Saturday, August 31, 2013

[TAP] Jef Small

Today's TAP features another favourite artist of mine from Adorned Empire in Fremantle, Western Australia. 

When people think Australian tattoo artists, they generally mention only those on the East coast. WA has been holding out on us, and Jef's tattoos are no exception. I love his spin on neo-traditional, with subtle, finer details.

I often see many female figures in neo-traditional tattoo form, so it's always exciting to see depictions of men looking devilish. Jef's Instagram feed is worth the look with such a varied range of tattoos and drawings; there's nothing I don't find absolutely stunning.


Jef is interested in tattooing these drawings at the Perth Expo. If you're interested, click on the photo for his contact details.



Instagram: @jef_small_tattooer 

Check back tomorrow for another Tattoo Artist Profile. 

To find out all about the Perth Tattoo & Body Art Expo, click here. 

Friday, August 30, 2013

[TAP] Liam Smith

Can you believe it's now only one week until the inaugural Perth Tattoo & Body Art Expo?

Is it too early to start counting down to the 3rd Melbourne Tattoo & Body Art Expo? Only three months to go and already it's shaping up to be another unmissable event. The list of attending artists is slowly growing and Sabina Kelley has been announced as this year's special guest.

Anyway, back to today's TAP. Liam Smith is a tattooist working out of Lost City Tattoo in Perth. 

Liam's style could be described as neo-traditional. There are many artists appearing at the Perth expo whose styles are similar, however with any label and style, everyone has their own flare and way of doing things. There are similarities and differences in any artists work.

The beauty of being in a room of so many artists is that those looking to get tattooed all have their own opinion and perspective of what they love in terms of tattoos.

For me, you can never go wrong with a neo-traditional tattoo. I believe the style is timeless, but unlike traditional tattoos there is slightly more character, emotion and variety in the neo-traditional style.



Website: http://lemonsmiff.com
Instagram: @lemonsmiff 


Check back tomorrow for another Tattoo Artist Profile. 

To find out all about the Perth Tattoo & Body Art Expo, click here. 

Thursday, August 29, 2013

[TAP] Alessio

Today's featured artist is Alessio, who also happens to work at Cherry Bomb Tattoo in Perth with Monday's artist, Kat Abdy

There is a strong prescence of Japanese influence in Alessio's tattoos, mixed with some black and grey, and traditional tattoos. My favourite pieces of his are the dotwork tattoos. 

According to Cherry Bomb Tattoo, Alessio will be leaving the studio after the Perth Tattoo & Body Art Expo. I'm unsure of what his future plans may be, so I wouldn't miss the chance to get tattooed by him, just in case. 


Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/alessio.finali 


Check back tomorrow for another Tattoo Artist Profile. 

To find out all about the Perth Tattoo & Body Art Expo, click here. 

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

[TAP] Billy DeCola

You've seen him on your TV screens and now is your chance to see him in person. Billy DeCola, one of the artists from NY Ink will be tattooing at the Perth Tattoo & Body Art Expo. 

Having lived in Japan and apprenticing under Ami James, much of Billy's work is influenced by Japanese culture and traditional Japanese tattoo imagery. Whether you're after a small or large piece, in colour or black and grey, the end result will be beautiful like the tattoos below. 


If you can't make it to the expo, Billy will be sticking around in WA for a few more days. 



Website: http://www.billydecola.com 
Twitter: @billydecola 
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/billydecola
Instagram: @billydecola


Check back tomorrow for another Tattoo Artist Profile. 

To find out all about the Perth Tattoo & Body Art Expo, click here. 

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

[TAP] Arn Lyons

When it comes to today's Tattoo Artist Profile, it's actually someone who has tattooed me not once but twice. Arn Lyons was the artist whom designed and inked my neck and thigh pieces on me last year. 

You can usually find Arn working his magic at The Piercing Urge in Prahran, a place which I've been poked and prodded at many a time. The Piercing Urge have come to be known for more than just their piercings and scarification, with their ever-growing team of tattoo artists. 

I wouldn't say that Arn specialises in any type of tattooing, as working in such a busy studio, he does a little bit of everything. Although, in saying that, looking through his online portfolio, there's black and grey and colour tattoos, Japanese, realism and portraits; Arn's a bit of a Jack of all trades. 


Instagram: @aaronlyons

Check back tomorrow for another Tattoo Artist Profile. 


To find out all about the Perth Tattoo & Body Art Expo, click here. 

All About My Piercings

I've spoken at length all about my many tattoos, but piercings is something which I have rarely mentioned. In terms of forms of self-expression, piercings are a less permanent option. 

Over the years I've had as few as two piercings and as many as thirteen piercings at the one time. 

Current piercings

Both ear lobes stretched to 3/4"
16g conch
16g cartlidge
16g lip


Piercing History 

Ears

I first got my ears pierced for my 5th birthday. Back in those days it was just what you did at that age. It wasn't until five years later that I convinced my mum to let me pierce them a second time, again for my birthday.

From there my desire for more piercings grew stronger. At age 11 I added to my ears with a third set of studs, and a single cartlidge piercing on my right ear the following year. 

I got my fourth and fifth sets of earlobe piercings in my late teens/early 20s before I learnt of the danger with piercing guns. Unsurprisingly I had issues with the healing, severe swelling and had to remove all four of them. Since then all my piercings have been done by needles and professional body piercers.



At 23 I went and got my first unusual and uncommon ear piercing, in what they call the conch of my right ear.

For my 24th birthday, instead of celebrating with a party or going out for dinner, I spent the day at the Piercing Urge geting tattooed and having my earlobes scaleplled. I went from a standard 18/16g piercing to 00g in a matter of minutes.

I also removed my second and third sets of ear piercings when I had this procedure done and just forgot about them; they've since closed up.

Navel

When I was 14, navel/belly button piercings were seen on tonnes of celebrities. It became a trend, and sadly one which I succumbed to. After five or six years it suddenly decided to reject, thus I retired it circa 2007/2008.

Nose

 Rather than atending my Year 10 formal I got my right nostril pierced as an early Christmas present. After almost ten years, I retired this piercing earlier this year.

Tongue

I went behind my parents back and got this done when I was 18. I actually managed to hide it from them for a good six months or so. I'm not sure how they didn't notice me lisping those few days after. I retired it sometime in 2012, but I can't quite remember why.

Labret/Lip

I'd had my lip pierced for only a couple of months before I went on my big North America holiday. Towards the end of my North America holiday I lost the ball off the end and had to take it out. I had it re-pierced a few months later when I got my conch done at 23.




Future piercings

Septum
Philtrum
Third Eye


Advice

When it comes to body piercings, remember this: piercing guns are bad, needles are good.

Despite the concerning information and facts surrounding piercing guns, they're still used to pierce people's ears, lips and noses. It's impossible to sterilise piercing guns and they cause trauma to your skin tissue. Always visit a reputable piercing studio where they use sterilised equipment (steamed at high temperatures in an autoclave) and only single-use needles.

In Melbourne I would suggest The Piercing Urge, and in Sydney visit First Blood.
If you know of other piercing studios around Australia, feel free to list them in the comments section below.


What is your favourite piercing?
Which piercing is next on your list to get?

I'll be putting up a post about my ear scalpelling experience within the next few weeks.


Learn how you can save 20% off Omerica Organic wooden plugs here.

Monday, August 26, 2013

[TAP] Kat Abdy

The talent from Perth just keeps coming with today's Tattoo Artist Profile. 

Kat Abdy is a tattoo artist working out of Cherry Bomb Tattoo in Perth, Australia. 

Her style could be generalised as neo-traditional, which these days encompasses a myriad of subject matters.

Looking through her Facebook and Instagram feeds, the bulk of tattoos are animals or original female forms. As any artist does, Kat adds intricate elements to bring more life to the tattoos, with the perfect colour palette which balances the pieces nicely between being cutesy and spooky. 


Kat's work is featured in Issue 20 of Inked Australia/NZ Magazine which is currently on sale at all good newsagents.

Instagram: @katabdy


Check back tomorrow for another Tattoo Artist Profile. 



To find out all about the Perth Tattoo & Body Art Expo, click here. 

Sunday, August 25, 2013

[TAP] Jasmin Austin

The inaugural Perth Tattoo & Body Art Expo is shaping up to be such a celebration of Western Australia's finest tattoo artists. Today's TAP is no exception, with WA's Jasmin Austin the featured artist. 

Jasmin currently works out of Adorned Empire, a private, appointment-only tattoo and art studio in Fremantle, Western Australia. 

Her pieces are beautiful neo-traditional themed with a dark and mysterious style to them; bold outlines with darker coloured inks. Jasmin's tattoo subjects range from animals, to flora and people, with the foundations of traditional tattoos, mixed with that slightly creepy element. 


Before I quit my job, it was Jasmin that I was hoping to get tattooed by at last year's Melbourne Tattoo & Body Art Expo. One day it will happen. 


Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jasmin.austin
Instragram: @jasminaustintattoos


Check back tomorrow for another Tattoo Artist Profile. 


To find out all about the Perth Tattoo & Body Art Expo, click here. 


Saturday, August 24, 2013

[TAP] Benjamin Laukis

Benjamin Laukis is fast-becoming a name synonymous with incredible realism tattoos. Whether it's a black and grey or colour portrait, you're guaranteed a work of pure art tattooed on your body. 

Working out of Pure Vision Tattoo in Melbourne, he's making his mark on the tattoo expo circuit. 
Named Tattooist of the Show at this year's Sydney Tattoo & Body Art Expo, now the people of Perth have the opportunity to see Benjamin in action; his speed and precision an art form in themselves.



If the tattoos above are anything to go by, he'll not be a name soon forgotten.


For more of Benjamin Laukis' work, check out Inked Australia/NZ Inked Artists Volume 5 which is now in newsagents Australia-wide. 


Instagram: @benjaminlaukis


To find out all about the Perth Tattoo & Body Art Expo, click here. 

Friday, August 23, 2013

[TAP] WA Ink

Today marks two weeks until the Perth Tattoo & Body Art Expo and the first [TAP] Tattoo Artist Profile.

WA Ink, situated in Fremantle, is the home of the five artists I am featuring today, all of whom will be in attendance at the inaugural Perth Tattoo & Body Art Expo. 

When looking through the list of artists it was the work of Merrick Ames, Pari Corbitt, James McKenna,  Aaron Ashworth and Daniel Formentin, which first caught my eye, and they all just happen to work together!

Merrick Ames

Specialises in black & grey tattoos and realism.



Pari Corbitt

Specialises in blackwork/ black & grey and neo-traditional tattoos




James McKenna

Specialises in traditional/old school tattoos.




Aaron Ashworth 

Specialises in black& grey, full colour, Japanese and traditional tattoos.



Daniel Formentin

Specialises in black & grey, neo-traditional and custom tattoos.




If the flash sheets are anything to go by, if you can't manage a tattoo, pick up some artwork for your walls at home.

What if you can't make the expo? WA Ink has their own Etsy store with tonnes of prints for you to purchase. Decorate your home with their art now, then decorate your body with their art in the future. 


Twitter: @WAInkTattoo
Instagram: @wa_ink_tattoo


Check back tomorrow for another Tattoo Artist Profile. 

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

[TAP] Tattoo Artist Profiles

With just a little over two weeks until the Perth Tattoo & Body Art Expo, the countdown begins. 

I may not be attending as I live in Melbourne, but I will be scrolling social media throughout the weekend to check out the tattoos being done at the expo. 

For something a little different, I will be featuring one artist each day until the expo to help you find the best tattooist for the style of tattoo you want. 

Check back Friday for the first TAP: Tattoo Artist Profile. 

Click here for more information about the Perth Tattoo & Body Art Expo.

If these posts are something which you want to see more of, I'll think of doing the same for the Melbourne Tattoo & Body Art Expo in November.

Friday, August 16, 2013

[Magazine Review] Inked Australia/NZ Inked Artists Volume 5

In which magazine can you find a skeleton Rosie the Riveter tattoo, a 9/11 and NWO chest piece and an Amy Winehouse portrait? Inked Australia/NZ Inked Artists Volume 5, of course!


Sunday, August 4, 2013

My Favourite Tattooed Celebrities

It seems every second person in Hollywood has tattoos. Lea Michele from Glee is into double digits, but you wouldn't know that by looking at her. Miley Cyrus, too, has several tattoos, with the exception of the dream catcher on her ribs, her tattoos are quite small and mostly go unnoticed. Those celebrities who are heavily tattooed remain the minority in the entertainment industry.

Following up on my recent posts of Wrestlers With Bad Tattoos and Celebrities With Bad Tattoos, I have decided to list my favourite tattooed celebrities.