Vegas Shops

ok. i've been checking out some of the tattoo shops near me. So, in a total i've only been 3.

yea, i know "WOW WHAT A LARGE NUMBER!"
....shut up...

anyways the three are Massive tattoo, Living Dead tattoo, and Last Chance tattoo shop. and, i recommend them all highly. massive and living dead, when you walk in them both you can tell they are both very clean cut and friendly. the guy that i talked to in massive was really nice and i learned that used to work in Diversity, which we all know is highly advertised, highly recommended, and well'known for being really good. at Living Dead they, of course, were very kind to me and informed me well of any questions that i had. but, i must say, Last Chance is the one that has impressed me the most, and they had also expanded since i had last been in there. What i really like about their shop is that unlike in the other two, the walls aren't white they're lavishly decorated, and have beautiful wallpapers on the different walls. The girl i talked with there was very sweet, she informed me that there were 9 artists currenlty working there and she showed me her different tattoos and helped me understand the different aspects of tattoos. Such as where, and all that good crap.

so my ratings so far is:
1.) Last Chance tattoo shop

2.)Living Dead tattoo

3.)Massive tattoo studio

TATTOO DECOR -ANIMALIA-

SYMBOLS AND DESIGN-what they mean

What shall i begin our lesson plan with this time?
hmmm..well i like animals and i know most do so let's start with the creatures that inhabit the world. Relax, it'll be intresting enough.

I'll start with a personal favorite, the wolf.
The wolf is a powerful mythological and spiritual symbol in many cultures around the world, due to it's widespread distribution across North America, Europe and Asia. Modern dogs are descendants of Asian wolves and the relationships between man and wolves goes back at least forty thousand years. Wolves were predatory competitors with early man and wolves symbolized ferocity, cunning, stealth, cruelty and even evil - but because of their close-knit pack behaviour wolves also represented loyalty, courage, fidelity and victory. The tendency of wolves to hunt at dusk and dawn and to communicate by howling at night in many cases caused wolves to be associated with the spirit or shadow world, shape-shifters and malevolent or evil spirits. They symbolized fear of the night, darkness, and even demonic possession. At the same tine men could not help but admire the skill and success of the wolf pack.
In Celtic myth, the sun is devoured by a wolf. In the Norse myths, the giant wolf Fenrir is central to the apocalyptic end of Asgard, the home of the Viking Gods, a symbol of chaos who swallows the sun at the end of the world. Chinese tradition also portrays the wolf as rapacious and a symbol of lechery. There are several myths of wolves in India, including one that Ghengis Khan was descended from one.in Norse legend the wolf is sacred to Odin, and to the God Apollo in Greece. The Romans venerated the wolf, because of the legend of the founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus, being suckled by a she-wolf after being abandoned. The Roman God of War, Mars held the wolf sacred and to spot one before a battle was an omen of victory.In North America the wolf is often seen as a teacher figure, a shape-shifter who mentored Shamans and a dancer symbol. Among the Shoshone, the wolf was a creator figure.In early Christianity, Christ symbolization as the Good Shepherd, who protects his flock, the Faithful, from predation, made the Wolf a potent symbol of Satan.

Next, of coure, will be the lion.
The Lion is an ancient symbol, one that has been incorporated into the religion and mythology of numerous cultures and civilizations since recorded time around the Middle East, India, throughout Africa and bordering the Mediterranean. Lions once roamed the southern reaches of Europe. The influence of the power of the Lion's symbolism can be seen in it's representation in both Chinese and Japanese art and mythology, both cultures beyond it's range.The Lion was often used as a symbol of Royalty, as in many cultures it was considered the "King of the Beasts". The Lion or Leo, is one of the twelve signs of the Zodiac and represents the Sun.In African cultures the Lion was a powerful symbol in many Creation Myths, as both Creator and Destructor, and in some cultures the Lion figured prominently in rites of passages to becoming a man and full-fledged warrior. To kill a lion single-handedly was the height of prowess for a hunter. But in many African fables the Lion is often depicted as a vain, arrogant creature who is often out-witted by smaller more clever creatures.The Lion symbolizes divine and solar power, royal authority, victory, fortitude, pride, nobility, cunning, strength (in Greek mythology, Hercules is renowned for having the strength of ten lions and wore a Lion cape and headdress), courage, justice and protection, fairness and just laws, and images of the Lion have long been used to protect sacred ground. A Lion tattoo may represent some aspects of these qualities to it's wearer and the Lion is seen as a powerful Guardian figure and protector.

The Crow

A grouping of crows is described as a ‘murder’ of crows. When it comes to this species of bird's reputation, it seems the crow can’t catch a break. Perhaps it’s because in the West (or at least, the recent West), the Crow has long been considered a bad omen. Even within cultures where the crow is seen as the keeper of sacred laws, it is still symbolic of the ‘dark side’ - by which is meant ‘that which is unknown’. The idea of ‘crow as bad omen’ originates in Europe, possibly because it eats carrion, or because it has been observed neglecting its young. The Bible hasn’t helped, either, with its tale of Noah dispatching the crow in advance of the dove to search for dry land, and of the crow failing to deliver the good news by failing to return. The Dove went on to become a universal symbol of peace, and with an olive branch in its beak, the dove is a symbol of man's covenant with God. Greek myth speaks of Athena punishing the crow for delivering bad news, forbidding it from ever again visiting the Acropolis, and turning it from a white bird to black.Taking a crow tattoo implies that you aspire to a mystical nature, or at least an expanded consciousness. But, most important – you haven’t lost your sense of humour.

Horse

Gods and Horses have kept fast company from the beginning of history – if not before. Beautiful, elegant, loyal and intelligent, the Horse in ancient Greece was given not only wings but immortality. These divine beings were believed to be the offspring of the Four Winds, which would take on the forms of horses carrying Zeus in his chariot. A whole stable of divine steeds was available to gods and goddesses throughout the ancient Greek realm. Of all the divine Horses, Pegasus is the most famous. That winged steed was thought to carry the thunderbolts of Zeus across the sky.The Horse has universally been revered for its beauty and strength. More than any other mortal creature it has been perceived as a beloved and trusted friend in difficult times. The unique qualities of its heart and mind became recognized as the best characteristics with which to wage both war and peace alike.In the past, only the aristocracy of many cultures were permitted to ride a Horse, and women were expected to ride side-saddle to protect their modesty. Today, the Horse belongs to everybody, whether to ride or admire or lay a bet on. Stories abound of the Horse’s protectiveness, patience, and endurance during times when its owner faced hardship. It remains the symbol of the free spirit and intuitive intelligence.

anymore you want to know go to http://www.vanishingtattoo.com/tattoo_symbol_design_index_animals.htm

TATTOO HISTORY

To better understand what the hell is being printed on you back, ass, arm, chest, leg, neck, or what ever else it happens to be...go back in history..
And since, its my fav. subject, of course im going to start with it, duh.

Lets start simple...

TRIBAL TATTOOS:
There were 3 major factors that transformed the realm of art int0 spiritual factors: Pain, Permanence, and loss of life force..Blood. Body and soul were generally though to be identical to one another, so then when you had a tattoo it existed in two planes: the spiritual and physical realms.
Most, if not all, primitave tribes bore some type of body art, be it tattoos, scarification, or plain body paint.

EARLY RELIGOUS TATTOOS

In the old testament of the bible, the book of Leviticus states: "Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the Lord." So, early Moslem and Christians tried putting a stop to all tattooing. Which only lasted for a temporary time because of the religous competition. It was a trademark of early Palestines, which is how cme to the rise of tattooing. Although the art of tattooing was crippled by Arabs and Christians for 2 millenia because its ban was supported by Rome and the power of Islam, because the old testament is revered by both. It was never completly stopped but was very scarce, eventually though it leaked its way back in by means of the holy pilgrims. In middle ages, people would travel from their European villages to the Holy land and the only way to prove being there was by getting a tattoo from the Coptic priests.

EARLY NORTH AMERICAN TATTOOS

-HAIDA TATTOOS (british columbia & WA state)
The haida were the most accomplished of all native N.American craftsmen and artists. Their dwellings, totem poles, and canoes were all embellished with traditional signs that related to mythical and totematic themes.
-ARCTIC/ALASKAN TATTOOS
The inhabitants of St.lawerance island in the Bering Sea have a tattoo history dating back 3500 years. It was an imporatnt feactor to their life setting, it was used to help them cope with their harsh life factors and to appease their gods. it was also important to the hunter-gatherer economy in the arctic. Tattooing was most common in women and was practiced among all eskimos.
-NORTH AMERICA'S FIRST NATIONS TATTOOS
Most 19th century scholars took no intrest in tattooing, so very little is recorded. Native American tattooing was often associated withreligous and magical practices. Also at puberty ceremonies it was used as a right of passage. Many tribes praacticed theraputic tattooing. They tattooed places of pain that were believed to be caused ny malevolent spirits to ward them away along with dance ceremonies. Tattoos were also used to honour warriors who had distinguished themselves by bravery in combat. Other Europeans reported the use of tattooing to record achievements in war. In the Jesuit Relations of 1663, it was reported that an Iroquois chief known to the French as “Nero” bore on this thighs 60 tattooed characters, each of which symbolized an enemy killed with his own hand.

TATTOOS IN VIRGINIA AND FLORIDA

One of the best examples of North American tattooing was recorded in an oil painting of Sa Ga Yeath Qua Pieth Tow, paint in 1710 by British artist John Verelst. Sa Ga Yeath Qua Pieth Tow was one of four Mohawk chiefs who visited London in 1710, as part of a delegation that visited Queen Anne.

CONTEMPORARY TATTOOS

-ENGLAND
During the 19th century, tattooing flourished in England like no where else in Europe. This was of course due to the tradition of tattooing in the British Navy, which began with the first voyage of Captain Cook in 1769. Sailors learned the art from their exotic travels and by the middle of the 18th century there was at least 1 artist at every british port. Tattoos gained royal sanction in 1862 when the Prince of Whales visited the holy land and had a jeruslaum cross tattooed on his arm. King Edward VII aquired quite a numberr of traditional tattoos in his later life. When his 2 sons visited Japan in 1882 he instucted their tutor to bring them to a tattoo master and design tattoos on their arms. The 2 also got tattooed in Jeruselum on their way home by the same artist who gave their father his tattoo 20 years previous. During 19th century tattooing was approved of and even encouraged in the British army.

-FRANCE & ITALY
In France tattooing was popular amoung seamen, laborours, and convicts in the first part of the 19th century. Upper and midde class members thought it below their dignity and it was definatly not popular amoung the wealthy as it was in England. The Catholic church, of course, opposed tattooing as they viewed as a sign of paganism and superstition. The medical profession opposed it because of the problems it would solve. In 1837, aleading docto wrote of young lady who died as reslut to a tattoo related infection. In 1853, a physician reported the first case of syphilis being transmitted by tattooing. Knowledge of infections were not known and artists often used the same needle on many different people without cleaning it. They mixed ink in clamshells and diluted it with saliva. It was normal to clean off a fresh tattoo with saliva, tobacco juice or urine. Many men wore their profession on their biceps.
Stone Carvers - Compasses, a right angle, a chisel and a plumb lineCarpenters - Display a plane and pliers Butchers - Have a bull's head on crossed knives Bakers - Scales, kneading trough and a loaf Barbers - Comb and crossed scissors Cobblers - An awl and a boot Blacksmiths - An anvil and hammer Sailors - An anchor Vine-Growers - A bunch of grapes Gunsmiths - A pistol .The most popular erotic designs were the female bust and the nude female. The most unusual were a uniform a general that covered the whole body.words tattooed below the navel: “Come ladies, to the fountain of love;” “Pleasure for girls”; “She thinks of me” on the buttocks.
-GERMANY
Germany has a long history of body decoration.Frederich Barbarossa - Red Beard, Roman King and emperor of Germany from 1152 to 1190, had cross designs on the back of his hands. Dominican priest and German mystic Heinrich Suso (1295-1366) tattooed the name of Christ over his heart. Kaiser Wilhelm, who was emperor in 1908, was rumored to have an eagle tattooed on his chest. German ports on the North and Baltic Seas added a naval component to German tattoo history. There have been many German attractions in sideshows on both sides of the Atlantic. One of the first professional tattooists in the United States was a German immigrant named Martin Hildebrandt. His daughter, Nora was the first female tattoo attraction in the United States in the 1860’s.During the Holocaust, concentration camp prisoners received tattoos at the Auschwitz concentration camp complex. The camp authorities assigned more than 400,000 prisoner serial numbers (not counting approximately 3,000 numbers given to police prisoners interned at Auschwitz due to overcrowding in jails who were not included in the daily count of prisoners).Some tattoo marks were used by societies as signals of recognition. In Bavaria and the south of Germany the highway robbers, who are united into a real association, recognize each other the epigraphic tattoo marks T. and L. meaning “Thal und Land” (valley and country).
TATTOOS IN THAILAND
-In no other country in the world except Thailand does the tattoo tradition have an annual religious celebration. Once a year, thousands of tattoo enthusiasts from around the world descend on the temple known as Wat Bang Phra, located 50 km outside Bangkok, where dozens of heavily tattooed Buddhist monks are masters of the tattoo art. This Wat is also known as the Temple of the Flying Tiger. Unlike most tattoos in the West, the Thai version comes steeped in spiritual, or some might say superstitious, meaning. Protection, good luck, blessings from on high -- these are what the tattoo devotees are seeking. Many arrive already heavily tattooed and are there to simply get their designs 'recharged', by having the Buddhist monks re-bless their body art. During the festivities it is not uncommon for the tattoo devotees, through their chanting, to reach an extremely heightened state of consciousness, appearing to enter into a trance. Everyone arrives with gifts of incense and flowers for the tattooist’s venerable teacher.
-TATTOOING IN THE U.S.
The most popular designs in traditional American tattooing evolved from the artists who traded, copied, swiped and improved on each other’s work. The developed a series of stereotyped symbols that were put on soldiers and sailors of both World Wars. Many designs represented courage, patriotism, defiance of death, and longing for family and loved ones left behind.Samuel O'Reilly opened a tattoo studio at 11 Chatham Square, in the Chinatown area of the Bowery in 1875. At this time, tattooing was done by hand. The tattooing instrument used by Hildebrandt, O’Reilly and contemporaries was a set of needles attached to a wooden handle. The tattoo artist dipped the needles in ink and moved his hand up and down rhythmically, puncturing the skin two or three times per second. The technique required great manual dexterity and could be perfected only after years of practice. Tattooing by hand was a slow process, even for the most accomplished tattooists.In addition to being a competent artist, O’Reilly was a mechanic and technician. Early in his career he began working on a machine to speed up the tattooing process. He reasoned that if the needles could be moved up and down automatically in a hand-held machine, the artist could tattoo as fast as he could draw. In 1891 O’Reilly patented his invention and offered if for sale along with colors, designs and other supplies. Charles Wagner, who was O'reilly's apprentice, was the first American tattoo artist who successfully practiced the cosmetic tattooing of women’s lips, cheeks and eyebrows. He also tattooed dogs and horses so they can be identified in case of theft. He was also known to be able to combine and organize several small designs to make a larger harmonious pattern.Wagner continued to tattoo until the day of his death on January 1, 1953. He was 78 years old and had worked as a professional tattoo artist for over sixty years.
-TATTOOS & THE CIRCUS
The popularity of tattooing during the late 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century owed much to the circus. When circuses prospered, tattooing prospered. When circuses went bankrupt, tattooed people and artists were out of work.For over 70 years every major circus employed several completely tattooed people. Some were exhibited in sideshows, other performed in traditional circus acts such as juggling and sword swallowing. Rival circuses competed with each other for the services of the most elaborately tattooed show people and paid them handsome salaries. Many of the old-time tattoo artists made most of their money while traveling with circuses during the spring and summer, returning to their shops and homes in the winter. The circus served as a showcase where tattoo artists could attract customers by exhibiting their work to a paying public, and in many cases the only surviving records are in the form of photos and posters which were used for circus publicity.The connection between tattooing and the circus began in 1804 when Jean Baptiste Cabri who had been tattooed by the Marquesas became a carnival performer. In the last years of his life he was forced to compete with trained dogs and other popular amusements in country fairs. By 1822 he died, poor and forgotten.Prince ConstantineConstantine, a Greek who had spent many years in Burma, had himself tattooed with the intention of going into show business. He was the most elaborately and artistically tattooed performer of his time. He said that four strong men had to hold him down while he was tattooed every morning for three hours. It took three months for the work to be completed.The Great Omi or the Zebra ManThe most famous tattooed man of this period was Horace Ridler. In 1927, he asked London’s leading tattoo artist, George Burchett, to tattoo him all over, including his face with inch-wide zebra stripes. To become a freak in order to earn a livelihood was a gamble which might not have come off. Ridler also had his teeth filed down to sharp points. He had his nose pierced so he could insert an ivory tusk and his ear lobes were pierced and stretched. He called himself the Great Omi and was one of the most successful freaks in the history of the circus. He succeeded because he was unique but during the latter part of his career there were fewer and fewer tattooed people seen in circuses. The popularity of the freak show was waning and tattooed people were no longer novelties. After WWII, freak shows came under attack and only a few of the larger circuses still included them.


for additional information on tattoo history go to http://www.vanishingtattoo.com/tattoo_museum/history.html

My Sweet Obsession

If you don't know me, and cannot already guess...i have an utterly ridicuolous but sweet obsession with tattoos.
As an artist myself, they have always fascinated me and if i have ever denied wanting one, i lied.
Because honestly, truthfully, and most obviously i have always always always wanted one, no i lie, two, haha i lie again...i want as many as i can get. truth. (i promise)
So this is what this blog will be about...my love for permanent body art.

No, sadly i do not hav any to call my own..yet...
i still have my virgin skin.
plus my mother is not really all for me getting one let alone the countless # im actually going to get
which is good for me because even though it means i cannot get any while im a minor, it also proves me to be far more adimit about it than i probably would have been without that sick twisted detrmination of rebeling. :)

i dont regret and i dont feel like being nice
so
if you think tattoos are unattractive and hideous
and that no one should get them because it's a disgrace to
your natural body, or to the body the oh so mighty "god" of your religon gave you, or rented you...i have to say:

LEAVE
:)