Desire
Cheryl Cole ”Finally” Wants it Gone
Jan 30th
Here we go again… English pop and R&B recording artist, Cheryl Cole married England and Chelsea footballer Ashley Cole in 2006. The marriage, marred by reports of Ashley’s infidelity, ended in September of 2010. During their marriage, Cheryl acquired a rather large tattoo on the back of her neck with the words “Mrs. C”. Since reports of her husband’s extramarital follies, Cheryl has publicly voiced that she desires to have the inked tribute to her ex-husband removed from her neck. All Talk No Action Cole has been talking about removing the tattoo for an exceedingly long time now. Really, it is old news that keeps getting circulated to the top again. The removal process involves laser treatment to have the ink removed from her neck. Some are saying that she may opt to have the tattoo redesigned instead of having a “full” removal. Friends and insiders report that Cheryl does regret ever having the tattoo and now understands the true meaning of permanency. Although she understands that the laser treatments are painful and time consuming, Cheryl reports that she wants no memory of her cheating ex left behind as a painful reminder of what she went through. We will believe the removal when we see it. Seems like if she truly wanted it gone it would have been gone by now. Schedule Gap… Are You Kidding? We all know that Cole has a busy schedule, what with her new album set for release in March and a budding film career. Perhaps the tattoo removal has not yet made it to the top of the priority list for this popular princess. There are also rumors of this singer, actress and model launching her very own talk show. Sources state that removal is slated for the first gap in her schedule. We don’t see a gap coming any time soon for this ever so popular gal, who has also been working with Simon Cowell on a potentially new talent show. Moving On Since the split from Ashley, Cole has made the rounds but has not yet settled down into anything long-term. Insiders state that Cole wants to focus on her career, not her love life. Cheryl has supposedly dated a 25-year-old ‘Dancing with the Stars’ pro who helped her through her divorce. Reports also linked Cole to Black Eyed Peas buddy Will.i.am, her co-judge on X Factor, Simon Cowell and singer Taio Cruz. Her latest sweetheart appears to be 21-year-old Patrizio Pigliapoco who is the driving force behind Cole’s American success. The two have become close since Cole has spent a considerable amount of the time in the states working on her next new solo project. There have been many late night recording sessions with Patrizio in Los Angeles and the two are said to have become inseparable. Patrizio has commented that he sees no way that any man could ever cheat on Cole, as she is so incredibly beautiful and awesomely talented. So While it appears as though there is no evidence of a reunion with ex Ashley Cole, Cheryl is not exactly speeding to remove his mark from her neck. Perhaps it is a sign of something to come, or maybe just a time factor? We will have to wait and see.
The full story can be read/found on Body Art Fun
Sailor Tattoos
Jan 23rd
We are all aware that tattooing is an ancient method of body decoration which carries with it ties to a wealth of heritage and tradition. However, these days’ tattoos are more about self expression and the quest for individuality. When you think about how tattoos came to our shores from the South Pacific islands, Australia and New Zealand it was the sailors on these exploratory vessels that brought the passion for tattooing back with them. Sailors would often get a tattoo as a souvenir from the places they visited rather like a stamp on a passport. They became symbols of experience and fortitude. The tattoos that they would get would be rich in symbolism and meaning, generally relating to safe journeys and protection whilst they travelled the world’s oceans. Superstition Though not always obvious or visible, even today’s modern sailors will have tattoos that celebrate superstitions that have followed mariners down through the centuries. For example one of the oldest sets of tattoos that offer sea farers protection is the pig and rooster. The pig is tattooed on one foot and that rooster on the other. Both of the animals depicted fear the water, therefore by having them on your feet; you should never be in the position of getting them wet and sinking, combined with the desire of the animals to be far from open water they would also influence the safe and swift return of a vessel to port. Polaris, the North Star is another traditional tattoo, generally representing the theory that a sailor will always find his way into port and never be lost at sea. The traditional image of an anchor with its cable or chain entwined around it is known as a ‘fouled anchor’ and was traditionally used to illustrate that a sailor had successfully crossed the challenging Atlantic Ocean. Other anchor tattoos are symbols of strength and power, which when considering how much weight an anchor holds in place is a very good illustration. A sailor with a set of blue stars on his hand has probably sailed around Cape Horn several times, adding a new star for each safe trip completed. In recognition of long distance travels and the immensity of the oceans, sailors who have crossed the equator during their journeys will be tattooed with a sea turtle. Images of swallows on the shoulder symbolise crossing the tropics of Capricorn and cancer. There are probably others whose meaning has been lost over the centuries too. Tradition Non sailors may claim traditional sea faring tattoos for their own without realising the significance of them at all, adopting them because they look cool or want to present a certain image to their peers, which is a shame. Like many ancient cultures the tattoos of centuries of sailors have marked milestones and events in their lives, signifying transitions and achievements, overcoming immense danger and peril. Just like the ancient cultures of the South Pacific from where the original sailing expeditions took their initial inspiration.
The full story can be read/found on Body Art Fun
Mandala Tattoos
Dec 30th
From the Sanskrit for ‘circle’, mandala is the term used to describe beautiful circle designs. A circle is a symbol of unity, eternity, perfection and completeness and it is an important symbol in all cultures. The basic mandala form consists of a four gated square within which is a circle with a defined centre point. Mandalas have a spiritual and ritual significance in many eastern cultures, especially Buddhism. They can be used to focus the mind in order to achieve deep meditation or assist in promoting a state of deep trance which allows for one to access the deepest levels of the consciousness in order to experience a sense of unity with the universe. In more modern usage a mandala is often referred to as being any geometric pattern that is a reflection of the cosmos. It is an illustrated form of expressionism that has existed for centuries across all art forms. Native American Mandala Used to discover the deepest meaning within our hearts and uncover the drive behind our motivations, Native American mandalas showed the connection of man to the universe. The creation of each mandala is a personal experience and from beginning to end a journey of discovery. To wear this journey on the body, in such an indelible form as a permanent tattoo is to honour the journey and respect, honour and understand the connectedness of the Universe. The inclusion of feathers in a Native American mandala design represents ascension and spiritual strength, as feathers were traditionally worn by tribal chiefs to symbolise their communication with spirits and express their celestial wisdom. The inclusion of a labyrinth in the design is a symbolic representation of life’s journey. Celtic Mandala Celtic mandalas are symbolic of growth and expansion. They are a tool for initiating contact with our origins, visions and desires and contacting our divine ancestry. By focussing our thoughts upon the Celtic mandala we let our rigid, logical side step back to allow our intuitive side to take over, this lets us attain a state of higher awareness and discover where we may have lost balance in our lives. To display a Celtic mandala in the form of a tattoo is to show that we are grounded, centred and at one with both our past and our destiny. A Celtic knot mandala is a representation of our own lives interacting with those around us. It illustrates how our decisions in life can alter the path of our lives, and bind us together with others. Personal Expression The process of visualising and designing your own mandala tattoo, whether a simple design or an intricate one, is a journey of self expression and a kind of personal therapy. The choice of shape, colour and size are reflections of how you have progressed on your journey through life. No one will ever wear the same tattoo; it will be as unique as you are. Creating the design is therapy for the mind and soul and the transference of the design to your skin completes your therapeutic journey so wear it with pride.
The full story can be read/found on Body Art Fun
It’s not so easy to open a concert hall. Ask Montreal.
Oct 26th
Since its grand opening, the new concert hall for the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, has drawn unflattering criticism from journalists who say that its sound leaves something to be desired. Since its grand opening, the new concert hall for the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, has drawn unflattering criticism from journalists who say that its sound leaves something to be desired.
The full story can be read/found on LA Times – Entertainment
No laughs but plenty of relevance in ‘The Trojan Women’
Aug 28th
The Getty Villa wanted a comedy, but Anne Bogart and SITI Company proved persuasive in their desire to stage Euripedes’ tragedy. Now is the summer of our discontent. If you’d like a little theatrical relief from all that’s ailing America’s body politic, Anne Bogart and SITI Company are probably not your ticket.
The full story can be read/found on LA Times – Entertainment
Tattoo Rebels?
Aug 9th
Tattoos have long thought to be the province of the rebellious and young but they are also increasingly popular amongst Christians as a statement of their faith or even in memory of a loved one. This appears to be a relatively recent phenomenon but the popularity of the tat is certainly increasing. The type of tattoo is one of personal choice but there are many from which to choose. One of the most common is that of Jesus but crosses, angels, rosaries and hands clasped in prayer are also popular. Some knights of the Crusade period actually had a tattoo of a small cross on their hands which indicated their desire for a decent Christian burial should the need arise! In common with most religious icons, Christian tattoos utilize symbolism in their design and some of the most popular are; • A Cross – obviously a reference to the crucifixion • A Lily – representing immortality • A Phoenix – this is the mythical bird which represents a rising or resurrection • A Shepherd – thought to represent Jesus and his role as a guiding light in the life of a Christian • A Palm Leaf – Jesus was worshipped as he entered Jerusalem before he was crucified • A Candle – a symbol for the light of the world or a follower of Jesus • A Dove – representing the Holy Trinity Most Christians who get a Tattoo remain rightfully proud of their adornment but don’t seek to show it off. For this reason they are normally positioned on the more respectful parts of the body where they can easily be either covered or seen as the owner prefers. The size of such tattoos are invariably smaller than those seen on the normal tattoo customer, Christians see pride as one of the deadly sins and therefore do not seek attention for their tat but are certainly proud of their faith and compliance with the ten commandments.
The full story can be read/found on Body Art Fun
Tat or No Tat?
Aug 6th
Most big time celebrities these days have a tat or two and some have numbers of tats approaching double figures. The problem with all this ink work is that sometimes the celeb wants to turn back the clock and get the offending design removed. There are a number of reasons for this desire and common ones are to remove the name of an ex or to remove a tat that was clearly inspired by an ex. Angelina Jolie’s marriage to Billy Bob Thornton resulted in the star having Billy Bob’s name inked on her arm. The marriage lasted just three years and the divorce led Jolie to cover the name with the names of the various birthplaces of her children. Not to be outdone Billy Bob had Jolie’s name inked on his own arm covered by an angel and the word “Peace”. One of the most bizarre tat removals was Tom Arnold erasure of four Roseanne Barr inks on his body, including a huge portrait of her on his chest. Divorce again led to all of them being removed by laser treatment. Denise Richards divorce from Charlie Sheen led to the transformation of her “Charlie” tattoo located on her ankle into a fairy and Britney Spears and Kevin Federline’s matching dice tattoos met a similar end, both being laser removed. Paris Hilton quickly regretted having the name of partner Nick Carter plastered on her arse and the demise of the 7 month relationship inevitably led to Paris’s decision to have it removed – although it may have been more of an expression to leave it where it was! Another common celebrity regret tattoo is the “Ring” finger tat. Pamela Anderson famously had the first name of lover Tommy Lee changed into the word “Mommy” when they went their separate ways and Johnny Depp had “Winona Forever” (a tribute to lover Winona Ryder) changed to read “Wino Forever” when their relationship went sour. It’s not just names that cause a problem. Tommy Lee decided to have the Swastika that he had inked on his rib cage removed simply because of the connotations of the design and what it represented. All these tales provide a reminder to think carefully about your decision to have the name of a partner inked on your body…..although modern methods such as laser removal have certainly improved the ability to remove offending tats in a simple manner.
The full story can be read/found on Body Art Fun
Has She Gone Completely Gaga?
Jul 25th
Old Poker Face herself is famous for outlandish outfits and crazy fashion sense but she is also a fan of tats and has numerous designs, although some maybe temporary tats. The most well known one is the black peace symbol on Gagas left wrist. She maintains that the ink is a memorial to John Lennon, of whom she is a massive fan. Her younger days were spent close to the Imagine memorial and she believes wholeheartedly in the message of Lennon’s famous mantra, “Give Peace a Chance”. The second tattoo is a Hawaiian flower delicately inked on her left shoulder blade and the third is a mix of black and white roses on her side and back – courtesy of L. A. Ink’s Kat Von D. In Seoul, Korea she started to show off a left arm tat which is thought to be a direct quote from Rainer Maria Rilke, her favourite philosopher, and it is said to translate to; ‘In the deepest hour of the night, confess to yourself that you would die if you were forbidden to write. And look deep into your heart where it spreads its roots, the answer, and ask yourself, must I write?’ More recently Gaga has paid homage to fans by adding her phrase for them – “Little Monsters” to the Rilke ink. Another recent addition is a heart surrounded by a ribbon with the word “Dad” contained within. This was added after her father underwent heart surgery recently and she wanted to express her deep love for him. The collection will surely be added to in coming months and years. She was interviewed on the radio during a tour of Oz and was asked about her desire for more tats. She answered that she would like to get a picture of the Virgin Mary inked on her back, which would complement the existing flower design.
The full story can be read/found on Body Art Fun
For the Love of a Harley
Jul 23rd
For anyone that has a love of motorcycles, the greatest machine ever made belongs to the Harley-Davidson Motor Company and what better way to show your respect than a Harley Tattoo? The Harley is almost a religion in many parts of the world and this has led to many fans choosing such a tattoo to show the world their deep abiding respect for this King of Motorcycles. One of the most common is the Harley Logo and this is quite a colourful design which can be made in all sizes to suit whichever part of the body the owner desires. The Harley has been produced since the early part of the last century but it was the biker movies of the 1950’s which really gave life and popularity to the machine and a brand of lifestyle choice for many. This lifestyle once included drinking, brawling and other debauchery but followers these days are more varied and come from all walks of society. A tattoo of a semi naked woman straddled across a Harley is an evocative picture and remains one of the most popular Harley tats around today – even on middle aged fans! Sometimes even the most respected members of society have a secret Harley tat and view it as a mark of secret rebellion. Real fans have been known to tat the Harley name on various weird parts of their anatomy and simply view it as homage to the greatest motorcycle name in the world – these types of fans are proud and loud and waste no time in showing off their inks whenever an opportunity arises, irrespective of what body part might also be on display. The Harley image is probably one of the most copied tat images in the world and certainly has some of the strangest canvases! So – next time you are at the swimming pool watch out and see how many Harley tats are being displayed.
The full story can be read/found on Body Art Fun
The Mother Disappointing Has Shaken Her Head
Jun 11th
The mother desires the fact that you appreciate in Rina perseverance to substituting. The most splendid daughter it was. As for the scurviest tattoo you appreciate in the friend who in this tattoo becomes our love with Engrish Funny . Submitted by: patinka
The full story can be read/found on Body Art Fun
