Things&Ink

May 28, 2012May 28, 2012

Get your tats out – Ruby Confusing

Name: Amber
(Ruby Confusing blog, @Ruby_confusing twitter)
Age: 29
Occupation: Manger of hairdressing academy
Location: Norwich, UK

I had my first tattoo aged 17 and it was on my hand! It was tiny a little butterfly from Bambi, which has since been covered. I always found them fascinating and knew that I wanted at least one – it has now turned into quite a lot. I can’t say I remember seeing many on other people, and it was a good few years until they became more mainstream. I suppose it was when I started to meet friends who worked in the tattoo industry and who had a lot of tattoos that I started to collect more and more. I think this is due to feeling more comfortable in my own skin and finding good artists that I trusted. I’m pretty lucky that with my job in the hairdressing industry, I’m allowed to have them in visible places, although I think in general employers are becoming slightly more relaxed about tattoos.

My first experience with a really good artist was Wink Evans, in Norwich, who is amazing and responsible for a considerable amount of my tattoos – pretty much all of my right arm and a flamingo piece on my left calf. He works at Factotum.

I guess I prefer being tattooed by people who are local to me, as it is easier to make appointments and get work done. Norwich has some brilliant artists, so I don’t need to go further afield. I do have pieces from other artists – Eric Michalovicand Dawnii Fantana, but this was at Norwich Body Art Festival or guest spots.

I’m currently being tattooed by Brad Ward from Factotum, who did the Russian dolls on my shins and the man and lady with animals on their heads and J’adore on my lower fingers. I really like his style and have been super happy with all my work by him and plan on more.

The fact I had tattoos before I knew much about it has left me with a few that I’m not so keen on… I have had one covered up by Mike Boyd at Indigo in Norwich and it’s amazing and no one ever notices the cherries that were there before! I plan on dealing with the rest at some point in the future.

My style is colour, the brighter the better! I get inspiration from all around me, sometimes it is things I see, tattoos on other people or even things I read! I’m not one of these people who really think about what they want and research it – I just have an idea and then want it done as soon as possible.

I get asked if my tattoos have meanings quite a lot and they don’t really, I like them and that’s why I get them.

I have lots more planned for the future! The main thing being a back piece which will cover up some horrible pink tribal I had when I was 19. I’ve been thinking about it for a long time now, but know it is something I’m going to have to commit to, and before that I have lots of smaller projects I’d like to get finished.

My favourite tattoo is whichever one is my latest one, so right now the man with the fox on his head.

May 21, 2012May 22, 2012

Topshop and tattoos – my TV tattoo interview

Blogged – my TV debut

Alice on TV — Here is me talking tattoos on the tele

A few weeks ago I received an intriguing email from a lovely young lady named Helena Poole, from the Community Channel.

She told me about Arts360, which is a programme to encourage young people in and around London to embrace art and culture and participate in debate. Part of the show would feature tattooing as an artform and she wanted to interview me about how I felt about tattoos and their value as art. I told her I would love to be involved…

So here it is. My TV debut, talking about art and tattoos. Alongside the infamous Alex Binnie, who it actually looks like I am arguing with…

This extract just shows the tattoo section, to the view the whole programme, click here.

Tattoos aren’t fashion, they’re art. I don’t pick a tattoo in the same way I go to Topshop and pick a top.

Although I am honoured I was asked to participate in the show, I am slightly disappointed with the tattoo segment. It appears to be lots shorter than the other artforms (opera, graffiti) in the show, so therefore not as much in-depth discussion about it. I also feel the focus wasn’t so much on why tattoos are art, but more whether or not a young person should get tattooed. Some of the more arty stuff from my 15-minute interview didn’t get used, and that is slightly disappointing.

I understand why it is important for young people to think about tattoos before they get them, but I think that using this programme to explore the beauty of tattoos as art objects would make young people more aware of the amazing artists out there who they can get tattooed by. Opening people’s eyes to the the beauty of well done tattoos would do far more than telling a young person not to rush into getting tattooed (I know those are the exact words that came from my mouth, but I guess that’s TV and the wonders of editing!).

However I would love to be involved in more projects like this in the future, I thought it was a thoroughly enjoyable experience. And seeing myself on screen wasn’t quite as painful as I thought it would be – although, is that what I really sound like?

May 18, 2012

Kokoro – The Art of Horiyoshi III

Kokoro means heart in Japanese – the feeling or the inner meaning that underpins the Japanese approach, not only to art, but to life as a whole.

Horiyoshi III is a tattoo artist and champion of traditional Japanese culture. He is the essence of kokoro. His artwork is now on display at Somerset House, until 1 July 2012.

Jigoku Dayu (mineral pigments on silk) – this was my favourite piece in the exhibition. I love the detail in the clothing.

Namakubi (mineral pigment on silk) – I find this picture very deceptive. The colours are soft and feminine, and it is only when you look a little closer that you see the violence and horror.

May 11, 2012May 13, 2012

Teeny tiny tattoos – I would love a little thimble tattoo

I love these little tattoos by artist Guen Douglas, who works at Magnum Opus in Brighton.

tiny teacup tattoo Guen Douglas — A little teacup tattoo on the back of an ankle

Teeny teapot tattoo Guen Douglas — A teeny teapot tattoo on a back just below the collar line

I have been on the search for an artist who could tattoo a tiny little thimble tattoo on my vintage arm. So I may have to book an appointment with Guen.

I would like a little thimble tattoo in memory of my lovely Gran who sadly passed away when I was younger.

I was always fascinated by her collections – she collected Toby jugs, pink glass, thimbles and many other random things. Her house was always so cosy and welcoming. My sister and I used to love spending weekends at Gran’s house – eating digestive biscuits in bed, reading The People’s Friend, making dens and eating Gran’s amazing meat and potato pie. Plus Gran used to let us decorate her Christmas tree however we wanted, mum always had a theme!

I miss you Gran. When I get my thimble tattoo, I will forever carry with me a memory of you.

April 27, 2012April 27, 2012

Sailor Jerry London venue – Hotel Street

“Good work ain’t cheap. Cheap work ain’t good.” – Norman ‘Sailor Jerry’ Collins – The father of old-school tattooing

The new Sailor Jerry venue in London is now open. Hotel Street is named after the infamous Hotel Street district in Honolulu, where Norman Collins aka Sailor Jerry made his name.

By night Hotel Street is a lot of fun, and I would highly recommend it for tattoo and music fans alike – or those who just want to have some fun in a cool new London venue and drinks lots of lovely Sailor Jerry cocktails…

I suggest trying out an aptly named Hotel Hooch…

Sailor Jerry cocktails - one mint collins and two daiquiri Hawaiian coffees. Very tasty

On 25 April – I danced the night away to Dirty Beaches and Chapter 24. And generally had far too much fun for a Wednesday evening….

And if that type of deborturous mid-week behaviour doesn’t take your fancy, this multi-functional venue turns into a rather arty affair by day….

Hotel Street by day is home to a gallery of original Sailor Jerry flash and artwork. His work is stunning in real life. And each bit of meaningful flash is described in detail – for example the swallow was to commemorate 5,000 miles travelled at sea and swallows are also deeply rooted in the symbolism of returning.

By night, all the artwork is hidden away from drunken revellers, so I suggest making at least two trips to the venue.

Oh and if none of that entices you, they also ply you with lots of free popcorn!

I know I’ll definitely be going back – most probably to see Joe Gideon & the Shark on 1 May and also Bass Drum of Death on 8 May. Maybe see some of you there?

Hotel Street is on 121-125 Charing Cross Road.