For Grandmas.

Grandma memorial tattooA beautiful memorial tattoo I found on fuckyeahtattoos

“For my grandma. She was a huge Elvis fan, loved rings, let me hunt for “treasures” using a magnifying glass, and always had pink roses in her house.

She was a huge believer that having hope could fix any problem. When she died of lung and brain cancer a year ago, up until the day she died she kept telling us that she had hope that she would get better. She lived a year and a half longer than doctors said she would and had minimal pain. Pretty amazing in my book.

I love you, Grandma! I hope you’re rocking out with Elvis in heaven (and eating some fried chicken, too).

Done by Jake Bussie at Alkali Tattoo in Janesville, WI.”

Photo: fuckyeahtattoos

Go with the flow – Olivia Snape

Get your tat outFeature girl: Olivia Snape,
Visual Merchandiser/Stylist, London.

Olivia SnapeWhat got you into tattooing?
I have always admired tattoos on other people. I feel tattoos are an extension of personal style and, working in fashion, I think it is very important to express your individuality in the way that you look and dress. My first tattoo was my friend’s lips on my arm (see previous blog post), this represents our friendship and my love of lipstick, I have always loved the interesting and different shape of people’s lips.

Peace sign tattoo

Through infinite immensity tattooDo your tattoos have any meanings?
Some of them, but I do think that people get too caught up in the meaning behind tattoos, you should just go with the flow and if you fancy something just get it done. Obviously, if you’re planning a bigger piece it needs more thought, but tattoos don’t always have to have sentimental value. The words on my arm are from a poem by Emily Brontë that I read at my auntie’s funeral, it is a reminder of her, but I also like the idea that words evoke.

Olivia tattoosWhat inspires you?
People, friends, music, life.

Do you have any tattoos in the pipeline?
I think I am ready for a bigger piece on my back, I am toying with the idea of a traditional rose.

Get your tat out – Columbia Road pub.

Get your tat outLocation: The Royal Oak, Columbia Road

Siobhan Lyons
Siobhan Lyons

I met the lovely Siobhan Lyons in a little pub on Columbia Road, of flower market fame, on a drunken Saturday afternoon.

Heart tattoo
Heart this heart tattoo
Hope tattoo
Hope

I say live tattoo

Feather tattoo
Tickle me
Behind the ear tattoo
Starry eared

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I also had the pleasure of meeting Siobhan’s friend Jess Jobst. The girls had been drawing copies of their tattoos onto each other.

Siobhan and Jess
Siobhan and Jess
Cut and Paste
don't rub me it's fake
real or fake?
Real or fake? Siobhan with Jess's tattoo
Don't rub me it's biro
Don't rub me it's biro - Jess with Siobhan's tattoo
eiffel tower tattoo
Eiffel Tower - Jess's real tattoo

Nice ink (and biro) girls.