Celtic
Designing Your Own Tattoo
Nov 28th
One of the most satisfying things that a graphic artist or designer can experience is designing something which is later turned into a tattoo. Seeing your artwork on either your own body or someone else’s is a truly filling feeling. If you are contemplating designing your own tattoo either for yourself or a friend, there are a few things that you will want to keep in mind. What and Where? The first thing that you will need to decide is what sort of tattoo you want to design. This could be anything from a Celtic armband to a small butterfly to a tattoo that is large enough to span the whole of your back. When deciding on the tattoo you want to design you will need to think about the aesthetics, and work with these in mind. Secondly you will need to determine where you would like to place the tattoo. Depending on the area of the body that the tattoo is planned for, you will have a set amount of space to work with, and this will influence the design. For example you may plan an illustrious dragon tattoo which would be great for your arm, but would the tattoo still look as good if it was placed across your torso or would you need to alter the design to make it fit better? Skin Types If you are thinking about designing a tattoo that includes anything other than black pigment, you will also need to keep in mind the skin colour of the person who will be having your tattoo. People with fair skin do tend to be allergic to coloured ink (although not always), and if the same tattoo is placed on a person with dark skin, the vibrant colourings that you were hoping for may not work at all. If you are designing a tattoo for someone else you might want to talk to them about this and listen to their opinions. Consult a Tattooist If you have never designed a tattoo before, you might want to think about consulting a professional tattooist after you have a few ideas on paper. Mock up a few designs and take them in to a tattoo parlour to give your tattooist an idea of the style that you would like. Not only will your tattooist be able to tell you whether they are suitable for converting into a tattoo but he should also be able to make improvements on your designs or draft up some more sketches for you to look over. Many tattooists are happy to unleash their artistic nature and you could find that you come up with something great when you work together. Designing a tattoo either for yourself can be a great way to really show off your creative talents, but there is more than just a nice design to keep in mind as we hope we have shown you. When done correctly however, the right design can be something that you are proud to display for life.
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Wedding Ring Tattoos
Nov 14th
Do you love wedding rings, but hate to wear them? If you find them uncomfortable or can’t afford to buy the real thing just yet, you might want to look into wedding ring tattoos. They are a superb way of showing the world how committed you and your partner are to each other and they can be completely unique in their design. There are an infinite number of designs to choose from, although you should be aware that tattoos are on the whole permanent and it will take some serious time and money to remove them at a later date if, unfortunately, your marriage doesn’t last. Religious Wedding Ring Tattoos If you and your partner are both religious people, you may want to look into a religious wedding ring tattoo. This is a great way to show people how much your faith means to you as well as your partner. Popular choices include small crosses that go around the finger, and even numbers that signify bible passages. One that is specifically good is EPH 2:25 which is a bible verse from Ephesians which states “husbands love your wives just as Christ loved the church and give yourself up for her”. Not only is this a beautiful sentiment but it is thought by many to be the key to a successful marriage. Celtic Wedding Ring Tattoos Celtic wedding ring tattoos are striking and simple and can even be designed to look like a piece of jewellery. They are designed so as not to specifically draw attention to themselves but to be a simple statement of a couples love and commitment to each other. People who choose to go down this route tend to have matching tattoos, and these can be covered up quite easily by a normal ring should the couple wish. Modern Wedding Ring Tattoos Modern wedding ring tattoos are becoming increasingly popular with people in their 20’s and it is not uncommon to see these anymore. Generally they are designed to be a coloured band that doesn’t look like a traditional wedding ring. The concept behind modern wedding ring tattoos is that the couple still want to show their commitment but they don’t feel the need to wear the traditional ring. Dated Wedding Ring Tattoos This is a great option if you are marrying someone who struggles to remember your birthday or any other important dates. Dated wedding ring tattoos generally include the date of the wedding either around the ring finger or along it and the font face for the numbers can differ depending on the couple’s tastes. Not only will your significant other never forget your wedding date, but they will also be reminded of the most important day of their life every time they look at their hands. These are just a few ideas for wedding ring tattoos, but literally anything is possible. However, due to the high divorce rates please make sure that you are completely committed to your partner before considering any of the above, unless you want to risk a painful and costly removal process in the future.
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Getting a Tattoo – Cross Designs
Oct 14th
When you decide to get a tattoo, the possibilities are endless. Depending on personal preference, you may want words, designs or even pictures but only you can decide. A popular choice because of its versatility is the cross. Cross designs can be any size or colour and can be tattooed pretty much wherever you want. There are thousands of cross designs out there to choose from and here we explore just a few of them. Celtic Cross Designs Because of its intriguing Celtic knots, the Celtic cross is an extremely fashionable choice. The standard cross has a circle around its middle which is embellished with Celtic knots for a striking design. You can choose to have the cross tattooed in many different colours and it’s a popular choice for an armband tattoo. Christian Cross Tattoo Religious people might use the cross design to symbolise their faith as the cross is a strong symbol within the Christian faith. The Latin cross is a common design which consists of a vertical link that represents the divine and a horizontal line that represents the world. Where these two lines cross in the middle shows the union of the two. These crosses can be any size but a lot of people opt for a subtle, small design on their wrist or arm. If you choose to have a crucifix tattooed on your body (a depiction of Jesus Christ on a wooden cross), this is a very strong religious symbol. Gothic Cross Tattoos Although Gothicism isn’t recognised as an actual religion, a lot of Gothic fans like to sport religious symbols, especially the Catholic cross. The Gothic cross is generally a very intricate design commonly consisting of barbed wire or knives. The design is typically done using a very dark ink so that the finished result looks like it’s made out of iron. The inspiration behind many Gothic cross designs stems from Germanic influences. Choosing a Cross Design Above are just a few designs that you could choose from if you are considering getting a cross tattoo. As with any other tattoo design, it’s always wise to fully understand the meanings behind these designs and what they represent. Crosses hold special meaning for a lot of people so it’s important to remember that some may be offended by your tattoos. This is not a reason to avoid getting a tattoo, but if you would rather avoid such situations, it’s best to get your design somewhere not immediately obvious to passers-by. It’s also worth remembering that tattoos are a lifelong choice. Yes, you can opt to have them removed but this can be time consuming and sometimes expensive. It’s far better to choose something you are absolutely certain about. You may also find that tattoos can be a complication in daily life, for example in applying for jobs. Some employers have strict rules about body art so if this might affect you in the future, make sure your designs are easy to cover up.
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Red Hot Tattoos on Anthony Kiedis
Aug 2nd
Being the lead vocalist of one of the biggest rock bands in the country, Anthony Kiedis has body art that most of his fans like to copy. Kiedis was born on 1st November 1962 and grew up in Grand Rapids Michigan, but moved to Hollywood at the age of eight to live with his father. Kiedis went to UCLA for a while but dropped out due to substance abuse and it was at this time that he received an offer to join the Red Hot Chilli Peppers as lead vocalist. Although Anthony has a large number of tattoos, he doesn’t have loads of ink as most of his tattoos are in black and white. Because Anthony has a Native American background some of his ink is of Native American Tribal design. His collection of tribal tattoos has grown over the years and they now cover most of his back and arms. There is no doubt that the popularity of his tats is helped by the fact that his designs are mostly black ink and they are also quite bold and distinctive. Anthony has a very impressive design of a Haida Thunderbird on his back, the design of which is said to come from the tribes of the Pacific Northwest and it is styled on an Eagle. It is said the art was inked by Henk Schiffmacher in Amsterdam in the early days, as the Red Hot Chilli Peppers hung out there a lot of the time. In the early 1990’s Anthony had each of his upper arms inked in portraits of Native American chiefs. One is of Chief Joseph and the other of Sitting Bull and both of his large biceps have black work tribal armbands. When Anthony had these designs they were less common than they are today. Anthony Kiedis also carries on his ink down his arms and he has a pair of tribal style daggers on each of his forearms. These incorporate patterns and Celtic line work that runs from his elbow down to his wrists. Although these tattoos are similar to each other they are not in fact identical.
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The Psychology of Male Tattoos
Jun 27th
A tattoo is a design that is permanent that is placed on the body through the use of needles and ink. Tattooing of the body is widespread and ancient. The American Indian tattooed their face and body with ethnic arts that related to their temperament, beauty, and physical prowess. Tradition and Culture Inspires Body Art Tattoos Tattoo symbols are used by men to illustrate not only a tribal way of life but also ethnic art. In Japan, the art of tattooing uses symbols that are associated with the Japanese culture and tradition. These tattoo Japanese designs often display geishas, bonsai trees, cherry blossoms, samurais, and the ancient gods and goddesses. The Polynesians who were on the islands of Tahiti had their boys tattooed with messages of ethnicity in order to mark their rite of passage. The messages on body often included good wishes or biblical texts for the child. Later floral and geometric designs are hand hammered into the skin on the ankle and face. The Pazyryk people thought that tattoo designs of dashes and dots would prevent misfortunes. Likewise, a tattoo of a parrot on the shoulder of a Burmese man would bring good fortune. Other people in different cultures used ancient charms and scrolls, Celtic mazes and knots, and Aztec sayings to Russian phrases in order to make a bolder statement. Body Art for the Man Body adornment is basic and ancient to men. In olden days, male bodies were required to get tattoos. At that time, tattoos involved a high level of pain that was believed to be the perfect way to test male masculinity. There were some remarkable warriors of the Iron Age that were known as the Pazyryks. They had tattoos on their bodies with images of beasts to separate them from the others and to note their physical prowess. These tattoos included a mountain goat and two deer on the left are, and two monsters that resembled griffins on the chest. On the right leg, a fish is tattooed from the knee to the foot. On the shin is four running rams that form a single design, while a monster is tattooed on the right foot. The pain that is associated with getting a tattoo serves to validate one’s masculinity. A body that is tattooed not only adds a visual appeal but also lends veracity to the image of the male. Tattoos Symbolize Male Inclusiveness Tattoos were also powerful symbols and charms of faith. A tattoo may convey values, status, and relations of the wearer. Some tattoo designs have a fine line, all black style text that is etched little interior shading and a heavy outline. This symbol conveys the importance of home, the heart, and one’s relations.
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Red Hot Designs with Anthony Kiedis
May 13th
Anthony Kiedis is best known as the lead vocalist for The Red Hot Chillie Pepper, but he is also an occasional actor. Kiedis had an offer to be the opening act for a local band and enlisted his friends Flea, Hillel Slovak and Jack Irons to join him and they eventually became The Red Hot Chillie Peppers. Anthony has a lot of tattoos and he doesn’t do lots of bright inks; they are all done in black ink. Anthony has a Native American background and for this reason he has had some Native American Tribal designs and these are rapidly becoming one of his signature trademarks. Anthony’s collection of tattoos has grown over the years and they are now being inked on his back and arms, although he doesn’t have as many tattoos as some, what he does have is done in very bold ink and they are very distinctive designs. Because his designs are in just black and white this makes them flow together and his Native American influence on his skin art makes them go together extremely well. Anthony has a design of a Native American chief on each of his upper arms, one is a portrait of Joseph and the other is a portrait of Sitting Bull. Both of his biceps have a black work tribal style armband inked around them. The style of these armbands is that of Borneon design and specific to that culture. Anthony has had these tattoos since the early 1990′s when this type of tattoo was not as popular as today, although today this design is found on many tattoo fans. On the inside of his right forearm he has a tiger design that runs from his elbows to his wrists. This is the “climbing” cat style that is often seen in panther and other cats that are tattooed. He also has a pair of almost identical tribal daggers on each forearm and these incorporate Celtic patterns in a tribal outline.
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Cross Tattoo
Nov 16th
Cross designs for tattoos go back a very long time. The cross obviously symbolizes particular religious beliefs but there are also numerous other types and meanings. Most people think of a religious connotation when then they consider a cross. Nearly all Christian denominations and religions depend on the cross as a result of the crucifixion of Christ. The cross has become synonymous with Christianity. If you want this meaning to be portrayed in the design of your cross tattoo, you need to determine if it will be with Jesus or if it will just the cross alone. There are numerous styles, including but not limited to, modern, three dimensional, and rugged. All Celtic crosses are somewhat similar in design but usually have a big circle connecting the arms of the cross. It is thought that in Ireland Saint Patrick introduced this cross as a form of paganism to Christianity. While converting the pagans to Christianity Saint Patrick wanted to put the sun symbol in the middle of the cross. Celtic crosses are usually also adorned with intricate or scroll work. This detail makes for a great design for a cross. As a result of this scroll work it is sometimes referred to as a design for a tribal tattoo. Another popular design for a cross tattoo is the Maltese cross. It is a symbol of courage and strength. The Maltese cross was used by the Knights during the first crusade. It is also a national symbol of Malta. The Maltese cross has 4 equal arms with the outside edges of the arms larger and then they narrow down to the center of the cross. Many times the outer edges of the cross will dip down into the cross’s center which creates 8 points around the cross. Supposedly these represent the 8 points of courage. Through Europe, a variation of this design has been used. In Germany it was known as the Iron Cross and had been used as a military symbol for decades. In the US it is been used by car enthusiasts and bikers alike. It has also been sometimes associated with aficionados of German automobiles. The symbol also had a surfer in the center of it in the 1960s and was colloquially referred to as a surfers cross that was typified by Big Daddy Roth. There are numerous choices of crosses for you to choose from including Religious, Maltese, and Celtic.
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Feminine Tattoos
Oct 19th
Women’s tattoos have increased significantly in popularity in the past few years. The feminine, small, and cute tattoos are particularly in fashion. As women’s tattoos have gained in popularity, so too have the design ideas that make the tattoos attractive and sexy. As a result of the fact that females are physically smaller than males, tattoos on females are typically prettier and smaller than the tattoos that males wear. These are some of the design ideas that most women seem to like the most are: Butterfly Tattoos The butterfly tattoo is one of the most popular tattoo designs for women. They are elegant and simple. Butterfly tattoos are definitely feminine and visually pleasing. Having a beautifully designed butterfly tattoo on your shoulder or ankle is both pretty and graceful. Butterfly tattoos have special meanings for some people. Depending on the culture, they can mean good luck, freedom, delicate beauty, transformation, or rebirth. @font-face { font-family: “Arial”; }@font-face { font-family: “Calibri”; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-size: 11pt; font-family: “Times New Roman”; }strong { font-family: “Times New Roman”; }p { margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: “Times New Roman”; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } Tribal Tattoos Many women love tribal tattoos. Tribal tattoos use black ink, which won’t fade as rapidly as other colors. They are usually placed in locations such as the lower and upper back, and upper arm. There are numerous styles to select from or you may design your own. There is nothing more feminine than a flower tattoo. The large numbers of flower tattoo designs that are available make them an attractive option for women who are getting their first tattoo. Another reason that flower tattoos are so popular is because different flowers have different meanings. Flower tattoos can be combined with other designs, like hummingbirds, ladybugs, and butterflies to make a beautiful overall tattoo. The rose has always been the most popular flower tattoo . Fairy Tattoos The legendary and mystical fairy is considered one of the most attractive tattoo designs. Fairy tattoos are feminine by nature. There is some degree of appeal with fairy tattoos. There is a legend that says that the fairy originates from Celtic mythology and it is believed that they are able to conjure up magical powers. Heart Tattoos The universal symbol for relationships and love is the heart and the heart tattoo is so popular. Some people get the name of that special someone tattooed across the heart tattoo in order to symbolize their love for one another. No matter what kind of tattoo you are looking for, you are sure to find many heart tattoo designs that are feminine, small, and cute.
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Celtic Butterfly Tattoos
Sep 28th
Getting a tattoo is all about having your own identity. Some people have particular ideas about how they want their body permanently marked. While there are numerous designs to choose from, tattoo lovers understand that each design has a special meaning.
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