Lauren's Hourglass

Occasionally we'll share a  reader submission and today we have a piece contributed by Lauren. She sent in this cool hourglass:

Lauren explains:

 "I decided on an hourglass after wanting something to represent living your life to the fullest and realizing time is precious. After thinking and going through all the quotes I could find I decided I would get an hourglass to represent it all. Paul Anthony Dobleman at Spider Murphy's Tattoo in San Rafael, CA is a genius. He has done about 75% of my tattoos and he took my idea and ran with it. Exactly what I wanted. Couldn't be happier! The tattoo is located on my left rib cage."

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

This entry is ©2011 Tattoosday.

If you are reading this on another web site other than Tattoosday, without attribution, please note that it has been copied without the author's permission and is in violation of copyright laws. Please feel free to visit http://tattoosday.blogspot.com and read our original content. Please let me know if you saw this elsewhere so I contact the webmaster of the offending site and advise them of this violation in their Terms of Use Agreement.

Spider Tattoo Pictures: Top Design Ideas For Girls And Guys

Some of the more interesting spider tattoos are designed to pop off the skin. They have great depth and appear to be real spiders sitting on top of the skin, rather than ink dug into the skin cells. These spiders range from small bodies with long skinny legs to tarantula images with thick hair, legs and wide bodies. They can be presented in solid black ink, sketched on like stick figures, or decked out with bold coloring.

Beyond realistic images, spider tattoos also include those fashioned after the famous comic book character turned television superhero, Spider-Man. These tattoos often work with the image of spider webs and the black spider symbol associated with the Spider-Man character.

An example of this is the Spider-Man tattoo etched across the chest of basketball player Darren Moore. He is such a huge fan of the Spider-Man comic books and movie series that he covered his chest in an elaborate spider web with a large black spider image presented right in the center. The image doesn't necessarily tie itself directly to Spider-Man, but Moore confirmed that was the inspiration through several interviews.
Spider tattoos are also commonly associated with Halloween. Many designs include spider webs, fangs, venom and other details that bring the spook factor that is common with Halloween lovers. They aren't always intended to reference the holiday, but that is usually the vibe that they give off to others.
Much like snakes, tattoos featuring spiders are also very versatile. You may see one small spider etched on the side of the wrist or an over-sized spider resting between the shoulder blades. They can be subtle in black or designed to stand out with bold colors or intricate designs.
Some are made to look so realistic and three-dimensional they can actually scare others upon first glance. Others are generic images that lie flat on the skin and don't have any realistic qualities at all. With so many variations to choose from, there is definitely a style for everyone.
Picture of creepy large black window artwork on top of the right foot, stretching around to the ankle.
Photo of a lightly colored design featuring a somewhat cartoon-like creature. Located on the upper arm area.
Picture of shocking spider tattoo design on the inside of the hand. Featuring a large web with a pair of creepy crawlies. One on the pair and another on the fingers.
Picture of another brightly colored masterpiece. A hybrid design that combines a large heart as the body of the insect.
This is a snapshot of the before-mentioned basketball player, Darren Moore, showcasing his elaborate spider chest artwork.

Snake Tattoo Pictures: Best Artwork Concepts And Ideas

The long, slithering nature of the snake makes it the perfect animal for tattoo artistry. Snake tattoos are extremely versatile and are often worked into more complex images. For instance, one popular tattoo idea is the image of a long sword with a snake wrapped around the shaft and down over the blade. Snakes are typically used for their ability to be wrapped and crossed throughout an image to add depth and detail.

Many snake designs in the tattoo world are black and grey images without a lot of detail. They are used to create substance or as a secondary element in a larger and more complex tattoo. Yet, that is not the rule. Some artists do create very detailed snake tattoos with a lot of color, intricate scales, and interesting plays on the eyes and forked tongue commonly associated with snakes.

A snake tattoo can wrap around the bicep or calf or even form a border or centerpiece for a larger tattoo. It can be colorful or all in black and grey. It can reflect the fantasy world or take on a more realistic appearance. This is definitely one of the most versatile of all tattoo genres.

Snake Tattoo Pictures:
There are thousands of snake tattoos presented around the world and new ones are created every single day. The variety of concepts is virtually limitless.
Snakes are often depicted as a part of other tattoo genres. For instance they appear in many fantasy tattoo images and are very common with pirate tattoos. They are often presented with swords and are frequently associated with the world of martial arts.
Then there are snake tattoos that play on the concept of poisonous venom. These tattoos will portray snakes standing tall with prominent fangs and a spray of venom coming from around the mouth. These are among the more realistic looking snake designs since they don't play on mythological or fantasy worlds like many other snake tattoos.
Picture of tremendous cobra artwork located on the left hip and lower back area of a girl.
Picture of snake tattoo featuring excellent color and detailing, projecting a three dimensional appearance.
Closeup photo of partially coiled cobra with long slithering tongue.
Picture of a masterful chest design including: two snakes which are interwoven with a red center-piece skull with three eyes, a perched bird, and a pair of roses.

Anthony's Phenomenal Marilyn Monroe Portrait

 Without question, Marilyn Monroe has appeared more on Tattoosday than any other celebrity, living or dead. You'd think I'd get tired of seeing her in ink, but I never do. Probably because there are artists out there doing this:

This portrait is on the left leg of Anthony, a photographer I met on Penn Plaza a couple weeks ago. The work is based on this famous photograph:

Anthony credited the artist as Horacio Martinez, at Golden Eagle Tattoo in Santa Barbara, California. The detail in the piece is really spectacular:

When I asked why he chose to ink the legendary actress on his leg, he said, "I was in photo school at the time and we were doing a lot of Hollywood glamor stuff and it was just kind of, on a whim. Why not?"

The piece is two years old and took only three and a half hours for Horacio to complete.

To see all the Marilyn Monroe work that has appeared on Tattoosday, click here. You can also see Anthony's work as a photographer on Tumblr here, or you can visit his website here.

Thanks to Anthony for sharing this incredible tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!

This entry is ©2011 Tattoosday.

If you are reading this on another web site other than Tattoosday, without attribution, please note that it has been copied without the author's permission and is in violation of copyright laws. Please feel free to visit http://tattoosday.blogspot.com and read our original content. Please let me know if you saw this elsewhere so I contact the webmaster of the offending site and advise them of this violation in their Terms of Use Agreement.

Frank's Koi Blends Traditional and Modern

Back on the first of July, I met Frank as I was headed home through Penn Station. He shared this tattoo on his lower leg:

Frank explained that the tattoo artist was Gus, who works out of John's Tattoos in Islip, New York. He elaborated, telling me, "I originally wanted a koi fish ... not too traditional, but a little bit different. Some modern twist on it ... Gus put the traditional with the modern and there it is."

 

Thanks to Frank for sharing his koi fish and cherry blossoms with us here on Tattoosday!

This entry is ©2011 Tattoosday.

If you are reading this on another web site other than Tattoosday, without attribution, please note that it has been copied without the author's permission and is in violation of copyright laws. Please feel free to visit http://tattoosday.blogspot.com and read our original content. Please let me know if you saw this elsewhere so I contact the webmaster of the offending site and advise them of this violation in their Terms of Use Agreement.

Pirate Tattoo Pictures: Design Ideas For Men And Women

Pirate tattoos are often closely related to nautical tattoos, since they all deal with images brought into the world from sailors and others who spend their life out at sea. Many think of pirates in a historical sense, but they are just as real today as they ever were in history. As long as valuable goods are transported through the water by ship, there will been pirates patrolling the seas in an effort to board ships and steal valuable possessions.

Just like nautical stars, those wearing pirate tattoos are not necessarily those with direct connections to ships and the sea. They are often people who identify heavily with images of the sea or that type of life. Some are drawn to ideals of the pirate, such as the stereotypical patched eye or hooked hand.

Anything portrayed with a patched eye or surrounded by skeletons is often thought of as a pirate tattoo. Many of the tattoos created today do not feature realistic looking pirates. They may feature pin-up style girls in skimpy dresses with a patched eye and wild hair or they may feature skeleton heads with the big black hat and eye patch. Elements of the tattoo reflect the pirate image, though an actual pirate is not portrayed directly.

Pirate Tattoo Pictures:
Pirate tattoos also prominently feature ships and rolling water waves. Treasure chests and gold coins are popular with some artists as well. Most tattoos have a dark nature or vibe, but it is also common to find these tattoos adorned with red roses for women. The designs vary depending on the vision of the artist or the intended meaning of the person wearing the tattoo.
Many people who go in for pirate tattoos are just drawn to the image and stereotypes surrounding the pirate life. Most are not thinking of it in terms of real pirates that still hunt the seas for ships carrying valuable goods.
Retro style artwork featuring pin-up girl in lingerie, heels and a hat while brandishing a sword.
Picture of excellent design portraying a large ship at see with skull sails, and a large eerie skull looking down from the clouds.
Picture of sensationally colorful depiction of a pirate setting, including skeleton on a sandy beach with treasure chest, plus a large ship at sea with a skull and crossbones in the sky.
Skeleton wearing bandanna while manning the ship with a "Do or Die" slogan underneath.
Picture of cute colorful cartoon like pirate girl with gun, sword and traditional hat. Topped off with a ghostly background effect.

Jacqueline's Blood Rose

Two weeks ago I spotted Jacqueline and knew I had to ask her about this large tattoo in the center of her back:

Jacqueline explained that she and her older brother got this same tattoo in the same spot. "We just wanted to get a matching tattoo," she told me, "and, you know, we're both blood relatives". It's as simple as that.

She credits Seth Wood with this tattoo. Seth currently works out of Saved Tattoo in Brooklyn. Work by Seth appeared previously on Tattoosday just last month here.

Thanks to Jacqueline for sharing this amazing tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!

This entry is ©2011 Tattoosday.

If you are reading this on another web site other than Tattoosday, without attribution, please note that it has been copied without the author's permission and is in violation of copyright laws. Please feel free to visit http://tattoosday.blogspot.com and read our original content. Please let me know if you saw this elsewhere so I contact the webmaster of the offending site and advise them of this violation in their Terms of Use Agreement.

Andrea Shares a Gil Elvgren Pinup by Shane O'Neill

Earlier this month, I met Andrea while waiting for the A train.

Andrea is covered with tattoos, estimating she has over 50% of her body inked. I always feel privileged when someone so dedicated to the art of tattoo agrees to share their work. Andrea offered up this amazing pin-up on her right forearm:

This amazing tattoo is based on the work of  legendary pin-up artist Gil Elvgren. The tattoo artist responsible for this incredible work is Shane O'Neill, who is based in Middletown, Delaware. The detail in this piece is incredible.

Work by Shane has appeared previously on our site here.

Thanks to Andrea for sharing her amazing work with us here on Tattoosday!

This entry is ©2011 Tattoosday.

If you are reading this on another web site other than Tattoosday, without attribution, please note that it has been copied without the author's permission and is in violation of copyright laws. Please feel free to visit http://tattoosday.blogspot.com and read our original content. Please let me know if you saw this elsewhere so I contact the webmaster of the offending site and advise them of this violation in their Terms of Use Agreement.

Natalie's Geisha Butterfly

Last month, I ran into Natalie on Seventh Avenue and 24th Street. She had several tattoos, but shared this geisha, with butterfly wings, floating on the top of her back:

She got this about six years ago in the city of Leeds from an artist named Diego.

When I asked why she got this particular tattoo, she replied, "I kind of just wanted something that was quite girly, yet strong at the same time."

Natalie is a professional photographer whose work can be seen on her website here.

Thanks to Natalie for sharing this cool tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!

This entry is ©2011 Tattoosday.

If you are reading this on another web site other than Tattoosday, without attribution, please note that it has been copied without the author's permission and is in violation of copyright laws. Please feel free to visit http://tattoosday.blogspot.com and read our original content. Please let me know if you saw this elsewhere so I contact the webmaster of the offending site and advise them of this violation in their Terms of Use Agreement.

Nautical Tattoo Pictures: Popular Style Tips And Ideas

The most popular image used for nautical tattoos is the nautical star. This is a star with five points that features very distinct shading. The star is often represented in black and white ink, though some will give it a personal touch by using a color in place of the usual black shading inside the star. It is the unique shading and play with color that gives the nautical star tattoo its recognizable appeal.

The nautical star is traditionally a sign of membership with the U.S. Marine Corp or Navy. Yet, most people who get nautical star tattoos are not affiliated with the military at all. They may be people who make a living at sea or who have ties with others who spend a lot of time out at sea. Or, they can just be people who are instinctively drawn to the appearance of the star.

Other images commonly used for nautical tattoos include anchors, pirates, ships and character images of sailors. Most of these images are brought to life with a creative edge, rather than being portrayed in a realistic manner. For instance, there are sailor pin-up girls and anchors featuring bright red hearts where the hook would traditionally be pictured.

Nautical Tattoo Pictures:
Nautical tattoos are often presented in color, though some sentimental images can take on a more realistic appearance with only black ink. It is also popular for these tattoos to be mostly in black with one bright splash of color to draw attention to a particular feature of the tattoo.
Skeletons are not always associated with nautical themes, but they can be turned into nautical tattoos when presented with nautical details. For instance, one popular tattoo features a pirate-like skeleton head with a black patch over one eye and a larger black sailor hat.
While nautical tattoos reflect life on the sea, they aren't limited to those with a strong connection to the water. They are just as likely to be used for appearances sake.
Picture of fabulously designed back piece tattoo consisting of a large anchor with pink bow and red heart. The anchor acts as a picture frame to the ship.
Excellent colored displayed in this closeup picture of a sailor skull with stars and a colorful anchor with a spiderweb background.
Picture of black star splashing into water. Located on the left side of torso.
Betty Boop-esque pin-up girl wearing sailor uniform while sitting barefoot on an anchor, with a tattoo of her own.

Girls Famine Tattoos Design

Nick's Street Sign is Self-Explanatory

Earlier this week, up in Columbus Circle (see, I don't spend ALL my time in Penn Station!), I ran into Nick, a much-inked individual who kindly allowed me to photograph this tattoo on his left shin:

 

Nick explained that his friend James tattooed this Pedestrian Crossing sign on him. When I asked him why he chose to get this iconic street sign on his leg, he replied, simply, "We were just bored, and I walk everywhere".

Thanks to Nick for sharing this cool tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!

This entry is ©2011 Tattoosday.

If you are reading this on another web site other than Tattoosday, without attribution, please note that it has been copied without the author's permission and is in violation of copyright laws. Please feel free to visit http://tattoosday.blogspot.com and read our original content. Please let me know if you saw this elsewhere so I contact the webmaster of the offending site and advise them of this violation in their Terms of Use Agreement.

Kristen's Anchor - Dedicated to Daddy

"This tattoo is for my father," Kristen told me, as we sat talking at the laundromat earlier this month, "because he's my anchor and he's the only man that could ever hold me down and take care of me."

She credits an artist named Twace who works in Brooklyn. [On October 4, 2011, I learned Twace is working at Citizen Ink.] Twace does all her work and is working with Kristen on her sleeve, which is based on family and inspired by Sailor Jerry flash.

When I asked her about coming up with the design, she praised Twace, her artist:

"What I love about him is that we designed the entire piece together ... I paint and do artistic things, as well, which you find [can be] very difficult with tattoo artists to put your inspiration in ... The heart rope was my idea, the color scheme, we basically worked together, bounced ideas off each other, which makes it even more like a special event."

Thanks to Kristen for sharing this cool tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!

This entry is ©2011 Tattoosday.

If you are reading this on another web site other than Tattoosday, without attribution, please note that it has been copied without the author's permission and is in violation of copyright laws. Please feel free to visit http://tattoosday.blogspot.com and read our original content. Please let me know if you saw this elsewhere so I contact the webmaster of the offending site and advise them of this violation in their Terms of Use Agreement.

Mermaid Tattoo Pictures: Men And Women Ideas

Mermaid tattoos are typically pictured with multiple bright colors. From the long flowing hair to the beautiful scaled tail, there are many opportunities to brighten up the tattoo and add to the natural feminine appeal of the mermaid creature. Half woman and half fish, this imaginative fantasy figure has relevance for both women and men today. Not to mention sailors.

It is amazing how different mermaid tattoos can look, depending on who is wearing them. Most men are drawn to mermaids with a very sexual nature while women typically see them as signs of true beauty. These tattoo designs on a man will often feature bare breasts, seductive facial expressions, and long flowing hair with curls and waves. Mermaid tattoos designed for men are often in pin-up style with the mermaids depicting characters or cartoons rather than real women.

Tattoos on a woman will usually cover the breasts with the hair or with a bikini style top. The hair is still wild and passionate, but the facial features are often softer so the tattoo takes on the flavor of beauty and passion rather than a portrayal of lust. Women are also more likely to surround their mermaid tattoos with flowers, hearts and other images that work to beautify the image even more.

Of course, these are just general terms and are not necessarily followed by all men and women. For instance, British television star Fearne Cotton has a pin-up style mermaid tattoo on her back.

Mermaid Tattoo Pictures:
Sailors and fisherman who spend a lot of time on the water will naturally feel drawn to mermaid tattoos as well. There have been some historical accounts of sailors insisting they saw real mermaids, though it is believed that the creatures seen were delusions resulting from long periods of time away from women and the lack of sleep they endured.
There is just something enticing about mermaids for all people. Most of the mermaid tattoos created today are brightly colored and feature some element of water. The blend of the ocean reference and the seductive allure of femininity truly comes together in this one figure.
Picture of cute and colorful artwork with magic clam and sea life, located on the arm.
Photo of evil looking mermaid laying on stomach with flower in her hair. Design located on the lower back with black ink.
Picture of tremendously unique and stunning body art of two intertwined figures surrounded by both living and skeleton fish in a soft water current effect.
Image of classic portrayal. Stranded on small sandy island with palm tree. Long flowing blonde hair.
Cleaver design with girl in foreground bearing her back, and fisherman casting a line in the background.