Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Tattoo Videos You Need to See

There are hundreds, thousands even, of tattoo videos online. If you're looking for some different tattoo videos to watch, check out the ones below. 

These include hand poked/tebori tattoo processes, interviews with tattoo artists you may have never heard of and the ugly side to tattooing: someone attempting to teach amateurs how to tattoo in a matter of weeks.


Horiyoshi III is one of the most respected Japanese tattooers. He comes from a long line of masters who have handed down their knowledge to only those they deem worthy. In fact, the tattoo masters are the ones who choose a name for their apprentice. Hori means to engrave which is then paired with another significant word, or like with Horiyoshi III, he took on the name of his master, as his master did before him. 

In this video you will see Horiyoshi III tattooing freehand, directly on the body. No stencil, no rough sketch. There's no doubt he's a true master of this craft.



Vice : Tattoo Age is a documentary series focusing about nothing but the art of tattooing. There's none of that scripted drama or all that crying found on most tattoo shows. Rather, Tattoo Age delves into the lives of past and present tattoo artists, who live and breathe tattooing.


Click here to view videos on the likes of Valerie Vargas from the UK, Mutsuo from Japan and legends such as Freddy Corbin, Thom deVita and Mike Rubendall. 


Tattoo School Pilot Episode - Simply the title of this video makes me cringe. There is just so much wrong with the video, but you can't look away. Just one look of the work pumped out is proof that an apprencticeship with a reputable, professinoal tattoo artist is the only way to go if you want to learn tattooing the right way.



Kian Forreal has been tattooing for almost two decades. His career has taken him around the world, learning and tattooing wherever he goes. You can find his column in each issue of Inked Australia/NZ magazine, or check out his stunning work on his website.

Have you ever wondered what tattooing looks like in slow motion? Well, wonder no more!


Thursday, June 20, 2013

Tattoo Artists to Follow on Instagram


Fans of tattoos and tattoo collectors alike are spoilt now that technology has come so far. With the likes of Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and Internet access on our mobile phones, discovering tattoo artists from all across the globe has never been easier. 

A tattoo artist's social media account is almost an online portfolio of their work. The second they finish a tattoo and a photo is taken, that image is often shared with their followers.

Here’s a (growing) list of tattoo artists I think you should be following on Instagram:


Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Save 20% at Omerica Organic

Omerica Organic is a US-based company which creates custom-made wooden plugs for stretched lobes.
Wood is a great material for plugs and for people to wear as jewellery as it's light and allows your lobes/skin to breathe. It's a natural product, unlike acrylic, and is non-toxic. 

As all of their plugs are custom-made, the plug selection process allows customers to select the size of the plug, the wearing length (thickness of your earlobes), and the wearing size (ie single flare, double flare etc), with the added bonus of mm and inch measurements. 

With seven different variations on the traditional plug, Omerica Organic has a wide selection to choose from. 

Still have earrings from your pre-stretched lobe years? You'll love their Innovation collection which enables you to attach your favourite stud and even dangly earrings to your plug!



Here are a few of my favourites:

Hammerheads 

Stone Inlay Paua

Sourpuss 
Locked Up

With plugs from 00g all the way up 2 inches, and hundreds of designs and styles, there's something you or a loved one will adore from Omerica Organic. 


SAVE 20%

Use my promo code MEDUSA at OmericaOrganic.com and you'll save yourself 20% off their entire range of: 

Plugs
Pendants
Earrings
Rings
Buckles 
Dog Tags
Gift Certificates


WEBSITE GIVEAWAY

Want to win $200 store credit at Omerica Organic?
Click here and guess how many plugs are in the container for your chance to win.

Thursday, June 13, 2013

[Book Review] With The Light of Truth



Compiled by: Dan Smith – dansmithtattoos.com
Design & Layout: Keath Moon – keathmoon.com
Editors: Jinxi Caddel, Jamie Parker, Mike DeVries
Published by: Memento Publishing - mementopublishing.com 


I purchased With The Light Of Truth a few months ago and have only just begun to read it. The book features artists from around the world, all with such a passion and dedication for the art of tattooing. Every single artist in this 256-page book is Straight Edge – drug and alcohol free.

In the preface Dan delves in to the definition of dedication and how it’s such an integral quality to possess; one which those featured in the book know all too well.  He goes in to how the Straight Edge lifestyle came to being and how it has grown in the last three decades. For him, to live such a lifestyle means being self-aware, to look around and realise the cause and effect of addictive substances, and rather than learning from mistakes, being wise enough not to make that mistake to begin with.


Whether you’re Straight Edge or not, With The Light Of  Truth is an interesting look in to the world of tattoo artists. The interviews with each artist allow you to gain some insight of how they first were exposed to tattooing, their art influences, how long they’ve been Straight Edge and how their lifestyle has impacted on their tattooing/art.

Dedication is a theme which resonates through the words and the work of all 60 artists. The dedication to their lifestyle and to their job, their passion. The dedication to work long days tattooing people, to go home and draw up pieces for the next day’s clients. The dedication to better themselves each day and have the thirst and drive to continue living Straight Edge.

Like with most tattoo books, I am blow away by the calibre of talent which graces the pages of With The Light Of  Truth. The tattoos, sketches, and watercolour paintings cover a wide range of subject matter, from Straight Edge imagery, to traditional and everything in between.

If you’re looking for Straight Edge, or just simply talented,  tattoo artists in your corner of the world, then With The Light Of  Truth is the book for you.


Follow Dan on Twitter and Instagram @dansmithism



With The Light Of Truth can be purchased at the following websites -




Sunday, June 9, 2013

[Book Review] The Tattooed Lady


Author:   Amelia Klem Osterud
Publisher: Speck Press
Date Published: December 2009

The Tattooed Lady delves in to the world of travelling circus sideshows in the US during the 20th century.

The book is filled with rare images of these young women with full body suits who made a living from being a literal human canvas. Tattoos weren't as socially accepted back then, however the paying customers enjoyed seeing people so different to themselves.

These tattooed women would often concocted stories of their lives, building a character to portray in front of their audiences. Their private lives remained so, as to not ruin the illusion.

When most people think about the history of tattoos in Western culture it often revolves around sailors and criminals, mainly males, sporting ink on their bodies. The Tattooed Lady gives insight to the lives of some of the first heavily tattooed women, a topic rarely touched on. If it weren't for this book, the fascinating stories of these women would be lost forever.



Friday, June 7, 2013

[Book Review] Inked - Carey Hart



Author:  Carey Hart with Chris Palmer
Photography: Bill Thomas
Publisher: Artisan
Date Published: September 2008


For some, Carey Hart is a Freestyle Motocross legend and to others he is Pink’s husband, but he is also a business man. Hart has built the brand Hart & Huntington around his love of tattoos and motocross, which has spawned a clothing line, tattoo shops and the sponsorship of athletes. However it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. What began as a business venture between friends, ended with Hart buying out his partner’s share of the business, but still keeping the name.

His show Inked aired the same year as Miami Ink (2005) however what made his show different was the location. Hart & Huntington Tattoo Company was the first ever tattoo parlour in a Las Vegas hotel. Following in line with the reality television formula, much of the show was based around dramas within the shop. What’s great about the book is that the sole focus is on the art and the stories behind them.

The introduction is written by Hart himself. He details his love of tattoos, what his first piece was and how a career-ending accident was what started a new chapter in his life, inspiring him to open his own tattoo shop.

From 2004 until 2009 Hart & Huntington Tattoo Company was located at The Palms. It was relocated to the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in 2009 where Hart’s now defunct Wasted Space rock club was also situated. In 2013 the Hart & Huntington Tattoo Company can be found in Orlando, Niagara Falls in addition to Las Vegas. For more information click here.

The book features photographs of many of tattoo artists who were featured on the Inked television show, along with clients and Hart’s friends. Some of the more recognisable faces would be that of MMA fighter Kit Cope and Pin-Up Model Sabina Kelley. Each person gives a little insight into who tattooed them and why they got a specific piece.

Tattooing can still be seen as a fad to the uninformed, but it’s a practice which has been around for thousands of years. Co-Author Bill Thomas provides a short history of tattooing, from the traditions of tribal cultures to the creation of the electric tattoo machine. Inked is somewhat of a beginner’s guide to tattooing, as it also includes information of how to care for a new tattoo.

If you love reading about the meaning behind people’s tattoos or are a Carey Hart fan then add this book to your collection.


Inked is available online at Book Depository and Amazon.