Tattoo Art Exhibit in Asheville

Tattoos, as anyone who has them will tell you, are art. It doesn't take long to realize that the quality and complexity of the art tattooist are doing is something truly amazing. The Asheville Art Museum will be recognizing this art form through October 29, 2006. The exhibit is called "Under the Skin: Tattoos and Contemporary Culture." I encourage anyone in the Asheville, NC area to check it out and support this recognition.

The following is from the Asheville Art Museum website:

Tattooing has been practiced since prehistory, yet it has been only in the past decade or so that the art and practice of tattooing has moved from the margins towards the mainstream of American culture. The exhibition Under the Skin: Tattoos and Contemporary Culture brings together objects, photographs, tattoo ephemera, flash (tattooists’ drawings) and contemporary artwork to consider the effect and popularity of tattoo imagery and culture on America today.

The exhibition will comprise a selection of images and objects from various international sources, including Japanese, Native American, and Maori tattoos, which demonstrate the diversity of historical sources; a look at motifs and developments in American tattoo design since the 1930s as seen in the work of the most esteemed tattoo artists of the 20th and 21st centuries, including Thom deVita, Kandi Everett, Don Ed Hardy, Scott Harrison, Sailor Jerry, Ruth Marten, and Paul Rogers and art by contemporary artists whose work incorporates tattoo imagery or who consider tattooing to be a cultural phenomenon, including Vito Acconci, Nan Goldin, Kay Rosen, Thomas Woodruff and Sherri Wood. Western North Carolina tattoo artists and tattoo photography opportunities will be included with the exhibition and associated public programs.

Tattoo Artist's Killer Given 25 Years

Had Michael John Pyne stuck to his fists on June 24, 2005, the night would have ended differently.

Pyne, 40, pleaded guilty to charges of second-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder and aggravated battery.

Read full story.

Colorado County Regulates Tattoos

A quarter of us will wind up with a tattoo and now getting one in El Paso County, like Illinois, is safer than ever thanks to the cooperation between body artists and the Health Department.

Read full story.

Tattoo Artists Risk Death in Iraq

According to the Washington Post, "In Iraq's current climate of intimidation by religious extremists -- accused of murdering those who immodestly wear shorts, or drink alcohol, or happen to be born with a particular name -- body art cannot be practiced openly. Some Islamic scholars consider tattoos haram , or prohibited by the religion: a desecration of God's creation and the chosen emblem of thugs and convicts. Worse, some consider the practice an imitation of the 'occupiers' from America."

Read full story.

First Annual Idaho Tattoo Expo

Xpose Your Ink at the 1st annual Idaho Tattoo Expo in Boise Idaho July 28-30, 2006. Seminars by Lyle Tuttle, Steve Haworth and a Blood borne pathogens certification class for all. The Enigma Live for your viewing pleasure, over 9 band performing live, fashion show, hot bod contest and tattoo artists are coming from all over to ink you

New Illinois Tattoo Law

One of my gripes about getting tattooed is that the Red Cross treats us like prostitutes and/or I.V. drug users. Illinois is now one of the few states that have passed a law to regulate tattoos and piercings in order to remedy that problem (hopefully) and I can't see why any legitimate tattoo facility would have an issue with it.

According to the Chicago Sun Times, "Senate Bill 927 makes it possible for those with tattoos or piercings to donate blood without a yearlong wait. According to the new law, tattoo and body piercing facilities must fulfill health and safety requirements, such as sterilization and sanitation techniques, to receive certification. The new law also requires the Illinois Department of Public Health (DPH) or a designee to inspect tattoo and body piercing parlors to ensure that they comply with state standards. "

You can read the complete story here.

Miami Ink's Kat Von D

Ok, before I move too far away from the tattooed women of reality television I have to mention my favorite, Kat Von D from Miami Ink. Now don't get me wrong, Kat is easy on the eyes, but she's tops on my list because she's one hell of an artist. Check out her personal website and check out the show.

Mommy Has Tattoos

More and more parents these days are tattooed. Some have little pieces that they did in college that they may, or may not, regret and others, like my wife and I, have larger pieces with plans to only have more. Eventhough we're not parents yet, we talk often about how our kids (and other parents) will feel about our tattoos (both current and future). Sometimes I think our kids will be really into tattoos, since we have them, and other times I think they'll stay away from them, since we have them. Mommy Has Tattoos (brand) is the first dedicated publisher of tattoo children's books published with goal of "teaching tattoo tolerance."

Artist Highlight: Olmy

I'm going to do my best to highlight artists who've I've worked with or who I'd love to because their art blows me away so much. Olmy, as I've stated previously, was the artist that did my first tattoo and, while it was nothing as involved as what's above, his skill and professionalism helped me start my love for tattoos that carries on today.

Rockstar Supernova's Storm Large

While I'm talking about fairly attractive women, reality TV and tattoos (the focus of this blog afterall), I can't go on without pointing you toward some pretty revealing pictures of Rockstar Supernova's Storm Large (her real name, per her bio, is Susan 'Storm' Large). Storm, for those of you who don't watch the show, has a great voice and is fun to watch perform. She's also very tattooed and isn't afraid to show it.

Inked's Jen Dabbs

Jen Dabbs didn't do much for me when she "appeared" on the new episodes of A&E's Inked as just one more receptionist who couldn't seem to do her job very well. I guess the difference between her and most of the young ladies they've had in there is that, not only can she draw, but wants to be a tattoo artist herself.

So anyway, you can read her story for youself, or if you're into her, just oogle over her in Prick Magazine if you want.

Beyond Dermis Deep

There is something about tattoos, I'm the first to admit it. They really get (dare I say it) under your skin (yep, I said it) and become so much more a part of you than simple micro-pigment implantation (the technical term for that act of inserting pigment into the skin).

For years I was indifferent about tattoos and tattooing. I didn't mind them, even felt somewhat in awe of those that had them, but never wanted one myself. I used the old standby, "I don't know anything that I would want on my body for the rest of my life." I was past 30 that Halloween I stepped into Zebra tattoo shop in Berkeley, CA. An artist named Olmy did a small tattoo (relatively small anyway) on my upper left arm. Looking back, I can hardly believe how nervous I was (scared was more like it), because from that day on, I was hooked.

It was only a few months later that my wife and I met with Marie Wadman at her shop, Diving Swallow Tattoo, in Oakland and began our large scale pieces that I will cover at a later time. Now I'm coming up on a year since I've felt that familiar stinging tingle of the needle piercing skin ... and I miss it so much.