Acura: Way Ahead Of The Curve

With performance and class fused together to build a reliable brand that stands tall on its own, Acura has carved a major niche in the luxury segment of the automotive arena. An offspring of another reliable automotive authority that is Honda, it is without a doubt that Acura parts are assured of quality, performance, and that kind of dedication and service Acura has been known for all through the years.

Acura is the luxury arm of Japanese automotive giant Honda, shipping and marketing luxury sedans and SUV's in the United States, Canada and Hongkong since March of 1986. The first two models are the Integra and Legend and later by 1991, other models like the Vigor and NSX were introduced. The Integra, Legend and Vigor were not totally removed in the current line-up. Instead, the present generations of these cars were just named with another.

The brand was also introduced in Mexico in 2004 and much recently in China this year. Acura makers also plan to parade their vehicles to the Japanese domestic market by 2008. This success story has given credit to Honda as the first to penetrate the market for luxury Japanese automobiles outside Japan. Before, luxury vehicles coming out Japan were primarily economical in design and largely focused on budget-conscious buyers.

True enough, Acura's colorful timeline has given many industry insiders more than a nod of approval for its high-passing remarks, especially in a stringent industry that demands nothing but ultimate driving pleasure. New Acura models RL and the TSX have gotten rave reviews recently. The TSX has been on Car and Driver's Ten Best list in all three years of production (2004-2006).

From its luxury sedans (RL, TL, TSX, RSX) to its high-end sport utility vans (MDX, RDX), Acura believes that their vehicles won't belong to the "crème dela crème" of the luxury segment if not for its parts and accessories. These parts are not the typical, run-on-the-mill components. Each part has undergone numerous scientific testings and engineered for utmost performance, reliability and durability.

From engine parts and electrical parts to the various drivetrain and powertrain parts like A/C condensers, catalytic converters, exhausts, tanks, radiators, and among others, Acura parts are manufactured for driving perfection. Not only do these parts perform efficiently, they are manufactured with the finest, sturdiest materials to undergo the harshest conditions possible. Other Acura body parts like doors, mirrors, windshields, interior and exterior body arts are not only design for performance but are crafted to project an elegant personality inside and out. Volt these together and it will form a unique vehicle that packs not only a heavy punch on performance but more of a driving experience full of sophistication and elegance. Not only are these Acura parts are being made available at the nearest auto parts stores, online stores also mushroom to cater to Acura aficionados wanting nothing but quality Acura parts.

With style and performance, Acura parts are the building blocks that make the vehicles the perfect epitome of what luxury is.

By: Andrea Coles

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Andrea Coles, despite her feminine charm, is an avid do-it-yourselfer. She prefers to have her car done by herself.

CELEBRITY TATTOOS

From the early 1990's on, there has been a tremendous increase in the popularity of tattooing among the general public in North America and Europe, a trend that has since spread around the world. Anyone who has taken even the most cursory glance at the mainstream media during the past decade could quite easily come away with the impression that the current popular interest in tattoos and other forms of body modification, such as body piercing, has arisen out of a cultural void and that there is scant evidence to suggest where the roots of the resurgence might lie. In point of fact, nothing could be further from the truth.

Tattoos have had a rich and colourful history in western popular culture for the better part of two centuries and nowhere is this better illustrated than by the rather extraordinary number of historical figures and modern day celebrities who, have sported or currently have body art.

http://www.vanishingtattoo.com/celebrity_tattoos.htm

Tattoo in Chinese Minorities

The Chinese Drung and Dai minorities have tattoo customs inherited from their ancestors.

Among the Drung ethnic minority, women have tattoos on their faces. In the past, girls were tattooed when they turned 12 or 13 as a symbol of maturity.

First, an old woman would dip a bamboo slip into sooty water and draw on the girl's face, then beat a thorn into the skin with a small stick in the designed area, and fill the pricked spots with soot. When scabs formed, a dark blue design was left on the face, The tattoo was drawn between the two eyebrows and around the mouth in diamond shape and on the cheek with dots, forming a flying butterfly design.

This form of tattooing is popular in the upper reaches of the Drung River. Along the lower reaches, the tattoos are simpler, with two or three lines on the lower jaw.

The Drung minority tattoo originated from the late Ming Dynasty about 350 years ago. At that time, the Drung people were usually attacked by other ethnic groups, and women were captured as slaves. To avoid being raped, the Drung women tattooed their faces to make themselves less attractive and, thus, protect themselves. It was a tragedy. Though the Drung women are not threatened by other minorities now, they retain their tattoo custom, and it has become a symbol of maturity for Drung women

Tattooing is also an ancient custom of the Dai people, and can still be found in some remote villages in the Dai inhabited area or among some old Dai people.

Both men and women were tattooed according to the Dai custom, men on the strong muscles and women on the back of hand, arm or between the eyebrows.

In old times, the Dai Children had designs pricked into their skin when they were 5 or 6, for it was said to be the best age. Later, they were tattooed at 14 or 15 as a symbol of reaching maturity.

There are no fixed designs in Dai tattoo, most preferring tiger or dragon designs drawn in black with black plant juice.

The Dai people have a long tattoo history. In ancient times, they lived by the river and were often hit by strange monsters. Later they discovered that a black skin could keep the monster away, and they began to tattoo themselves in this way to prevent attacks.

As time went on, tattooing lost its original function and has become a symbol of the boldness and bravery of men and the beauty of women. Now, tattoos are drawn on the back of the hands in octagonal flower design, and a dot is tattooed between the eyebrows of girls, symbolizing their beauty. With these tattoos, the Dai people can easily recognize their ethnic friends even when they are not wearing their minority costums

http://www.chinavista.com/experience/tattoo/tattoo.html

The Beginning Of Cubist Art

Since mankind first learned to make pictures, individual styles of art have existed. Each one has its own distinguishing features. Cubism, or Cubist Art is no exception. Originating in the early 1900’s, this form of art is considered to be an extension of the work of Paul Cézanne. He is credited with being the first artist to use shapes to represent nature.

The two key artists who gave life to Cubism were Pablo Picasso from Spain and Georges Braque of France. Their work is thought to have been strongly influenced by Paul Cézanne. The original concept behind Cubism is to break the subject into pieces, analyze the pieces, and reassemble them in an abstract manner. The idea is to depict the object from various points of view instead of the more traditional two or three dimensions. The result is a more complex and visually stimulating work of art.

The inspiring feature of Cubist art is that several artists have used the technique in a way that was very different than Picasso and Braque. Artists like Robert Delaunay and Jacques Villon are credited with a unique twist of Cubism.

Like other art techniques, Cubism splintered again and resulted in what is known as Synthetic Cubism. Instead of taking one object and breaking it into distinct pieces and reforming the object into an abstract form of itself, synthetic cubism takes several different objects and reforms them to be a single picture while retaining the physical characters of the individual objects. Collages and papier colle were used by both Picasso and Braque in some of their work. Pablo Picasso’s famous painting “Still Life with Chair Caning” is an example of his use of collage. Georges Braque modified the technique when he used papier colle in his work “Fruitdish and Glass.” Before this time, pasting other types of materials onto a canvas to create a new look was completely unheard of. This method allows the artist to add visual interest and appealing texture to their art.

Art in any form, whether performed, read, or seen, often reflects the era in which it was created. Cubist art was a direct result of the political unrest in the years before World War I. Some Cubism artists were die-hard nationalists and very dedicated to the governments of their respective countries. Others were attempting to display their leftist leanings or even anarchist attitude. The abstract composition of Cubism was easily manipulated by the individual artist to express their feelings and thoughts toward that time of serious disillusionment. Examples of Cubism can be seen in literature and music from this time period as well.

Some art experts believe that Cubism art was influenced by traditional African tribal art and even Italian Futurism art. The strong use of shapes depicting nature in both of these art styles seems to indicate that the experts are right.

Picasso and Braque, with the assistance of Cézanne, began an art revolution whose effects can still be seen today in modern art. African Cubism was the beginning of a new way to see world events and to express them in a very creative way.

Mr. Moyo Ogundipe has a Bachelors of Arts degree in Fine Art from the University of Ife, Ile-Ife, Nigeria and a Master of Fine Art degree in Painting from The Hoffberger School of Painting, Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, USA.

One of Africa’s most celebrated and renowned contemporary Yoruba artists, Mr. Ogundipe has exhibited extensively in Africa, Europe and the USA. His paintings have been described as hypnotic, colorful and densely patterned.

In 1996, Moyo was awarded the Pollock-Krasner Fellowship. And in 2005 he was invited to become a member of Africobra, an organization founded in the 1960s and whose membership comprises of distinguished African-American artists.

http://www.articleteller.com/Article/The-Beginning-Of-Cubist-Art/45729

Characteristics Of Nigerian Art

Art is an amazing way to get to know a previously unknown culture. It often reflects cultural diversity as well as religious and ethnic origin. There are many unique societies throughout the globe and art is a way to bring them all a little closer to home. Nigerian art is certainly an excellent method to learn more about that ancient and fascinating region. Like many forms of traditional African art, Nigerian art reflects that society’s need for beautiful as well functional pieces. Many of the art forms created today in Nigeria have their roots firmly planted in the traditions and methods of their forbearers. The Nigerian people are proud of their art and artists and it shows in their dedication to the visual, audio, and performed art forms.

Traditional Nigerian art has been dated as far back as 2000 years. There are examples of this work in sculpture, paintings, and the most well known masks. Some classic examples of materials used in these ancient artifacts are wood, bronze, and coppers. Fortunately for the modern world pieces can be seen in countless museums around the world. Traditional music and dance can be heard and seen in religious and cultural events throughout the year.

As previously noted, African art is often functional as well as beautiful. The Kano dye pits are an example of the ancient world meeting the modern one. The same techniques that have been used for thousands of years are still used to create these fabric works of art. Indigo and vegetable dyes are used to make intricate patterns on the cloth. When the material is beaten for a shiny appearance, the artists are implementing the same methods their ancestors did. This fabric is still very much in demand by locals and foreigners alike. The Kano style of textile is one of the most popular form of modern Nigerian art.

Much of contemporary Nigerian art could be described as some of the finest craftsmanship in the world. For generations artisans have created majestic pieces that reflect the African heritage and are a direct link of the many natural resources found in the region. Some of these sculptures and other forms of art have been made for use in ceremonial rituals and celebrations. It seems that everything that comes from this region is art in one form or another. The elaborate costumes and stunning jewelry are all crafted with excellent workmanship, talent, and patience. Nigerian artists were some of the first in the world to perfect the craft of metal casting. Other forms of Nigerian art are leatherwork and intricate wood carvings.

Like most of the other regions in Africa, Nigeria has made its mark and created a name for itself in the art world with its rich tradition of finely made art. The usefulness and beauty of this region’s offerings is awe inspiring. Nigerian art is a wonderful blend of tradition and modern elements that result in a stunning visual display in so many different mediums. The beautiful culture shines through in each and every piece.

Mr. Moyo Ogundipe has a Bachelors of Arts degree in Fine Art from the University of Ife, Ile-Ife, Nigeria and a Master of Fine Art degree in Painting from The Hoffberger School of Painting, Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, USA.

One of Africa’s most celebrated and renowned Nigerian artists, Mr. Ogundipe has exhibited extensively in Africa, Europe and the USA. His paintings have been described as hypnotic, colorful and densely patterned.

In 1996, Mr. Ogundipe was awarded the Pollock-Krasner Fellowship. And in 2005 he was invited to become a member of Africobra, an organization founded in the 1960s and whose membership comprises of distinguished African-American artists.

http://www.articleteller.com/Article/Characteristics-Of-Nigerian-Art/45357

Applying the tattoo

Your artist may like a picture of your tattoo for their portfolio. They'll clean it up real good, and sometimes even apply a hot towel to it first. Then they'll take a picture, and this is a good time for you to get a shot, too, if you brought a camera along. Taking a photo after the protective ointment is applied causes a glare, so it is best to do it now. If for any reason you do not want the artist to take a photo, just say so. You are not under obligation to let them.

http://tattoo.about.com/od/tattoo101/ss/tattoo_process_8.htm

Making and Applying the Stencil Transfer

Most studios today use a wonderful machine called a thermal-fax to make their stencils. This saves on literally hours of tracing time by simply inserting your tattoo design into the machine, and it transfers it onto a special thermal paper in seconds. Once your stencil is ready, it's time to create the transfer onto your skin. Some artists will use soap or water to moisten the skin, and some will use stick deodorant. These aid in making the design transfer better and darker onto your skin. When the paper is pulled away from your skin, it will leave you with a purple-ish blue likeness of your future tattoo

http://tattoo.about.com/od/tattoo101/ss/tattoo_process_4.htm

Erotic Photography: An Art

When most hear the words “Erotic Photography” pictures of naked women with no morals exploiting themselves for money is what comes to mind. Erotic photography is much more than this. Erotic photography is an art form in that accentuates the beauty and eroticism of the body.

Erotic photography is defined as photographing the nude body in a manner which is artistic and creative. Pornography is the degrading and trashy images of those without morals. Many photographers are spend many years perfecting the art of erotic photography. Some even have award winning erotic photography which features a nude subject. Erotic photography models endure vigorous training and education to master the creative nature of erotic photography and to learn the difference between erotic photography and pornography.

Long before magazines like Playboy were ever printed erotic photography was popular. History is filled with erotic photography; some dating back to the 1800’s. Because of the controversy, in the 1900’s , those who were skilled in the art of erotic photography were chastised and therefore would take the photos anonymously. Today, the Internet has made it increasingly difficult to access the wealth of erotic photography since it is cluttered with pornographic images, however, there are some online resources that have creative and artist images that are excellent examples of professional erotic photography. If you search hard enough you will be able to find some very talented photographers and models who exemplify the very nature of erotic photography. These are the people who should be praised for their artistic abilities and talents.

How to pick the Dream Tattoo Design That You Want Today

A recent survey tells us that 24% of Americans between the ages of 18-50 are tattooed. This is almost 1 in 4. The most popular reason people get tattooed is “To broadcast what they are all about.”

Keeping this in mind, many people end up regretting the tattoo that is inked on their body. Most of the time, these people did not take the time to really think about why they choose a particular tattoo and look at other tattoo designs that are available. This is why picking out the right tattoo design from the start is important. Being impulsive has disaster written all over it.

The removal of offending tattoos is painful and expensive. Learn this lesson now or pay for it later. That is all I am going to say about this!

Here are some suggestions how to get started finding your dream tattoo design:

Don’t shop around for the cheapest studio or artist. Do shop around for the best artist within your driving range.

Why do you want a tattoo? Remember, lovers come and go. Rosie isn’t going to like “Kim” emblazoned on your chest.

A lot of people have tattoos to remember someone who passed away. You can choose a symbol or design that has meaning to them.

You may have some idea what image is special to you. But don’t worry, most people are visual and there are many tattoo design resources to browse to find the tattoo design that you really like. · Go to your local bookstore and fin d the tattoo books, design books, theme books and magazines.

· Your local tattoo artist will have a portfolio of tattoo designs to leaf though.

· Check out the web. There are sites that have 1000’s of designs to choose from for a small fee. You can print them out and give it to your Tattoo artist.

· Relax. Think about it a little. Toss it around in your brain for a few days. Be patient.

· Word of caution … Tattoos can direct a negative perception of you during job interviews. So the placement of the tattoo on your body is a good idea.

Good luck getting the dream tattoo design that you want. They say ink acquisition is a way to express yourself to others, but I would also add that getting good body art is going to make you special and unique

Tattoos: For the Love of Art

How far are you willing to go for your love of art? Do you have art, designs, emblems, or icons written on your body? If art is your passion, why damage your skin with images you may later regret? To love and embrace art does not mean you need to tattoo yourself.

The permanency of tattoos has a serious downside. As we age, our taste in art and design and personal aesthetics usually change. No doubt, tattoos are popular worldwide, but caution for this form of art needs to be addressed. Do you know of any style that has stood up over a long period of time? People everywhere periodically change the style and color of their hair, eye makeup, eye glasses, and facial hair (for men).

Speaking as an artist, I have to say that no art is error-free. Artists cannot produce perfect work no matter how great they are. Only perfect people produce perfect work. Not only this, but tattoo technology improves from one decade to the next. What then? Removing outdated tattoos is painful and expensive. Most people can’t assume they will have the physical endurance and money to be able to remove tattoos.

There are more considerations too: faded tattoos, body weight changes, and aged skin. With sun exposure and passage of time, tattoos fade. As we age, our body weight can easily change which could cause a tattoo to appear too large or too small. And most definitely, our skin wrinkles and crepes as we age.

Tattoos brand people. Tattoos advertise and communicate messages to everyone who sees them. When someone feels so strongly about something that they are willing to brand themselves with a permanent tattoo or two, others take them seriously and try to read and interpret them.

Is the love of art your motivation for tattoos? If so, you may want to use your favorite tattoo design for your jewelry, a T-shirt, a poster, or for a motorcycle instead. If you think your tattoo is NOT good enough or does NOT merit being put on other items such as these, then why do you want permanent tattoo(s) on your body

Should You Get a Body Tattoo

In the past, body tattoos seemed to be reserved for primal tribes out of the loop of civilization and sailors who voyaged far from home in quest of adventure. Neither of those lifestyles necessarily permeate today’s culture, and yet thousands of people from every walk of life are choosing to get tattoos of one kind or another, and sometimes multiple variations to adorn various parts of their exposed skin surface. Young and old, male and female, and rich or poor can be seen proudly displaying words, images, and designs on shoulders, backs, ankles, and even the face as today’s social climate fosters more tolerance of this tradition that was perhaps once forbidden or frowned upon in Western society.

Tattoos are made when the artist uses a sharp needle that has been sterilized to poke tiny holes in the skin to create a design of the customer’s choice. Then dark ink is inserted in each hole to link the holes and bring the design to living color. These can be tiny rosebuds or huge dragons, depending on the client’s choice. Some people decorate a small area of skin, while in others it may be difficult to find a square inch of un-tattooed flesh.

Tattoos are one way of proclaiming individuality. In the past, those who wore tattoos might have been considered renegades in one way or another. But today you can find tattoos on housewives, teenagers, teachers, and even clergy; it all depends on an individual’s background, taste, and purpose in choosing to have a tattoo emblazoned on his or her body.

Those who create body art of this type could be fly-by-night operators looking to make a fast buck on a fleeting sensation. But there are those who take their work seriously, having studied art over the ages or the human body to minute detail. Their goal is to create a lasting artwork that bears the imprint of their talent and expertise on the person receiving the tattoo. These artists are careful to use clean instruments and maintain a positive image in their studio. Some tattoo artists are interested only in this artistic expression on the human body, but others experiment with a variety of designs that include body piercing, implantations, and variant jewelry to accent the human-made artistry in a vivid array of hues.

If you are thinking about getting a tattoo, look for a reputable parlor and someone who has received the license to perform this work. Look for word-of-mouth recommendations as well, to see if past customers would consider returning or recommend that others try a particular establishment. You have just one body, and tattoos last indefinitely, although they may need to be touched up from time to time. Take your time, check the local artists, and make a wise selection rather than rushing into something you may later regret.

Tattooed: To Be or Not to Be

Our webmaster wants articles on tattoos. Here is his request to help fill a great void: Tattoos - Articles about tattoos, tattoo removal, and body art as it relates to tattoos and tattoo history. See, he does look after you.

When sailors came home from World War II many had tattoos. Usually they were acquired in San Diego. They liked to show them to us teenagers and hide then from adults.

I don’t have a tattoo. I was raised in Tattoo Tabooville, Utah. One mustn’t deface the Temple of God.

Well, let’s face the truth here. Getting a tattoo is not painless and I’m a coward when it comes to pain. I’m not self-conscious about this. My wife says that all men are cowards when it comes to pain. She says this whenever she cuts my hair. (She uses the clip and jerk method.)

I would not be accepted in parts of society because I don’t have a tattoo. This is called peer pressure. I wouldn’t be accepted anyway because they don’t accept bearded old geezers either. Anyway, I understand why teenagers get tattooed.

I like to look at tattoos as an art form. Not all tattoos; the ones done in Japan and by certain “true” artist in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and of course, San Diego..

Last night, my wife and I were watching Fear Factor. One rudely-treated contestant had a new tattoo that said “Fear Factor.” It was very decorative and covered his forearm.

He pooped out on the first daredevil task which was swinging on a rope from one elevated platform to another and then to another. He was left hanging dry between the first two platforms and didn’t have a clue as to how to get out of his predicament. He was booed away by the Los Vegas crowd.

That brings us to the first consideration on whether you should have or not have a tattoo: Tattoos may bring you bad luck and undesirable publicity.

He was just a clueless kid with an arrogant attitude, piercings, and tattoos. That is why he was booed. His failure was disheartening to him, more than I suspected it would be, but he promised to become arrogant again “tomorrow.”

So today, I guess he is back to normal.

I was giving some counseling to a youth in detention years back. His mother had asked me to look after him. (I’m not talking about school detention here. This was what we use to call “Reform School.”)

The boy was having his tattoos removed.

That brings the second consequence of having tattoos. It hurts like hell to have them removed by a medical professional.

Having the tattoos removed helped this boy get out of the “joint” and back to his single mother.

If you’ve got ‘em, you’d better keep ‘em. Is that a motto for you tattoo guys and gals? It could be if you want to avoid removal pain.

The reason that some people would like to have a tattoo removed is this. They sometimes change with time.

Joe Fleet got a tattoo of a dinghy on his chest when he was 19 years old serving in the United States Navy. He got his tattoo in San Diego, “Tattoo Heaven.”

On the side of the dinghy it read, “Mary,” in tiny letters.

Now Joe Fleet is 76 years old and weighs 240 pounds. What was a dinghy is now an aircraft carrier and the little word, “Mary,” now looks like a billboard spread.

Joe’s wife’s name is Joan.

Now Joe Fleet is not going to have this tattoo removed. The chest is a tender spot. That brings us to another facet of tattoos: Sometimes you just have to live with them.

Joe finally got around part of his problem by getting a puppy. He said to his wife, Joan, “I’m going to call her “Mary” after my childhood puppy dog that fell out of my little boat and died by drowning in the irrigation ditch.”

Joe's wife, Joan, forgetting that puppies can doggy paddle, felt awful that she had been badgering Joe about “Mary” for 55 years. She begged Joe for his forgiveness.

This technique used by Joe, and at times by other tattoo-bearing people, is called lying.

I was on business in San Francisco back in the 1970s. I went into a theater in Chinatown. The movies were Japanese. One was about a tattoo artist covering a young woman’s body with beautiful, masterful tattoos.

She moaned with every prick of his ink needle.

I don’t know how the movie ended because my mother taught me not to stick around in any movie that is “not of good report.” When the girl got excited, I had to leave.

Now days I see right here in Idaho a lot of what are called “Tattoo Freaks." That means the whole body is covered with tattoos like the Japanese lass.

Of course these folks are not freaks.

I’m going to look “freak” up in the dictionary.

I’ll be right back.

Okay, I guess I was wrong.

I talk to these heavily-tattooed young folks at times. They all seem very normal to me. They just like tattoos.

I don’t hear people here in Idaho complaining about tattoos unless they are combined with piercing. Folks here complain about triple-ear piercing, nose piercing, lip piercing, navel piercing (umbilicus piercing), and tongue piercing. There may be other piercing in undisclosed locations.

Our church leader say that a single piercing in each ear is just right. That does not apply to boys. The number there is zero.

We members of our church frown on new tattoos but accept old ones; especially if you were in the Navy and stationed in San Diego.

What would tattoo artist do if tattoos went out of style? Some of these artists do piercing too. What if both procedures were no longer wanted? What would happen to these artist? (Okay, they are not all artist. Some are copyist.)

Well, they might take up Slindogging when it’s invented.

Astrology Tattoo Is More Than a Mere Fashion

Astrology symbols have become very popular tattoo designs, such as a scorpion or a bull as body art. This is due to astrological symbols making great tattoo designs. There is also a quiet mysticism that surrounds these signs that makes them a popular choice for the younger population.

Besides the zodiac signs celestial bodies like the sun and the moon also make popular tattoo designs. Most of the astrology tattoos are done in bright colours that give them a life of their own. Astrology tattoo designs can be tattooed just about anywhere as body art, such as arm bands, lower-back, ankles, chest or shoulders.

Different astrological systems have different signs which represent different meanings. However, the preferred astrology tattoo designs are based on the Greek or Roman zodiac system. These include the twelve different signs namely Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces, Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio and Sagittarius.

Each of the astrological signs depicts an animal, character or object associated with it. Here are the traditional symbols associated with each sign of the Zodiac:

Capricorn (December 23 to January 20) is depicted by a Goat.

Aquarius (January 21 to February 19) by the Water Carrier

Pisces (February 20 to March 20) by the Fish

Aries (March 21 to April 20) by a Ram

Taurus (April 21 to May 21) by a Bull

Gemini (May 22 to June 21) by the Wolf

Cancer (June 22 to July 22) by the Crab

Leo (July 23 to August 22) by the Lion

Virgo (August 23 to September 23) by a Woman

Libra (September 24 to October 23) by Pair of Scales

Scorpio (October 24 to November 22) by the Scorpion

Sagittarius (November 23 to December 22) by the Centaur Archer

Other widely practiced arts include those devised by the Native American, incorporating the medicine wheel as an important part of their astrological system, and the Chinese that depicts animal names and traits to people born in a certain year.

All the astrology tattoo designs are characterized by certain qualities that make them unique. For instance, they are especially meaningful if they happen to be your sun sign, tattooing the sun sign that you were born under can be a simple way of reflecting your unique personality, goals and interests.

Three Steps To Finding A Tribal Tattoo For Woman

More and more women are opting to have tattoos, making it commonplace to observe women wearing tribal tattoos and other such body art. A couple of generations ago, fewer than 10% of women wore a tattoo, now that number is over 60%. So when you've decided that a tribal tattoo is definitely what you want, how should you go about finding the right one?

Step One: Tattoo Magazines

Their are many tattoo magazines out there on the newsstands, but there are few dedicated solely to women. One such magazine is called 'Tattoos For Women'; from the Outlaw Biker Enterprises stables. You can get to see a lot of designs, specifically drawn for a woman, and get to form an idea of the kind of art you would be proud to wear.

Step Two: Tattoo Parlours

All tattoo parlours will have on display the kind of body art they will do. Simply browsing through the artworks that they have on display on their walls will give you an idea of the type of tribal tattoos you may want. Never be afraid to ask the tattoo artist questions, and seek advice about what designs might be suitable. Also further questions such as 'Do you have references for your work?' or asking about costs, before having the tattoo done, are important too.

Step Three: Online Galleries

The Internet is so vast an wide, it should come as no surprise that the Internet provides one of the best options for you to find Tribal Tattoo images. In fact, the tattoo designs online is so extensive, you should instead start to think about narrowing your search. For example, do you know what type of tribal tattoo you would like? Maori, Celtic, African or Native American? Once you start to narrow down your search, you will find that picking out a tattoo design will be much easier.

Butterfly Tattoos

Butterfly tattoos are very popular because Butterflies are amazing creatures that are even found in ancient Greek mythology!

There are approximately 170,000 different species of Butterflies and Moths in the order, Lepidoptera. Of those, about 24,000 are butterflies. Lepidoptera is derived from the Ancient Greek, which means scale wing. Which is a perfect description for the varied and colorful wings of the many species.

Butterflies go through a four-stage life. They start from an egg to a caterpillar to pupa to adult. Most caterpillars are herbivores but some are carnivores (eat ants and other caterpillars). Bet you didn’t know that!

The male adults may have larger antennae than the females. The adult mouthparts are called the proboscis, which is adapted for sucking nectar, which is the food source for most butterfly species. The proboscis can be described as a straw that is rolled up when not in use. However, the adults of some species of butterflies don’t feed as adults so nature made their proboscis very small.

The earliest fossils that have been found of Butterflies are from 190 million years ago. As you might imagine, the fossils of butterflies are very rare because of their soft body parts. They are usually found trapped inside of ancient tree sap or ember.

Butterflies can range in size from a tiny 1/8 inch to a huge almost 12 inches. The lifespan of most adults is only one to two weeks! And they say that butterflies can see in green, yellow and red. Which might explain why flowers are so brilliant in colors and hues.

The transformation of the lowly and ugly caterpillar into a graceful and gorgeous butterfly is truly a miracle of nature!

The idea that the striking and beautiful butterflies emerge after living as an ugly and lowly caterpillar has lead to a mythical Greek beauty named Psych who had the wings of a butterfly. In fact, the ancient Greek word, Psych means both butterfly and the human soul.

The belief is that the suffering of the human soul, which is preparing for the enjoyment of true and pure happiness, is similar with the emergence of butterflies from a pupa and their fluttering about the flowers, feeding on the fragrant nectars.

The wide variety of colors and varied patterns has made the Butterfly tattoos one of the top five requests made by women at tattoo parlors. And no wonder! Butterfly tattoos are steeped in mythology and ancient civilization’s fascination of change.

The Complete Guide To Body Jewelry: Pierced for Beauty

Traditionally, jewelry was worn in the ancient times to express the bearer's power and social standing. It traditionally was a symbol of exclusivity and no common person could wear them. For instance, in ancient Egypt, only religious figures and political leaders were allowed to wear jewelry. During this time, jewelry were more than special symbols of wealth and power. They were used also as talismans and important pieces for rituals.

Perhaps as a way of rebelling against this age-old tradition of the symbol of jewelry, certain alternative groups in society have decided to make a statement in the way they wear jewelry by allowing themselves to undergo non traditional body piercings to be able to adorn body jewelry.

In the not so distant past, these individuals with many alternative body piercings were called punk. These individuals were often societal outcasts and would traditionally be in tattered, non-traditional outfits there were usually in the color black or in other austere and subdued colors. These individuals had body piercings and jewelry in areas of the body that were once considered to be absurd. It all perhaps began with multiple ear piercing to be able to accommodate multiple earrings in one ear.

But then, we started to see nose rings, tongue and even eyebrow rings as these individuals pushed expectations further. Those particular body piercing and jewelry are only the ones found on the face. However, body piercing encompasses the whole body and body jewelry has been known to adorn other body parts like the nipples via nipple rings and other piercing in sensitive areas of the human body.

While these types of body piercing and jewelry were once considered taboo, present society has been more forthcoming of these types of adornment. While it is still considered daring and different to sport body piercing and matching jewelry, it cannot be denied that it has gained more acceptance and popularity as more and more singers, rappers and artists display their alternative body piercing and jewelry. Because of this phenomenon, body piercing and jewelry have become part of pop culture and enjoys better acceptance in society.

Because of the popularity of body piercing and jewelry for these, much more variety in jewelry designs are available in the market. Other than the old "punk" look, body piercing jewelry now comes in different shapes, sizes and designs that allows the most popular pop icon to adorn a fashionable belly ring on her flat belly and look very attractive because of this.

While it may still be impossible for traditional jewelry stores to carry jewelry for body piercing, it is quite easy to find the body piercing jewelry that will fit your sense of style and preferences. If the process of body piercing scares you, just remember that if you do it in a hygienic way with qualified individuals then there shouldn't be a problem with infections or those sorts of concerns.

It is also important to maintain proper hygiene after a piercing to make sure that the piercing heals properly. You can also opt to take vitamin C regularly while the wound is healing so that it mends faster and properly.

If it happens to be the pain factor that's stopping you from getting a body piercing, just remember that some body parts are more susceptible to pain than the rest. For instance, more fatty areas of the body are less painful when pierced as opposed to more bony or cartilage based areas

All About Angel Tattoos

The Angel is a spiritual being created by God. The word angel comes from a Greek word meaning “messenger” or “one who is sent.” Angles have been depicted throughout history as God's messengers and soldiers. They delivered His word and carried out His punishments upon mankind.

History

Angels also serve as the guardians of individuals and nations. The world's three biggest religions (Christianity, Judaism, and Islam) mention Angels throughout their holy texts. The Angels are viewed as the link between Heaven and Earth and believed to be a gift from God for our safety, protection and guidance.

In many ways, the Angels are depicted as winged creatures hovering over the earth to provide protection against evil elements against mankind.

Guardian Angels

Guardian angels are believed to be the protectors of humanity in times of crisis. These guardian angels are often shown holding or watching over the children.

In fact, David Beckham, the England captain and star footballer (soccer player) said in his recent autobiography, about the significance of his Angel tattoo on his upper back, "I like the feeling that my sons are with me even when I'm away from home. And not just in my heart. I had their names tattooed on my back after each one was born. There's a guardian angel there, too, looking after them both."

Archangels

The Archangels are the seven Angels that stood before God in the Revelations. These Angels are the closest to God in the heavenly order. The Archangels are the divine messengers between the humans and God. They are the battlers of the Sons of Darkness. The most famous of the seven Archangels is Michael. Michael is believed to have led the battle against Lucifer (another Archangel) in the great rebellion. Michael is usually depicted in body armor, holding a large sword, with wings out swept in readiness.

Cherubs

Cherubs are the bringer of love. A good example is Cupid uses his bow and arrow to shoot through the hearts of unwarned people which makes them fall in love with one another. This is why an arrow through the heart usually accompanies these angel tattoos. Frequently, the name of a loved one is also added to the Cupid tattoo.

Fallen Angels

Fallen angels are symbolic of the epic battle between God and Lucifer, symbolizing a fall from Grace. Believers in the Judeo-Christian theology say that when Lucifer and his army of the dark angels were defeated and thrown out of Heaven, these angels were said to have fallen into the burning depth of the earth.

The typical fallen Angel tattoo usually pictured as a menacing looking angel, with a bloody sword in his hand. Other fallen angels are depicted with torn or injured wings, or even with horns. These angel tattoos frequently use a darker, heavier ink to make the design seem more foreboding. Fallen angels are popular with Goths and bikers in particular, as well as those who are devotees of Satan and the dark arts.

Popularity

Angel tattoos are among the most popular tattoo designs for men and women alike. Angel tattoos are attractive because they represent peace, beauty, good sense, exemplary morals, and spirituality.

An angel tattoo on a woman signifies that she looks inward towards her soul to find her purest sense of self. She is divine and often patient, and her presence is a gift. She protects herself but also others, and finds that sometimes beauty lies in confidence. And the wearer of the angel tattoo has the belief she does not settle for something less and goes where she is needed

For a man, an angel tattoo can be symbolic of many things. Men who wear angel tattoos are often very fond of women. They often choose a sexy angel to represent their masculinity. These men choose angel tattoos to announce that they have an woman who is the Angel in their life. It is a popular choice for men who feel strongly about a particular woman, though that is not always the case. Most commonly worn on true bad boys and cowboys, the men who have them will swear by these tattoos, saying that they help them pick up women.

Celebrities

* Drew Barrymore is tattooed with her own personal gallery of body art. One of her tattoo is an Angel.
* Alyssa Milano from the T.V. Series, "Charmed," has a tattoo with Angels in her designs.
* Fred Durst of Limp Bizkit has several different tattoo images including an Angel.
* Amy Wesson, a supermodel has an Angel tattoo on her lower back

Angel tattoos are thought to reflect the wearer's personal relationship with God, whether it is solid or estranged, so be sure to choose your design with care!

Becky McClure believes that the most important word after you make the decision to get inked is “Patience!” Pick the right tattoo design. Pick the right location on you. And pick the best artist you can find for your new body art.

Mingling with the Modified

The Dos and Don'ts of Meeting People with Tattoos and Piercings
If you're intrigued by body art but haven't personally experienced it yet, you could be guilty of some major misconduct when it comes to approaching people who are modified. If you meet someone at a store or even a tattoo convention, here are some basic guidelines of respect and personal space we would like you to observe.

PLEASE DO NOT:

* be afraid of someone with a lot of tattoos or piercings. Most of us are actually quite friendly, do not have a police record, and are not in a gang.
* ask if it’s real. Yes, most tattoos that look real ARE real. And it’s pretty safe to assume that the piercing is real unless it’s Halloween.
* ask if it hurt. This is the most annoying question people with tattoos and piercings get asked. In most cases, yes – there was some pain involved in the experience, but obviously not enough not to do it.
* touch it without asking permission first.

You wouldn’t want some stranger to just start poking you – and yes, our tattoos and piercings are part of us, so if you poke the pretty flower you are poking a person!
* show off your sewing-needle-and-india-ink tattoo your friend did on you while you were drunk and expect us to be impressed because it only cost you twenty bucks.
* just grab someone’s sleeve or hair and move it out of the way to get a better view of their tattoo or piercing.
* go on and on about your desire to get a tattoo or piercing, but you just can’t get over the fear of pain. This is a “crybaby” syndrome many of us are not really apathetic to.

PLEASE DO:

* approach us if you would like to ask us about our tattoos. Other than “is it real” and “did it hurt”, most of us do like talking about them.
* ask before you touch anyone’s tattoo, although there isn’t much point in touching one at all. It doesn’t feel any different than the person’s skin anywhere else on their body.
* feel free to ask questions about body art in general, but don’t expect everyone to be an expert. Just because they have a tattoo doesn’t mean they know everything about them.
* ask us if we'd mind moving up our sleeve or hair so you can get a better look at our tattoo or piercing, instead of just grabbing it yourself.
* ask us where we got our tattoo or piercing if you’d like to know. If we really like our artists, we’re more than happy to give them referral business and may even carry their business card.
* keep the conversation short. Granted, most of us could talk all day about body art, but if you caught us at the grocery store or the BMV, chances are we’re a tad busy at the time. If you really want to talk more, maybe you can suggest an exchange of phone numbers.
* go get a tattoo or piercing if you really want one! Every person has to decide this on their own and most of us will not encourage or discourage you – it’s up to you.

The Gift of Ink

You might be thinking of giving that special someone in your life the gift of a tattoo for Christmas, a birthday or other significant holiday or occasion. As a fan of body art myself, I would consider this the perfect present. There are a few things, however, that you should consider before taking this step so your gift of love doesn't land you in the doghouse.

DON'T just take them to a tattoo shop with a blindfold over their eyes and say, "Suprise!" This will more than likely scare the recipient half to death. Getting a tattoo is a big decision that requires thoughtful planning and consideration. They may have a lot of questions before they are ready to make this step.

DON'T take them to the first studio you come to, or one you heard was "cheap." The tattoo he/she ends up with might be a constant reminder of your lack of planning.

DON'T give a tattoo to someone who is deathly afraid of needles. No matter how much they might say they really want a tattoo, this will pressure them into thinking they have to, and it might turn out to be a miserable experience. Save the phobia-busting for the professionals.

DON'T pick out their design for them. It is their body, and if they want a tattoo, it will be their decision what they end up getting, no matter how great you think it would be if they got your name on them.

DON'T get a tattoo for someone who doesn't like them. This may seem obvious, but some think that if a nay-sayer would just get one, then they'd come to appreciate them. Not a good idea.

On the other hand............

DO give your recipient a gift certificate. This will allow them to take the time they deem necessary to decide what they want and when they want it. Most studios have gift certificates available, which usually do not expire for at least a year. DO check out all the tattoo studios in your area and find one with a good reputation, a high standard for cleanliness, and no tolerance for unhealthy practices. If your friend already has a favorite artist, stick with that studio.

DO give the needle-shy (that really wants a tattoo) some magazines and books on the process of tattooing, and even refer them to some personal testimonials that might help them overcome their fear. Education is the key. No one wants to ride the roller-coaster unless they know it is safe.

DO give them the space, the time, and the freedom to choose their design on their own. A tattoo should be something that is special and meaningful to the individual. Encourage them to look through designs to get an idea, but to be creative enough to come up with something not "in the books."

Giving the gift of a tattoo could be a great idea for the holiday. Take your time, plan it out, and the gift you give will thank you for a lifetime.

Is Body Art On Its Way "Out"

It’s hard to pinpoint exactly when or how tattoos and body piercings started to enjoy their current popularity. Although they’ve always appealed to the rebel crowd, they became more mainstream as more celebrities started wearing them. Popular stars, not just the obscure, were not only getting tattoos and piercings, but were displaying them proudly. Suddenly, the status of body art had dramatically improved and its stigma was fading fast. By the year 2001, the demand for body art had morphed into a virtual frenzy. To this day, it still remains one of the most-searched items on the Internet, and polls have suggested that 1 in 7 people in the U.S. are tattooed. But is the frenzy subsiding?

Paris Hilton says tattoos are “unoriginal”.

Angelina Jolie and Billy Bob both had to have tattoos removed that they had gotten to signify their “unending love”. Christina Aguilera has removed all but a couple of her body piercings. Since celebrities are pretty much the reason body mods became so popular, could this be an indication that body art is on its way “out”?

If it is, then all I can say is, “it’s about damn time”. Why? Wouldn’t someone like myself, who is obviously pro-body art, be happy to see it being so widely appreciated? Well, yes and no. See, the problem with fads is that people follow them blindly with little consideration to potential consequences. Usually the worst than can happen is a red face when you look back on a picture of yourself wearing the “in” hair and clothes of 10 years ago or more. How many times have you looked back on one of the memoirs and thought, “how on earth did I think that was cool?”

Well, the problem with tattoos, unlike banana clips and polyester suits, is that they can’t just be taken off and thrown away. They are intended to be permanent and if you really want them removed, you’re looking at a lot of money and a lot of pain in order to do it. Granted, piercings aren’t as permanent, but scars are almost always left behind. Body art is not intended to be fashionable or trendy. Those that treat it as such are the ones who end up regretting it later.

If body art is dwindling in popularity, don’t expect it to just go away. The good news is that during this period of evolution from stigma to acceptance, scores of true body art supporters have come out of the woodwork. Closet freaks, if you will, have been able to show pride in their body art. Senior citizens, eyeing tattoos or piercings since their youth, have been able to fulfill their dreams without shame. Tattoo artists have been forced to improve the quality of their work in order to compete with body art prodigies that have swept through the industry. Enter a generation of super body art and its admirers. When the trend followers wash away, what will remain will be a community of strong and loyal people that will see body art through its evolution at every stage, even when it’s no longer “in”.

How To Become a Tattoo Artist

It seems that with the popularity of tattoos and the potential for high income, a lot of people want to become a tattoo artist. Many of them make the mistake of buying a kit and practicing on their friends, which is very dangerous. Many of these people never become truly successful at tattooing anyway, and never acquire the skills necessary to compete in this highly competitive business. If you're serious about becoming a skilled and competent artist, this is what you need to do.

Difficulty: Hard

Time Required: 1-5 Years

Here's How:

1. The first thing you need is raw talent. Someone who can't draw or color inside the lines isn't going to be a good candidate for being a tattoo artist.
2. Then you need to hone your raw talent to develop talent into skill. Skill can come from fine art classes, working with a fellow artist, learning technique from books, or all of the above. On top of that, you need to practice, practice, practice.
3. Once you're a competent artist on paper, you'll need to build a portfolio. A portfolio is a case or binder containing examples of your art, to show your different skills.
4. The next thing you need is an apprenticeship. An apprentice is someone who learns a skill from someone else already skilled in the trade. Sometimes an apprenticeship can be free, but many times they cost thousands of dollars. You will need to find a way to save or acquire the money needed for your training.
5. Then you need to find an apprenticeship - but not just any apprenticeship - you need to find the right one for you. One with a master you feel you can truly learn from - not someone just offering apprenticeships to make money. Getting an apprenticeship can be a challenge, so I recommend you read How to Get an Apprenticeship to learn more specifically what you need to do.
6. In addition to needing money for your apprenticeship, you will also need to be able to sustain yourself during training. Unless you are independently wealthy, you'll need to hold down a regular job at the same time you are serving your apprenticeship. You will not be earning money in the shop during your training.
7. Once you are an apprentice, you will learn many skills from your teacher, most of them having nothing to do with actual drawing. You will learn how to safely clean your equipment, how to operate a tattoo machine, how to adjust your power supply, how to protect yourself and your clients from disease, and last but not least - how to correctly apply a tattoo. This can take many months to learn completely.
8. During your time as an apprentice, you will continue to practice and hone your drawing skills. You are not limited to only gaining knowledge from your teacher - you may also have the opportunity to spend time learning from other artists as well. Getting tattooed is a good way to watch and learn the techniques of other master tattoo artists.
9. There's no formal graduation from an apprenticeship. Generally, the teacher decides when the student is ready to venture off on their own. Sometimes a contract was signed at the beginning of the apprenticeship, and the terms will vary. But as long as you are not under contract to continue for a certain length of time or prevented from working for a competing shop, you can decide to stretch your wings when you feel you have learned all you can from your teacher.
10. No matter how long you apprentice or how long you tattoo, you never know it all. There is always more to learn, new techniques to adopt, new ways to enhance what has already been done. Never be satisfied with mediocrity, and never allow yourself to become egotistical.

Overviews on Body Art

Overviews on Body Art

These books gather the whys and wherefores of body art in the writers’ or speakers’ own words. All of these books feature a broad spectrum of personal experience of what it means to participate in the world of body art.

Most tattoo books are collections of full-color images and body shots, exploring how individuals interpret what it is to be tattooed. This book has these elements, but no pictures for a change. Edited by Kim Addonizio and Cheryl Dumesnil, both tattooed, this is a written depiction of tattooing. The collection includes fiction, personal memoirs, poetry and anecdotes on the physical experience and lifestyle choice to have skin art. The title comes from the historical fact that writer Dorothy Parker had a star permanently inked on one arm.

The excerpt from Bradbury's "The Illustrated Man" will be remembered as familiar and formative to many tattoo fans. Artists write about what it was like to learn to tattoo and related various ink-related adventures with a wide array of wild customers. Concentration camp survivor Paul Steinberg describes his involuntary tattoo experience. Deena Metzger's mastectomy tattoo falls at the other end of the ink spectrum as part of her chosen healing process. A definite book for the collection of those who write about tattooing, or are looking for some more historical perspective.

I got this book when it was first published by Re/Search in San Francisco, the summer of 1989. I had never explored such a diversity of differentness. I had no idea you could do so many things to one's body, or that you could pierce so many places!

Assembled from a series of interviews, this book includes "everyone who is anyone" from the birth of the modern body art movement. Tattooing, piercing, branding, cutting, it's all in here, with tons of amazing photos.

If you've read the Re/Search volume MODERN PRIMITIVES and ever wondered where everyone was going to go from there, this is the book. If you think everyone now has a tattoo or a piercing, ask yourself how many people do you know with a branding or cutting? Do any of your friends have implants? Do you think your body might be improved by amputation?

ModCon, a private convention/gathering of extreme body art enthusiasts and artists, is documented in this volume of interviews and pictures, with some material coming from the author's private collection. You will see implants, surgical alterations and every form of permanent skin art, all modifications and changes made at the wishes of the wearer. The pictures are plentiful and in full-color, sometimes CSI-intense in their level of graphic and medical detail.

As a person who has collected body art for almost twenty years now, I have seen a lot of unique people. I bought this book because it went beyond anything I have seen before. The interviews reveal an incredible array of focus and desire when it comes to why everyone is doing these things, as well as varying, and sometimes scary, degrees of will to carry out the mental vision for the physical body. If you want a book that will confront you with questions and shake up your perceptions about humans and how they view and use their bodies, this is it.

Overviews on Body Art

Most tattoo books are collections of full-color images and body shots, exploring how individuals interpret what it is to be tattooed. This book has these elements, but no pictures for a change. Edited by Kim Addonizio and Cheryl Dumesnil, both tattooed, this is a written depiction of tattooing. The collection includes fiction, personal memoirs, poetry and anecdotes on the physical experience and lifestyle choice to have skin art. The title comes from the historical fact that writer Dorothy Parker had a star permanently inked on one arm.

The excerpt from Bradbury's "The Illustrated Man" will be remembered as familiar and formative to many tattoo fans. Artists write about what it was like to learn to tattoo and related various ink-related adventures with a wide array of wild customers. Concentration camp survivor Paul Steinberg describes his involuntary tattoo experience. Deena Metzger's mastectomy tattoo falls at the other end of the ink spectrum as part of her chosen healing process. A definite book for the collection of those who write about tattooing, or are looking for some more historical perspective.

Tattoo and Body Art Histories

Most tattoo books are collections of full-color images and body shots, exploring how individuals interpret what it is to be tattooed. This book has these elements, but no pictures for a change. Edited by Kim Addonizio and Cheryl Dumesnil, both tattooed, this is a written depiction of tattooing. The collection includes fiction, personal memoirs, poetry and anecdotes on the physical experience and lifestyle choice to have skin art. The title comes from the historical fact that writer Dorothy Parker had a star permanently inked on one arm.

The excerpt from Bradbury's "The Illustrated Man" will be remembered as familiar and formative to many tattoo fans. Artists write about what it was like to learn to tattoo and related various ink-related adventures with a wide array of wild customers. Concentration camp survivor Paul Steinberg describes his involuntary tattoo experience. Mastectomy survivor Deena Metzger's tattoo falls at the other end of the ink spectrum as part of her chosen healing process. There are tales of joy, sorrow, smart choices, drunken moments, good ink and bad.

The short lengths of the pieces makes reading this on transit or during those short breaks during the day easy, and the subject matter is a great distraction from the mundane. A definite book for the collection of those who write about tattooing, or are looking for some more historical perspective.

Tattoo Urban Legends

Parents, kids and readers, beware: the “Blue Star Tattoo” story is THE king of tattoo urban legends. Various accounts dispute the actual time and place this rumor started, but the story has been making the rounds easily since sometime during the 1970s. Flyers were the first manifestation of this story however the internet has given it new life, as the faux warning can now make the e-mail spam rounds. Some of the warnings appear quite official, sometimes being printed to look like a police report, and sometimes looking like an actual hospital or health agency press release.

As of 2003 no police or narcotics agencies have been able to verify any events of this instance actually happening EVER. And yet, with the beginning of each school year and again at Halloween time, this story can be found making the rounds again. The many reproductions of this warning on official company letterheads has made the distribution quick and pickup by the news media repeated. There are now whole web pages devoted to debunking this myth, however, the blue star tattoo lives on....

I was at a social event recently when a friend pulled me aside. She said she had taken a look at my Bella site and really liked the tattoo articles I was writing. I asked if there was anything she’d like me to write about. She asked if I could find out more about Mister Rogers’ tattoos, and said she had heard that was why he always wore long-sleeve sweaters.

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Tattoo Urban Legend #2, the Mister Rogers tattoo story. Sometimes the ink is attributed to a stay in the military. Sometimes the military story comes with the elaboration that he was a sniper and each tattoo represented a kill. Nonetheless, there is a persistent rumor that Mister Rogers had seriously tattooed arms.

As cool as that might be, it is very much untrue. You will find the question posed here and there on message boards with all manner of answers, and the story certainly was revived by his passing in early 2003. However, all reports from friends and colleagues would indicate that 1) Mister Rogers was not a tattooed person and 2) his style of dress was chosen for a type of relaxed formality. Remember folks, this man was an ordained minister who worked with children: not exactly the tattooed type.

As with all rumors and stories, a little clear thought often is all that is required to separate the truth from urban legend. When it comes to tattooing, I’d stick by the line attributed to Lewis Lapham, “Seeing is believing...”

Tattoos As Trendy Ad Gimmick

I normally don't pay attention to animated banner ads on the internet sites I visit but this one caught my eye. It showed a flexed arm, with a tattoo machine moving in space without anyone holding it, tattooing the bicep. The message it was tattooing was about housing mortgage rates.

If you ever wondered if there was a clear sign that tattooing was firmly established as part of the mainstream, there you go, that's it! Tattooing is so well-known and so popular to the main demographic that mortgage companies are courting to get as customers, they are using tattoos to sell house loans, two things that would otherwise be utterly unconnected. Since owning a house has always been considered pretty cool, you can now presume that they aren't the offensive sign of the criminal element that they once were.

Actually tattoos are being used heavily to advertise otherwise up-market goods to the main buying demographic and the generation that's just behind that one. Another good internet sign of this trend is current Cadillac car ad running on many web sites that features +44 drummer Travis Barker. In his early 30s, he's a top musician and celebrity personality. He's richer than most folks his own age and he owns a whole stable of Cadillacs. He's also almost entirely covered in tattoos. The largest blank spot on his body is his face. People with that much money don't usually have that many tattoos, and folks with that many tattoos don't usually buy Cadillacs, but someone in marketing figured it would be a hip new way to cross the two markets and make it clear that to be über-cool, you have to be both tattooed and own a Cadillac.

Cigarette companies have had their ability to advertise heavily curtailed in recent years. Some recent Camel cigarette ads I've seen are drawn to look like tattoo flash. This plays directly to images that are heavily popular with the 18-35 demographic, when by default makes them popular to the under 18 demographic. As teenagers crave everything that is just out of their legal reach, ads that pitch to the 20-somethings have incredible appeal to teens built into them, to make sure there is brand awareness in that market. Undoubtedly, these tattoo cigarette ads are being noticed and having an effect on the underage market.

The same might be said for the branding of Captain Morgan rum with a "tattoo" variation flavor. Rum isn't necessarily a first choice for young people, but the ability of rum to mix well and it's sugary taste makes it prime as something to get younger drinkers who are usually used to beer into mixed cocktails. Since shots and mixed drinks bring in a higher profit at bars, pushing them via campaigns designed to make subtle variations seem "in" and "cool" is really the goal of adding tattoos or tattoo-branding to products

Tattoos in the Military

In their last recruiting year, the US Military announced revisions on their policy towards tattoos on new recruits, firming up guidelines for what imagery and placement were and were not acceptable. The policy was more restrictive than previously. However, with military recruiters having missed making their recruiting goals last year (their fiscal year ended Oct 1, 2005), the Army has just revised the guidelines, announcing some slight changes at the end of March 2006.

Policies were set that banned any tattooing or branding that was on the face, head or neck, such as would be visible when wearing a standard uniform. However, modifications classified as permanent makeup are now to be allowed. These tattoos are of a narrow category, essentially indelible lip-liner or eyeliner, or tattoos which realistically replicate eyebrows. When done in a fashion that seeks to replicate natural human features, and which follow conventional mainstream aesthetics, facial tattoos will be permitted. Tattoos on the hands are conditionally permitted, barring they do not violate rules concerning symbolism.

What the tattoo shows, that is to say, what it expresses is where the toughest rules come into play. Any tattoo imagery that is deemed to be sexist imagery or racist symbols, or that can be perceived extremist tattoos is utterly banned regardless of where it might be on your body. Any tattoo design that is associated with or thought to be associated with gangs or hate groups will cause an applicant to be rejected. New recruits have to explain the symbolism behind each and every tattoo they have as part of the application process.

Interestingly, it was the military that helped bring tattooing to acceptability in mainstream culture. Sailors in World War II not only traveled the world, and had contact with cultures that practiced tattooing, but they also got paid more frequently than their Army or Marine counterparts, making for slightly more pocket cash. Being willing to fight and die for one's country is very noble, and tattoos worn by soldiers and sailors slowly gained a bit of credibility. Tattooing came to be seen as the sign of a tough guy, but not necessarily a bad one.

In modern times, the Army and the tattoo are colliding head-on. Most often, the military recruits men who are in the 17 to 24 age range. In the world of culture, and more specifically advertising, that overlaps with the coveted and powerful "male aged 18-35 demographic," which receives the bulk of money and attention from a lot of movie, music and fashion advertisers. With tattooing riding a huge wave of popularity in youth culture right now, it makes the pool of growing young male tattoo enthusiasts overlap heavily with the segment of the population that is screened for military service

Temporary Tattoos: A Long History of Temporary Accessorizing

It is difficult to pin down exactly when the first temporary tattoo was debuted, but it is thought that they were designed and produced around the turn of the century. In the late 1890s and the early 1900s temporary tattoos that were created in the food coloring style were inserted into boxes of Cracker Jacks®. These temporary tattoos were transferred from the paper to skin with the use of spit or water. Surprisingly enough, Cracker Jacks® still use these same style of temporary tattoos as one of their “prize in every box” surprises today.

The food coloring style remained the mainstay in temporary tattoos for decades. Television shows, sports teams, and cartoons have all used temporary tattoos to gain recognition with young consumers. For example, Topps not only used sports cards to sell their gum, many cards of which are extremely collectible today, but they also inserted temporary tattoos called Baseball Tattoos in the 1970s. Smurf, Pee Wee’s Playhouse and The Bionic Women all had temporary tattoo packages sold as a way of promoting their respective television shows. All were created using the food coloring style of tattoo production.

In the 1980s there were temporary tattoos created that were different and more exotic than the plain food coloring style. First of all there were Scratch and Sniff temporary tattoos that had a special microfragrence® coating designed and developed by 3M. These tattoos were still based upon the same artistic styles as the previous food coloring style, and never really caught on. However, Dandy Novelty company teamed up with a world famous tattooist Ole Hansen, from Copenhagen Denmark in the 1980s and together they produced an entirely new line of temporary tattoos that was based upon the real tattoo flash artwork.

This new look of temporary tattoos created a large amount of interest and eventually got the nod from Hollywood. 3M was again involved in creating a temporary tattoo that was placed on a translucent film that could be transferred to the body without spit. This allowed actors to have a tattoo for a character that looked real, but again was only temporary. This style of temporary tattoo, currently under production by Paper Tattoos, has essentially replaced the food coloring style entirely (except in the Cracker Jack prize packets) due to the fact that the designs are edgy, realistic and longer lasting than previously released temporary tattoo brands. Now, temporary tattoos are essentially considered to be pieces of body art and are often used as a fashion accessory in the same manner someone would select a pair of earrings, a navel ring, or other body embellishment.

Astrology Tattoo Is More Than a Mere Fashion

Astrology symbols have become very popular tattoo designs, such as a scorpion or a bull as body art. This is due to astrological symbols making great tattoo designs. There is also a quiet mysticism that surrounds these signs that makes them a popular choice for the younger population.

Besides the zodiac signs celestial bodies like the sun and the moon also make popular tattoo designs. Most of the astrology tattoos are done in bright colours that give them a life of their own. Astrology tattoo designs can be tattooed just about anywhere as body art, such as arm bands, lower-back, ankles, chest or shoulders.

Different astrological systems have different signs which represent different meanings. However, the preferred astrology tattoo designs are based on the Greek or Roman zodiac system. These include the twelve different signs namely Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces, Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio and Sagittarius.

Each of the astrological signs depicts an animal, character or object associated with it. Here are the traditional symbols associated with each sign of the Zodiac:

Capricorn (December 23 to January 20) is depicted by a Goat.

Aquarius (January 21 to February 19) by the Water Carrier

Pisces (February 20 to March 20) by the Fish

Aries (March 21 to April 20) by a Ram

Taurus (April 21 to May 21) by a Bull

Gemini (May 22 to June 21) by the Wolf

Cancer (June 22 to July 22) by the Crab

Leo (July 23 to August 22) by the Lion

Virgo (August 23 to September 23) by a Woman

Libra (September 24 to October 23) by Pair of Scales

Scorpio (October 24 to November 22) by the Scorpion

Sagittarius (November 23 to December 22) by the Centaur Archer

Other widely practiced arts include those devised by the Native American, incorporating the medicine wheel as an important part of their astrological system, and the Chinese that depicts animal names and traits to people born in a certain year.

All the astrology tattoo designs are characterized by certain qualities that make them unique. For instance, they are especially meaningful if they happen to be your sun sign, tattooing the sun sign that you were born under can be a simple way of reflecting your unique personality, goals and interests.

Today, the astrology tattoo designs can be seen on a wide selection of people from all nationalities and age. Earlier, the tattoos were limited to sailors and maybe artists. Now days, all tattoos are flaunted with great pride

Helpful Tips For Finding Your Perfect Tattoo Design

Once you have decided that you want a tattoo and have found the artist that you are going to use then the next stage is to decide on the particular tattoo design that you want. This is where the hard work really starts but it can also be a lot of fun looking at all of the possibilities. Of course, the type of artwork that you select for your tattoo is very much a personal choice but there are some that are more common than others. For example, a rose or butterfly tattoo pattern is always popular with women. These sexy adornments are often discretely placed on the back of the shoulder, top of the thigh, close to the navel or other area of the body that is not normally exposed. Men may prefer a larger Celtic tattoo design that may be a cross tattoo or a more complex Celtic band that wraps around the upper arm. The choice of designs is endless and finding the right tattoo design may seem a daunting task but there are a number of sources of inspiration available to help you.

The Internet is a good place to start your search as it is full of websites relating to body art. There are a number of sources of free tattoo design samples available. These can vary greatly in terms of size and complexity. Some of the tattoo design examples will be shown after the work has been performed for a client, while others may just be the tattoo design itself. You will also find a large number of sites that have a tattoo gallery with pictures that are copyrighted and you will need to purchase a copy before you can use it. Obviously, the cost will depend on the size and complexity of the design but it is also affected by the popularity of the actual artist. A tattoo design from a star tattoo artist who has celebrity clients will obviously cost more than one from a lesser known one. People often want to have the same body art as their favorite movie star, singer, sports star or other celebrity and this demand is reflected in the cost.

Your chosen tattoo parlor is also a good source of inspiration for designs. After all, this is where you are going to have your artwork done. You will see hundreds of designs on display in the window and on the walls. It is worth bearing in mind that these may not be the work of the tattoo artist who runs the tattoo shop and may actually be examples of another artist's work. A tattoo design that has been printed onto a piece of paper or card is known as a tattoo flash. These were originally unique hand drawn designs created by the artist himself and used to promote his work to potential customers. Also, many artists will also have a portfolio of their designs with photographs of them after they have been completed for a customer. Nowadays the Internet has led to many tattoo artists creating multiple copies of their designs and selling them to other professionals and customers. This means that the shop's artist may not be able to recreate the tattoo design exactly but can use it as the basis for your own unique piece of artwork

The History of Tattoos

The word, Tattoo, comes from the Polynesian word, "tatao" which means "to tap" or "to mark something."

Captain James Cook introduced this word to the English during his voyage around the world in 1769. Captain Cook and his crew of the ship, The Endeavour, were welcomed with open arms by the friendly and uninhibited Tahitians (yeah, that means many of them were naked.) Since the weather was very warm on the island, clothing was optional.

The Tahitians tried to look their best by decorating their bodies. But the fact of the matter was the application of tattoos, which was painful. It was done by dipping a sharp-pointed comb into lampblack and then hammering it into the skin. Nonetheless, everybody did it.

As word of tattooing in Tahiti and other Polynesian islands spread, the European sailors began to get tattooed themselves. This probably illustrated why tattoos were looked upon with such a lack of credibility in the early days and were considered as a kind of thing suitable for drunkards, sailors and criminals.

Modern archeology has uncovered the practice of tattoos in many ancient cultures all over the world.

In 1992, in the Alps between the border of Austria and Italy, a perfectly preserved body of a man was found. He was estimated to have lived 5,000 years ago! And he had 58 tattoos all over his body.

· Mummies from the ancient Egyptians had tattoos.

· Clay figurines found in Japan dated 3,000 years ago were engraved with tattoo marks.

· The ancient Greeks and Romans used tattoos to identify slaves and criminals.

But tattooing has only become acceptable in the mainstream society recently. Tattoo shops and parlors were nothing more than wretched hives of scum and villainy, located in the seediest parts of most towns have undergone significant changes.

Tattooing has really become popular with sports athletes. No one can forget the now-retired flamboyant NBA forward, Dennis Rodman, whose body was a tattooing canvas. A more current example is Allen Iverson of the Philly 76'ers. The tattooing trend is getting really popular in college basketball. And the trickle-down effect is appearing on high school athletes. Some old-fashion coaches forbidden any display of tattoos which meant some basketball players has to play with a t-shirt under their game jersey. Football fans can't miss the barbed wire tattoos on the well-developed arms of football players.

The popular show, “Miami Ink,” from TLC is a reality-based show. The show’s popularity demonstrates just how mainstream the art of body art or “inking” has become. And it gives the viewers a look into the skill and history of both the artists and their customers.

5 Hot Tattoo Styles

Body art and tattoos have become so popular now that people who would have ran the other way are exposing their skin to the tattooists needle. It is not uncommon to get a glimpse of some office worker in the boardroom sporting a sexy rose tattoo on her chest, floral design on her lower leg or even some tribal artwork tattoos on her lower back. This is a testimony that tattoos are becoming more and more acceptable in a corporate environment traditionally no go zones for any form of personal expression.

What are the hottest tattoo designs?

'New School' Style Tattoos. These are a modern version of the ol' sailor Jerry style of tattoos such as anchors and swallows. They are much brighter and more animated than their predecessors which look very flat in comparison. A lot of people especially females are asking for tattoos of swallows and anchors on their neck.

Japanese Kanji Tattoos. Japanese style tattoos are so popular amongst females who are going for "full sleeve" style tattoos depicting Japanese characters such as koi or carp fish.

Floral and Love Heart Chest Tattoos. This style can look so sexy on a girl! There is a certain timeless look with these tattoos harking back to the good ol' days of the 1950's.

Star Tattoos. These have always been popular but more people are getting them done on visible places such as wrists and on the lower legs. Unsuprisingly Hollywood stars are lining up for the tattooists chair and demanding tattoos that reflect their lives.

Tribal Tattoos. Tribal tattoo designs have been around for hundreds of years but are becoming more and more complex and constantly evolving and morphing into what has become known as neo tribal tattoo styles. Tribal styles can be traditional 'black work' covering the arms or more colorful styles characterised by the 'Modern Primitive' look covering the entire body.

Tips for Getting Tattoos

Choose your tattoo carefully. Don't go for some off the wall 'flash' tattoo. A good tattoo artist loves doing 'custom pieces'.

Try not mix different tattoo styles such as Japanese and Tribal styles. It doesn't work!

Go to a reputable tattoo artist not some backstreet 'scratcher' who is cheap but you will inevitably regret later. Build a relationship with the tattoo artist if you plan of getting a lot of tattoos.

Take proper care especially of newer tattoos. As summer approaches a lot of people get tattooed and can't wait to flash them off. Be careful that you do not expose your new tattoos to too much sun which will fade them.

Amazing Tattoo Designs

Let's face it, people who like tattoos are always looking for the next amazing tattoo design to set themselves apart from the crowd and although this might seem like an easy task, anyone who has been through it knows differently. Sometimes it can just hit you, you see something in a picture or in a museum or even in a movie and bingo! that's it - you know straight away that this is your next tattoo. If you're one of the lucky ones (those who can draw beautifully from imagination) you can scribble it down and take your own amazing tattoo design to your tattooist and within no time at all your dream is a reality. However, most of us are not that lucky and whilst we have willing and creative minds which think up all these amazing tattoo designs we have weak and stubborn fingers who insist on not getting the picture (literally!).

Body art has been with us from the year dot when ancient cave men used it not only for camouflage but also to mark themselves and their tribesmen out from other rival tribes. Indeed, the word ' tattoo' is derived from the ancient Tahitian word "tattau" meaning to mark. Since then tattoos have evolved into a serious art form and most people are into their body art because it is beautiful and because it makes a personal statement about themselves. Choosing your amazing tattoo design can be a minefield though. Just think of all the Chinese symbols for example. Do you know what they mean - and moreover, do you expect your tattooist to know? A very good friend of mine had a Chinese symbol tattoo done a couple of years back. It was a beautifully intricate design on his left shoulder with symbols surrounded by oriental dragons and magnificent colours. He was born in the year of the dragon and his wife was born under the sign of the dog. The symbol was suppose to say something like ' dragon will honour dog in life and death". However he has since discovered that although it does say that it could also be construed as "dragon will curse dogs honour in life and death".

The same is true of Celtic or Egyptian symbols, and if you fancy something a bit out of the ordinary it's best to do loads of research first and be sure your symbol says exactly what you want it to say. Remember, your tattoo artist is just that, an amazing artist - NOT an expert in all sorts of ancient scripts and symbols!!

When you know it's time for another tattoo (or indeed when you've taken the decision to have your first) it is wise to take some time and look into various styles and designs and also think hard about where on your body you want to have it done. I know some women who have had amazing tattoos designed and inked all around their belly buttons only to discover that when they are pregnant (and subsequently left with stretch marks) the fabulous butterfly looks just a bit less fabulous than it did on a tanned and taut abdomen! Also, think about it from an employment point of view. Like it or not, a tattoo is not always viewed favourably by prospective employers. This is not such a problem for males, however lots of women get tattoos around their ankle or lower leg and, if in a professional capacity you need to wear a smart skirt suit, then it could make things just a little bit difficult.

Consider also, that your tattoo will be with you for life. Now, I know this is always the argument against having a tattoo, especially when it's your first one, however it is a valid one. You must be committed to the design you choose as it will be with you for a very long time. In my opinion, it's best to steer clear of the 'fashionable' tattoo styles, the ones that come in fad's and disappear a year or two later leaving your skin very 'last season'! Choose something that means something to you, something that has a little personal story behind it. Then, when people remark on your tattoo and ask about it (and they will!) you have something interesting to say about it and about yourself too.

Finding the Right Tattoo Artist

Getting a tattoo has become a new fad in today’s society. Once frowned upon by mainstream society, it is now become a commonly viewed item in everyday life. Upon getting a tattoo, finding an artist of your liking is a big part. Since this is a permanent deal, it has to be done properly or else you will be living with this forever.

Make sure to research the artist and the tattoo shop or studio. They should have all of the proper resources to get your tattooing done properly and in the most cost effective way possible. Most shops have flash art available, for those who need ideas on what to get. They should also have fine art tattooing books available, for further ideas on ideas. Once you have an idea on what to get, they should be able to present your idea through a simple piece of artwork, which should show you if the drawing is exactly what you are thinking of.

Each artist has its own specialty in what they draw. Some specialize in tribal designs, while others are in Celtic designs. Make sure they are able to draw up whatever it is you are looking for. They should have proper tattoo supplies, which should comply with safety standards. They should have a proper tattoo gun, or a homemade one that works properly. They should know how to clean it properly as well as work it.

When coming to the actual tattooing of the art you had drawn up, make sure it is exactly the way you want it done. Make sure they have a variety of tattoo dyes, colors and pigments if you are looking for color in your tattoo. They should be able to distinguish what blends well with your skin tone

A Brief History of Tattooing

Because the historical and archaeological records of most forms of body art are incomplete, we still don't know where and where tattooing originated.

Tattooed mummies provide the earliest concrete evidence of tattoo, and these have been found in various parts of the world, from Nubia to Peru. Probably t he most ancient tattooed man is the "Iceman", a Bronze Age man uncovered after being frozen in a glacier on the Tyrolean Alps since 3000 B.C. A tattooed band of stripes was found on his lower back, a simple cross on the inside of his left knee and more stripes on his right ankle.

There are many examples of tattooing in ancient Egypt, the oldest found on the mummy of Egyptian priestess of the goddess Hathor at Thebes, Amunet, who lived approximately 4000 years ago, she was tattooed with parallel lines of dots. Because of her religious status, some archaeologists have speculated that her body art had spiritual or magical connotations. Others feel the designs were of sexual nature.

Some of the most diverse, ornate, and bizarre body art was found in the mysterious and complex world of Maya between 300 and 900 A.D. For Maya, body modification, whether temporary or permanent, were done for spiritual reasons as well as beautification. Full body tattoos or facial tattoos, were acquired by men and women.

When Captain James Cook set sail in his Endeavor in 1769, he visited many islands of Pacific Ocean, most of which included tattooing as part of their culture. It's Cook who gave us the "tattoo" word based on similar words in Polynesian cultures that were used to describe the practice.

On board the Endeavor was Sir Joseph Banks. Along with cataloging many types of animal and plant life, Banks documented the indigenous cultures at every stop along the way. Included in these notes are many references to tattooing. When Banks returned to England in 1771, he disembarked with a permanent memento of his voyage: the very fist tattoo on a modern Western man!

On December 8,1891, the first electric tattoo machine was registered by inventor Samuel O'Reilly, at the United States Patent Office. He began working out of a barber shop in New York City, calling his business a "tattoo parlor" - the first tattoo studio in the United States.

Soon tattoo parlors were springing up all over the country. During the First and Second World Wars, different branches of military adopted tattooing as a means of mystical protection, a souvenir or remembrance.

In the mid-1970s, tattooists began holding tattoo conventions. Tattoo artists from all over the countries gathered together as a group to talk shop and show off their work.

Due to the conventions, magazines, and other kinds of exposure, tattooing began to emerge as a form of fashion. People started to recognize its artistic merit and use it as a way to express personality and religious belief

Henna Tattoos - A Natural Way to Decorate Your Body

Henna tattoos are a natural form of body art - a safe and temporary alternative to getting a real tattoo done on your body. Henna tattoo artists use a natural henna ink which is made from powder from the leaves of the henna plant. The artist make a paste with the henna powder and paint a henna tattoo design anywhere on your body.

The tradition of henna tattooing, also called mendhi, has been practiced for millions of years. They have found henna art traces as far as back as the tombs of Egyptian pharaoh’s day. Henna tattoo art is still a popular natural tattoo tradition today.

Before applying henna ink to your skin, make sure to test a small amount on your body and check for any allergic reactions. Henna tattoos rarely cause these reactions in people, but its important to make sure in case you have sensitive skin. Once you know the henna ink will not cause a bad reaction, you or your henna tattoo artist can begin the work of art on your skin.

The sky is the limit with the patterns, designs and images that can be created with henna tattoos, but the colors are usually limited to dark shades of red, green, brown, or black. This also depends on how your skin reacts since every skin tone will take the henna tattoo ink a little differently. To see how the ink will appear on your skin do a test first to be sure you will get the desired result.

Tattoo Art Galleries

Tattoo art has become extremely popular in the past few years. Research shows that North America alone has over 45 million people who have one or more tattoos. Due to this ever-increasing popularity of tattoos, tattoo art galleries have also come into tremendous form. These galleries display all kinds of tattoo designs, both ancient and modern, which help to understand the meaning behind this body art that is inked into skin. The art of tattooing is said to have originated from various tribes and most of the tattoo art galleries highlight the amazing history, powerful rituals and extraordinary social significance of tribal tattooing in many different cultures of the world. Some of these galleries go back to the history of tattoos by displaying the work of various old masters of the tattoo craft.

Some of the tattoo art galleries can also be called as photo galleries as they showcase photos of the fine ink work of various popular tattoo artists on Hollywood stars such as Thomas Lockhart, Christina Ricci, Chassity Ebony, Nikki Miller and others. Hence, along with showcasing tattoo art, these art galleries also highlight some of the top photographers for their fascinating and varied interpretations and visions of tattoos and their culture. Each photographer has a unique perspective and hence, the model is the main focus in some photos whereas the tattoo is in the others. The settings of every photo also differ from each other, as they display both ordinary as well as extraordinary settings. The tattoos applied by people today are very different from the ones showcased in tattoo art galleries. The tattoos that people have done today barely resemble the tattoo art that was found in the jungles and ancient civilizations of Southeast Asia and the South Pacific.

Though tattoo art galleries also highlight modern tattoo designs, the goal of most of these galleries is to celebrate the ancient art form of tattooing and its old practitioners. These galleries bring the works of various tattoo artists together and also help to understand the origin of the tattoo art

Five Things You Didn't Know About African Tattoo And Tribal Designs

With the current resurgent trend in tribal tattoos, its surprising that African tattoos are not much more common in the western world of body art designs. However as beautiful as African Tribal designs are, do you understand the meanings behind them?

Well here are five facts that explore some of the lesser know ideals behind African Tribal Tattoo designs:

Fact 1

Some African body art are drawn to give the wearer protection from harm, the symbolism in the images guarding them throughout life.

Fact 2

African body art were never meant to be merely drawings for bodily decoration. They are drawn so that the wearer of the art can take on an almost Supernatural state. Given the term scarification, represent a way for the wearer to appear more than human.

Fact 3

African scarification or tattooing, often uses symbols that reflect the wearers character, and is used as proof of courage and braver; which are the things one needs to undergo the painful application of the body art.

Fact 4

The first African tattoo found was dated back to a mummy in 1994 BC, although it is estimated that there are tattoos dating back to 2000BC; and images showing Egyptian High Priestesses with tattooed arms have been found.

Fact 5

There is a type of body art that is done by those in Africa whose skin is generally too dark for regular tattoo coloration to appear. It is called cicatrisation and it works by opening a small part of the skin to create a designed wound. They then rub ash into the wound so that when it heals, it results in a permanent raised scar