Black and Gray Tattoos

Black and gray tattoos are generally believed to have started in prisons in the United States. This was probably due to the difficulty of prison inmates getting their hands on colored ink. When several tattooists such as California's Jack Rudy and 'Good Time Charlie Cartwright' saw the work for the first time they realized that there was great artistic potential in adapting it for use in tattoo shops outside of prisons. 

 Black & Gray Japanese Fish (koi) - Troy Denning of Invisible Ink in NY

 'Jail house' tattooists would jury-rig home made tattoo machines powered by any small, available motor. Since colored tattoo inks weren't available and cigarette ash made an acceptable, easily emulsified pigment, the tattoos were invariably black and gray. They developed the refined, detailed style that has become popular these days.

The advancement of this underground technique was refined in the 1970's, turning black and gray or 'joint style' tattoos into a mainstay of modern tattooing. Black and Gray is customary used for portraits or for achieving a very realistic effect. The artist's concentration is focused on the line and shading of the piece. They can look awesome particularly if the tattoo artist is experienced with shading. Just like the name they are done only in shades of black and gray.

 

Peep My Tattoo

Create your own page or upload your tattoo pictures right here. We are not about the kind of pseudo rock star vanity you see on My Space or some 'rate my ink' wannabe website. We're all about showcasing some of the latest tattoos.

Upload your images and/or create a mini profile page and share it with your friends. People can rate your tattoos and leave feedback. Get started and give us the inside dope on your tattoos and mods right here (scroll down for pictures of tattoos).

Tattoos

It’s hard to look authentically rebellious or menacing these days, when even well-behaved businessmen wear earrings and ponytails and college students destined for quiet suburban lives have body piercings and tattoos.

Tattoos, in particular, are not the radical brandings, the bold violations of flesh and propriety, they once were. Available in New York from almost 1,400 licensed tattoo artists, tattoos are probably better and safer now than they’ve ever been — more creative and varied, applied in many cases by serious, highly skilled body artists.

Then again, there are tattoos, and there are tattoos. It is unlikely that the ambitious professional with a single, understated, discreetly placed and wittily conceived tat, or for that matter the teenager with her boyfriend’s name and two lovebirds emblazoned in the small of her back, will ever have tattoos on the face and scalp, or a full chest or back “panel” or a tattooed arm or leg.

Some tattoo aficionados, though, have transformed large portions of their bodies into multicolored canvases for all manner of skulls, serpents, raptors, flame-breathing dragons, flowers, vines, angels, demons, daggers, buxom bombshells and portraits of heroes and loved ones.

Tattoos have been used for centuries to reflect changes in life status, whether passage into adulthood or induction into a group like the military or a gang. In recent years, tattoos have also become a fashion accessory, a trend fueled by basketball players, bands and celebrities.

A report by the Food and Drug Administration estimated that as many as 45 million Americans have tattoos. The report based the number on the finding by a Harris Interactive Poll in 2003 that 16 percent of all adults and 36 percent of people 25 to 29 had at least one tattoo. The poll also found that 17 percent of tattooed Americans regretted it. And a tattoo that cost several hundred dollars could require several thousand dollars and many laser sessions to remove

Two Segements of Renae's Arm

I spotted a whole lot going on with Renae's left forearm, while browsing at the Chelsea Salvation Army store, so I just had to ask.

Let's deconstruct:

The first part of this tattoo is the dark heart on the inner part of the forearm. Renae attributes this to Rob at the Orlando branch of Hart and Huntington. In over three years of inkspotting, this is the first piece on Tattoosday that has been credited to one of their shops.

Renae, who has "no idea" how many tattoos she has (which is synonymous for "too many to count"), wanted to add to her arm, so she headed to Brooklyn Ink in Bay Ridge.

Alex Franklin was given free reign, according to Renae. Her exact quote was "use your imagination and run," which must be music to many a tattooists ears.

Alex did the flourishes around the original tattoo, along with the phrase "gutta cavat lapidem," a Latin phrase by Ovid which translates to "dripping water hollows out a stone," which is a shortened version of the line "Dripping water hollows out stone, not through force but through persistence." This quote is known to many New Yorkers who have seen it inscribed underground here (with a broader description here).




And he tattooed the piece on the other side of the arm:

Work from Brooklyn Ink (and a lot by Alex) has appeared previously on Tattoosday here.

Thanks to Renae for sharing her tattoos with us here on Tattoosday!

Feminine Lower Back Tattoos Newer

Choosing to get a tattoo is a big decision - especially for women. Because tattooing was traditionally considered a masculine activity, until recently, women who were tattooed sometimes faced social stigma. But tattooing is now something that women can safely do without casting doubt on their femininity, particularly if they choose feminine lower back tattoos.

Feminine tattoos can be almost anything, as long as it's something that is significant to you. The most important thing to remember when you're choosing a tattoo design is that it should be meaningful, because you're going to have to live with your decision for the rest of your life.

You probably have female friends, neighbors, or co-workers who have tattoos. If so, you know that feminine tattoos are incredibly diverse. Many women, for example, choose a type of flower. Roses are especially popular, and so are daisies. These flowers can be easily integrated into a larger design.

Celestial or astronomical images are also popular tattoo styles for women. Stars can be extremely feminine, especially if you have your artist embellish the outline of the shape. Suns and moons are also very popular, because they are flattering no matter where they are placed on the body.

Once you've chosen your tattoo design, you'll need to decide where to get it. Although many women choose to place their tattoos on their hips or ankles, by far the most popular tattoo site for women is the lower back. One reason for this is that the lower back can be covered if you are in a situation where a tattoo is not appropriate.

The other, and perhaps primary, reason that the lower back is popular is because of its sex appeal. By getting a lower back tattoo, you will be sure to catch the attention of all the men in the room. The female back is an especially curvaceous part of the body, and its sultry sex appeal will keep men's gazes fixed on you.

There are other good reasons to choose lower back tattoos, too. If you're not particularly concerned with increasing your sex appeal, remember that you can get a tattoo just to indulge yourself. You should never get a tattoo just to impress someone else.

When you're choosing a tattoo design, be thankful that you have so much freedom! But at the same time, you should give serious consideration to feminine lower back tattoos. They are sexy and sure to attract men, but you can also hide them if you need. Flatter your figure and yourself and choose a lower back tattoo!

John's Root People

At the end of July, I coincidentally exited the A train at 14th Street at the same time as John, who was visiting from Nevada.

I had been admiring his sleeve on the train, but didn't have the opportunity to speak to him about it until after he got off the subway.

He referred to these creatures as "Root People":

It's an abstract collaboration with the artist, Rickett, at The Ruby Lantern in Carson City, Nevada.

They started working together in January of this year, and they're not yet finished with the whole sleeve. As you can tell, it's very unusual and has a very unique approach.

These designs are all on John's right arm, and I am particular to the female tree person above on his inner forearm.

Thanks to John for sharing his Root People here with us on Tattoosday!

Gina's Phoenix

In late June, I ran into Gina in Penn Station and complimented her on a tattoo she had on her back. At the time, she was wearing something with straps that covered part of the design. I gave her a flier and she remarked that she had just recently discovered the site through this post on the tattoo of Julie Powell.

Alas, like so many folks to whom I give fliers, I didn't receive any emails or photos. But a month passed and one day I was pleasantly surprised to see an email from Gina, with the following photos of her phoenix tattoo:

I'll let her explain the rest:

"... I had completely forgotten [about sending in the photo] until I found the picture I took for you on my camera... This was done by Junii at the Diamond Club in San Francisco. [Bill Salmon, Junii's husband, is the studio owner]. She does amazing line work.  She's also incredibly conscientious about design and her clients.  For both my tattoos, she spend a lot of time talking with me, looking at the 20 pictures I had brought in of bits or aspects of what I wanted, then went off and did her own research, always coming back with exactly the right drawing.

This one - I got it after a really, really difficult year. So, obviously, not the deepest symbolism - just wanted to remind myself of the possibility of renewal."

Thanks to Gina for sharing her tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!

Modern Tattoo women Pictures

The history to tattoo is probably as old as humanity. It achieved various innumerable goals. Some of them were rites of passage, punishment, protection, and marks of fertility. It was also employed to mark outlaws such as slaves. The tattooing of word comes from the tatu of word of Tahitian, which means to mark something.

Arm and Back Body Tattoo Design

Arm and Back Body Tattoo Design

Sexy Tattoo Model

Body Tattoos

Alex Shares a Floral Tattoo, Roots and All

Sometimes I see tattoos before I see people.

Back in July, for example, I approached a guy on the West 4th Street subway platform to ask him about this tattoo on his right forearm:

It was only after I said hello to him that I realized he was someone named Alex who lives in my neighborhood in Brooklyn.

In fact, Alex had a tattoo featured here back in 2009, after I stopped  him in the laundromat.

This floral tattoo is a representation of how a flower overcomes obstacles and pain to lay down roots, rises up, and blooms.

He draws the comparison to life, as nothing comes without hard work and bypassing obstacles.

The tattoo was created by Shon Lindauer at Thicker Than Water in Manhattan. Shon is the same artist that did the tiger on my calf. Other work from Thicker Than Water has appeared previously on Tattoosday here.

Thanks to Alex for once again sharing his work with us here on Tattoosday!

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Kevin's Gravitational Tattoo

I love word tattoos so I couldn't help but stop Kevin at Barnes & Noble earlier this month. He had this tattoo inked on his inner right forearm:

He explained that he enrolled in school not knowing for sure what he wanted to do. He was on a path for a career in finance, but also has a keen interest in art and graphic design.

He says that the tattoo is a reminder that, although gravity is all around us, and pulling us toward the status quo, he should stay true to himself and never give up his interest in art.

He had this done by Betty Rose at Red Rocket Tattoo in Manhattan. Work from Red Rocket has appeared previously on Tattoosday here.

Thanks to Kevin for sharing his Gravity with us here on Tattoosday!

Travis and Another Perspective of Ganesh

People who are familiar with being featured here on Tattoosday know that there is a process, in which I generally go chronologically, and it often can be several weeks before I post their work.

But there are always exceptions.

Take, for example, Travis, who I met on Monday near the corner of 32nd and 8th Avenue waiting for a bus.

Under normal circumstances, you'd have seen Travis's tattoo in September but, the next day, I got the following mysterious tweet: "@Tattoosday post pictures of that guys tattoos- you were talking to him yesterday outside MSG plzz! *stalker*".

What?

Well, a little bit of digging, and I discovered that the source of the message was Hannah, who appeared last month on Tattoosday here. And since I'm a sucker for my fans, I'll gladly oblige and share Travis's tattoo with us here today. Here it is:

Travis's tattoo depicts the Hindu deity Ganesh. However, unlike this Ganesh tattoo, this one has a twist.

Travis explained that one of the common beliefs is that Ganesh was born with a human head, but that he was beheaded as a boy, and his head was replaced with that of an elephant. He obtained a third eye so that he could make sure he was never betrayed again.

Travis says that he often feels "too aware" of others, to the point that it detracts from his enjoyment of life. Thus, his tattoo of Ganesh has him literally slicing off the third eye, wielding a sword with his trunk, which metaphorically translates to Travis "cooling out" and being less aware so that he can enjoy life more.

The "F.I.A." on the banner stand for "Fuck It All".

Travis has eight tattoos, which includes a full sleeve, all by artist Brad Stevens at Dare Devil Tattoo in New York City.

Thanks to Travis for sharing this interesting interpretation of Ganesh with us here on Tattoosday!

Cross Tattoos

Cool Cross Tattoos Designs - Different styles and what they mean


Tattoos are now becoming more and more popular than ever in history. That is how they express their feelings and beliefs, and for some to get intimate with someone they idolized. This is what they wear with pride.




Tattoos are the latest trends come in all shapes and sizes and can be done in any part of the body, including teeth. Other fans would prefer to tattoo - Cool cross tattoos different styles and what they mean something that is important for the expression of feelings and moods.




Most boys prefer tribal symbols of art, Sanskrit or Japanese script and the Aztecs. While, on the other hand, the girls love interest, a group of angels, hearts, or the name of the guy on the body (very mushy). In addition, people prefer to have tattoos on his arms and chest, to develop a broader and more ambitious and to be rounded and design for them and symmetrical shoulders. Women prefer to have it on the calves and lower back.




This is a wonderful experience for signs. It makes you more proud of yourself and your design. Nevertheless, it can be a terrible experience for some that they like they've never gone through this experience.




There are some who have decided to decorate their body cross tattoos designs, styles and what they mean, how they express their religious beliefs. They believe that the design of their bodies one way or another, how to connect them to the spiritual side, and that their tattoos more than an icon, which is typical of other believers. However, this is a big mistake to assume that-Cool cross tattoos Different styles and what they mean is the Christian faith. Those who chose a tattoo of the cross may be other reasons.




Anchor cross symbolizes the hope for Christians facing difficult times. Anchors are used in the martyrdom of St. Clement, when he tied her up and threw into the sea.




Greek cross is recognized today as a symbol of the Red Cross, are identical in all four hands.




Celtic cross is a symbol that combines the cross with a ring. Legend has it that the cross was introduced by St. Patrick in an attempt to change the pagan Irish to Christianity. rings symbolize the former god of the sun earlier pagan religions, connecting with a new confidence.




Maltese Cross is generally accepted that the four arms of the cross to stand four cardinal virtues - prudence, temperance, justice and courage.




inverted cross was originally represented humility of the apostle Peter in martyrdom. But today, as a rule, the opposite: satanism and the humiliation of Christ.




Iron Cross was adopted as the Iron Cross in Prussia. During the First World War, he appeared on German fighter planes and tanks.




In general, there are many cross tattoos with a different meaning for each of them. Thus, the symbolism of cross tattoos can be removed from the pagan and Christian, these values are more common, as bravery and strength. From Russell Reugh

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Under One Small Star - Two Tattoos from Anna

I met Anna earlier this month in Penn Station. I felt compelled to stop her when she walked by and I caught a glimpse of this amazing tattoo:

I love seeing ink that is new and original, and I had never seen a line of anything run up the length of a leg like this.

Anna explained that this was a line of poetry that reads "My apologies to time for all the world I overlook each second" that she heard on a trip to Cambodia. Her group leader, Jan, had shared the poem, "Under One Small Star" by Polish Nobel Laureate Wislawa Szymborska, and the verse meant a lot to her during her trip there. This one specific line really resounded with her, so she first "paid a Khmer translation site and then had a friend [she] made in Cambodia, Ponheary, check the translation just to make sure it was correct".

I love the international flavor of this tattoo - a poem originally in Polish, translated to English, then re-translated to Khmer, transcribed in flesh in America!

The line runs from top to bottom and was inked by Jason at Powerhouse Tattoo Company in Montclair, New Jersey.

The poem is reprinted in its entirety at the end of this post.

Since it is Tat-Tuesday, let's look at a second tattoo from Anna, this one on the back side of her right arm:

This is Joan of Arc, "a hero of mine," says Anna, who admires her from the feminist perspective and finds her an "unbelievably inspirational" historical figure.

This piece was tattooed by the wonderful Stephanie Tamez at New York Adorned. Stephanie's work has appeared previously on Tattoosday here.

Thanks again to Anna for sharing these two of her seven tattoos with us here on Tattoosday!

Under One Small Star

My apologies to chance for calling it necessity.
My apologies to necessity if I'm mistaken, after all.
Please, don't be angry, happiness, that I take you as my due.
May my dead be patient with the way my memories fade.
My apologies to time for all the world I overlook each second.
My apologies to past loves for thinking that the latest is the first.
Forgive me, distant wars, for bringing flowers home.
Forgive me, open wounds, for pricking my finger.
I apologize for my record of minuets to those who cry from the depths.
I apologize to those who wait in railway stations for being asleep
today at five a.m.
Pardon me, hounded hope, for laughing from time to time.
Pardon me, deserts, that I don't rush to you bearing a spoonful of water.
And you, falcon, unchanging year after year, always in the same cage,
your gaze always fixed on the same point in space,
forgive me, even if it turns out you were stuffed.
My apologies to the felled tree for the table's four legs.
My apologies to great questions for small answers.
Truth, please don't pay me much attention.
Dignity, please be magnanimous.
Bear with me, O mystery of existence, as I pluck the occasional thread
from your train.
Soul, don't take offense that I've only got you now and then.
My apologies to everything that I can't be everywhere at once.
My apologies to everyone that I can't be each woman and each man.
I know I won't be justified as long as I live,
since I myself stand in my own way.
Don't bear me ill will, speech, that I borrow weighty words,
then labor heavily so that they may seem light.

--Wislawa Szymborska