Tattoos are definitely taking their rightful place as depictions of art on human canvasses. This mindset is never more prevalent or obvious than when witnessed in the numbers of tattoo fans who flock to various tattoo events and conventions across the globe. It is exciting to realize that the art-form is finally receiving the recognition it deserves and is accepted by society as a whole as such.
An article regarding a convention attended by 15,000 tattoo enthusiasts in Australia follows below in its entirety.
Tattoo convention numbers surge
Bridie Jabour
January 22nd, 2011
AN 'ink-credible' display of art is being put on at the Gold Coast Convention Centre with living and breathing canvases.
The Surf 'n' Ink Tattoo Convention entered its second day today with organisers saying numbers are up 50 per cent on last year.
Co-event manager Simon Edds said about 15,000 are expected to visit convention over the three days.
Mr Edds said the once underground culture had become more main stream.
''It (tattooing) is definitely becoming more popular, people are recognising it as art,'' he said.
''It is similar to graffiti where it used to be for a darker area of society but is becoming more accepted.''
About 150 tattoo artists put their work on display as well as working on tattoos for passer-bys to watch.
There were toddlers through to elderly people at the convention showing their appreciation for the industry which 50 years ago was the domain of sailors, soldiers and prisoners.
''People get tattoos for different reasons, to commemorate loved ones or even pets,'' Mr Edds said.
''Others have just always wanted a tattoo and flip through tattooists portfolios until they see something that really clicks with them.
"And others really appreciate it as an art.''
Sleeves were particularly popular at the convention and Mr Edds said it takes between four and eight hours to complete a half sleeve.
''If it is a tribal sleeve then it is a lot quicker but if it is portraits and things like that then it will take hours more,'' he said.
The convention's last day is Sunday.
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If you are looking for a RI Tattoo Studio that is clean, safe and sterile, visit Inflicting Ink Tattoo Studio in Portsmouth RI for the Best Tattoo in RI. And if you're looking for a way to have Us come to You, consider hiring our Win Traveling Tattoo Studio or hosting a Private Party with the Inflicting Ink Traveling Tattoo Truck.
Inflicting Ink Tattoo
Friday, January 28, 2011
Tattoos Over 40
How Maturity Changes Reasons for Getting Ink
You don't need to be a 20 or 30 something to embrace getting a tattoo. Many people getting inked now are in the over 40 crowd. There is a different feeling to the reasons they get their tattoos, as well as the kinds of tattoos they ask for and where they are placed.
Gone are the navel and belly fetishes. Instead a penchant for meaningful, custom tattoo work, in locations that are visible and enjoyable, like the wrist, ankle, or forearm, are some of the choices of the older tattoo crowd.
For most, the decision comes suddenly, and typically after realizing that there have been events in their life that they would like to commemorate with body art of some kind. Almost all mature customers seek custom work, and have a good idea in mind of at least how they want to start their tattoo. Many will add to a base design later as they travel in their golden years, or visit family and friends for holidays or vacations.
The art of the tattoo and the meaning behind it are what become important after 40, 50 even 60 years old. It is no longer about what others will think, it is about what is important to each individual, and what will best help to create a visual representation of the life being expressed through the art.
Some memorable tattoo stories involve people over 60 deciding to get their first tattoo and then loving it so much, getting several more. Men and women who have lived through a good portion of their lives, and experienced a great many things, loves, losses, joys and sorrows, and wanting to express these things in their own unique way through custom body art.
Being mature means that you are no longer at the whim of trends or what your friends and family will think. There is a freedom that comes with getting a tattoo over 40, almost as though you give yourself permission to fully enjoy it, guilt free.
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If you are looking for a RI Tattoo Studio that is clean, safe and sterile, visit Inflicting Ink Tattoo Studio in Portsmouth RI for the Best Tattoo in RI. And if you're looking for a way to have Us come to You, consider hiring our Win Traveling Tattoo Studio or hosting a Private Party with the Inflicting Ink Traveling Tattoo Truck.
You don't need to be a 20 or 30 something to embrace getting a tattoo. Many people getting inked now are in the over 40 crowd. There is a different feeling to the reasons they get their tattoos, as well as the kinds of tattoos they ask for and where they are placed.
Gone are the navel and belly fetishes. Instead a penchant for meaningful, custom tattoo work, in locations that are visible and enjoyable, like the wrist, ankle, or forearm, are some of the choices of the older tattoo crowd.
For most, the decision comes suddenly, and typically after realizing that there have been events in their life that they would like to commemorate with body art of some kind. Almost all mature customers seek custom work, and have a good idea in mind of at least how they want to start their tattoo. Many will add to a base design later as they travel in their golden years, or visit family and friends for holidays or vacations.
The art of the tattoo and the meaning behind it are what become important after 40, 50 even 60 years old. It is no longer about what others will think, it is about what is important to each individual, and what will best help to create a visual representation of the life being expressed through the art.
Some memorable tattoo stories involve people over 60 deciding to get their first tattoo and then loving it so much, getting several more. Men and women who have lived through a good portion of their lives, and experienced a great many things, loves, losses, joys and sorrows, and wanting to express these things in their own unique way through custom body art.
Being mature means that you are no longer at the whim of trends or what your friends and family will think. There is a freedom that comes with getting a tattoo over 40, almost as though you give yourself permission to fully enjoy it, guilt free.
------------------------------------------------------
If you are looking for a RI Tattoo Studio that is clean, safe and sterile, visit Inflicting Ink Tattoo Studio in Portsmouth RI for the Best Tattoo in RI. And if you're looking for a way to have Us come to You, consider hiring our Win Traveling Tattoo Studio or hosting a Private Party with the Inflicting Ink Traveling Tattoo Truck.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Free Gang Tattoo Cover-Up Offers Second Chances
Sometimes, you can make the wrong choices. And when it comes to body art, those choices can be expensive to remedy. For people who have had involvement in prison or gangs, tattoos can prove to be a mark of separation and judgment when trying to re-enter the work force. One tattoo artist in St. Louis MO is making an effort to give former prisoners a fair chance at making an honest living by performing tattoo cover-ups for free.
The complete story follows below.
Good Ink: Downtown Artist Offers Free Cover-Up of Gang Tattoos
By John H. Tucker
Dec. 20 2010
In St. Louis, any tattoo with a six-pointed star likely signifies membership with the criminal group Gangster Disciples. Two overlapping circles might mean affiliation with a North City gang called PAC. And if a local kid is tagged with any kind of numeral on his arm ... well let's just say that number doesn't refer to his high school football jersey.
For newly initiated gang members in this city, the first order of business is often a stop at the tattoo parlor to formalize their contract in ink. For lifetime members, such an act presents no problem, but for kids who eventually decide that street life isn't for them, they're suddenly -- and dangerously -- trapped inside their own skin.
Enter Roland Page, the owner of Black Pearl, at 20th and Olive streets, which he claims is the longest-running black-owned tattoo parlor in the city. Beginning this week, he's offering free cover-up of gang tattoos for any troubled kid willing to go through a four-part educational/vocational program supported entirely by volunteers. The initiative, called Operation Mask, officially kicks off tomorrow night, at Innovative Concept Academy. Covering up the tattoos will keep the ex-gang members safe, lower their chances of being profiled by cops and prepare them for interviews with streetwise employers, say organizers.
"In this city, teens are number one in crime," says Page, 44, an ex-cop who's run Black Pearl for 16 years. "But I refuse to give up on the youth."
St. Louis gang culture has changed over the years, says Page. He's seen symbols come and go through his unique perch as a tattoo artist, witnessing the complex narrative of street life through the eye of his needle. "It used to be the Crips against the Bloods, but now it's block versus bock," he says. "Now, sometimes Bloods are fightin' with Bloods. It could be the 4300 block beefin' with the 4400 block."
As gang wars have localized, many of their symbols have turned numerical. When four guys come into Page's shop and ask for the same number, and then two more come in the next day and ask for that number again, he knows something's up.
"You might think it's their mom's birthday, but it's not," he says.
Page was born in Brooklyn and now lives in Soulard. He's not ashamed to lean on the star-power of his son, 18-year-old Roland Jr., better known as Yung Ro, who's risen to national fame as a socially conscious hip-hop artist with a huge following in St. Louis. Last week, father and son threw a joint party at Bar Italia, in the Central West End, to promote Operation Mask, as well as to market Yung Ro's soon-to-be released album, "Ideology of a Trendsetter."
The idea of covering up gang tattoos was actually conceived by Yung Ro, who helps out in his dad's parlor when he's not busy recording. A year ago, Yung Ro was grazed in the head by a stray bullet after a performance at a downtown club. (See him describe it for the RFT here.) It wasn't the first time trouble had followed him to his shows; there have been times when police were forced to shut down some of those gigs prematurely. The teenage impresario realized that a violent fan base didn't make much business sense, so he hatched up the plan for Operation Mask. The initiative fit in neatly with his existing non-profit organization, Runway 2 Empowerment, which focuses on health, education and literacy.
In order to have their tattoos covered up for free, which otherwise could cost $100 or more, participants in the program must attend four one-hour courses at Innovative Concept Academy, in North City, where they'll be taught job-seeking skills like resume writing and prep for the G.E.D. They'll also be offered a field trip to Yung Ro's studio and counseling sessions by Mers Goodwill, according to Alderwoman Marlene Davis, who's backing the project. The program is supported by St. Louis Juvenile Judge Jimmie Edwards, 100 Black Men of St. Louis and Hot104.1.
Page says the program will force one-time rivals to work together, and that's the most important takeaway.
We don't know how much of a showing Operation Mask will get, or how effective it can really be. But Page is trying to help kids by covering up ink that stains. And that's an idea we can get behind.
------------------------------------------------------
If you are looking for a RI Tattoo Studio that is clean, safe and sterile, visit Inflicting Ink Tattoo Studio in Portsmouth RI for the Best Tattoo in RI. And if you're looking for a way to have Us come to You, consider hiring our Win Traveling Tattoo Studio or hosting a Private Party with the Inflicting Ink Traveling Tattoo Truck.
The complete story follows below.
Good Ink: Downtown Artist Offers Free Cover-Up of Gang Tattoos
By John H. Tucker
Dec. 20 2010
In St. Louis, any tattoo with a six-pointed star likely signifies membership with the criminal group Gangster Disciples. Two overlapping circles might mean affiliation with a North City gang called PAC. And if a local kid is tagged with any kind of numeral on his arm ... well let's just say that number doesn't refer to his high school football jersey.
For newly initiated gang members in this city, the first order of business is often a stop at the tattoo parlor to formalize their contract in ink. For lifetime members, such an act presents no problem, but for kids who eventually decide that street life isn't for them, they're suddenly -- and dangerously -- trapped inside their own skin.
Enter Roland Page, the owner of Black Pearl, at 20th and Olive streets, which he claims is the longest-running black-owned tattoo parlor in the city. Beginning this week, he's offering free cover-up of gang tattoos for any troubled kid willing to go through a four-part educational/vocational program supported entirely by volunteers. The initiative, called Operation Mask, officially kicks off tomorrow night, at Innovative Concept Academy. Covering up the tattoos will keep the ex-gang members safe, lower their chances of being profiled by cops and prepare them for interviews with streetwise employers, say organizers.
"In this city, teens are number one in crime," says Page, 44, an ex-cop who's run Black Pearl for 16 years. "But I refuse to give up on the youth."
St. Louis gang culture has changed over the years, says Page. He's seen symbols come and go through his unique perch as a tattoo artist, witnessing the complex narrative of street life through the eye of his needle. "It used to be the Crips against the Bloods, but now it's block versus bock," he says. "Now, sometimes Bloods are fightin' with Bloods. It could be the 4300 block beefin' with the 4400 block."
As gang wars have localized, many of their symbols have turned numerical. When four guys come into Page's shop and ask for the same number, and then two more come in the next day and ask for that number again, he knows something's up.
"You might think it's their mom's birthday, but it's not," he says.
Page was born in Brooklyn and now lives in Soulard. He's not ashamed to lean on the star-power of his son, 18-year-old Roland Jr., better known as Yung Ro, who's risen to national fame as a socially conscious hip-hop artist with a huge following in St. Louis. Last week, father and son threw a joint party at Bar Italia, in the Central West End, to promote Operation Mask, as well as to market Yung Ro's soon-to-be released album, "Ideology of a Trendsetter."
The idea of covering up gang tattoos was actually conceived by Yung Ro, who helps out in his dad's parlor when he's not busy recording. A year ago, Yung Ro was grazed in the head by a stray bullet after a performance at a downtown club. (See him describe it for the RFT here.) It wasn't the first time trouble had followed him to his shows; there have been times when police were forced to shut down some of those gigs prematurely. The teenage impresario realized that a violent fan base didn't make much business sense, so he hatched up the plan for Operation Mask. The initiative fit in neatly with his existing non-profit organization, Runway 2 Empowerment, which focuses on health, education and literacy.
In order to have their tattoos covered up for free, which otherwise could cost $100 or more, participants in the program must attend four one-hour courses at Innovative Concept Academy, in North City, where they'll be taught job-seeking skills like resume writing and prep for the G.E.D. They'll also be offered a field trip to Yung Ro's studio and counseling sessions by Mers Goodwill, according to Alderwoman Marlene Davis, who's backing the project. The program is supported by St. Louis Juvenile Judge Jimmie Edwards, 100 Black Men of St. Louis and Hot104.1.
Page says the program will force one-time rivals to work together, and that's the most important takeaway.
We don't know how much of a showing Operation Mask will get, or how effective it can really be. But Page is trying to help kids by covering up ink that stains. And that's an idea we can get behind.
------------------------------------------------------
If you are looking for a RI Tattoo Studio that is clean, safe and sterile, visit Inflicting Ink Tattoo Studio in Portsmouth RI for the Best Tattoo in RI. And if you're looking for a way to have Us come to You, consider hiring our Win Traveling Tattoo Studio or hosting a Private Party with the Inflicting Ink Traveling Tattoo Truck.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Underage Body Piercing of Children in Foreign Countries
Remarkably, as lax as some of our laws here in the States are about tattoo licensing, body piercing, and underage tattooing, in other countries the situation is far more dire.
For example, in Australia, there are virtually no laws whatsoever governing body piercing. Consequently, anyone in Australia, regardless of age or parental consent, can have their body pierced anywhere on the body that is not intimate.
An article concerning this startling practice, as well as the rush for legislation to be passed that would place body piercing along-side tattooing in terms of licensing and age restrictions, follows below in its entirety.
Child piercing chill prompts shake-up
Jackie Sinnerton
January 01, 2011
A SURGE in extreme piercing of children without their parents' knowledge has sparked a cry for urgent changes in the law.
Children as young as 11 are nudging towards body modification practices once reserved for hardcore punks.
There are no laws in Queensland outlawing the piercing of young children, except in genitals. Yet, tattooing, on anyone under 18 is illegal.
The growing demand for more permanent body jewellery in the form of transdermal implants, which can only be removed surgically, has fuelled calls for legislative action.
These are implanted deep in the body tissue, most commonly on the sternum, back, forehead, back of legs, stomach.
The Deputy Premier and Minister for Health Paul Lucas said he intended to take a submission to Cabinet in the New Year.
"I share the concerns of parents when it comes to body piercing and minors," he said.
Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar.
End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar.
"I'm not talking about piercings such as simple earrings or studs in ears, but the sort of piercings that can permanently damage children's faces or other body parts.
"If that sort of body decoration is something people want to do, then I see no reason why they can't wait until they are 18 to do it on an informed basis.
"It is for this reason that I have asked Queensland Health to investigate legislative options for prohibiting the non-intimate piercings of minors."
The Australian Medical Association Queensland is backing the shake-up.
AMAQ president Gino Pecoraro said the laws for piercing should be the same as tattooing.
"Parents should be taking these people up on assault charges," he said.
He said microdermal anchors amounted to surgical procedures and "should not be carried out by anyone not fully qualified and certainly should never ever be carried out on a minor".
"If they become infected ... and left untreated, an infection runs the risk of bacteria getting into the blood and can be very dangerous to the heart," Dr Pecoraro said.
Also backing the plea for new laws is Brisbane body piercer Ben Thorsen, of Spring Hill.
"Microdermal anchors are in big demand and, basically, they go in but they don't come out," Mr Thorsen said.
"I can tell you that it takes years of training to do this kind of thing safely and I'm scared that children are going to people who are just not experienced."
Sunshine Coast schoolgirl Max Lamb, 15, has 21 piercings and is proud of every one.
"I have always gone to piercing shops that have a good reputation and they all have insisted on my mum giving permission," she said.
Tanya Lamb, said she supported her daughter's love of piercings.
"I would be horrified if someone pierced my child without me knowing," she said.
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If you are looking for a RI Tattoo Studio that is clean, safe and sterile, visit Inflicting Ink Tattoo Studio in Portsmouth RI for the Best Tattoo in RI. And if you're looking for a way to have Us come to You, consider hiring our Win Traveling Tattoo Studio or hosting a Private Party with the Inflicting Ink Traveling Tattoo Truck.
For example, in Australia, there are virtually no laws whatsoever governing body piercing. Consequently, anyone in Australia, regardless of age or parental consent, can have their body pierced anywhere on the body that is not intimate.
An article concerning this startling practice, as well as the rush for legislation to be passed that would place body piercing along-side tattooing in terms of licensing and age restrictions, follows below in its entirety.
Child piercing chill prompts shake-up
Jackie Sinnerton
January 01, 2011
A SURGE in extreme piercing of children without their parents' knowledge has sparked a cry for urgent changes in the law.
Children as young as 11 are nudging towards body modification practices once reserved for hardcore punks.
There are no laws in Queensland outlawing the piercing of young children, except in genitals. Yet, tattooing, on anyone under 18 is illegal.
The growing demand for more permanent body jewellery in the form of transdermal implants, which can only be removed surgically, has fuelled calls for legislative action.
These are implanted deep in the body tissue, most commonly on the sternum, back, forehead, back of legs, stomach.
The Deputy Premier and Minister for Health Paul Lucas said he intended to take a submission to Cabinet in the New Year.
"I share the concerns of parents when it comes to body piercing and minors," he said.
Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar.
End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar.
"I'm not talking about piercings such as simple earrings or studs in ears, but the sort of piercings that can permanently damage children's faces or other body parts.
"If that sort of body decoration is something people want to do, then I see no reason why they can't wait until they are 18 to do it on an informed basis.
"It is for this reason that I have asked Queensland Health to investigate legislative options for prohibiting the non-intimate piercings of minors."
The Australian Medical Association Queensland is backing the shake-up.
AMAQ president Gino Pecoraro said the laws for piercing should be the same as tattooing.
"Parents should be taking these people up on assault charges," he said.
He said microdermal anchors amounted to surgical procedures and "should not be carried out by anyone not fully qualified and certainly should never ever be carried out on a minor".
"If they become infected ... and left untreated, an infection runs the risk of bacteria getting into the blood and can be very dangerous to the heart," Dr Pecoraro said.
Also backing the plea for new laws is Brisbane body piercer Ben Thorsen, of Spring Hill.
"Microdermal anchors are in big demand and, basically, they go in but they don't come out," Mr Thorsen said.
"I can tell you that it takes years of training to do this kind of thing safely and I'm scared that children are going to people who are just not experienced."
Sunshine Coast schoolgirl Max Lamb, 15, has 21 piercings and is proud of every one.
"I have always gone to piercing shops that have a good reputation and they all have insisted on my mum giving permission," she said.
Tanya Lamb, said she supported her daughter's love of piercings.
"I would be horrified if someone pierced my child without me knowing," she said.
------------------------------------------------------
If you are looking for a RI Tattoo Studio that is clean, safe and sterile, visit Inflicting Ink Tattoo Studio in Portsmouth RI for the Best Tattoo in RI. And if you're looking for a way to have Us come to You, consider hiring our Win Traveling Tattoo Studio or hosting a Private Party with the Inflicting Ink Traveling Tattoo Truck.
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