Author: Rosalie Hurr

I started out as the one and only Things&Ink intern, fast forward a fair few amazing years and I now run the blog and our social media accounts. You'll more than likely find me scrolling through Instagram (@cupofrosalie) looking for new tattoo artists to share, surrounded by my cats and a cinnamon bun or two.
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Friday 13th tattoos

Friday 13th Tattoos at Scratchline Tattoo, London with Susanna, Mister Paterson and Texxx

People started queuing at 7am to choose a design from the specially drawn flash sheets and then book in.

We arrived at Scratchline Tattoo in Kentish Town towards the end of a very long day; each tattooist had done 10 or more designs one after the other.

Jack, 23 from Toronto got his first tattoo and we quizzed him on his experience. I like to think, that along with the lovely and chatting Susanna, we kept his mind off the pain.

The pain turned out to be pretty much what he expected and the small black line design didn’t take long.

Jack chose the broken bottle design as he’s “been drinking a lot on this trip, it stuck out”; no one needs any other reason than that they like it! He chose to get tattooed on Friday 13th as it was a “pretty sweet opportunity on the last few days of my trip”.

He’s already planning more and is even considering following up an apprenticeship when he returns to Canada.

On seeing his freshly inked tattoo “that’s fucking dope, I love it!” I’m guessing he enjoyed the after tattoo buzz!

Did you get a Friday 13th Tattoo? We’d love to see it!

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Mum tattoos her 12 year old daughter

Anna Yates, 29 from North Carolina has been arrested for tattooing her 12 year old daughter.

In defence of her arrest, she states; “that’s my child, and I’m allowed to do what I want”.

This is not the first time Anna Yates has tattooed without a license or any form of training, she regularly inks herself and friends. The tattoo in question is a heart on her daughter’s arm, tattooed onto her for religious reasons.

The mum was charged with tattooing a person under 18, but she insists she has a right to tattoo her own child.

“It healed fine. It’s there for life and she doesn’t regret it,” said Yates. “She’s a good child. She does very well in school, and I feel she deserved it.”

Yates quoted from www.charlotte.twcnews.com

Image from www.wsoctv.com

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Things&Ink The Identity Issue Review

Editorial assistant Rosalie Woodward reviews the Identity Issue out now. Purchase your copy here

 

Peacocks in Afghanistan – Page 18

Photo by Heather Shuker

Tattoo artist Axa Shireen talks to us about  growing up between suburban Manchester and dangerously enchanting Afghanistan and how art has always been a driving force, steering her towards new worlds, whether these be tattooing or love. The sense of her own identity comes from not constraining herself with boundaries, but embracing it all…

Her interview is accompanied with stunning images of ornate sarees, intricate henna and a peacock stealing a sneaky glance at beautiful Axa covered in glittering finery.

 

Laura Jane Grace – Page 57

Photo by Heather Shuker

Our music editor Jen Adamson interviews Laura Jane Grace from Against Me!, formally Tom Gables, about her struggle to show the world who she really is.  Laura explains how her song lyrics allowed her to explore and release her inner self, allowing her to cross the lines of socially defined gender boundaries.  Laura has many crow tattoos, these important birds have perhaps given her the wings she needed in order to be free…

 

Tattooing in Prison – Page 34 and New York Prisoner – Page 38

Ever wondered how inmates tattoo each other when tattooing is prohibited in prisons? What do they use for ink? How do they make a machine? The men behind their crimes are revealed in their honest discussion of prison life. In jail, tattoos become even more important, playing the part of a bargaining tool as well as a seemingly simple way to pass the hours.  This was one aspect of the prisoners’ lives that the officers could not control and they weren’t going to give up.

 

Meet the Customers – Page 26

Photo by Heather Shuker

Meet tattooist Dominique Holmes and her customers, in The Royal Albert pub (where we did the photo shoot), why not follow their lead and crack out the vino! Unique relationships are built when people are regularly tattooed by the same artist, way more so than if they had stepped off the street for a bit of flash.  Dom and her customers alike explore how tattoos add to their sense of identity and how both their friendships and art have evolved.

To read these articles in full purchase your copy of The Identity Issue here