About Koi Tattoos
The history and mythology of koi goes back to China, over 2,000 years ago, and these images and stories were absorbed into Japanese culture like so many other things. They have been kept as auspicious pets dating back hundreds of years. They have been popular images throughout the history of Japanese tattoo designs and as that style is now very prevalent in Western tattoo culture, so is the Japanese koi tattoo.
In real-life, these fish are ornamental carp kept in backyard ponds and water gardens. They were bred from ordinary fish to develop their distinct and fantastic patterns and colors. The only thing more fantastical than the array of colors that these fish have in the real world is the patterns and colors they are depicted with in tattoo designs.
* A Koi On Keith Alexander
Keith Alexander was a long-time body mod enthusiast who created an amazing blog, chronicling the creation of his koi back tattoo. Sadly, he was killed in a bike accident in NYC, but his blog has been maintained as a memorial by his friends.
* Why a Koi Tattoo? | The World Is Not Flat (TwinF)
Here is a personal account of one man's choice to get a koi tattoo. He details his reasons for picking this design and how it fits into his personal history.
* Michael McClure Family Commentary: Koi Tattoo
This is the archive of a series of blog entries, following along as Michael gets an extensive koi tattoo. The entries start in 2006 and run into 2007.
The History of Koi
Koi is the Japanese word for "brocaded carp" and refers to the large, colorful fish that have been bred and kept in ponds for centuries. The formal name "Nishigikoi" translates as "living jewels." Careful breeding of these fish really got a modern foothold in the 1800s, and it has produced a rainbow of colors and a variety of specific body markings in the years since.
They are part of Japanese mythology and are symbols of strength, perseverance and courage. These fish are very long-lived under the right conditions and this is what has contributed to these interpretations and associations. In myth, the very strong koi will be able to swim upstream and leap the waterfalls, being rewarded at the end of the journey by being turned into a dragon.
The Story of Crystal's Koi
The tattoo you see here is on the leg of my friend Crystal. She'd had a few smaller tattoos before, but when it came time for something large, she picked a koi. I think the symbolism of perseverance fits well with how she's overcome many challenges in her life.
The tattoo was designed and tattooed by Bill Liberty. His shop, Liberty Tattoo, is located in Sacramento, CA, where Crystal lives. She's a big lady and she decided to put this tattoo on her thigh, so it's pretty large. It starts a little above her left knee and runs up to the top of her thigh. The entire tattoo took several sessions. Large, complex tattoos are most often done in stages, with the colors being added from darkest to brightest. So first the black outline and shading was done. Then all of the blue water coloring and shading was done. And finally, the brightly colored fish and flower were finished.
|
|
|---|
Japanese Koi Tattoos
Japanese Koi Tattoos
Japanese Koi Tattoos
Japanese Koi Tattoos
Japanese Koi Tattoos
Japanese Koi Tattoos
Japanese Koi TattoosOliver Peck - Elm Street Tattoo
Oliver Peck, also lovingly known as “Ducky”, “Fuck Face” or “Oliver Pecker”, began tattooing when he was around 19 years old in Dallas, Texas. His tattooing has stretched all over America, where he travels around every year on the Vans Warped Tour, tattooing any bare piece of skin he can get his hands on. Oliver loves tattooing, and has made it a part of everything that he does; even producing artwork and shoes for the Vans Company he travels with each year.
Working at Elm Street Tattoo, Oliver is also a past Guinness World Record Holder, for the largest amount of tattoos done in 24 hours, managing 415 tattoos of the number 13. Busy? Of course. Accomplished? We’re only just getting started....
Anyone who’s had the chance to meet Oliver always comes out with the same word- “fun”. Oliver moves at around 100 miles a minute, tattooing everyone he can while having a hell of a time doing it. This is Oliver: he finds fun in what he does, and doesn’t take himself too seriously. Oliver’s also known to adore Friday the 13th, and always does at least one tattoo of the number 13 each time the calendar tells him to.
Aside from being busy and fun, Oliver is an astounding tattoo artist. Oliver tattoos in a remarkable and precise traditional style. His artwork is very ‘old school’, and unmistakably American. Oliver has created some incredible tattoos in this style, including huge anchors and American flags sweeping over a client’s chest, huge balding eagles taking up another’s back and grand sea ships swimming over a bright blue sea. Oliver Peck is American, and damn proud to be so.
Of course, it’s inevitable that one of our favourite pieces of Oliver’s work is a wonderfully lined and coloured depiction of the state of Texas, along with an especially traditional rose and a banner. It simply screams Oliver. Another favourite is something you wouldn’t expect, of quite a biblical backpiece, complete with naked angels, a sacred heart and a book you could assume, if you wish, is the Bible. Of course, Oliver still keeps to his traditional roots by adding in some roses and making the angels look not too different from a pin up tattoo.
Oliver Peck is an artist who has to tattoo- his whole life revolves around it. He has a lot of fun with what he does, and lets his tattooing take him to other places in life. A proud American tattoo artist he’s spent many years developing his talent, and it shows...
Oliver Peck TattooWorking at Elm Street Tattoo, Oliver is also a past Guinness World Record Holder, for the largest amount of tattoos done in 24 hours, managing 415 tattoos of the number 13. Busy? Of course. Accomplished? We’re only just getting started....
Oliver Peck TattooAnyone who’s had the chance to meet Oliver always comes out with the same word- “fun”. Oliver moves at around 100 miles a minute, tattooing everyone he can while having a hell of a time doing it. This is Oliver: he finds fun in what he does, and doesn’t take himself too seriously. Oliver’s also known to adore Friday the 13th, and always does at least one tattoo of the number 13 each time the calendar tells him to.
Oliver Peck TattooAside from being busy and fun, Oliver is an astounding tattoo artist. Oliver tattoos in a remarkable and precise traditional style. His artwork is very ‘old school’, and unmistakably American. Oliver has created some incredible tattoos in this style, including huge anchors and American flags sweeping over a client’s chest, huge balding eagles taking up another’s back and grand sea ships swimming over a bright blue sea. Oliver Peck is American, and damn proud to be so.
Oliver Peck TattooOf course, it’s inevitable that one of our favourite pieces of Oliver’s work is a wonderfully lined and coloured depiction of the state of Texas, along with an especially traditional rose and a banner. It simply screams Oliver. Another favourite is something you wouldn’t expect, of quite a biblical backpiece, complete with naked angels, a sacred heart and a book you could assume, if you wish, is the Bible. Of course, Oliver still keeps to his traditional roots by adding in some roses and making the angels look not too different from a pin up tattoo.
Oliver Peck TattooOliver Peck is an artist who has to tattoo- his whole life revolves around it. He has a lot of fun with what he does, and lets his tattooing take him to other places in life. A proud American tattoo artist he’s spent many years developing his talent, and it shows...
Pencil Art
All artists use pencils to draw and paint over their canvas, all but one. By the name of GhostPartol, this this australian artist creates beautiful works of art the other way around: using the pencils as canvas! A self-taught illustrator, he moved from the area of stencil art to exhibit his illustration work worldwide. His works of art ranges form fine ink drawings, graffiti, and commissioned murals to soft sculptures.
Meet GhostPartol's Pencil Art.
Pencil Art Meet GhostPartol's Pencil Art.
Pencil Art 
Pencil Art
Sexy Girl Tattoo
2. Where to get your female sexy tattoo? Areas that accentuate a sexy tattoo are upper arms, upper back, and upper thigh areas. Other areas may work well also, but one area to avoid is the lower back. While this area has been viewed as a sexy place to get your female tattoo, it’s been played out and become too much of a trend.
Pink tattoos
The singer stages this explosive mixture. The tattoo is for her above all a means to carry for ever with her memories of emotional order. The singer has for example two tattoos in homage to her two dogs among which the one extends over all the arm with the photo of its dog Elvis accompanied with an inscription) tribute which means " one time to cry, one time to laugh, one time to die and the other one to dance. Rest in peace my darling, I love you. ".
The singer chooses regularly to make tattoos in touch with her successes to mean a kind of revival. She opts then for a bar code with her date of birth and that of the release of her album " Missundaztood ".
She also has a tribal sign behind the ear in the shape of treble clef. It is thus a way to express her profound love for the music.
Pink tattoosThe singer chooses regularly to make tattoos in touch with her successes to mean a kind of revival. She opts then for a bar code with her date of birth and that of the release of her album " Missundaztood ".
Pink tattoosShe also has a tribal sign behind the ear in the shape of treble clef. It is thus a way to express her profound love for the music.
Pink tattoos
Robert Hernandez - Vittamin Tattoo Madrid
Robert Hernandez Tattoo ArtistYou’ll hear Robert Hernandez’ name and credentials spring up, it would seem, almost every time you ask any other tattooer or artist who they aspire to, who they look up to, and who they think is currently at the top of the tattoo game. In terms of reputation it’s pretty clear he’s steadily climbing up the ladder, getting up there with Paul Booth, Guy Aitchison and all those names that people are quick to drop when the concept of ‘best tattoo artist ever’ comes up.
He’s of Spanish-Polish inheritance, an unusual mix, befittingly unique. You wouldn’t immediately guess his profession to see him on the street, first impressions betraying an appearance somewhere between a lean limbed rocker and an amicably eccentric goth-punk (he did once sport a bright pink Mohawk!) Very appealing to the eye, but a happily married man – bad luck to all those female fans…
Mr Hernandez’ skill is acquired from a fine blend of natural skill – he’s been drawing since he was a toddler – and years of training, time spent in art school refining his craft. He commenced a career in a studio in Madrid back in 1992, there he began to absorb the tattoo culture and the nuances of working on skin thanks to the studio’s position as a halfway house for touring European artists.
Tattoo by Robert HernandezRobert Hernandez is renowned for his dark style technique – but it seems almost rude to try and describe his style when he’s already laid out a perfect description himself on his MySpace, so here, we include it here for your deliberation!
“Throughout the years I have tried to develop my own unique style. My style tends to be a little on the dark side, sinister even. My main focus has always been realism. I like to play with different tones and textures. I also enjoy distorting portraits or any other type of image. I try to create things that look as alive as possible no matter how far fetched the subject may appear. I believe that anything you can draw or paint you can tattoo.”
He calls up his influences, naming “medieval art, impressionism, surrealism, contemporary art, music and photography.” Hearing the rock band Kiss at the age of ten was a formative moment for the artist, undergoing a brief obsession with their image – drawing everything for them from logos to comics. Artistic skill apparently ran in his family, too – he references his grandfather’s skill as a caricaturist. Growing up in his house, “there was always a pencil on the table.”
Robert has his own studio based in Madrid which has been going since 2000 and bears the moniker of Vittamin Tattoo. This is where some of his most outstanding work has been produced. A vividly rendered ant so well done that it almost pops off the arm of one client is merely one example; his portfolio is filled with incredible examples of black and grey portraiture (the hardest type of tattoo to do, as you can read about in our Paul Booth feature) – bearded zombies, vampiric priestesses and that calling card of the Dark Style tattooist, creepily pale, hollow eyed little girls.
Robert Hernandez Tattoo PictureHe’s perfected surreal, with images fading and distorting, melding into one another to produce weird conglomerations of eight eyed faces and sphynx cats, bloodied ‘cut away’ effect tattoos and pretty female faces segueing into robotic skulls; all examples to be found in his collection of happy clients. Wrists coloured and styled to have a toothy mouth at their centre; twisted religious images and famous musicians are also expertly rendered. It genuinely seems as though there is nothing that this artist cannot do…
Vittamin Tattoo MadridHe’s of Spanish-Polish inheritance, an unusual mix, befittingly unique. You wouldn’t immediately guess his profession to see him on the street, first impressions betraying an appearance somewhere between a lean limbed rocker and an amicably eccentric goth-punk (he did once sport a bright pink Mohawk!) Very appealing to the eye, but a happily married man – bad luck to all those female fans…
Vittamin Tattoo MadridMr Hernandez’ skill is acquired from a fine blend of natural skill – he’s been drawing since he was a toddler – and years of training, time spent in art school refining his craft. He commenced a career in a studio in Madrid back in 1992, there he began to absorb the tattoo culture and the nuances of working on skin thanks to the studio’s position as a halfway house for touring European artists.
Vittamin Tattoo MadridTattoo by Robert HernandezRobert Hernandez is renowned for his dark style technique – but it seems almost rude to try and describe his style when he’s already laid out a perfect description himself on his MySpace, so here, we include it here for your deliberation!
Vittamin Tattoo Madrid“Throughout the years I have tried to develop my own unique style. My style tends to be a little on the dark side, sinister even. My main focus has always been realism. I like to play with different tones and textures. I also enjoy distorting portraits or any other type of image. I try to create things that look as alive as possible no matter how far fetched the subject may appear. I believe that anything you can draw or paint you can tattoo.”
He calls up his influences, naming “medieval art, impressionism, surrealism, contemporary art, music and photography.” Hearing the rock band Kiss at the age of ten was a formative moment for the artist, undergoing a brief obsession with their image – drawing everything for them from logos to comics. Artistic skill apparently ran in his family, too – he references his grandfather’s skill as a caricaturist. Growing up in his house, “there was always a pencil on the table.”
Vittamin Tattoo MadridRobert has his own studio based in Madrid which has been going since 2000 and bears the moniker of Vittamin Tattoo. This is where some of his most outstanding work has been produced. A vividly rendered ant so well done that it almost pops off the arm of one client is merely one example; his portfolio is filled with incredible examples of black and grey portraiture (the hardest type of tattoo to do, as you can read about in our Paul Booth feature) – bearded zombies, vampiric priestesses and that calling card of the Dark Style tattooist, creepily pale, hollow eyed little girls.
Robert Hernandez Tattoo PictureHe’s perfected surreal, with images fading and distorting, melding into one another to produce weird conglomerations of eight eyed faces and sphynx cats, bloodied ‘cut away’ effect tattoos and pretty female faces segueing into robotic skulls; all examples to be found in his collection of happy clients. Wrists coloured and styled to have a toothy mouth at their centre; twisted religious images and famous musicians are also expertly rendered. It genuinely seems as though there is nothing that this artist cannot do…
Vittamin Tattoo Madrid
Zodiac Tattoos
Zodiac tattoos have been a recent trend that has been observed in the tattooing world. People like to represent their zodiac tattoos signs which depicts their month. However, there are twelve zodiacs in all each having a distinct meaning and sign assigned to it.Starting from the month of January is the Capricorn which symbolizes a goat with a tail. There are personality traits associated with the zodiac tattoos zodiac tattoos sign. For instance, traits like serious, determined, disciplined are some of the characteristics of this sign.
The following month from dates 21st January – 19th February is the Aquarius zodiac symbolizing a water bearer depicted though two horizontal zig zag lines. Their personality traits follows that they make friendship systems really well, assisted with freedom of expression.
From 19th February – 20th march is visualized in the symbol of a pair of fishes that is the Pisces which are linked with each other through their mouths, though their faces are apart. The meaning attached to it is humanity by joining the ocean of members are serving them.
Aries is another zodiac tattoos sign which dates from March 20 – April 19th. The symbol depicts the horns of a goat or ram.
Taurus zodiac tattoos sign visualizes the head of a bull with its two horns at the top. The month range for this zodiac tattoos sign is April 20th – may 20th. It may also be perceived as the crescent moon resting on the sun.
Gemini, the symbol for twins is symbolized by two identical lines which actually is based on twin stars – Castor and Pollux.
Cancer spanning from the month of June to July reflects two curved lines depicting the mother child bond that is so intricate and close.
Leo symbol, symbolizes the head and the tail of the lion.
It is interesting to note that Virgo and Scorpio have almost similar signs and therefore their meanings are also similar. They reflect the early medical sign, possibly having some kind of healing property. The only difference they have is the termination of the ends which also has a meaning i.e. they reflect the two sexes.
Zodiac TattoosThe following month from dates 21st January – 19th February is the Aquarius zodiac symbolizing a water bearer depicted though two horizontal zig zag lines. Their personality traits follows that they make friendship systems really well, assisted with freedom of expression.
From 19th February – 20th march is visualized in the symbol of a pair of fishes that is the Pisces which are linked with each other through their mouths, though their faces are apart. The meaning attached to it is humanity by joining the ocean of members are serving them.
Zodiac TattoosAries is another zodiac tattoos sign which dates from March 20 – April 19th. The symbol depicts the horns of a goat or ram.
Taurus zodiac tattoos sign visualizes the head of a bull with its two horns at the top. The month range for this zodiac tattoos sign is April 20th – may 20th. It may also be perceived as the crescent moon resting on the sun.
Gemini, the symbol for twins is symbolized by two identical lines which actually is based on twin stars – Castor and Pollux.
Zodiac TattoosCancer spanning from the month of June to July reflects two curved lines depicting the mother child bond that is so intricate and close.
Leo symbol, symbolizes the head and the tail of the lion.
It is interesting to note that Virgo and Scorpio have almost similar signs and therefore their meanings are also similar. They reflect the early medical sign, possibly having some kind of healing property. The only difference they have is the termination of the ends which also has a meaning i.e. they reflect the two sexes.
Jo Harrison - Modern Body Art
We can’t lie – the first thing that will strike you about Jo is definitely her eye poppingly brilliant style. At the Barcelona convention she’s working it with secretary-black rimmed glasses, a bright red avant-garde punk-pixie crop and sparkling silver capped teeth. When she smiles, the surface piercings in her dimples glint, and we can’t help it, we’re entranced…!
Self taught tattooer, Jo Harrison has been steadily making a name for herself as a leading female artist.
This is never something you’d hear in her own words, though – when we decide to tell her about her new status-tag, the response is wide eyes, a whole lot of giggling and ‘oh really? Well, that’s quite nice, thankyou!’
Jo has her base in Birmingham’s Modern Body Art Studio. Eleven years into her career, she is currently on a world tour - taking in some of the world’s far-flung conventions, seeing the sights and spreading the word. She enthuses about convention hopping, seeing it as a whole bunch of opportunities to find beautiful new places, connect with friends old and new and make her living doing what she loves. She can’t even begin to think about naming a favourite convention in particular, stating firmly that every convention big or small has plus sides; some might be ‘all about the love’ and others are sheer brilliance for congregating an intense amount of talent all under one roof in one big city – the London convention, for example.
Her favourite ink creations range from the colourful and the feminine to the horror and the black and grey; she won’t stick herself in a box! Her influences flow from the great outdoors and nature through to magazine photography, a scattering of painters and fellow tattoo artists. Her work is in a word stunning; she does photo realistic pin ups to perfection, all shiny pouting lips and vampy eyes, flowers, intense shots of colour and innovative takes on the traditional Japanese style.
Modern Body ArtSelf taught tattooer, Jo Harrison has been steadily making a name for herself as a leading female artist.
Modern Body ArtThis is never something you’d hear in her own words, though – when we decide to tell her about her new status-tag, the response is wide eyes, a whole lot of giggling and ‘oh really? Well, that’s quite nice, thankyou!’
Modern Body ArtJo has her base in Birmingham’s Modern Body Art Studio. Eleven years into her career, she is currently on a world tour - taking in some of the world’s far-flung conventions, seeing the sights and spreading the word. She enthuses about convention hopping, seeing it as a whole bunch of opportunities to find beautiful new places, connect with friends old and new and make her living doing what she loves. She can’t even begin to think about naming a favourite convention in particular, stating firmly that every convention big or small has plus sides; some might be ‘all about the love’ and others are sheer brilliance for congregating an intense amount of talent all under one roof in one big city – the London convention, for example.
Modern Body ArtHer favourite ink creations range from the colourful and the feminine to the horror and the black and grey; she won’t stick herself in a box! Her influences flow from the great outdoors and nature through to magazine photography, a scattering of painters and fellow tattoo artists. Her work is in a word stunning; she does photo realistic pin ups to perfection, all shiny pouting lips and vampy eyes, flowers, intense shots of colour and innovative takes on the traditional Japanese style.
Modern Body Art
Female Tattoo Gallery
Incredible Designs for Women While at one time tattoos were more popular with men, in recent years tattoos have becoming increasingly popular with women as well. Although they were initially considered socially unacceptable for women, with the variety of celebrities that are now sporting elaborate tattoos, they are becoming more acceptable and popular for women. Of course most women want to go with a feminine design that will add a beautiful touch to their body.
Tattoos for women are usually much prettier and a bit smaller than tattoos for men. Some of the most popular tattoo designs for women include flowers, butterflies, and beautiful Celtic designs as well. Usually tattoos for women are not as aggressive and heavy and the lines tend to be thinner and lighter for women as well. However, as tattoos for women becoming increasingly popular, gradually many women are starting to go for larger tattoos as well.
As tattoos for women are getting larger, more women are going for beautiful hearts, Celtic roses, tribal tattoos, stars, and a variety of other designs.
Women are also becoming quite experimental when it comes to their tattoos, with some of them coming up with their own designs, and some women going for tattoos that are quite large as well. Usually you can find all of the most popular designs for women at a female tattoo gallery.
If you are planning on getting a tattoo, you may want to consider checking out online tattoo galleries for some great ideas. Remember that when you get a tattoo it is going to be with you for a very long time, so you definitely want to choose something that looks great and that you really love. This is no time to pick out something that you only kind of like. There are many great designs available today, so be sure you pick out a design that you really love.
One of the best places to look for tattoo designs for women is at an online female tattoo gallery. Online galleries allow you to shop for a great tattoo at your own convenience.
You can browse through hundreds of tattoos from the comfort of your home, and when you find one that you love you can purchase the design for a great price. Most tattoo shops are quite limited when it comes to female choices, so it is definitely best to shop at online female tattoo galleries to find what you really want for your tattoo.
Female TattooTattoos for women are usually much prettier and a bit smaller than tattoos for men. Some of the most popular tattoo designs for women include flowers, butterflies, and beautiful Celtic designs as well. Usually tattoos for women are not as aggressive and heavy and the lines tend to be thinner and lighter for women as well. However, as tattoos for women becoming increasingly popular, gradually many women are starting to go for larger tattoos as well.
Female TattooAs tattoos for women are getting larger, more women are going for beautiful hearts, Celtic roses, tribal tattoos, stars, and a variety of other designs.
Female TattooWomen are also becoming quite experimental when it comes to their tattoos, with some of them coming up with their own designs, and some women going for tattoos that are quite large as well. Usually you can find all of the most popular designs for women at a female tattoo gallery.
Female Tattoo
Female TattooIf you are planning on getting a tattoo, you may want to consider checking out online tattoo galleries for some great ideas. Remember that when you get a tattoo it is going to be with you for a very long time, so you definitely want to choose something that looks great and that you really love. This is no time to pick out something that you only kind of like. There are many great designs available today, so be sure you pick out a design that you really love.
One of the best places to look for tattoo designs for women is at an online female tattoo gallery. Online galleries allow you to shop for a great tattoo at your own convenience.
Female TattooYou can browse through hundreds of tattoos from the comfort of your home, and when you find one that you love you can purchase the design for a great price. Most tattoo shops are quite limited when it comes to female choices, so it is definitely best to shop at online female tattoo galleries to find what you really want for your tattoo.
Female Tattoo
lizard Tattoo
There are two main reasons why people get lizard tattoos; the first being that lizards are seen as a symbol of regeneration and may be used by a person who has narrowly escaped what was or would have been a very bad situation. The second being the simple fact that lizards are fascinating. They have a distinctive look that can be found nowhere else in either the natural, or unnatural world.
Some of the great lizard tattoos around, then you may be persuaded into getting one yourself. I have never been a real lizard or gecko tattoos person, as such. I mean I liked lizards and all, I just never felt the need to have one inked on my body. I have seen some amazing lizard tattoos recently and they are starting to change my mind.
This makes a lizard tattoo and extremely important piece of art in these cultures and can even have religious significance.
But even if you don’t have a deep symbolic reason for getting a lizard tattoo design, it can still be very beautiful and sometimes even whimsical. This is especially true nowadays because the lizard is playing an ever increasing role in popular culture and is often the mascot for many different companies and products.
lizard TattooSome of the great lizard tattoos around, then you may be persuaded into getting one yourself. I have never been a real lizard or gecko tattoos person, as such. I mean I liked lizards and all, I just never felt the need to have one inked on my body. I have seen some amazing lizard tattoos recently and they are starting to change my mind.
lizard TattooThis makes a lizard tattoo and extremely important piece of art in these cultures and can even have religious significance.
lizard TattooBut even if you don’t have a deep symbolic reason for getting a lizard tattoo design, it can still be very beautiful and sometimes even whimsical. This is especially true nowadays because the lizard is playing an ever increasing role in popular culture and is often the mascot for many different companies and products.
lizard Tattoo
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
|
|
|---|
|
|
|---|
