their bodies knowing that will be the only way they will be completely happy and feel content, which allow them to have the healthy and productive life they wish. There is plastic surgery and re-constructive surgeries which are they key to success for many and a the best solution for those who choose to break the stereotypes, and for those who simply don't give a fuck of what others might say. Sometimes people add and sometimes people remove parts of their bodies. I believe anyone has the freedom to live the life just as they please an do what they wish with their bodies when it comes to modification of their physical attributes. I've learned about people removing a toe or a finger an living happier life the same way I've heard of a woman having a desire to have three breasts (seriously).

Musical Notes Tattoos

Recently I was having a conversation with a musician who said he wanted to get Musical Notes tattoed on his body but he also pointed out he don't want to do it just like "everyone else's". What he emant by that is that he noticed many people would actually get random notes all over the place and he wants his to actually say something even though not too many people know how to "read them". He said he wanted something that he can be proud of and at the same time a high quality custom made work. I gave him some advice about who to go to and also reminded him to look for an artist that can deliver quality and not quantity for a cheap price. I also told him to speak to the artist about him wanting a creative job instead of just plain notes. I learned a lot about my musician friend that actually made me think about something not too many people care about or simply focus on.

The Nautical Star

The five-pointed Nautical Star of mariner’s charts is found on the compass rose, straight up, at the North position. Somewhere back in the salty mists of time it represented the North Star, also known as Polaris, which was so crucial to navigation. Today it is a tattoo symbol that harkens back to finding one’s way home and the luck that it sometimes takes to get there. The Nautical Star tattoo can be big, small, two colors, one color–pretty versatile really.
Who gets it? This is a tattoo symbol that is absolutely raging in popularity right now, especially among young hipsters who dig the nautical/retro feel. Who has it? Mark McGrath (lead singer of Sugar Ray) has a blue one on his left elbow. Where should you get it? The elbow is a classic placement of the Nautical Star, like Mark McGrath, but they also tend to occur in pairs, on either side of the chest or the insides of the forearms. Because it’s a essentially a bunch of straight lines though, it lies and looks best on relatively flat areas. Why should you get it? You’ll never have to pull over and ask for directions again.
Although you might not have found your perfect tattoo in the list above, you are no doubt starting to visualize one. As you continue on your journey to that final result, make your own top ten list of the greatest tattoos and keep revising it. In time, you may find that you’ll have a tattoo, one that’s just right for you, instead of just thinking about it for another decade.

The New Zealand Tattoo and Art Festival

So many people turned up for the New Zealand Tattoo and Art Festival at New Plymouth's TSB Stadium this weekend it will be coming back every two years.
Thousands of tattoo enthusiasts and people watchers poured through the stadium where 140 tattoo artists, performers and rock bands had taken over. Organiser Brent Taylor of Oni Events said the turnout exceeded expectations. "It's been unreal. We have had through far more people than we ever expected. All of the artists have been working steadily through the weekend. They have all made money and made some good contacts in the industry," Mr Taylor said. The festival showcased the best New Zealand and international tattoo artists with 100 booths featuring live tattooing, piercing, art exhibitions and live entertainment.
Wellington's Sarah Crossly arrived at the festival with plans to track down a design for her first tattoo. "I have always wanted one but I have never known what to get so I'm looking for something different," she said. Ben Scoot, of New Plymouth, said he had been looking forward to the festival for months. "I haven't got much skin left," a heavily tattooed Mr Scoot said, "I'm sure I can find a place for something new." As well as getting ink, people were also treated to four live bands and dangerous stunts. "People really enjoyed the juggling chainsaws and all the feedback I have had has been good," said Mr Taylor. He said the charity skateboard auction also hit the mark, raising about $6000 for the Taranaki children's ward at Taranaki Base Hospital.

Flower Tattoos

Getting tattooed with a flower stands for enjoy, or higher specifically a pure love. Really should be point, about the 16th century, a rose was inked on folks condemned to loss of life, so would be recognized instantly if he or she actually escaped the gallows. Even so, these days the rose is usually inked as synonymous with cherish and passion. High of the skin icon meaning of this flower concerns the rose being a flower that is given throughout passionate events. Because of this , a rose is sometimes tattooed on someone to clearly show their adoration for some man or woman. It is not likely the coincidence which the rose tattoo is easily the most popular of all tats picturing blossoms, and much more so, because men are acquiring tattooed with flowers too. Just like a rose tattoo signifies true love as well as purity in the west, a skin icon with a lotus flower stands for identical factors inside the eastern. A tattoo together with the lotus flower, even though, gives with it a bit more symbolism. This specific skin icon additionally represents magnificence, benefits, lot of money, enlightenment, and peace. In the event that you decide yourself a perfect lover, you may need to possess a tulip tattooed in your arm to represent fame as well as passionate cherish. However, if you are a self conscious and timid individual, the violet tattoo is great for you.Finding inked using a flower can offer these kinds of distinct explanations along with being very beautiful and stylish. The flower tattoos is as small and dainty or as significant and strong as you wish. Whichever flower you choose, maybe it’s a rose, a lotus, a violet or any other your skin icon can say specifically what you would like it to.

Choosing a Cat Tattoo Design

Cats are incredible creatures and for some also simbolizes independence but when it comes to getting Ink encrusted in our skin to achieve a design there is a few things one has to keep in mind. For instance, choosing a unique design or custom made work is assential in order to avoid having something everyone else already have. Be creative, don't just choose what you normally see on other people.You might like tigers or black panthers but that don't mean the have to be posing or positioned just like the rest. You can have a reputable artist assist you on coming up with a creating that will only belongs to you, and having the kind of work that will make you proud not embarrased. If you're into pop culture, then you have to do research and try going to the best artist you can find since you will need someone who can capture emotions and expressions and translate them into that piece of artwork.Accuracy is important and one has to keep in mind that a well done job is priceless, so don't try going to the best artist and ask for a discount of simply don't expect going to just someone because they charge you a cheap price for something you will regret later on. I always recommend people to see the best artists, pay for quality, be creative and get custom made work. Being unique is what make us stand out in a crowd.

Atomic Tattoos Toys for Tats Holiday Season Toy Drive to Benefit Local Families

For the eighth consecutive year, Atomic Tattoos is hosting their Toys for Tats toy drive benefiting the local U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots program. The goal of the program is to collect as many new unwrapped toys for needy children of all ages so they can experience the joys of the holiday season.Every person who brings in a new unwrapped toy with a five-dollar value or greater to their local Atomic Tattoos location will receive a $20 Atomic Tattoos gift certificate. The toys are given to the local U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation and distributed to local families in need within each community.Since Atomic Tattoos launched this community responsibility program in 2003, they have received and donated more than 15,000 toys that have helped brighten the holiday season for over 5,000 families in Tampa and Orlando, FL and Milwaukee, WI. Each year the total number of toys collected has increased significantly and the public participation has been tremendous.We believe that local businesses have a responsibility to contribute and donate directly to their local communities, states COO Clay Montgomery. Throughout the years, the generosity from our customers has been amazing and touched all of us. We have had customers drop off everything from video game consoles to custom-built bicycles.The Atomic Tattoos Toys for Tats campaign runs November 15, 2010 through December 24, 2010. Toys can be delivered during business hours at any of Atomic Tattoos fifteen locations. Ultimately, to me, Toys for Tats truly represents the ultimate spirit of giving because an anonymous person is brightening the holiday season for a child they will never know, Montgomery concludes.Atomic Tattoos is the largest and fastest growing tattoo retail brand in the $2 billion-a-year tattoo industry and has been selected for the past three years as one of Inc. Magazines 5,000 Fastest Growing Companies. Atomic Tattoos retail stores are located throughout Tampa Bay, Orlando and Milwaukee. For more information, please visit the companys website at http://www.atomictattoos.com.
Contact Information:Stephen Cannon Atomic Tattoos Phone: 727.518.7819 Fax: 727.518.7801Email: info@atomictattoos.com

The most fucked up thing? Ignorance

The worst thing about someone making a comment or asking a question is simply when they don't know what the fuck they're talking about, especially when it comes to Body Modification (especially when this person has had modifications performed on their bodies). To see someone with Body Modifications on them and hear them criticize others making an argument based on genter makes me sick. One can understand if a Tattoo, or piercing, etc is not well done, the best thing one can do is provide advice and a way to fix that problem instead of making the person feel bad or offended. Not too long ago while being at a gathering a tattooed female asked me why I had my earlobes stretched, I looked at her trying to comprehend what her point was and then she specified that only males stretch their ear lobes and women shouldn't. Knowing my temper, I decided to stay calmed and didn't even gave an answer to her statement since I am aware that such stupidity shouldn't be dignified with it. I understand not everyone has a full knowledge of what Body Modification is and also realized this person don't have a clue of the History of it in general. The fucked up part is that I allowed her to get away with it simply cause I tried avoiding her a major embarrasment along with an accurate reading simply to put her in place while making her look stupid in front of all those who were present. Perhaps this person don't even know this Blog exist but something tells me soon will find out about it (I can't wait) and the only choices this person will have are: to swallow her words, do some research and feel stupid once and educational update is achieved. Sometimes I rather stay quiet cause I do my best not to make anyone feel like shit and sometimes when I try to educate people they take it the wrong way. Sometimes I tend to put things in a simple way but when I use elaborated words and people don't know what those words actually mean they decide to come up with their own conclusions and spread the wrong message. When it comes to Tattoos I know some can be kind of rough looking and some can be delicate and feminine but that's a whole different story. Tattoos can be done in many ways and no matter how they look does not define a Sexual Preference or Gender and it could mean support to a Community. The last thing I want to hear is someone asking a male (for example) if he is Gay because he had a pink ribbon tattoed on instead of trying to ask what it means to him.

Bollywood's Ink Trend

Whats with Bollywood stars that they are so obsessed with getting “inked”? Is this a new found Fab thing or just a Hollywood inspiration that keeps waving B-town time and again? Whatever the case our actors nowadays are not shying away from getting under the needle and having a Tattoo sketched on them! Kets have a look at who’s sporting what and for whom? Lets start with our very own Saif Ali Khan. Unlike other actors Saif has never shyed away from displaying his affection for Bebo! To such an extent that their relation had just started of and he got his lady love’s name tattooed on his arm. The tattoo had been in the thick of many jokes though, but Saif carries the art with utter royalty! Esha Deol, though less known for her acting and more for being the brand ambassador for water purifiers, seems very religious and believes in portraying her spiritual sentiments through tattoos. Esha has Gayatri Mantra inked on her upper back. She definitely needs spiritual help for now with her career in Bollywood at least.Munni A.K.A Mallaika Arora Khan too has gotten herself a nice tattoo on her lower back which reads “Angel”. The tattoo looks awesomely artistic and has definitely not made her “Badnaam” for now! Sanju Baba can undoubtedly be called the king of all tattoo sporting superstars in bollywood. Yes, Sanjay Dutt supposedly has such an obsession for this art form that he has tattoos engraved all over his body. Unlike others he knows exactly what to get engraved and where. His well worked up and toned body looks swashbuckling under the almost half inked body. Lately he got Manyata’s name inked on his arm! There are many more who have got themselves Tattooed.

Some choosing tattoos over medical alert bracelets

For the better part of five decades, people with chronic health problems or severe allergies have worn MedicAlert bracelets to alert emergency staff to their conditions. But now there's a new trend, with some people turning to medical tattoos. Emma Bortolon Vettor, 19, is one of those who has a tattoo to tell the world she has a medical condition.
The tattoo names her condition (called chronic adrenal hyperplasia) and the medication she needs in case of an emergency. Vettor says that after years of going through plenty of MedicAlert bracelets and chains, she decided a tattoo on her arm would be the best way to ensure she's always properly identified. "I find I lose my bracelet, and they tend to break. So why not have a tattoo?" she says. She says the tattoo cost her about $150, while her MedicAlert registration carries a $39 annual fee. But Vettor also remains registered with MedicAlert and has her registration number included in the tattoo, just in case. Charles Brisbois also replaced his metal bracelet with tattoo ink. He's allergic to penicillin and can only receive Type "O" negative blood. He also doesn't like wearing jewellery and kept forgetting to put on his medic alert bracelet. So he decided to design his own tattoo.
"Tattoos aren't for everyone but if you are into tattoos, it's a great idea," he says. "It never gets lost. It's always with you." Heather Myles is the tattoo artist in Guelph, Ont. who designed the tattoo Vettor received. They picked the left arm because it's the same arm that a MedicAlert bracelet is typically worn on. It's also located in an area where health workers would normally insert an IV line. And they say they made sure the lettering could be easily read. "As long as you keep the font large and clear, it should hold up for a long time," says Myles. But some are not comfortable with the new trend. Robert Ridge of the Canadian MedicAlert Foundation notes that there are not guidelines on what information the tattoo should contain.
Nor does a tattoo offer the other benefits of a MedicAlert registration, which includes a hotline that will give emergency staff detailed medical information. "It may not work as intended to and it may not provide link back to the medical files, with MedicAlert," he says. He thinks a medical tattoo could work as a complement to his company's service. "But it's not nearly as well known as the usual bracelet or necklace. An emergency responder may miss it in an emergency," he says. Some emergency workers say they don't care for the medical tattoo trend either, agreeing that they're not trained to scan a patient's tattoos, looking for medical information. But Brisbois says he doesn't regret his tattoo. He says his penicillin allergy is not something that will ever change throughout his lifetime and he says his tattoo is large enough that he doesn't think anyone would miss it. Emma says while she still wears her medic alert bracelet when she travels – "You can never be too cautious," she says -- she knows that her tattoo is an alert she will never lose.

Photos of last Weekend's "The St. Louis Old School Tattoo Convention"

The St. Louis Old School Tattoo Convention returned over the weekend. The event featured three days of tattooing and presentations from some of the best tattoo artists from around the world. There was even a special guest appearance by Jason Voorhees II. All proceeds from the events will go to the Lyle Tuttle Tattoo Art Museum's Building Fund.

Before you get Inked remember this.

If you’re thinking about getting a tattoo but have some doubts about it, remember that before adventuring you should keep in mind certain basic aspects:
1) Choose the best combination between the design and size of the tattoo: there are endless images to put in your skin: drawings, letters, symbols, tribals… however, not all of them will look good in just any size. The rule is, the smaller you want your tattoo to be, the simpler the chosen image should be. This is simply because complicated drawings will become less clear as more reduced is the size of the surface dedicated to them; that is, if a drawing has many lines and the tattooist has to make it at a very small scale, two lines could become one, or a dot could come to occupy much more proportional space than it did in the original picture. So, the design will probably lose virtue and the result won’t be the best.
2) Choose the most adequate part of the body: there are certain “risk zones” that is better to avoid, the most common being the thighs, the abdomen, the breasts, and in some cases the biceps. Why? Because these areas tend to vary in size: if you gain weight, if you lose it, and the same with muscular tissue… when these parts change their size and the skin tightens or loosens, the design can lose its original shape. If you choose these types of areas, the most convenient is to get a simple drawing, for example a tribal, and avoid above all pictures of faces or bodies. Also keep in mind the hair matter; because to tattoo you they will shave you, and when the hair grows back it could ruin your design.
3) Always remember that a tattoo is a permanent mark: tough as we know there are many methods to remove a tattoo (later on we will examine some of them), when getting rid of a tattoo the zone in question can suffer changes such as hypo or hyperpigmentation, or the ink may not disappear totally and leave unwanted and unsightly markings. It is extremely difficult that the area remains as if the tattoo had never existed.
4) Don’t choose the design lightly: very often this is the reason by which after a certain time people decide to eliminate them. In general, you will be more satisfied if the tattoo has some personal meaning, if it expresses some aspect of its bearer’s personality, or his ideas, goals, likes, convictions.
5) Don’t drink alcohol before getting your tattoo: this could provoke excessive bleeding.
6) Always check out the sanitary aspect very carefully: this is probably the most important thing to have in mind before getting tattooed, you must make sure BEFORE any needles touch you that the place’s and the personnel’s hygiene and the instruments they use are appropriate. The syringes must always be taken out of their hermetic wrapping right in front of the customer’s eyes, the personnel must wear latex gloves, the place must be totally clean and it should inspire total trust. Remember that you could get very serious diseases if the conditions aren’t adequate: hepatitis b, hepatitis c, bacterial infections and mycosis, allergic reactions, malignant lesions such as melanoma and skin cancer, leprosy, psoriasis and even AIDS. It is chiefly important not to take these precautions lightly, for your health and your life are at stake.
Lastly , remember that if you’re not completely sure, there’s no need to hurry… and if you are, be sure to clear any doubts before deciding, and, once more, as our most important piece of advice, take a very good look at all the correspondent hygiene measures.
Good luck!

Saint Louis Old School Tattoo Expo

Tattoo artist Johannes from Black Star Tattoo in Massachusetts works to complete a piece on the leg of Josh Hymer from St. Charles Sunday afternoon on the last day of the Saint Louis Old School Tattoo Expo, held at the Holiday Inn Select in downtown St. Louis. The expo lasted for three days and featured local and national tattoo artists as well as seminars and retail items.

Body Modification

Body Modification. The term can have weird and scary implications for people who have no personal interest or experience in the subject, and it can be all too easy to judge or malign its participants and practitioners. But in reality, to willfully modify one’s body is to take part in a culture and tradition that spans class, race, and human history like nothing else.

In the simplest terms, “body modification” means to deliberately alter one’s physical appearance, though people usually assume the phrase applies only to such practices as tattooing and piercing or the more esoteric branding and scarification. However, all one has to do is look at society’s present definition of aesthetic to discover that almost all of us engage in some form of bodymodding or other. For instance, it would be pretty hard to find a woman these days who doesn’t have her ears pierced, and one of the most involved, long-term, and committed types of body modification, bodybuilding, is not often even considered to be so. And, of course, surgical body modification has become extremely common in the form of cosmetic surgery, but that’s rarely considered shocking or odd unless the procedure goes wrong or the resulting aesthetic is outside of the socially accepted standard of beauty.In every group of humans in known and recorded history, there have been members who modified their bodies.
The reasons behind their choices vary widely, even within a single society. In many cultures around the world, social status, group affiliations, and wealth are advertised with jewelry and adornments; in others, deeper meanings are behind the punctures, scars, and tattoos they wear. In certain African cultures, for instance, rites of passage successfully completed are denoted by scarrings all over the face and body, painfully administered by the practiced hand of an elder or religious leader, the discomfort bravely endured by the new initiate, and the marks worn proudly ever after. In some groups of people in India and Southeast Asia, genital modifications are sought after by devotees of the arts of love, and desired and preferred by their partners. And, of course, in almost every culture there are modifications that are done purely for aesthetic reasons–adornment and beautification of both sexes and all genders, striving towards an accepted goal or standard of human perfection within their culture.

So, with all that said, let’s look at some of the history and present practices of a few of the more common (and uncommon) body mods.

Piercing

It’s a commonly accepted misconception that body piercing is a relatively recent trend or fashion, but ear piercing, of course, is incredibly common in almost every culture throughout history, with a huge range of legends, myths, and meanings behind the jewelry worn and its placement. Nostril piercing has been documented in the Middle East as far back as 4,000 years. The fashion continued in India in the sixteenth century, and is still widely practiced there to this day. Both ear and nostril piercing and jewelry are mentioned in the Bible (Genesis 24:22, Isaiah 3:21). And piercings in other parts of the body, such as labret or lip piercings, are widely practiced often in the form of enlarged piercings and lip discs. Tribes across Africa, in Southeast Asia, and in North and South America all participate in lip piercing.

And today, of course, all of these types of piercings are still practiced in the West, though the primary motivation behind them is aesthetic adornment and enhancement.

Tattooing

Tattooing, as we know it, can be documented as far back as 3300 BCE as seen in the discovery of Otzi the iceman in 1991 and ancient Egyptian mummies bearing tattoos of animals and various creatures. The practice, however, is believed to have originated over 10,000 years ago. The mechanics of tattooing have changed a bit over the years, and the pigments and inks used have wildly improved in recent times, but whether hand-tapped, poked with a single needle, or administered with the telltale buzz of a modern tattoo machine, the basic reasons behind the choice to become tattooed haven’t changed much in all that time: fashion, function, or just to make a statement of some kind.People have also been forcibly tattooed to identify them permanently as criminals or undesirables in society, and that associated stigma of tattooing as “lowbrow” or undesirable still exists in the minds of many. Despite that, tattoos are enjoying a resurgence of popularity and are very common in modern culture, and for the most part, accepted as the norm.

Scarification & Branding

Traditionally, scarification is seen most widely amongst dark-skinned people in equatorial regions-people who tend to have so much melanin in their skin that tattooing isn’t very effective, visually. The “crocodile” people of Papua New Guinea’s Sepik region, several Aboriginal tribes in northern Australia, and the Karo people of Ethiopia are just a few of the many cultures who, to this day, participate in traditional rites involving scarification.

In the modern-day Western context, scarification and branding, while markedly less popular than tattooing, are still common forms of body modification, with beautiful end results for many devotees. The aesthetic outcome of a healed scarification, however, has less to do with the artist and more to do with the healing and genetics of the wearer, and that (along with the pain and discomfort of the procedure and healing) will probably ensure that scarification never becomes as common as, say, getting a tattoo.

Implanting

The process of surgically implanting a foreign object beneath the skin is a relatively recent development, but genital beading (or “pearling”, as pearls are a very commonly implanted item) has been common among seaman in the South Pacific and the Japanese Yakuza for several hundred years, although specifics about the history of pearling are rather vague. It is also extremely prevalent in the prison systems of the former Soviet Union and in Eastern Europe. Indeed, it’s still a commonly requested procedure in many piercing studios in the western world, with biocompatible Teflon or silicone beads and ribs replacing the non-sterile and possibly dangerous organic implants traditionally installed. And, of course, in Western society, plastic surgeons implant foreign objects into people every day in the form of breast, calf, and chin implants.

Transdermal implants–a surgical implant placed beneath the skin, passing outward like a single-point piercing–have been experimented with by many underground “cutters,” a term for body modification practitioners with a great deal of surgical skill and training who work quasi-legally or illegally performing surgical procedures on select clientele. While somewhat problematic to heal, these forms of implants are still popular with die-hard body mod devotees and in the last decade, transdermal jewelry has been redesigned and procedures refined to the point where one can walk into a piercing studio almost anywhere in the world and acquire a microdermal. Also called “surface anchors,” microdermals are small bases implanted beneath the dermis in a quick, simple procedure with no more trauma than any other piercing. The microdermal’s threaded end then heals flush to the skin, allowing threaded attachments to be worn and interchanged as desired. Metal mohawks of spikes, sparkling gems worn all over the body, and gleaming accents to pre-existing tattoos are just a few ways people are wearing these fashionable implants. However, surface anchors require an ongoing commitment to care and adjusting one’s lifestyle to accommodate the piercing, and therefore, won’t suit everybody, but they are a huge advancement in body modification and wildly popular.

Hardcore

Other surgical modifications seen in recent times are ear pointing, tongue splitting, and many different genital modifications, all offered by “cutters” and in many cases, by sympathetic board-certified surgeons. But even within the bodymod community at large, these types of modifications are often considered “hardcore,” are generally more unusual (though not uncommon) and are mostly of interest to those body modification enthusiasts motivated to push the boundaries of social acceptance.Body modification has been around as long as humans have lived, and with its rich and fascinating history, the practice is unlikely to die out anytime soon. But despite some lingering societal disdain, modifications, even of the more esoteric variety, are becoming more mainstream and acceptable every day, and the craft behind performing these procedures is being constantly perfected and refined by the artists involved.

Professional organizations such as the Association of Professional Piercers and the Alliance of Professional Tattooists promote continuing education to artists to teach new techniques and skills, and educate potential clients as to the risks and benefits of modifications and how best to safely acquire and heal their desired mods. And as new ideas and techniques become reality and traditional standbys are adapted and perfected, it’s safe to say that humans will continue to reshape and redefine themselves by modifying their bodies.

Tongue Tattoos

Nowadays everybody wants to look unique in one way or another. As tattoos are becoming more and more a part of people’s lives there is a trend among young people especially for obtaining the most distinctive patterns. Tattoos are a hot commodity these days, becoming more and more popular than they have ever been. There are hundreds and thousands of different designs and styles of tattoos to choose from, giving you the chance to express yourself. Tongue tattooing has become popular among youngsters who are interested in exploring experiences, perhaps as the best way to express themselves in public and personal lives. It is not easy to get a tongue tattoo, because the tongue is delicate and a sensitive part of body so piercing and decorating it is difficult for tattooist. Tongue decoration can involve items like studs, pins, and pigments, So proper hygiene is essential before tongue tattooing, and one should be aware of the various safety measures. The one who is going to paint or decorate the tongue should be using single use disposable gloves and all the equipments used in the process should be autoclaved well to avoid any chance of infection.

Tongues take one to three weeks to heal thoroughly after the tattooing process For the first few days it feels somewhat sensitive but later on a crust of skin develops which gradually flakes off. In this period the colours used in the tattoos may appear pale or odd but there is nothing to worry about as they are normal. Tattoos on tongue take a long time to heal as the tongue is slightly tender.

Therefore if proper hygiene is not maintained then the possibility of infection is there. To prevent tongue infection, the tattoo should be kept clean. Those who have had tongue tattoos in the past say that they aren’t very painful. Unlike tattoos on the skin, the tongue is a giant muscle. A tattoo on the tongue is often described as a tickling sensation or the feeling of numbness in your mouth. When the tattoo artist does the tattoo, he will normally use a tool to hold the tongue out. If you’ve ever had a tongue piercing, you’ll know what it looks like. Once the tongue is out, the artist will begin work. The process normally does take very long, as long you hold still and don’t move around.

In the starting few days when the crust of skin is grown there is a slight pain but after flaking off the skin the new tattoo will appear to be shinier giving a waxy appearance. After this the look of the tongue comes to its normal look and texture, apart from the new decoration, which hopefully not only makes you stand out of crowd, but also adds a stylish and trendy element to yoursocial persona.

Corsets

Though the waist-cinching garment known as the corset is now primarily associated with the Victorian era, its roots actually go much farther back in history. For as long as humans have worn clothing, it seems, they have sought to manipulate their figures in myriad ways to make themselves more attractive to the opposite sex. Whether a smooth silhouette or a tiny wasp waist was desired, the corset has long been the undergarment of choice, undergirding a dazzling variety of clothing styles. Corsets in the Ancient World Ancient Greek, Cretan, Theban and Minoan societies all display evidence that corsets were worn by both men and women; the Minoans in particular wore them, possibly as support for the waist and back while they participated in various sports. Figurines of goddesses in ancient Crete wear corsets as outer garments. Greek corsets were evidently made of leather, while those of Thebes may have been constructed primarily of metal. There are even mentions of corsets in the literature of the early Middle Ages, and some gowns from the period show a sort of corset construction beneath the bodice. But it wasn’t until around 1400 that corsets really began coming into their own. Corsets in Spain and Italy The powerful Spanish were highly influential on European fashion in the 15th century. Both men and women wore corsets in order to achieve a smooth torso and an upright, dignified posture. During the next century the Italians took corsets a step further, adding a busk beneath the lacing of the corset for a smoother look, then adding a hinged metal cage for extra rigidity. Later in the 16th century, Catherine de’ Medici popularized a corset with a more flexible frame made of steel, which retained the chest-flattening and waist-cinching properties of the garment while lessening the discomfort somewhat. Corsets in France In the middle of the 17th century, the French took the concept of the corset and ran with it; soon corsets were worn by almost everyone, including children just learning to walk. The French, rather than seeking to flatten the chest as the Spanish and Italian fashion had dictated, instead used the corset to force the bosom upward, resulting in a pleasing décolletage. The material of the corset was made stiffer with paste, and the busk was refined, becoming a removable slat usually made of ivory, silver, wood or whalebone. The popularity of corsets in France was only interrupted by the French Revolution, whose ideal of liberty also extended to freeing people from their corsets. For a time French ladies favored flowing, high-waisted gowns reminiscent of the draped robes of classical Greece and Rome. However, by the 19th century the French were tightening their laces once again, getting back into line with the rest of Europe and the United States, where corsets had never gone out of fashion. Corsets in the 19th and 20th Centuries Even as clothing styles waxed and waned, corsets remained, underpinning changing fashions. Corsets for men began to fade, though in the early 1800s dandies wore suits tailored to give their bodies an hourglass shape without the hassle of a corset underneath. For women, though, liberation from lacing was still a long way off. Corsets were worn routinely throught the Victorian period (1837-1901). By the end of the century, despite the abandonment of the “wasp-waisted” look prevalent in earlier times, women still wore newer corsets manufactured to give them a sleek, long-waisted silhouette beneath the more straight-line and Gibson Girl fashions of the 1990s. A smaller waist was always a goal, however, and women laced their corsets tighter and tighter, sometimes to the detriment of their health, trying to achieve and maintain waist sizes well below twenty inches. After World War I, the 1920s saw a change in fashion, with young women abandoning the corset in favour of simple panties, bras and underslips. In 1930 the panty girdle was introduced, a garment consisting of a corset and bra all in one.With the New Look of the late 1940s came the waist cincher, and both it and the girdle remained the foundation of women’s clothing styles until the feminist movements of the 1960s finally freed women from the supposed prisons of their clothing. Though bras are still de rigueur beneath the more casual styles of today, corsets in the modern era are generally only worn by a few enthusiasts in the goth and fetish subcultures.

Choosing a Career Path

There is many ways to be able to have an awesome social life and also being able to have a fantastic well paid carrer wich can be translated to "anything in the artistic world", actually there is more ways to achieve the same goals in life.

Even though Tattoos are accepted more than many years ago one can find those who still have what some call "a conservative mentality" which I call something else. Most jobs that require Tattoos to be hidden or concealed (Same as Body Piercings or modifications) tend to be those who require their employees to work face to face with the public (customers). A business might not have anything against Tattoos/Body Modifications but they need customers so they can feed their families (if) and also to be able to pay your salary as well.

Some business owners might be the conservative ones and simply judge a person based on that person's personal style. A business corporation (for example) might not hire someone because of the tattoos, etc. even if the person is more than qualified for the position, but the same company might hire you for a different position with better pay where you don't have to be stared or treated differently by customers, etc. (That actually sounds better).

It is not right for someone to feel less because of their style and there is no need for regrets when you know you can have a great job, dress casual and get paid more than lots of people out there. People have plenty of time to think where they want their tattoos simply because thats what will allow you to have a career path and if that career path is to work around "prude people" (HA) then you should know where in your body you should get the work done.

Rib Cage Tattoo

Rib cage tattoos are considered to be private as the area is not always exposed for all to see, hence it opens the doors to some unique and personal tattoo designs. Some say getting a tattoo was one of the best experiences they have ever had with art, going through a little pain to create something beautiful felt like a spiritual journey for some. Using your body as a canvas for rib cage tattoos is a great idea because the artist gets a large space to work with. Tattoos have been used since time immemorial and nowadays are quiet popular with many celebrity endorsements. 'Transformers' star Megan Fox has 'Those who danced were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music' inscribed on her right rib cage.

A tattoo is forever and if you want to remove it you will have to under go expensive cosmetic surgical procedure. It is imperative that you think before you choose a tattoo design for your rib cage, generally big and expansive designs look good in this region. If you are going to get a colored tattoo then choose colors that will complement your skin tone and the tattoo design. If you have decided to get rib cage tattoos then be ready to bear a little rib cage tattoo pain as the area has many underlying bones.

Getting a tattoo on an area which has bones underneath like the ankle or rib cage is slightly more painful than fleshy areas like the biceps. In ancient times tattoos were used to express loyalty to the tribe or to mark the rank of a warrior. Tattoos are not only trendy but are also used to express your views and beliefs.

Lip Plate

Lip plate is a surface piercing mouth. Such a modification is obtained by stretching the lip piercing. Stretching the lips appeared in ancient times, is especially popular lower lip. and there are still tribes and nations that adhere to its old tradition (stretching the lips) and refer to this with all seriousness and respect, such as the Suya (Brazil), Botocudos (Brazil), Sara (Africa), Mursi (Africa) , Lobi, etc … in these nations people stretched his lips almost from infancy through old age. they do this almost all my life. and so their lips could reach enormous proportions. If you ask any of them, “why and from where it went?”, then they will not tell you the exact answer to this. it is their tradition and their ancestors have been doing this too.

Lips can pull almost indefinitely, because the lips are very different from the tissues of other body parts are capable of such an extension. diameter holes in the lips, and accordingly the size of the lips can reach 400 mm or more … in this case the sensitivity of the lips and saved all across its surface, even at large sizes. Stretching lip treat modifications of the human body. and you will not find a single animal with these dilations lips. this particular distinction between man and animal. man at his birth is physically given only his own body, which he uses to further his life and how he uses it – the case of each person, since it is a personal physical body, without which he could not physically exist. but I’m talking about stretching the lips. Extensions to your changing shape of lips, and every form of lip varies, and facial features also vary in parallel, so your face gets a “new”, I would have called body modification. First the incision in the lip and stretched. Someone is trying to reduce the time stretching their lips and enjoy this event with a scalpel. It is better to stretch from the lip piercing. All this time dilation can be compared with the moment of conception until its subsequent development, growth and learning.

Healed or fresh hole you made, you can stretch the ballroom pianist (stretching as long cone) to a diameter, with whom you feel that you can wear jewelry and to suffer the pain of stretching. But the pain – it is only temporary, because Your tissues are under tension. Over time, this tension is reduced and the pain goes away. Inside the cluttered with fabric, as in an ordinary puncture. If you are afraid of pain, then you can pull quite a bit on the shares of a millimeter, it could be the addition of 0,5 mm. But where, then, to take so many ornaments that would be inserted each time, increasing the diameter of the hole? Then you can use for this tape. This may be teflon tape / PTFE tape, or bondage tape. This is done as follows: you take out a Labret and pulls on it a layer or several layers of tape, so – as you can then paste back into your lip, but do it all on the healed hole. Next you have to wait until you feel that the tension was gone and no pain.

Your lip is completely healthy and ready for further extension. Then again, you can also pull at your discretion. but, at the sizes of more than 10 mm is recommended not to use now, or a better use of the tape. It’s much cares for lips, to the tissues inside the hole, and does not cause such pain. Teflon tape can be a long time, unlike the bondage tape, which does not stick to the skin and not dry. You need to do step by step .. In no case do not stretch your lips, when a hole has not healed. You have to completely cure it for a further step in tension. this will take time .. may be a week .. may 2 .. maybe more .. But in any case, do not pull your lips quickly. no need to hurry up with it. In order that would grow huge lips takes years.

A 16 Inch Penis

This is the kind of incident no one wish to go thru. Trusting an artist and ending up with a huge penis tattooed on. Something like this happens often, not only when it comes to going for a bootleg tattoo. For some reason unprofessional artists tend to mess with their customers in such a messed up way. It is unacceptable to see this kind of things happening and unfortunately affects those who take their job seriously while others get a kick out of it. I believe if an artist does not want to perfom their duties or simply don't wish to tattoo someone then they simply can refuse to do it instead of doing some screwed up job especially when they have a full knowledge of their profession.

***From a news source: A 21-year-old Australian man has been charged with assault after allegedly tattooing an image of a penis on his friend's back, according to the Courier Mail.
The 25-year-old victim was visiting the amateur tattoo artist at the man's home last week when he was talked into getting a tattoo, according to the paper.

The man wanted a yin and yang symbol tattooed on his back, but allegedly got a 16-inch tattoo of a penis with an obscene gesture instead.
Australian authorities said the incident followed an argument between the two.

The victim also says he was punched and thrown out of the man's house.
The 21-year-old tattoo artist has been charged with two counts of assault occasioning bodily harm and is due to appear in court next month.

4,500 + at Portland Tattoo Expo

Until recently, it was nearly impossible to hold national tattoo gatherings in Oregon -- a paradox for Portland, given its robust and growing tattoo industry. But about six months ago, the legal landscape changed. And one figure emerged as the leader in efforts to amend the state's rigid license rules for tattoo conventions.

Fittingly, his full-time job now includes planning an annual tattoo expo, which was held Friday through Sunday in Portland. "Every tattoo artist in the world wants to do work in Portland," said Brandon Ingram, 42, publisher of Northwest Tattoo Magazine. "We wanted to make that possible, so we were very persistent with Salem.

The result was huge." The Portland Tattoo Expo, held over the weekend at the Oregon Convention Center, is a testament to Ingram's tenacity. More than 4,500 people turned out over the three-day event, which was organized by Ingram and his business partner, Kevin Rasmussen, both of Eugene. The event, in its second year, featured exhibits, seminars and contests. "Winter is a hard time for tattoo artists, so coming to expos keeps me inspired," said Jeremy Justice, 33, an artist from Seattle-based Apocalypse Tattoo. "I've done the same tattoo on four different continents. I'm traveling a lot.

And Portland has a lot of talented tattoo artists. A lot of big names here. You don't find that everywhere." Ingram agreed that Portland has a certain panache in the tattoo world. He estimated that the region has roughly 100 shops, twice the number that existed five years ago. Local artists at the Expo confirmed the expanding market. "The past couple of years there's been a whole lot of new people tattooing in Portland," said Craig Brown, 31, an exhibiting artist from Portland.

"It's a double-edged sword because you get a bigger audience along with oversaturation." Several artists explained the growing number of tattoo shops in Portland by pointing to the popularity of tattoo schools. The schools, held in tattoo shops and state-regulated, serve as a fast-track to becoming a state-certified tattoo artist. Since 1993, tattoo artists in Oregon have been required to have state-issued licenses. A departure, many artists say, from the days when the craft was mastered through long and rigorous shop apprenticeships.

But whatever the reason, tattoo shops are cropping up all over. And it's not just local artists who understand the booming demand. But state law had to change for outsiders to tap the Portland market. Before April, a tattoo artist had to obtain an Oregon license with the Oregon Health Licensing Agency to do work -- even short-term -- in the state. After two years of lobbying the state agency, Ingram helped change the rules: Out-of-state tattoo artists can now obtain a 15-day permit to do work at "settings such as fairs, carnivals or bazaars," according to the new regulations. Thus, the turnout for this year's expo.

"People come from around the world now. And they come for different reasons," Ingram said. "Sometimes to make money, as a social thing, to network, to get guest spots, to trade tattoos and ideas. We'll keep this going for as long as we can."

Tattoo Machines Then and Now

With all of the people every year heading to a tattoo parlor, getting inked it is no wonder why there is a market of different types of tattoo machines that are able to be used in getting a person the look that they desire. Many of these tattoo machines are advanced and are able to give a better overall result to the person looking for a tattoo. The invention of the tattoo machine or gun as it is known these days, has allowed a person better control and more precision than previous models.
There is a lot more detail that can be placed into a tattoo when a person makes the decision to get inked and not go with another symbol of pride in their life. These guns or machines, whichever you chose to call them, have made the process a lot quicker, and often times a lot less painful. Imagine had the machine not been invented, there would be a tattoo carved by hand into your skin, sounds fun right? Thanks to this invention, things are quicker and a lot less painful. As more and more places to get inked pop up, this leads to there being a need to see many of the different machines that were used needing to be replaced with new machines.
This is a cost that many places have to pass along to the customers as a result of this. This cost many of the customers are willing to pay simply for the fact that they are able to ensure that they will get a quality product from a person that knows what they are doing. While these advances are giving the power back to the artist, there are some parlors that are passing the increase that they had to pay in an effort to get new machines on to their customers.
Unlike many other services, there is little argument when it comes to this as a way to get a quality tattoo. This has also led to the designs having more life to them and a person even being able to go 3D with their ink. All of these advances are made within the last several years and has given rise to more possible advances in the coming years. Regardless of if it is the first or tenth tattoo, the tattoo machines of today are a lot more friendly and simple than their previous ancestors. Keep these facts in mind when you head to have your ink done on your body. Just relax and enjoy the experience, it is better than what your parents probably went through.

Tribal Chest Tattoos

There are so many different types of tribal chest tattoos that it's impossible to say anything bad about the design in general They have lot of black ink that holds up the tattoo very well and does not fade like other colors. The designs of tribal tattoos are popular and it is easy to design one They have been the hottest thing in the tattoo world since sliced bread or the old school WWII era Hula dancer You see these influences have been all around us for a long time my grandpa even has one of those Hula Girls tattoos still. This is really an up and coming thing and it is not huge yet Many tattoos include Maori designs, Eskimo totems and Aztec sun clocks and so on Other types of these rely more on the use of heavy lines and colors to create an image. They are extremely popular if not the most popular tattoo style currently These type of tattoos have their origin the the ancient tribes of Polynesia, New Zealand(Maori tattoos), Hawaii and many other early cultures. Tribal Tattoos recounts the history of body decoration, explains the meanings and myths behind the symbols, and offers many patterns that can be combined into new motifs All the designs included can be enlarged and traced to decorate any part of the body. They were used by ancient cultures as a means by which the young become adults, but some have made it into a fashion statement A few words of advice to those people: fashions are seasonal, tattoos are not Tribal tattoos have existed for thousands of years in numerous cultures around the world. Tribes in Africa used to tattoo the bodies of their warriors with crocodile teeth and handmade ink with simple images and symbols in order to mark their place in the tribe and scare their enemies with the strength of their warriors Tribal tattoos symbolize membership in a group, family, social, or whatever At least they used to, nowadays anyone with a cool design in their mind can get one, which makes them more a decorative thing, I suppose Tribal chest tattoos are possibly one of the most sought after tattoo designs and the most popular are based on the Maori, Haida, Polynesian and Native American designs Of course the term tribal has so many different meanings and an almost limitless amount of variations and combinations These tattoos were originally used as a form of permanent tribal identification. Therefore putting on the wrong tattoo will jeopardize your chances of being one of the tribe and might just permanently mark you as an outsider They have a simple appeal: we like the way they look on us, It reinforces a positive feeling about ourselves and connects us some how to an element of mystery and ancient activity.

Jason from Capricorn Body Art

Tattoo artist Jason stands as a body of art among his inked designs at his Nunawading studio. His body is 95 per cent covered in tattoos from his feet to scalp with just his knees and one thigh a clear canvas. Tattoos have become the latest fashion accessory on Melbourne streets whether it is marking an anniversary, a sentimental proverb or football premiership. Jason said the city had become one of the most heavily tattooed places in the world. “There are more tattoo shops per capita in Melbourne than anywhere else, it’s just flooded with tattoo shops,” he said. Over the past 20 years Jason has shared in those memories at his Capricorn Body Art studio where he has become a minor celebrity. Jason even met his partner, Jane, after she wandered through his doors to get a tattoo of a dragon done nine years ago. They are now part-owners of the studio and she has since added to her tat collection. Jason said tattooing sparked his interest from a young age, having grown up in a household of oil painters. He received his first tattoo at 14 of a bulldog on his leg to acknowledge his English heritage and the Western Bulldogs Football Club. “I remember being a kid and just being fascinated by them but by the time I was 17 I was pretty much covered,” he said. Jason said he could not count how many tattoos he now had engraved on his body. “I tattoo myself if I can reach the area,” he said. “A lot of people get used to the pain and you learn to switch off from it. “When people get tattoos it’s more a postcard of that era of their life. “It’s a life-changing moment for them.” Jason said he was surprised to find the number of women and men asking for tattoos had become even with the arms and legs the most common spots to be inked. The professional engraver said he regularly came across people wanting their tattoos fixed after dealing with shady artists. Jason said more unhygienic shops and home parlours had propped up as the art form became mainstream. “There is nothing to stop someone who wants to become a tattoo artist from doing it out of their own garage,” he said. “There is no legislation to stop someone from opening a shop. People have to make sure that it’s a registered tattoo studio and should do some background history.”

Lotus Flower Tattoo

Lotus flowers are amazing and have strong symbolic ties to many Asian religions especially throughout India. The lotus flower starts as a small flower down at the bottom of a pond in the mud and muck. It slowly grows up towards the waters surface continually moving towards the light. Once it come to the surface of the water the lotus flower begins to blossom and turn into a beautiful flower.
Within Hinduism and Buddhism the lotus flower has become a symbol for awakening to the spiritual reality of life. The meaning varies slightly between the two religions of course but essentially both religious traditions place importance on the lotus flower.
In modern times the meaning of a lotus flower tattoo ties into it's religious symbolism and meaning. Most tattoo enthusiast feel that the a lotus tattoo represent life in general. As the lotus flower grows up from the mud into a object of great beauty people also grow and change into something more beautiful (hopefully!). So the symbol represent the struggle of life at its most basic form.
Lotus flower tattoos are also popular for people who have gone through a hard time and are now coming out of it. Like the flower they have been at the bottom in the muddy, yucky dirty bottom of the pond but have risen above this to display an object of beauty or al ife of beauty as the case might be. Thus a lotus flower tattoo or blossom can also represent a hard time in life that has been overcome.
Lotus flower and peonies are also two flowers that are very popular among Japanese tattoo artists and they make a great compliment to Koi Fish tattoos. Ironically enough the two koi fish and lotus flowers can often be found in the same pond in front of a temple. The Koi fish is a symbol typically for strength and individualism.

Getting a Tattoo?.......... Keep some things in mind

Some of the things a person should remember:

1) Do make an appointment. And be patient when waiting to get your tattoo. Tattoo Artists do not rush through a sitting to get to the next person. They take their time with each customer in order to do their best work. Tattoo Artists tend to be perfectionists and YOU are their canvas AND their best advertisement. Besides, you don’t want them to rush through your tattoo, do you?
2) Do wear comfortable, loose fitting, appropriate clothing. Reckon about your tattoo placement and wear clothing that will easily allow access to that area. And remember that your tattoo session may take one or several hours, be cool and comfortable. And try to be very….still.
3) Do some advance research on your tattoo. A tattoo is a lifetime commitment, know what you want, or at least have a general thought of what you want before you go. Unless you are VERY free-spirited and a live-in-the-moment type person, impulse buying isn’t a excellent way to choose a tattoo. Your Tattoo Artist can help you explore and develop thoughts, but have some thought or direction.
4) Do research the shop. Know the precautions they are taking for YOUR safety and theirs. Sterile equipment and supplies should always be used for tattoos and piercings. Watch for unacceptable or unsafe conditions, such as the re-use of STERILE single-use needles or Artists who don’t wear gloves….and
5) Do question questions. Tattoo shops can be intimidating, but don’t be worried to speak up — it’s your body! Make sure you see them take the tattoo needles from a fresh sealed package. The Tattoo Artist will generally open this package directly in front of you prior to your sitting. Alert your Artist if you know you’re allergic to red ink, or Latex or any other condition he or she should be aware of.
6) Do keep things simple. This rule applies if this is your FIRST tattoo. Start small. Getting a tattoo is painful, especially on areas with a lot of nerve endings, and different people react differently to pain. The pain IS tolerable, but start with a smaller, simpler design to see how YOU handle the pain before you get that huge, intricate back piece! (You CAN do those LARGE pieces in multiple sittings.)
7) Do choose an appropriate location for your tattoo(s). Reckon twice about where you place tattoos (and piercings) on your body. I would never (nor will I ever) tell you what you should or should not do to YOUR body, BUT – There IS Body Modification Discrimination out there in the REAL world! Consider placing your tattoo or piercing in an area that can be covered by clothing worn in the work place.
8) Do question for recommendations. If you see someone with gorgeous, detailed tattoos compliment them and question where they were done, and WHO did them and find THAT Tattoo Artist. Tattoo Artists have ‘specialties’. There are experts in Tribal work, Fine-Line work, Lettering and Text, Portraits, etc. Question to see their Portfolios. Find YOUR expert.
9) Do take a shower. It’s not a excellent thought to go get a tattoo right after work. Be considerate, go home, and take a shower. Your Tattoo Artist will appreciate it (and possibly spend more time on the details of your new body art).
10) Do listen to your Tattoo Artist. Once your tattoo is completed, your Tattoo Artist will tell you the best way to take care of your tattoo. Don’t listen to your family, friends or neighbors…follow your Artist’s tattoo aftercare instructions.
11) Do TIP your Tattoo Artist! If you didn’t know that tipping a tattoo artist is customary, and expected, now you do! Many Tattoo Artists are not paid an hourly wage, they work for a percentage of the money you pay for your tattoo. OR, they are independent contractors who pay the owner rent and overhead. Either way, they depend on tips. Tip your Bartender, Tip your Waitress, Tip your Barber or Stylist and TIP YOUR TATTOO ARTIST! And if you receive exceptional service, show your appreciation by tipping exceptionally well!

Tattoo Museum in Staten Island New York

Dozer's tattoo museum depict eras in the history of tattooing - the Polynesian art of tatu from the 1700s, the Japanese way of telling a story in ink, and, above, the all-American tattoo artist from 1930s New York City inking a sailor in a white T-shirt and a sailor's cap. The museum - which had its grand opening yesterday - showcases his collection of tattoo machines and documents the history of tattooing. The museum is located on the corner of Hylan Boulevard and Old Town Road, Staten Island, New York.

Matt Gone Tattoos

Tattoo enthusiast Matt Gone estimated that 98 percent of his skin is covered in ink. "I never really knew how far I would ever go," he said. "And this is about as far as you can go." Now Gone has injected blue and green ink into both of his eyes by himself, a move that few have tried and doctors said went too far. "The risk of putting a needle near your eye is grave," said Dr. Douglas Meier, an ophthalmologist with the Portland Clinic. The doctor added that Gone is at risk for infection, which could lead to blindness or even cause him to lose his eyes. Gone said that he was well aware of the risks before performing the operation. "I patch tested it and was successful," he recalled. "I had to take the risk. I've done that a lot of times before. I'm not crazy. I'm trained. I have a lot of experience." Meier disagreed, saying that a nonprofessional could not safely pull of the inking. "Someone at home does not have access to the equipment, nor the expertise," Meier said. But Gone said the procedure turned out just fine, and he's glad that he did it. "I got lucky," he said. "But it's your risk, and I'm not going to help you. I did this for me. This is my project, my body." All of Gone's ink will be on full display this weekend in Portland, where he's attending a tattoo expo. Gone said that he's a very visual person. He said he picked a checkerboard pattern to be tattooed to his head, because it was something that he'd never seen done before. For his eyes, though, he wanted something more colorful. "I picked different colors," he explained. "Because I like mutations, because I have birth defects." Gone said those birth defects prevented some of the muscles in his body from developing properly and inspired him to get his first tattoo nearly 22 years ago. "The tattoos make me not hate my body, even though my body seems to be hating me," he said.

You're Invited to Paul Booth's Last Rites Tattoo Theatre Creep-In Day

Fantastic Wedding while Suspended

It is amazing to find people who are truly creative. Most people always wish to get married and have the wedding of their dreams, for some it comes a reality and for others is just something plain or "traditional". Some weddings cause controversy while others are just a snooze. Something we don't get to see too often is a couple suspended in the air while getting married and thats why this couple should be admired. They have courage and they also share the same taste when it comes to have fun. There is nothing better than to find your significant other but it is better when the couple share the same passion, lifestyle and taste. The important thing when a person wants to take the plunge is to marry not for the sake of it, a person also have to keep in mind finding the right person is more important than marrying someone who don't share the same point of view, etc. It is hard to believe people want to get attached when the other person is just a total stranger and that is a big mistake. Getting married is something amazing but not for everyone can be the same once they realized (after they finally get to know the person) that person don't share same interests.

Soccer Tattoo

25-year-old Colombian soccer fan Felipe Alvarez has been tattooed with a soccer jersey tattoo of Atletico Nacional team in honor of Andres Escobar, a Columbian soccer player who was killed in 1994. It is widely believed that he was murdered due to his own goal in the 1994 FIFA World Cup, which supposedly would have caused gambling losses to several powerful drug lords. In that game Columbia has lost 1:2 to the USA and was eliminated from the tournament in the first round.

Phuket Vegetarian Festival

A devotee pierces cheeks with swords on Oct. 11, 2010 during a procession of Phuket Vegetarian Festival in Phuket, Thailand. Acts of body piercings are means of shifting evil spirits from individuals onto themselves and bring the community good luck.

Oh Hell No / Messed up Tattoo

From news source: A Northwest Side White Sox fan who had the White Sox logo accidentally tattooed backward on her thigh. Since then she has undergone extensive laser tattoo removal and will require a larger tattoo to cover the scarring from the treatments.

From me: It just frustrates me when I see someone with a messed up tattoo. Someone going for some Ink and ending up with a screwed up job is just a nightmare. One thing is having a customer being a pain in the ass (like the lady screaming like a maniac while starting to get tattooed in the video I'm sure the whole world has seen already) and a customer who complies with staying still and hoping for the best. It is hard to believe some Tattoo Parlors with a good reputation would allow someone with little experience would tattoo customers with any kind of discrete supervision (not to scare off customers). I know becoming one of the best in the field don't happen overnight but I think the artist should do their best day by day to improve their skills and not to just get stuck in a certain stage (like the beginner stage for example). It is bad for business to have an artist that usually does the same type of work on a daily basis and such artist not trying to explore more advanced techniques in order to grow in the field and evolve their skills. This woman got her tattoo done backwards and she has to deal with the traumatic experience of removing and modifiying what she inteded to do. Look closely at the Lettering and those flowers YUUUCK. I won't say the name of the business or artist who did that messed up work on her because I try to write good things about Body Art and (so far) the only way I can mention a name or a business name is if I have something good to say about them. People tend to be aware about doing research, BLAH BLAH BLAH, before getting Tattooed but still never do, and when something goes wrong then they scream, cry, bitch and moan about it.

The best season to get Tattooed

The best season to get Tattooed is Fall/Winter and the reasons are obvious. When people get tattooed they can be a little impatient and want to show it right away. Some of the mistakes people tend to do is to peel off the scabs when it's going thru the ugly stage (healing process) and that can actually mess up the whole thing and make you go back for some retouching. Meanwhile during Winter people are forced to keep it protected from the sun and environment in general. Those who live in areas where heat is all year round have to deal with how unconfortable feels to keep the area moist and covered during daytime. It is worth the sacrifice when you want to flaunt that awesome art you always wanted.

Getting Tattooed for a good cause

All this month you can get inked for a good cause. A tattoo artist is donating half the cost of all breast cancer-related tattoos to the American Cancer Society. Adrian Flores owns Addiction Tattoo and his mother is a breast cancer survivor.
"To me, she's always been my hero, you know? She's been strong enough for everything. She never missed work for a cold or the flu so to watch her be incapacitated like that was hard to go through," he said. His wife Aracely got inked with her fifth tattoo, a pink ribbon, on Wednesday. Adrian says dozens of cancer survivors have gotten tattoos over the years. "They've survived and they want something to show for it and everyone can see that, 'I did this and I'm still alive and I'm okay,'" Aracely said. Adrian wants to get the word out and make people more aware about breast cancer. So all month long, he'll collect money to give to ACS. His tattoo shop, Addiction Tattoo, is located at 1825 SW Military Drive. He'll be doing the tattoos himself, Wednesdays through Saturdays. You can call (210) 932-1500 for more information.

Full Sleeves Tattoos and what's so good about it

An elaborate arm tattoo or full sleeve tattoo can speak volumes for your strength of will and commitment. The art is not just being flaunted by a number of celebs around the globe today, but also by people of ages and across cultures. In fact, sleeve tattoo styles are the most popular types of arm tattoos known yet. The reason why they are referred to as sleeve tattoos is that they are so elaborate that many pass off for extensions of the apparel sleeves. The sleeve tattoo designs can be as elaborate or simple as you want them to be.

They function as more than just arm tattoos, they are part of an art that covers a whole area of a body part. The fact that these tattoo designs can be flaunted to cover the whole arm with little or no skin showing makes them unique. There are a number of online as well as offline resources that make the sleeve tattoo styles available in your own time. These resources also offer you a virtual experience prior to indulging in the real thing. The sleeve tattoo styles and designs are very intricate. They get more and more complicated as and when you keep adding to the integrated design.

Not only are they extremely colorful, but they can also be customized to flaunt several images, designs and patterns. It is not uncommon to find members of rock bands flaunting sleeve tattoo styles. Members of both genders show off the art on their arms as well as legs. There are a number of popular sleeve tattoo ideas floating around for those interested. You could take your pick from sleeve tattoos with cherry blossoms and samurai designs to floral and animal prints.

The art thrived in Asia in the ancient times and the showcasing now gives you the unique opportunity to bring that culture back to life. Women are known to flaunt many floral designs like flowers interwoven with tendrils and leaves in bright colors. Among the floral designs in sleeve tattoo styles preferred by men and women are the hibiscus and rose. The designs differ very subtly or not at all for feminine and masculine patrons.

Now, depending on personal preference, Celtic tattoos with their unique knots are making the rounds. Displaying the intricate and highly detailed knot work displays style and charisma. There are animal tattoos interwoven with the knot work in Celtic tattoos to give you the tribal tattoo feel. It pays to access guidelines like the use of heavy black lines for the outlines and vegetable based colored ink instead, to make your sleeve tattoo styles a little different.

The tattoos can be very complicated and expensive. The extent to which the art can be kept open for future add-on differs from one tattoo artist to another. Getting yourself a good sleeve tattoo is not a difficult task even if you have to go back to the tattoo shop frequently for other subsequent sessions. You can even avail of festive discounts given by tattoo parlors to get the art done on your arm or leg in a cost effective way.