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Tattooing – 3 Rules and 3 Sites



Got ink? Well if you do, you are not alone. In the 1990’s tattooing went mainstream. No longer is tattooing just the domain of street gangs and trendy artists. From skate parks to Sunday school, you will see people everywhere sporting the most permanent means of self-expression. With all that ink out there though beware, there is as much good ink to be found as there is bad ink. So you ask, “how do you tell the good from bad ink?” “Research,” I say, “and a bit of common sense.” I recommend sticking to three basic rules before getting inked.

Rule #1 Have a solid idea of what you want for a tattoo. There are many different styles and designs of tattoos each unique and beautiful. Walk into any tattoo parlor and you will be overwhelmed by the number of design samples, known as flash, lining the walls. Getting a good idea of what you want before hand assures that you will like the design you will be wearing for the rest of your life.

Rule #2 Know your tattoo artist. Check out the shop. Is it clean and well lit? A friendly environment? A good tattoo shop should be womb – you should feel comfortable and relaxed on all levels. Do they use new needless for every customer? If they don’t run, don’t walk, to the nearest exit. And defiantly check out the individual artist’s book. This will show you samples of their work. Most tattoo artist’s specialize in a certain style of work. You want to make sure the artist’s work is well crafted (no fuzzy looking tattoos) and suited to the style of work you want on your body.

Rule #3 Don’t put your lovers name on your body. Or anything else for that matter that is a transient fascination. Relationships end. Tastes change. The love of your life at 20 may be the ex from hell at 40. You are going to be wearing this tattoo forever and in all situations, including business and formal. Make sure that the tattoo you love today will be one that you can still love in 20 years. Ink is defiantly skin deep and is going to be there forever.

The last two rules, I can’t help you much. For them you are on your own. But rule #1, doing your design and style research, is where the internet rocks. Here are a few tattoo websites that are the best of the best. All of these will expose you to a variety of different work and styles and each provide you links and gateways to other interesting sites. Enjoy.

The Vanishing Tattoo
http://www.vanishingtattoo.com

This website is interactive on many levels. It is home base for National Geographic sponsored film documentary and journey that Vancouver tattoo artist Thomas Lockhart & writer / adventurer Vince Hemingson took around the world pursuing the last of the traditional tribal tattoo traditions. It is also an incredible resource for tattoo information and visual resources for tattoo styles. There is a brief history of tattooing and even an interactive quiz to test your tattoo knowledge. The real wealth here though is in the gallery sections. Here you will find incredible work of many different styles. Pursue the galleries at your leisure. This tattoo work is some of the best of the best and you will be back again & again.

The Australian Museum Online Body Art
http://www.austmus.gov.au/bodyart

The Australian Museum Online presents in depths look at various forms of body art and alterations. From tattooing to piercing, scarring and shaping, each section is well presented with both informative text and plenty of imagery. All levels are covered here, traditional and Aboriginal forms of body art as well as more modern interpretations. You will do well to spend some time here learning about the various forms of bodily self-expression.

Last Rites
Paul Booth
http://darkimages.com/enter.asp

Crank up the speakers, check your flash plug-ins, sit back and enjoy the ride. This is as good as it gets. This is also the darkest of the dark. The macabre tattoo art of Paul Booth is like nothing you have ever experienced before. Booth doesn’t tattoo because he wants to, he tattoos because he has to releasing inner demons. This website is like nothing you have seen before as well. Yea it contains all the basic info, but in a way that is theatrical and plays with your sense of reality. Bookmark this site – you won’t be able to live without it.

So that is it for this month. Is a tattoo an amulet, a talisman, or used as a form of protection as tattoo artist Thomas Lockhart speculates? Or is it simple an individual form of self expression. I guess that is for you to decide. Hopefully, these websites will give you the information you need to seek those answers for yourself. Until next time.

Until next time.
Veritatem dies aperit.
LA. Judge

For Questions, please contact the VC Magazine Staff at VCMagazine_Staff@yahoogroups.com

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