Hollywood Tattoo Lovers Blog

At this time of year, I am thinking about winter a lot.  I’m not thinking about winter in a good way, either.  I hate winter.  So even though it may technically be Fall right now, all I’m really thinking about is that winter is pretty much right around the corner.  I get cold a lot.  It’s always raining and then soon enough, the rain turns to snow and man, snow really bums me out.

So, with all that in mind, today I am going to try and focus on warm thoughts, thoughts about beautiful tropical locations, the beach, the sea and surfing.  What better way to do all that than to dedicate today’s blog to all things tropical and tattooed?  After all, isn’t the beach the best place to check out people’s tattoos?  (Among other things).

Surf related tattoos however, are not that easy to come by.  First of all it’s difficult to pin down what exactly qualifies as a “surfing” tattoo.  Sure, there are tattoos of dudes surfing and what not, but these tend to end up looking rather lame.  In fact, it was a lot easier to find lame surfing tattoos than it was to find cool surfing tattoos.  Legendary surfing magazine Transworld Surf even has a list (with snarky captions) of “15 Surf Tattoos from Hell” at their website.

Anyway, first off, there’s the Polynesian tattoos.  Any time I see one of these, I automatically think of warm and sunny places.  Love ‘em.  Then there’s the odd tattoo of the beach here and there, like this one, or this one or a tattoo of underwater sea life.  Lastly, I can’t forget about palm trees.  There’s something about palm trees that I love.  Just seeing them makes me happy.  On that note, I give you this tattoo, which I love.  Very cool.

Oh yeah, one last thing regarding surfing tattoos: for any of you surfers out there who are looking for a free magazine subscription, the aforementioned Transworld Surf is offering free magazine subscriptions to anyone who gets the Transworld Surf logo tattooed on them.  I’m not sure how long of a subscription they offer in exchange for tattooing yourself with their logo, but if you’re interested, you can contact them here.

Tags: 15 surf tattoos from hell, Pictures, polynesian tattoos, surfing tattoos, Tattoo Pictures, transworld sur, tropical tattoos

A few months ago I was on Craigslist looking for a job. I came across a job opening for a tax preparer position at Liberty Tax Service. I was not interested in being a tax preparer for them but maybe I could advertise for them, I thought to myself. I have driven past Liberty Tax service locations several times, and I have seen wavers that wave signs for their company near the road to advertise their company. I thought maybe they would be interested in my unique advertising method. I emailed the post on craigslist. I got an email back a few days later from the owner of 3 of the Liberty Tax Service locations here in Anchorage, Alaska. The owner was very interested in advertising on me. He asked that I come down and talk to him. I met the owner in person, he is an awesome person. We worked something out and as you can see I have a new tattoo advertisement for Liberty Tax Service. I will now be getting my taxes done at Liberty Tax Service, and because I advertise for them I get my taxes done for free for life!

Tags: Ads, advertising, billboard, neck, news, tattoo, taxes

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One of the things that almost every tattoo artist will warn you against doing, and almost every first time client will do, is getting a good dose of liquid courage before getting a tattoo. Where I used to work at it was against the law to tattoo anyone who was inebriated, and yes, I had more than one person come in looking for that first tattoo so drunk they were lucky to string three sentences together.

Not only does a high alcohol blood content make you bleed like a stuck pig, (which makes it harder to do a good tattoo, because your bleeding ink out almost as fast as it goes in), but believe it or not, in most cases it make the tat hurt more. I never liked dealing with a drunk client anyway, because your inhibitions are down and they squirm, jump around, and holler like a pig with a full on cattle prod shoved up its ass. Ever try to write, or draw something while someone else jerks the table around? Guess what? Tattoo machines do not come with erasers.

If that’s not enough to warn you first timers off of getting a buzz on before getting your first tattoo take a lesson from a guy named Joel who lives in Northern Sweden. Umeå, to be exact. As reported in Sweden’s Aftonbladet news paper.

After downing an entire bottle of Vodka Joel decided he would get a tattoo. He had noticed the finger moustache a friend had, and announced that he would now get one too. Unfortunately, he announced it in front of a local tattoo artist, who said he would give Joel a tattoo if Joel would give him free reign. Joel agreed and off he went with the artist and a buddy to get the job done.

Well, I don’t know if the tattoo artist had a grudge against Joel, or if he just has a sick sense of humor, but our boy Joel woke up the next morning to find the above tattoo on his leg. Maybe the unnamed artist just thought Joel was being a dick and he should advertise it to all and sundry. Maybe his father owns a jeans store. May be the artist is a dick, and wanted to advertise. Who knows.

Just remember, gang, liquid courage, getting stoned, high, whatever, before a tattoo isn’t a good idea. In fact it can make you look like a dick head in the end.

I’m out’ta here before I piss myself laughing.

Image © Aftonbladet all rights reserved

Tags: humor, humorus tattoos, News, Stories, Sweden, Tattoo regret, tattooing drunks, Tips, XXX tattoos

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As most of you know already, the ‘Ol Doc ain’t shy about ragging on politicians. In particular the ones who want to take a hypocritical stance against tattoos, or tattoo artists. Well, I’m not about to disappoint you now. Especially when the story involves one of those Richard Cranium types eating a healthy dose of crow pie.

It seems that the mayor of Columbus, NE, Mike Moser, decided to try and use his position and authority to keep tattoo artist Dustin Milligan from opening a shop in the downtown area. Why? Because the mayor owns a music shop, Columbus Music, right next door in the same building. According to reports the mayor didn’t want “Him or his riff-raff clientele” there.

Starting in June Dustin Milligan had been renovating a building at 2516 13th Street with the hope of opening Phoenix Body Mods. The building had been empty and unproductive for over a year. The very first week the mayor requested a meeting with Dustin to let him know that he was about as welcome as a case of the clap at an Elks convention.

Failing that, Moser tried to find Dustin another location for him to move to, then when that didn’t work, apparently took another track. Milligan said prior to the publication of the story, he had difficulty reaching potential contractors to proceed with the electrical and plumbing work in the building, but since the article was published in The Columbus Telegram he has had contractors seeking him out.

On top of the previous difficulty obtaining contractors, according to the building’s owner, David Blessen, Mayor Moser made repeated attempts to purchase the building. Is anyone else starting to smell a rat in City Hall?

After the story broke in the Telegram, and an outpouring of public sentiment for Dustin, as well as a public smearing of the mayor, Moser relented and apologized publicly for his treatment of the tattoo artist. Guess he suddenly remembered that the riff-raff votes as well. What’s a matter Mike? Afraid you’ll have to actually work for a living?

The mayor said that he thought the article in the Telegram was “very negative and inflammatory.” Which, incase you don’t speak politicaleeze, means “I got caught with my head up my ass, and was losing future votes.”

Dustin is a lot kinder than I am and holds no animosity towards the mayor, or his cronies, but he has to work there, so I can’t blame him there. It just shows he is the bigger man. I don’t have to depend on living next to the backstabbing sucker, so I can call a spade a spade. But to be kind about it, admission is the first step there Mikey.

Tags: Columbus Nebraska, discrimination, Dislike, Dustin Milligan, Mayor Mike Moser, News, politics, Stories, Tattoo Artists, tattoo artists, underhanded tactics, Workforce

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to je vsebbina vsega

to je vsebbina vsega

Looking for that perfect work of art for your home or maybe your studio?  Love tattoos?  How about a Kim Saigh portrait?  No?  How about one of Jeff Raissier?  A naked Jo Harrison?  Or how about Tim Kern’s hands?

Well, if you are interested in oil paintings done of tattoo masters and the tattoo world itself, then look no further than the art of Shawn Barber.  Barber is responsible for an extensive array of tattoo inspired art – correction, an extensive array of very good tattoo inspired art.

Most likely, if you’ve ever watched Kat Von D’s LA Ink program (and I know you have, so don’t try to pretend like you haven’t…we’re all guilty), then most likely you’ve noticed a large portrait of Kat hanging in the High Voltage studio.  That’s a Shawn Barber.

Barber’s work seems to also be showing at various galleries on quite a regular basis.  The tattoo portraits have been something of a passion of Shawn’s since 2005, with his most recent exhibitions being in Montreal, Canada this past September at the Yves Laroche Gallery, and a solo show at San Francisco’s Shooting Gallery this past August.  In April of 2010, Barber will have another solo exhibit of his tattoo portraits at New York City’s Joshua Liner Gallery.

Take a look at Shawn’s very cool work here and there’s also his book of portraits from 2006, called Tattooed Portraits: New Paintings by Shawn Barber, though it is hard to find. If you feel like paying $240 for what is a $30 book, you can always go over to Amazon and pick it up. Otherwise, you might have to search a little.

Tags: Celebrity, High Voltage Tattoo, Inspired, jeff raissier, jo harrison, joshua liner gallery, kat von d, Kim Saigh, LA Ink, Pictures, shawn barber, shooting gallery san francisco, Tattoo Artists, Tattoo Pictures, Tim Kern, Uncategorized, Video, Workforce, yves laroche gallery

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For those of you who may remember I did a blog about Bollywood star Sanjay Dutt’s numerous tattoos a little while back. Well it seems that Sanjay has started a bit of a fad in the world if India’s films, much like our celebrities started one here in the good ‘ol U.S.of A.

Joining the ranks of tattooed celebs is another India star, Ajay Devgn, who is also a co-star in their latest film “All the Best.”

The actor who has also changed his surname from ‘Devgan’ to ‘Devgn’, has joined the ranks of India’s tattooed actors along with the likes of Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan, as well as the afore mentioned Sanjay.

Now, for me, it is not only nice to see India gaining acceptance in the art of film making, but to see their celebrities come out in favor of tattooing as well. If this isn’t proof of a growing, world wide acceptance to the sacred art of tattooing I don’t know what is.

The tattoo is one of the Indian God Shiva on his chest, and Ajay jokingly says that Sanjay forced him to get it while they were working on “All the Best” an upcoming comedy that they are promoting throughout India quite heavily.

Regardless of the reasons, I’d be willing to bet that just like his friend Sanjay, Ajay has now caught the bug and will soon be sporting more ink than just Shiva.

Peace out, Gang!

Tags: actors ink, Ajay Devgn, Bollywood, Celebrity, Celebrity tattoos, Inspired, News, Sanjay Dutt, Stories

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Some people, it seems, never learn. Forget about the old saw that age imparts wisdom, because in some cases it just isn’t true. One such example is the case of Richard Wayne Stanford, 65, who, apparently, was born an asshole and just grew bigger.

Stanford was arrested Wednesday, Sept. 30, on charges of running an illegal tattoo operation out of his basement, and tattooing a 14 year old girl.

Now as most of us who are, or have been tattoo artists will tell you, a basement is probably not a prime location for a tattoo studio. For one they tend to be a bit cool and damp, which is perfect breeding ground for mold, mildew, and fungus. Now while disinfectants can take care of most viruses and mold in itself, it will not kill spores. Spores are the way molds and other fungi spread, and short of extreme heat and pressure, (like in a hospital autoclave, kiddies), nothing can destroy them.

“Gee, look ma, my tattoo is growing mushrooms!”

I’ve a pretty good idea where Stanford apprenticed at as well, considering he was also charged with possession of a firearm by a felon. Yep. Yet another graduate of the toothpaste ink, and guitar string school of tattooing. You just know that they spend months teaching these guys about blood born pathogens and sterile technique.

The police were tipped off by the girl’s parents after she came home with the tattoo in August, which makes me wonder why it took them nearly two months to arrest this idiot. He had been operating a word of mouth tattoo studio for God knows how long, and the authorities are unsure just how many victims, excuse me, clients, he has actually tattooed.

Currently it is illegal for someone to operate a tattoo studio without a permit from the Iowa State Board of Health, there are no medical or educational qualifications to become a permitted tattoo artist in Iowa. (Sounds alot like trying to put out a fire after the damn house has burned down to me.) Neither is there such a thing as parental consent. If you are not 18 years old, tough titty, kitty. No tattoo for you.

If convicted of his crimes Stanford will receive up to a year in county jail and an $1,875 fine for the tattoo offences, and up to five years in prison and a $7,500 fine for the firearm possession charge, which is a Class D felony.

To be honest, gang, things like this should be a no-brainer. Even if the tattoo artist is not required to be licensed by the state, you should at least do your best to make certain they know what in hell they are doing. In today’s world this is not a joke, it is deadly serious. And a tattoo “artist” who is working out of his basement with nothing more than word of mouth advertising should be enough to make you more than a little suspicious.

Ask to see his auto clave, sterilized single use needles, how he sterilizes the work station between each and every tattoo. It’s your ass we’re talking about here and I’m pretty sure a discount tattoo is not worth losing a limb to gangrene, or a slow painful death in an AIDS clinic. In short: Go to a Pro.

Take it easy, and be careful out there.

Tags: AIDS, common sense, Dislike, Health Risks, Iowa tattooing laws, Jailhouse tattooing, News, Richard Wayne Stanford, Scratchers, Stories, tattooing minors, Tips

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Tattoo has come a long way in Japan within the past ten years.  Still in a relatively nascent state with regards to Japanese societal views on the art form, today a Japanese tattoo artist who’s just starting off has a much larger base of reference and information than someone like Yokohama based artist Shige ever did.

Shige began his love affair with tattoos almost completely by accident.  It all began with a different sort of love affair: Harley Davidson motorcycles.  Shige worked as a Harley mechanic and through interraction with the bikers, his interest in tattoos began to blossom.  According to Shige, this was around 1995 and tattooing had certainly not yet blown up in a big way throughout Japan.  Because tattooing still remained relatively covert in Japan at that time, Shige had no real starting point.  So, he did the best he could, buying equipment from abroad and studying any foreign tattoo magazines that he could get his hands on.  Around this time he also began tattooing friends in his home, after hours.

In June of 2000, Shige was able to start his very own tattoo studio, but it wasn’t until 2003 that Shige and his wife Chisato officially started Ouen, aka, Yellow Blaze Tattoo in Yokohama.  Oddly enough, Shige’s interest in Japanese style tattoo didn’t fully develop until he met Swiss tattoo artist Filip Leu in 2000. Through this influence, Shige began to take Japanese tattoo seriously, studying it and practicing it.

Today I can’t use any other word to describe Shige’s tattoo style other than this one: Insane.  Shige does some of the most amazing body suit work that I have ever seen a tattoo artist do.  I could sit here and write about it all day, and still I couldn’t do the calibre of his work justice.  You can take a look at Shige’s stuff by going here, and here.  The current issue of Total Tattoo magazine also has an interview with the man himself.

Tags: Filip Leu, harley davidson motorcycles, Inspired, Japanese, japanese bodysuit, japanese tattoo, ouen, Pictures, shige, Tattoo Artists, Tattoo Magazines, Tattoo Pictures, total tattoo magazine, Uncategorized, yellow blaze tattoo, yokohama japan

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