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How the old school boys do it-Bill Loika ,Tattoo Peter Amsterdam.

Dan Gilsdorf

Got this one in tokyo this summer by Ganji at Mad Monster(now closed). First post btw, hello!

That I can turn on the TV at dinner and see an eviscerated corpse (thanks "Bones"), but I can't see a topless woman because that's harmful in some way (?)

Don't forget Albrigo: Daniel Albrigo NYC

Thanks for the kind words, Stu. I definitely agree that the "not just for sailors" thing is old news - in fact, that's basically what my recent articles have been about, really. I hope you don't think I'm just completely retreading old ground - in fact, I've been trying to talk about just how trodden that ground is, and trying to examine why these myths persist. I'm less repeating the assertion than examining the perception of tattooing in the media, and how these strange misconceptions have been repeated again and again since the 1890s, at least. I've been trying to analyse these old tropes, and trace them back to try and uncover where they start, because I'm as bored by them as you are. As you say, for more eloquent and informed people than I, Ed Hardy probably chief amongst them, have been pointing out that tattooing has crossed the social strata since the day Joseph Banks got tattooed fresh off the Endeavour, so what interests and frustrates me is that that (as you rightly say) banal fact is so tenacious. I definitely don't want to be a spokesman for anything, and I really hope I don't come across that way. It would horrify me if that's the impression I give. I certainly wouldn't pretend or presume to be representative of anything except my own ideas. As you say, tattooing needs neither spokespeople nor justification, and I don't want my work to come across as doing either. If it does, I can only apologise, and promise to bear that in mind in future. I'm simply interested in and passionate about tattooing, its history and its culture, and I'm just trying to put together knowledge from a variety of sources and put it together in a way that's accessible, interesting and novel. I'm lucky to have found myself in a position where my abilities as a researcher and writer have been able to align themselves with my passion and my love for tattooing, and all I want to do is find out as much as I can about it and share that in a sensitive, respectful way (which so often doesn't happen!). As for coming solely from within academia, I hope that part of the strength of my writing is that I am passionate about tattooing and come, in some respects, from inside the tattoo community (whatever that might mean, of course). You've known me for a long time, so you know I'm a tattoo collector and fan before I'm an academic and historian. In fact, I became an academic because the information I went looking for about the art-form I love just wasn't there, really, and much of what I did find was so obviously wrong. Most, if not all, academic work on tattooing has been written by outsiders treating tattooing and tattooed people as just another research project, and that's why (it seems to me) that much of academic work on tattooing is so awful. I hope I can redress that balance, in my own small way. My current project is, I hope, going to be more novel. I'm currently working on a fairly straightforward book-length history of tattooing, but one which looks at the artistic practice of tattooing rather than treating it as an anthropological freakshow. There's not been anything written like that since the 1930s, so I hope you appreciate it and think it's worth doing. I'm focussing at the moment on the period immediately after Cook's voyages returned to Europe in the 1790s - the iconic images of Western traditional tattooing were embedded by even the early decades of the 19th century, and yet (to the best of my knowledge) no-one has ever examined where they came from, and how they relate to the visual culture contexts from which they emerged. Pieces of research like that are something I hope I can bring to the table. It seems to be that there's a lot more to be learned, and a lot more to be said, about tattooing's history. That said, I really appreciate your comments and concerns, Stu. I understand that as I'm not a tattooer, I'm always going to be on the periphery, to some extent, and I definitely understand the suspicion of and scepticism towards academics! I do want to write work and do research and conduct myself in a way that earns respect from people like yourself - serious, artistically-minded, talented, hard-working, knowledgeable and well-respected tattooers - and produce knowledge that is as of interest to those already well-versed in tattoo culture and history as those who might never have even thought about tattooing before. It's really important to me not to tread on any toes or rock any apple-carts! As the work on my book goes forward, I'd love to sit down and talk with you and anyone else about its direction. I know you'll have a lot of really interesting things to say which can only make the finished product better. On a final note: Mario Desa's definitely right! Anyway, looking forward to seeing you soon.

Another Rodney Raines tiger...on me.

best of craigslist: Naked on the 6 train: - m4m best of craigslist: 911** Chevy van stolen from storage shed! REALLY PISSED! best of craigslist: Hey Snow Nazi in Warren best of craigslist: BJ for Bus Pass?

Getting this on Sunday, inside of my left arm, which is all mostly Irish stuff. Told Amber that this one was all on her seeing as I had worked with her on my last two she did which were both some what larger pieces. Told her I wanted something Irish, perhaps a banshee, as my highschool rugby team was the "banshees" so she threw this together and texted me the image this morning..

The rose that Ron Wells just did to go with my gypsy is definitely more "wrong way" than the one on the OP. At first I wasn't sold on it but I've really come to like it and appreciate it's uniqueness. Sorry, I'm embarrassed I brought the subject away from labias and back on track.

I'm going to guess the lady in front of me in line at the grocery store with her tweety bird pajama pants and shearling boots, three kids in tow buying twelve 2 liters of Soda, Lucky Charms, frozen pizza, and a tray of cupcakes on food stamps while yelling at her kids to behave so she can go get some smokes at the customer service desk has something to do with it. At least she has my vote.

For sure. They say that the "golden ration" and certain levels of symmetry are pleasing to the human eye. When comparing work like Jondix and Hooper put out compared against the "normal" tribal stuff you can feel a big difference in the mood or idea behind it.

Cases like that all it takes is a shrug and a response of "Meh, I like music."

R.I.P Smoking Joe Frazier.

paint your room like this then listen to nothing but einstein on the beach or maybe look at lots of islamic architecture

some more visual enjoyments...

I had an interesting experience this weekend just gone because I didn't have visual tattoos. I was dressed in a plain shirt and jacket, so I stood out like a sore thumb in rock club I was in. Everyone kept on eying me up until my friend called some people out on it. They then asked me if I knew anything about tattoos or if I was tough enough to have any. My response was to slowly take my shirt off to reveal my torso and back covered in tattoos all done by Stewart. Needless to say they were speechless. I just told them I was earning my visual spots, and not being a show of jackass trying to fit in with everyone else. Sorry if that was off topic. I do like visual tattoos but only if the person has tattoos in other areas. Otherwise I think there is too much blank skin around and they look like an attempt at getting attention. I'll get my forearms/hands/neck done when I retire and I have no more room left.

I'm a bit scared now that one day soon I will log on and that will be my screen name. But I'm down if it happens, may D can become SirBlazeAlotJr.

So close to being done... Probably going to get this finished in February. Done in Trafficanti d'Arte in Milan, where Ching was guesting.

oh, and if you're stupid enough to get a glow in the dark tattoo and you get sick, good.

Dan & Jason@ O?Reilly?s Tattoo 1108 Mission St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060 831-425-7690 Stash did a nice ship on this guy's stomach.. Tattoo 13 Oakland

I picked up my copy of Bloodwork: Bodies on Sunday. It's two volumes and weighs 27 pounds. It's also the nicest tattoo book I've ever seen. It features stunning photography of 119 backpieces and bodysuits by an absolutely ridiculous list of artists. If you are at all able to get your hands on a copy, you will not be disappointed.

Yea taking a long trip to the city today for moving related stuff. I will be swining by Saved and hopefully get a deposit down.

Thanks gouge, didn't even know he existed! Will check it out

I think it's interesting-all tattoos, art, and visual imagery are "geometric". I think that's why certain symbols like crosses,roses,skulls,anchors,etc stand out because their intrinsic nature is geometric.If you look at real tribal pattern art, the lines are representational, sometimes of abstract ideas like the Dreamtime in the Aborigines or social position in South Pacific, N. American native cultures, and early Celt/British tribal art. I think Hooper and Jondix's work standout to me because they are tuned into that frequency.

Yea for sure. I guess I am lucky to be living within an hour (so to be 3 blocks) from Saved Tattoo.

would you?

I don't know why, but I seriously can't stop literally lol'ing at this ;)

I like them but its all a bit wallpapery. I think Thomas Hooper's (and Jondix for that matter) work stands out cos its more than just repetetive patterns.

Lana Gooding did the Rollo monkey I use as my avatar. Really nice people, would love to make it down that way and get tattooed.

@hogg BANHAMMER this guy.

For those in the LA area this weekend Chris Conn is doing a solo art show at Merry Karnowsky Gallery (170 S. LA BREA AVENUE, Los Angeles, CA 90036) from 8pm to 11pm.

I haven't had any work done since September. My next appoint is November 25th. The time in between has been dragging alone very slowly. But I don't want to get a piece just for a quick "fix". I only have so much skin to cover and I am considering this journey more of a marathon then a sprint. I spend my time on LST and every artist's blog looking at other people's tattoos and pass the the time until I get my next one.

Right calf- Steve Byrne-Rock of Ages Tattoo, Austin TX There are some really nice purple flowers along the outside border, but they're hard to get in the picture- overall, super powerful :D

@gougetheeyes thanks for the heads up on the blog dude .

CaptCanada is now CaptFuckBucks

I was running around the lake the other day (shirtless, duh) and OPD was posting outside of their cars drinking coffee and bullshitting (as always). As I was running by I couldnt help but notice that they were pointing at me like I was either: A: and ex-con B: they liked my tattoos C: they were into dudes, and thought I was hot. D: they were pointing at the hot chicks running behind me and didnt give a shit about me. Id like to think it was B/C/.

Did the hot towel trick a few weeks ago on my shin and it seemed to help the healing. Not much scabbing, quick and easy! In other news, killer bear head on the knee tattooed by Mr. Robert Ryan he posted on his blog. Find his blog here.

Here is a nice Higgs tattoo I found recently. It was tattooed by him, not someone else tattooing his flash.

i have lots of freckles and a lady head on my arm and she has freckles too

With color:

rock of ages done on a friend's dad. late 40s/early 50s. i believe it was done at Dad Libertys' in Scolley Sq, Ma. i posted a couple of others in the "old tattoo photos" thread.

Within the last year I've had work done that is only covered by long sleeves. For years I have run a large business with a diverse base of employees. I've always told people that they should be careful when placing a tattoo on their body. I would point to the bottom of the sleeve of a polo shirt and say "from here UP is the safe zone". I also told them that I don't care about the location as long as they covered up in front of customers and the executives of our company. I also warned them that I was the exception and not the rule and that people judge you on appearance. It's a reality people who don't agree judge harshly. I had enough with that grind, left that company, and went to a smaller firm. I now have a full sleeve and the back of the other forearm is complete. I wear long sleeves every day and I work in Phoenix and on 120 degree days I'm wearing long sleeves. I'm a professional at work at home and around town I'm myself. Many times I've ran into people (customers, business partners) outside of the business environment, when they see my tattoos they are amazed that I have them. Some have tattoos of their own that they hide. A younger guy, in my office, came to me and said he wanted a sleeve. He's about 20 years old. I told him worry about your career FIRST. Secure your future then worry about a sleeve or any tattoos. I do think that established people are judged less harshly than younger individuals. At my age I can always blame it on my mid-life crisis!!!!

Maybe I should clarify my point regarding not getting tattoos because of employment: "If you have to ask why, you are not ready to understand." That's a world away from understanding what you do and living with the consequences. Most of us here have made that choice. It's still surprising how many students studying for white collar careers ask for very visible tattoos. They whine about how unfair the world is and that the tattoos don't hinder their performance, yadda, yadda, yawn. That still doesn't change the fact that many will, at best, be passed over for a promotion because of their tattoos. If you decide to shape your working life around your ability to get the tattoos you want, good for you. For many people, visible tattoos aren't everything. Their ability to have a job or career they enjoy or excel at, while sustaining their lifestyle and family, far outweighs a forearm or neck tattoo.

I've known Matt for a good few years now and as much as I like him, I think it's a shame that he's becoming the 'spokesperson' for tattooed people. Part of me is pleased for him that he's found a way to make a living as a mostly respected academic/writer, even with visible tattoos. But I don't want a spokesperson, especially one who solely views the world from the halls of academe or maybe the fetish club. While I enjoy and agree with most of his writing, I can't help feeling I read it all somewhere before... maybe 15-20 years ago in TattooTime or International Tattoo Art when Shaw was editing. Ed Hardy already proved to the art world that tattooing wasn't just for sailors and whores. In an age of high-rating reality shows about tattooing with celebrity tattooers I don't think we need to justify tattooing to the 'mainstream' anymore. No matter how well written or researched it may be. Some of us want to take tattooing back underground, some of us want to take the high-profile ball and run with it. Whatever people do, it's gotta be more interesting than regurgitating the same tired articles. What's next? "Women can be tattooers too?" Yawn. As a side note, Mario Desa said (via twitter) recently "Those who call tattooing 'fine art' know nothing abut either."

I have a photo queued up on OV of Hardy doing a hand tattoo on someone without sleeves, late 70s. It was a unicorn. He's the guy that can say "I have an Ed Hardy Unicorn on my hand". I'm not sure if that's a bragging point or not.

The cats definitely out of the bag. FOR SURE. But I'm choosing to not have anything to do with blowing any kind of horn. I'm busy tattooing.

My favorite tattoo book of all time is Bad Boys and Tough Tattoos By Samuel M. Steward, PhD. At some point I'd like to write a review of this book. Sam Steward is also known as Phil Sparrow in the tattoo world. Steward played a hand in starting out two of the greatest tattooers of the second half of the twentieth century, Cliff Raven and Ed Hardy. I could go on and on about this book so I'll try to limit it here. Part of the book focuses on Street Shop tattooing in Chicago and Milwaukee during the 50's, Along with Oakland in the 60's. The other part of the book looks at tattooing from the psychological side. All in All a must read for every tattooer or anyone curious about tattooing. Its available for purchase on the interwebber.