Embracing female tattoo culture
Here is a small selection of photographs from the first ever Great British Tattoo Show.
I discovered one talented new artist – Pedro Santos – and he had some amazing flash he tattooed at the show. Take a look at Pedro’s tumblr too.
And here is a quick snap of what I like to call my vintage arm at the show…
Photos: James, Papercut Pictures
The full album of photos from the show can be viewed on Facebook
I love Rachel Jamie Baldwin’s girly style and fairytale appeal – and her ladies have the most beautiful, striking eyes…
Please paint a pretty lady on me Rachel?
Rachel works at Modern Body Art, Birmingham.
Photos from Facebook
Don’t rub me it’s fake.
Where do you wear art forever?
Try before you buy…
Think about art you like or make your own art, then put a transfer of it on your skin and see how it looks.
I rarely go off the art that hangs on my wall in the same fickle way I toss a pair of shoes or a skirt into my great crate of former loves (the deepest, darkest caverns of my wardrobe). This is why tattoos should never be seen as a fashion fad, don’t get a tattoo to accessorise your latest favourite outfit (unless it’s fake).
Art hangs on my wall, always loved. The same way tattoos sit on my skin. Invest in tattoos as you would in art – only get it if you love it. Until one day it becomes part of you, sometimes unnoticed, until you meet someone new and they comment (positively or otherwise). Obviously one piece of art cannot be loved by everyone, it’s subjective, but that’s the beauty of it. And as long as you love it, who cares?
All photos are taken from the beautiful book Tattoo Icons • Victionary 3 (Limited edition). This book inspires you to think about tattoos and art beyond their tradional boundaries. Think of tattoos as more than just anchors, flowers, butterflies and tribal bands and have fun and experiment with transfers to see how they change when they are put on the body.
Photos: Tattoo Icons (removable tattoos for trial included)
Last weekend my sister Olivia moved to Australia. Before she left, we decided to get matching sister tattoos, so that no matter how far we are apart, we will always have something to remind us of each other.
We chose a design that represents our home – a traditional English rose – and keeping in touch – an envelope. Our appointment was booked with Cassandra Frances for 14th February, not intentionally, but it seemed like the perfect way to spend Valentine’s day…
We travelled up to End Times in Leeds from our hometown in Leicestershire – and we took our dad along for the ride, too.
We both fell in love with the design as soon as we saw it.
Getting tattooed at End Times was a lovely experience and we spent the day chatting to Cassandra – who told us some very interesting tales about how she got into tattooing.
And here is the final ink. I am so glad we both have a permanent reminder of our sisterly love.
The list of tattoo artists in New York I would like to get tattooed by is growing by the day.
New person on the list is Mohawk John, his work is beautiful.
Mohawk John works at Three Kings Tattoo in Brooklyn NYC.
Photos: mohawkjohn.com
