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Caroline Derwent: Charity Tattoo Day

Plymouth based tattooist Caroline Derwent recently shared the love at her tattoo charity day in memory of her late father. We caught up with Caroline to see how the day at Dust n’ Bones tattoo studio went…

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The idea of a charity tattoo event called “say what’s in your heart” popped into my head when I was thinking of my dad. I wanted a tattoo design and day to centre around my clients choosing a heart frame and having something personal written inside.

The charity meant a lot to me and my family as my dad spent his last few days, before he passed away on 14th May 2017 under the care of the doctors and nurses at St. Luke’s Plymouth. They were so caring and professional and made his last days comfortable. They also looked after us emotionally, I can’t thank them enough.

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Every penny counts to help with such an amazing cause so I wanted to do my bit and raise some awareness. The idea of the tattoo flash day was super popular and I filled my day within a few hours. I did 11 tattoos in total. It was a really successful, with lots of cute and meaningful tattoos, and all proceeds went to the charity.

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In some way we can all relate to losing someone to cancer and it was such a pleasure to see the smiles on my clients faces with their finished tattoos The whole day was positive and a lot of fun and I was so pleased to raise £800 in aid of my father’s memory.

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Beautiful mastectomy tattoos

October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month, one in seven women in the UK will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. This Breast Cancer Awareness Month nearly 5,000 people will be diagnosed with breast cancer. We’re sharing some of the most empowering and beautiful mastectomy tattoos in order to do our bit in raising awareness.

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“Boobs are the tits. I appreciate every single one of these ladies soooo much. Being given over trust for such intimate tattoos is a huge honour and I think you’re all badass as fuck. I would absolutely love to do more things like this for all you other kick-ass bitches who’d be up for some boobage tattooing. Hit me up.”
Both tattoos by @justjentattoos

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“Healed photo of Kelly’s mastectomy scar cover. It was an honor to do this piece and a gift to be part of transforming Kelly’s scar into something beautiful. This tattoo was done @savedtattoo last November as part of the @personal.ink project. I always welcome projects involving covering surgical scars, self harm scars and any tattooing to help people heal and reclaim their bodies. Thank you, @craizydaizydezignz.”
By @karenglasstattoo

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“She wanted to leave the scar uncovered and reclaim her body with this tattoo.” By @roxx_____

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“This is for a lovely client. She had originally intended on having areola tattooing done so came in with surgeon created nipple reconstruction. But she said what the hell let’s do something fun instead!”
By @jenleeredtidetattoo

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We love kewpies

Rose O_Neill 1907Rose O’Neill first illustrated Kewpie dolls to be featured in the Ladies’ Home Journal, and they swiftly became extremely popular. Born in Germany, their name derived from the word “Cupid”, for the Roman God of beauty.

Shortly after Rose was 19, she moved to New York city alone with only 60 drawings. Within three months, she had sold them all. She was shocked by their popularity. She began illustrating for children’s books and was highly successful, appearing in many popular publications including Harper’s Bazaar and Good Housekeeping. She drew over 700 cartoons for the humour magazine, Puck, which was a predominantly male-centric title at the time.

Her career was unparalleled and she truly demonstrated the traits of a strong woman. During her success, she sent her earnings home to her father, who converted their two-bedroom cabin in Missouri into a 14-room mansion. Rose also bought homes in New York, Connecticut and the Italian Isle of Capri. In a time where women could not even vote, she was truly supporting her family and allowing them to live a life they were not previously accustomed to.

Kewpie Postcard

Rose took inspiration for her work from many different areas of her life. Her Kewpie dolls came to her in a dream. Rose O’Neill had a dream of small little cherub-like elves jumping on her bed, one night in 1909. When she woke, she hurried to her drawing desk and sketched the first Kewpie. From there, her love of the small Kewpie never faltered.

Tattoo by Kim Anh-Nguyen
Tattoo by Kim-Anh 

Kewpies took their doll form in 1913, manufactured in Germany, designed by Joseph Dallas. They were five inches tall, with jointed arms, painted eyes and a distinctive moulded face. They became highly collectable, and in 1939 a Kewpie doll was entered into a time capsule in New York’s World Fair. Early dolls now raise thousands of dollars, and are highly collectable. But they were not only captured in celluloid and plastic; Kewpies were immortalised in colouring books, stationery, cups, plates and poems. More recently, they have been commonly eternalised in tattoos. Many artists now tattoo the dolls in many different outfits and styles, but always keeping to the distinct Kewpie characteristics Rose O’Neill designed.

Tattoo by Lauren Winzer
Tattoo by Lauren Winzer

Kewpies were popular in tattoo flash around the time of their conception, but faded out by the 1950s, being seen as old-fashioned. Today, they are almost as famous in tattoo flash as other bold traditional designs, such as the pin-up girl. Many artists are known for their amazing renditions of these cherub-like children, such as Kim-Anh Nguyen, Lauren Winzer and the late tattoo legend Mike Malone.

Kewpie necklace, by Bete Noire.

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LadiesLadies! Art Show 2019

LadiesLadies! Art Show

Opening reception and silent auction

Saturday, October 26, 2019, 8:00 – 10:00 p.m

 Three Kings Tattoo, 343 E 10th St. New York, New York 10009

International female tattooers participate in benefit fundraiser for Planned Parenthood NYC

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The 6th installment of the groundbreaking LadiesLadies! Art Show, a female-only collective exhibit showcasing the fine art of international female tattooers, curated by Elvia Iannaccone Gezlev, a tattoo artist, author of “Ladies of tattooing” and photographer, whose work has appeared in numerous tattoo magazines and tattoo blogs, and Kate Archer, unapologetic artist and representative of the queer side of female tattooers.

The 2019 show will present a selection of art from cutting edge tattoo artists, some of them identifying as queer; they represent the changing landscape of inclusivity within modern-day tattooing. What was once a male-dominated industry has evolved thanks to female and LGBTQ artists, who are creating safe and creative spaces for people of all genders, identities, races and body types, to get tattooed. Together they keep the tradition alive and kicking!

50 artists are donating their art (originals and/or prints) to the fundraising event. Tattooers and artists include; Claudia DeSabe (who also designed this year poster art!), Sunny Buick, Anka Lavriv, Zoe Bean, Linn Aasne, Lara Scotton, Lorena Morato, Drew Linden, Rosie Evans, Kati Vaughn, Marina Inoue, Jen Carmean, Tara Zep, Tina Lugo, Baylen Levore, Karrie Arthurs, Michela Bottin, Kate Collins, Amy Shapiro, and Dawn Cooke.

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Empowering mastectomy tattoo by Lianne Moule

Back in August, we spotted this absolutely stunning mastectomy tattoo by Lianne Moule, who works at Immortal Ink in Chelmsford, after she shared it on Instagram. So we got in touch with Lianne to find out more about the process, we’re sharing the story here to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

“Around four years ago, Liz was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer: sarcoma. The type and size of the cancer dictated that Liz’s only real option was a mastectomy with delayed reconstruction. The process must have taken a huge amount of strength and courage but I’m so grateful she allowed me to be a small part of her inspiring journey.

“Having never had a tattoo in her life, I am awe-inspired that she found me to request a mastectomy cover-up. Liz emailed the studio and told us about her situation and what she wanted to do. When I met Liz for her first consultation, she was very nervous. But she bravely told me her story. When she was diagnosed and told she would lose her breast, she was overrun by emotions. She even said to the consultant that she would rather die than lose her breast. She was aware that even though it seemed a dramatic reaction, her emotions were all over the place and she genuinely felt that. All of a sudden, she was aware of the fact that she felt her breasts gave her femininity, she questioned whether or not she would be able to love her body afterwards.

“Liz told me that throughout every stage of her diagnosis, surgery and aftercare, she was given so much support by the different departments – every team would explain what would be happening to her body and what the options were for her in the future. She decided to go ahead with a nipple graft onto the reconstructed breast, but at this point in the surgeries, she still didn’t know what she wanted to do with her body.

“When Liz was looking at the option of getting tattooed nipples, she came across some pictures of some flowers over mastectomy scars. Liz told me many times that she would never have had a tattoo if it hadn’t been for this journey she has been through. When Liz’s breast was taken away, it was replaced with what she calls ‘a lump of flesh’ – she said it never felt like her breast. With these feelings, Liz said she wanted to make it ‘her own’. Having a beautiful picture on it would make it finally hers, after having many operations without choice, she could finally make a decision to do what she wanted with it.

“Every time I tattoo a breast cancer survivor, it is always about reclaiming their body. It’s the decision that they get to finally make about their own body, to get closure of their experience. Having their bodies cut and poked and prodded and tested without really having a choice, it’s empowering to finally make a decision.

“Liz’s tattoo is one of my favourite pieces of artwork, she looks beautiful and I really hope she feels it. It’s detailed and colourful and I forever hope it gives her confidence.”

Research shows that one in seven women in the UK will develop breast cancer at some stage in their lifetime. October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It is so so important to check your breasts (if you need help with this head to coppafeel.org).