Sunday, May 2, 2010

Rose Tattoos

Rose Tattoos
Not all rose tattoos are created equal. This one, as you can see, is a very large one that not only includes the entire plant but also includes a couple of butterflies. It is a well drawn image and well executed by the tattoo artist though I would certainly like it better if it had a little color to it. But don’t get me wrong I still like it and it certainly looks provocative going down the side of this girls body like it does.

This particular rose tattoo would seem to be one that wants to symbolize more than a simple ‘I love you’ like most single roses would. This one seems to want to stand for nature and freedom and a general celebration of life itself. Unlike other rose tattoos I have seen this one seems to be telling us what is stands for and what it is supposed to mean. I would be curious to ask the owner and see if that is it, but I would be surprised if my definition is not very close. But one never knows. A rose by any other name is still a rose, unless of course we’re talking about rose tattoos. That can be something quite different.

Rose Tattoos
Pretty much everybody knows that the red rose symbolizes love. If a man gives a girl a single red rose it is the same as saying I love you. And so rose tattoos can have that same effect. The only thing that occurs to me is how is one to tell who the person is saying it to? If this tattoo belongs to a girl, she’s going to tell her boyfriend its for him, but isn’t that what she is going to tell the next guy too? And of course, a guy might get a tattoo like this and have ten girls out there believing he got it for them, all at the same time. Maybe that’s why a red rose always has thorns. Because love doesn’t come cheap and there is always going to be some complications.

The truth is things don’t have to be that complicated although it always seems that love is at one time or another. The time of the rose and getting rose tattoos should be the time of love that is simple and pure and beautiful. A time with hearts that are over flowing with love and simply want to share that joy with their better half.

Sleeve Tattoos

Sleeve Tattoos
The picture of depicts a sleeve tattoo from four different angles. It’s a beautifully done piece that is not only colorful and beautiful but one that flows quite naturally. It is evidently a piece that was designed as sleeve tattoo from the very beginning, which is not always the case. A lot of sleeve tattoos start out as individual designs which are then later linked together. A person might start getting an upper shoulder design and then add a forearm tattoo. Then later on they might add a wrist piece of some sort. Then when the bearer realizes that most of their arm is inked they then turn to their tattoo artist to tie the individual elements together in one design. This can be quite a challenge for a tattoo artist. But, this sleeve tattoo was planned from the very get go. Therefore, it not only looks good but looks that it belongs on the bearers arm. But, I imagine that it was a piece that took several sessions to finish. This is the biggest drawback of the sleeve tattoo that is designed as one piece. You can spend a lot of time with an unfinished design, while a design that evolves from several smaller pieces spends a lot less time unfinished because the smaller tattoos can be done at a faster rate.
Sleeve Tattoos
A sleeve tattoo is any tattoo design that covers a large portion of the arm. Sleeve tattoos can come in a variety of sizes from a full sleeve a half sleeve and even a quarter sleeve all depending on the size. Getting a sleeve tattoo can be a big commitment and should probably not be done without proper and careful consideration first. If you are thinking about getting sleeve tattoo you want to carefully consider the design, the amount of time that it will take, and the amount of money it will cost. Some of you might be wondering why they call a sleeve tattoo and how it is different from regular tattoos? Typically sleeve tattoos are done on arms can also be done on the legs. They are any type of tattoo that fully covers this can so that little to no skin is showing through the tattoo. They’re often called sleeve tattoos because they look very some similar to wearing a long sleeved shirt. Essentially there are two different ways to get a sleeve tattoo done. The first way and probably the most common way is that a person starts by giving individual tattoos. For example they like and a pair of lucky dice or a nice pinup girl tattoo on the forearm that later add a tribal tattoo the shoulder. Over time these individual tattoos will cover larger and larger parts of the arm eventually forming a sleeve tattoo. The second method is when you come up with the full sleeve tattoo design first and then have the tattoo done over multiple sessions.

Blue Ink Name Tattoo Picture


Blue Ink Name Tattoo Picture

This guy has the word HOULE tattooed on his side. It's in a navy blue ink. Elaborate shading, hatching and background wing dings make it an attractive design. Houle is probably the guy's last name.

Unique Hawk and Fish Tattoo


Unique Hawk and Fish Tattoo

This looks like an oil painting on canvas, but is a vibrant tattoo art piece on this guy's arm. Beautifully executed nature action scene.

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Fish Tattoos

Fish  Tattoos
Fish tattoos are commonly becoming more and more popular as a design element. And one of the most popular fish tattoo designs is the Koi fish. But, what’s the symbolism and history behind this ancient Japanese animal? Let’s go over the basics. Koi are actually a form of carp and have been raised and bred in Japan for who know, probably hundred of years. If you have been to Japan you will notice they are a common feature in most traditional Japanese gardens. They have been seen in China even before they were popular in Japan. And they are a considered a symbol of perseverance or strength. That’s probably because of its determination to overcome hardships. As such it also represents courage and the ability to attain any goal set before the bearer. Fish tattoos, including the Asian carp, are also known for good fortune and good luck. Koi are so popular in Japan that they are often the center of many festivals. So, the next time your thinking of getting a fish tattoo then you might want to get a Koi design. And hopefully, this fish tattoo will be the bearer of luck and good tidings.
Fish  Tattoos
This fish tattoo is a whimsical representation of an animal that is steeped in history and symbolic meaning the world over. Let’s talk a little about it’s significance, shall we? For many of the world’s ancient cultures the fish was the symbol of water, mother, and great goddess. Early myth relates that the fish was the vulva of Isis, who, taking the form of the fish, swallowed the penis of Osiris. The fish then stood for the feminine and her reproductive powers. The Celts also used the fish symbol as representing female sexuality and birth. In Hindu culture, the fish was a marriage symbol. When a bride first enters the house of her husband, she does so with a fish in her hand. But, the fish tattoo has meanings in Asian cultures as well. Fish play an important role in many Asian cultures as entities to ward off evil spirits, or to bring harmony and prosperity into the home. The fish is the water symbol, an essential element in Chinese ‘feng shui’. The goldfish is synonymous with good fortune, while a goldfish leaping over a wave is the symbol of man’s ability to transcend. The goldfish is leaving the lower regions and ‘jumping’ to a higher ground of being. The goldfish also represents longevity, wisdom, loyalty and knowledge, and is a popular creature in Chinese mythology. A fish tattoo can not only be a beautiful or cute design, but as you can see here it’s also one that is a powerful symbol around the world.

Japanese Dragon Tattoo

Japanese Dragon Tattoo
This is one of my favorite Japanese dragon tattoos. I like the way it wraps from his shoulder blade, up around the shoulder and down the front of the chest. This Japanese dragon tattoo also has a very sad look on it’s face like it had just been defeated in battle or something. And though I wasn’t sure about it when I first saw it, I eventually came to realize that I really liked the monotone color of this design. I believe this Japanese dragon tattoo to be a symbol of luck and wisdom. Of course all tattoos are about personal expression and therefore the meaning of any tattoo is really derived by the person wearing the tattoo. There are not any hard and fast rules that a tattoo must always represent just one thing. Instead each tattoo and tattoo design will mean something unique and different to the bearer of the tattoo. Therefore any discussion of the symbolism or meaning of a dragon tattoo must be taken in that light. As is the case with any tattoo, the bearer is the one who makes the design special and unique. It should be a personal representation of the person.
Japanese Dragon Tattoo
Japanese dragon tattoos can be beautiful additions to any collection of body art. But, if your looking for an authentic Japanese dragon tattoo then that can require a little bit of research. And that’s because there is very little known about the Japanese dragon and there are very few good examples available online. But, with a little patience and fore knowledge you can find a design that’s not only beautiful but one that is also to the Japanese dragon motif. The first thing to look for when finding the appropriate dragon is the number of claws on it’s feet. Chinese dragons have four claws, but Japanese dragons only have three. Another thing to consider is that in Japanese dragon tattoos, the dragons are much more slender and serpent like then in other cultures. Many of the famous Japanese dragons can be seen in the picture. From left to right they are Ka Riu, Han Riu and Kanji Ryu. That’s the perfect start from which you can find the design that your looking. And as you can plainly see, a Japanese dragon tattoo can not only be dazzling but also rich in symbolic meaning. So, why not start your quest for one today.

Butterflies Tattoos Design

Butterflies Tattoos
Butterflies tattoos are the second most popular tattoo designs today. Some are more animated and cartoon like and some very true-to-life. But, choosing the correct design to highlight the potential of this magnificent insect can be a truly daunting task. Believe me when I tell you that there are quite a few species of this insect. As a matter of fact, there are thousands upon thousands of them. First, we’ll take a look at real butterfly photography, then we’ll explore simpler, more animated clip art. If you do a simple search on the world wide web, your sure to find a lot of fantastic pictures of these magnificent and beautiful little buggers. And when choosing a butterfly tattoo design, nothing can compare to the beauty that can be found naturally. Mother nature really has some incredible designs when it comes to butterflies. Consider the butterflies tattoo in the picture. It’s a cross between a tribal butterfly design and a cartoon depiction of butterflies. It’s done with bright pigments and would make a fantastic design. It just goes to show you what can be done with a whole lot of inspiration, and an eye pointed towards the beauty of mother nature.
Butterflies Tattoos
If your looking for a feminine way to express your personal style then why not try getting a butterflies tattoo. But, before you commit one moment to getting the design inked into your skin then do some research and find a talented and qualified tattoo artist. You sure don’t want to get a butterflies tattoo design dreamed up that has a ton of personality and style and then have it inked by a sub standard tattoo artist. Then you might end up with something that doesn’t look anything like your original butterflies tattoo or one where the color isn’t as bright as it should be. And there’s another thing that you need to keep in mind. Did you know that a butterflies tattoo that is poorly done can actually lose it’s color over time? Yep, that’s right, if the artist hasn’t properly inked the butterflies tattoo then the color can actually start bleeding out. That’s usually due to the fact that sub standard artist will use inferior inks. These inks can have numerous problems besides bleeding out. They can cause allergic reaction, or fade too quickly. Then you have a butterflies tattoo that is missing huge chunks of color or is faded. And you don’t want that now do you?