Posted on October 29th, 2008 by marisa in
tattoo
MTV’s college channel, mtvU, recently wrapped Engine Room, a reality show in which MTV brought 4 teams of young digital artists from around the world to New York City to compete in a series of creative challenges, and one of those challenges was to design a tattoo.
Oliver Peck, Aesop Rock, and Lovefoxxx of CSS judged the team designs, which were then tattooed on models by the artists at East Side Ink.
Best part: use of technology in the design creation. But even better, how the winning team took a flat 2d design and tweaked it for flow on the body.
Great episode. Must see.
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Posted on October 29th, 2008 by marisa in
tattoo
Well, they ain’t as sexy as the beauty contest that is the US elections, but the tattoo news headlines still got your kinder, gentler — and more artful — Drill, Baby, Drill down; although it’s unlikely your tattooed dermis will contribute to global warming, with the slants of some of the news items, you’d think ink spillin was as bad as Exxon Valdez.
Yes, even Brad Pitt has had to come to tattoo’s defense in asking the LA fire department to reconsider the recent policy on banning visible tattoos on firefighters.
Then Corporette.com threw down this poll on tattooed professional women, which I didn’t respond to because the question was limited and kinda dumb, but boy did others. In the poll results, 43% said “a professional woman could never have a visible tattoo.” Haters! The cries of low to middle management shine on the Internet. Yes, it’s better to cover your tattoos in the office — mainly to avoid the annoying questions of co-workers who call themselves “corporettes.”
Granted, tattoos can be distracting and clients may react negatively. All true. But these proclamations that one can never show a tattoo at all seem a bit silly. The small tattoo on my hand shows at the international law firms I work at — firms that represent Fortune 500 companies and even countries. And no one says anything because I help make them lots of money. It’s good business sense. That said, because these prejudices still exist, tattooed professionals need to keep busting our asses even more so until the hating stops.
Oh, and the worse hatin of all came from my own Gawker in today’s post called Tattoo Edginess Declines In Inverse Proportion To Tattoo Popularity. Ok, tattoo chains in malls is not cool. I get it. But I guess if I want the above stereotypes against the tattooed to wane, we gotta take the good with the bad. The good: higher accountability for hygiene, health insurance and benefits for tattoo artists, and as one client in the video above put it: if the artist is great, it doesn’t really matter where the tattooing takes place. The bad: impulse mistakes because of the instant accessibility, and yeah, loss of “edginess” and mystery surrounding the art.
Interestingly, to combat this loss of mystery and exclusivity that once surrounded tattooing, more “secret tattoo societies” are emerging with worldwide reach. And because they’re secret, I’m not saying any more except I’ve been approached to take an oath a couple of times and declined, but only because I have some secret plans of my own. A girl’s gotta have some mystery. [A few clues and hints will be dropped in my personal blog that will be published next month.]
In other news …
Not mysterious or edgy but smile worthy is this story of six grandmas getting friendship bond tattoos.
Tom Leppard, once the most tattooed man in the world until Lucky Diamond Rich took the title, has left the hermit life and entered a home for the aged in Scotland. Wikipedia notes that Leppard once said that “if he went back to civilization, he said he would be plagued by ‘interfering busybodies’ and kids throwing stones at his window.” Here’s hoping Tom finds quiet and shatter-proof panes in his new life.
I dig the most tattooed man title but not these dumb tattoo marathons for a world record. This idiocy needs to stop. It’s dangerous and only serves the artist’s ego no matter how many “causes” they purport to benefit. Artists who want to help a charity can easily donate a percentage of regularly scheduled tattoos instead of risking infection (never mind fuckin up design work) in fast action needlin.
Here was a better idea for a fundraiser: the Veterans of Foreign Wars held their first Patriot Tattoo Contest to raise money for the organization. [Thanks, Scott!]
Another tattoo event covered in the news is the Paradise Tattoo Gathering in Hancock, Mass, highlighting the event’s communicative atmosphere where artists shared techniques and stories in an effort to further the artistry of tattooing. Congrats, Gabe, on the Gathering’s success!
On the pop culture tip …
Check this post on io9.com called “Tattoos That Say ‘I’m A Futuristic Bad-Ass’”, which is all about sci-fi characters whose tattoos make them, well, bad-ass. Love the tattoo stills from films like Doctor Who, Escape from NY, and your more popular faves like Elektra and Wanted. [Thanks, Jenni!]
Peter Wentz says he can’t be President because of his tattoos. And all along I thought it was his connection to Ashley Simpson.
Kat Von D recently tattooed her beau Nikki Sixx of Motley Crew with a portrait of Mick Mars. And that’s all I’m saying about that.
Quick and Dirty Links:
addthis_url = ‘http%3A%2F%2Fwww.needled.com%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D2814′;
addthis_title = ‘Tattoo+News+Review’;
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Posted on October 29th, 2008 by marisa in
tattoo
Well, they ain’t as sexy as the beauty contest that is the US elections, but the tattoo news headlines still got your kinder, gentler — and more artful — Drill, Baby, Drill down; although it’s unlikely your tattooed dermis will contribute to global warming, with the slants of some of the news items, you’d think ink spillin was as bad as Exxon Valdez.
Yes, even Brad Pitt has had to come to tattoo’s defense in asking the LA fire department to reconsider the recent policy on banning visible tattoos on firefighters.
Then Corporette.com threw down this poll on tattooed professional women, which I didn’t respond to because the question was limited and kinda dumb, but boy did others. In the poll results, 43% said “a professional woman could never have a visible tattoo.” Haters! The cries of low to middle management shine on the Internet. Yes, it’s better to cover your tattoos in the office — mainly to avoid the annoying questions of co-workers who call themselves “corporettes.”
Granted, tattoos can be distracting and clients may react negatively. All true. But these proclamations that one can never show a tattoo at all seem a bit silly. The small tattoo on my hand shows at the international law firms I work at — firms that represent Fortune 500 companies and even countries. And no one says anything because I help make them lots of money. It’s good business sense. That said, because these prejudices still exist, tattooed professionals need to keep busting our asses even more so until the hating stops.
Oh, and the worse hatin of all came from my own Gawker in today’s post called Tattoo Edginess Declines In Inverse Proportion To Tattoo Popularity. Ok, tattoo chains in malls is not cool. I get it. But I guess if I want the above stereotypes against the tattooed to wane, we gotta take the good with the bad. The good: higher accountability for hygiene, health insurance and benefits for tattoo artists, and as one client in the video above put it: if the artist is great, it doesn’t really matter where the tattooing takes place. The bad: impulse mistakes because of the instant accessibility, and yeah, loss of “edginess” and mystery surrounding the art.
Interestingly, to combat this loss of mystery and exclusivity that once surrounded tattooing, more “secret tattoo societies” are emerging with worldwide reach. And because they’re secret, I’m not saying any more except I’ve been approached to take an oath a couple of times and declined, but only because I have some secret plans of my own. A girl’s gotta have some mystery. [A few clues and hints will be dropped in my personal blog that will be published next month.]
In other news …
Not mysterious or edgy but smile worthy is this story of six grandmas getting friendship bond tattoos.
Tom Leppard, once the most tattooed man in the world until Lucky Diamond Rich took the title, has left the hermit life and entered a home for the aged in Scotland. Wikipedia notes that Leppard once said that “if he went back to civilization, he said he would be plagued by ‘interfering busybodies’ and kids throwing stones at his window.” Here’s hoping Tom finds quiet and shatter-proof panes in his new life.
I dig the most tattooed man title but not these dumb tattoo marathons for a world record. This idiocy needs to stop. It’s dangerous and only serves the artist’s ego no matter how many “causes” they purport to benefit. Artists who want to help a charity can easily donate a percentage of regularly scheduled tattoos instead of risking infection (never mind fuckin up design work) in fast action needlin.
Here was a better idea for a fundraiser: the Veterans of Foreign Wars held their first Patriot Tattoo Contest to raise money for the organization. [Thanks, Scott!]
Another tattoo event covered in the news is the Paradise Tattoo Gathering in Hancock, Mass, highlighting the event’s communicative atmosphere where artists shared techniques and stories in an effort to further the artistry of tattooing. Congrats, Gabe, on the Gathering’s success!
On the pop culture tip …
Check this post on io9.com called “Tattoos That Say ‘I’m A Futuristic Bad-Ass’”, which is all about sci-fi characters whose tattoos make them, well, bad-ass. Love the tattoo stills from films like Doctor Who, Escape from NY, and your more popular faves like Elektra and Wanted. [Thanks, Jenni!]
Peter Wentz says he can’t be President because of his tattoos. And all along I thought it was his connection to Ashley Simpson.
Kat Von D recently tattooed her beau Nikki Sixx of Motley Crew with a portrait of Mick Mars. And that’s all I’m saying about that.
Quick and Dirty Links:
addthis_url = ‘http%3A%2F%2Fwww.needled.com%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D2814′;
addthis_title = ‘Tattoo+News+Review’;
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Technorati Tags: arm, back, ink, inked, leg, needles, tattoo, tattoo gun, tattoos, tribal
Posted on October 29th, 2008 by marisa in
tattoo
This past weekend was the San Jose Tattoo Convention of the Arts, and our friend Miguel has shots of the scene, like tattooists chilin ala the Yer Cheat’n Heart crew above; he also captured live painting and drawing, floor shots, and of course tattooing. Check it.
The tattoo news review is up next.
Tags: tattooing, ink, body art, tattoo, tattoos, body piercing
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Posted on October 25th, 2008 by marisa in
tattoo
Fabulous events across the US for tattoo lovers kick off today so no time for a monologue. You gotta shine up those tattoos and get ready to go!
The Paradise Tattoo Gathering at the beautiful Jimmy Peak Resort in Hancock, Mass is already underway, and opening it’s doors to the public at noon, some of whom will be lucky enough to get time with the amazing line-up of artists –including Italian maestro Alex De Pase whose work is shown here. These greats will be needling the fortunate while enjoying their own tattoo vacation of seminars and peer critiques. I was dying to go to this event, which focuses on the community of artists and collectors, but instead will post photos from friends in attendance. If you have your own, send ‘em my way in exchange for eternal love.
Also sending love out to those who come back with stories and images from the San Jose Tattoo Convention of the Arts. Needled was there last year (check the video) and, like the Paradise roster, the artists in attendance are stellar. It’s an opportunity to see tebori tattooing, live painting by Grime and Horitomo, and even the original paintings by Japanese Master Horiyoshi III from his the 36 Ghost series.
On more of the music meets tattoo tip, Rock the Ink kicks off today at the Dunkin Donuts Center in Providence , RI, with headliners Godsmack, Killswitch Engage, and yes, even the train wreck that is Brett Michaels. While the show producers are pimpin out the Ami James name, I’d go to get “inked” by Jon Clue, Shawn Barber, Mike Bellamy, Tim Creed, Gunnar, Nikko, James Kern, Bob Tyrrell, Megan Hoogland and others with top portfolios but without their own TV shows. Check Projo for a preview of the event.
Have fun and send gossip!
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Posted on October 23rd, 2008 by marisa in
tattoo
This Saturday, October 25th, my second tattoo home outside of Calypso, Williamsburg’s Tattoo Culture, will host an incredible event, their second annual group show and third anniversary party.
Presenting fine art from renowned tattooists, musicians, and photographers, Tattoo Culture has gathered a line-up including Liorcifer, Dan Marshall, Rodrigo Gonzalez, David Sena, Emma Griffiths, Melissa Guzy, Fred Harper, Scott Irvine, Fade Kainer, Till Krautkrämer, Richard Meyer, Noon, Howard Pyle, Gene Coffey, Thomas Cook, Dave C. Wallin, Dan Witz, Dave Woodard, Terry Marks, and more.
With libations sponsored by Coney Island Lager, it promises to be a fun as well as exciting show, with most of the pieces available for purchase.
The fun starts at 7 and runs until 10pm, and while I wish I was back in town sooner to be there, Needled blogger Pat Sullivan will be taking photos and doing the review honors, so vogue when you see him.
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Posted on October 23rd, 2008 by marisa in
tattoo
Needled loves our leather daddies. Boasting the largest contingent of 90s neo-tribal body suits, our boys wear their tattoos and cow hides proud. As I told Edge Magazine in April: “The roots of tattooing in the US were really pushed by the gay community. There was this early perception that tattoos were really ‘macho,’ but a lot of the great tattoo artists in the underground were gay.”
So when Scott of Father Panik said he was gonna sell his wares at the New York Leather Weekend, I told him to bring back a story and some pix of the tattooed daddies. And he did.
By Scott of Father Panik
This week I’ve brought my traveling empire in duffel bags to a street fair sponsored by the New York Leather Weekend. It’s a mostly gay fetish wop-dee-do. There is a smattering of straights, but mostly it’s gay. Straights just aren’t as eager to put on their best patient leather cop uniform and parade around at a street fair. A tight black t-shirt and a leather M.C. jacket are about it.
Unless of course you are at a pre-64 car show or at tattoo conventions, then you can dress like an extra from Grease or walk around half naked to show your tattoos.
The dividing line is sex. If you are doing it because primarily it gives you a hard on well, then no. The straights don’t play dress up in public. Well, at least the guys. It’s ok for girls. Encouraged.
On a street legendary for it’s hustlers I am hustling.
The fair is in the heart of NYC’s meat packing district, formally the epicenter for East Coast fetish, BDSM, trannie crack whores and their legions of fans. Clubs like The Spike, The Manhole, The Eagle, and The Hellfire club set the tone for after dark exploration.
Dommes and leather daddies stepped over rivulets of blood that ran from the 100s of storefront butchers that operated during the day. Dumpsters filled with discarded meat lined the streets, choice cuts where in the fetish clubs.
Certain small dark streets were open air sex parks, others open air toilets, others, both.
In the summer the smell of rotting meat shit and piss blanketed lower Manhattan.
Then we had Giuliani Time. It was all over. A cop raping a prisoner in a precinct bathroom with a toilet plunger marked the end of that whole era. Horribly ironic is that those who came to clean it all up made the most hardcore fetish fantasy a reality.
Law and Order reigned. Anybody could be busted for “quality of life violations”. Playtime was over. All the clubs were shut down, blood cleaned from the cobblestone streets, meat packers of all types were driven out.
The weekend leather fest and street fair is an attempt to recapture that glory hole.
Well, they tried. But now the Sunday afternoon streets are run by well heeled urbanites pushing strollers. Young fashionistas weaned on Sex and the City fantasies brunch with Wall Streeters eating $30 omelets. The new gay fetish scene is Abercrombie and Finch. Tom Of Finland is nowhere to be found.
Trannie crack whores long ago gave up, got N.A., and now work at needled exchanges (excuse me, Harm Reduction Centers).
All of which means nobody showed up.
Those that did, well, they really really tried. They broke out the leashes and riding crops. Rob Halford types, mostly older guys who could tell you stories of back in the day.
But still, it just wasn’t the debauched freak fest we had hoped. Money is tight, ain’t nobody spending nothin.
We vendors standing in the cold October shadows debated whether the cost of a cup of hot coffee was worth the additions to our expenses.
Some sales are made. But gays are a hard sell. They want to know about the cut, the fabric, the stitching and the thread count, then gasp at a $30 price tag.
But I am not just a carnie haberdashery, I am covering the event for Needled. Reporter at large. Documentarian tracking the fetish scene looking for tattoos in lesser traveled roads.
So I’m cold. I’m not making any money. Once again an outsider amongst outsiders and now I have to talk to strangers and ask to take their picture.
This is my life. I’m not really sure how I got it. Still, it beats working.
How many times does one get to watch a grown man lick another man’s boots and take a picture for art’s sake?
Well, not ever in my case. I missed it. But I’m not a very good journalist.
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Posted on October 23rd, 2008 by marisa in
tattoo
It’s official. I’m now a Bombin Magazine BadAss Bitch.
I’m like a beauty queen who had her firm grip replaced by pepper spray and still took home the title. I wear my crown proudly.
Turns out, the mysterious Bobby Fisher just got his ribs tattooed, so he’s feelin me. Funny that his post comes at a time when I have graff posts for Needled lined up; then again, Bobby Fisher knows all. I should not question the ways of the underground universe.
Go to the Bombin post and show some love for all tattooed women in the comments. Our hotness has been up for debate there before. We’re all badass bitches.
Tags: tattooing, tattoo, body piercing, ink, body art, tattoos
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Posted on October 23rd, 2008 by marisa in
tattoo
My buddy Scott thought I needed to reward myself after toughing out my latest tattoo, so — knowing I’m a nerd masquerading as a cool tattooed person — he suggested the ultimate in geek bling: Solid Alliance’s USB Skull Ring. Handmade techno badass with 2Gs literally at your fingertips. I love!
Buy it on GeekStuff4U for $145.50.
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