Flash Your Tattoo

Banning Ink on the Beach

Tattoosue — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:25:30 +0000

Just when you think that tattoos are gaining acceptance, a story depicting the opposite shows up in the news. Tattoos profiling and stereotyping is rearing it’s ugly head in Japan.

After a recent musical event in Kobe, a city located in Japan, the local government is considering banning anyone with tattoos from enjoying their beach. This brainstorm is being debated after a few college students were arrested for marijuana possession after a musical concert was held. It’s not defined in their article whether these particular students had tattoos but this local body of government is intent on cutting back on the number of young people enjoying the beach. Some local citizens are avoiding the beach because of all the young people hanging out. (Isn’t the beach made for young people to enjoy?)…..

The anticipated ban may not sit well with some who feel it violates their freedom of expression but considering that Japan already has a ban on tattoos in commercial facilities such as saunas, my guess is you won’t see anyone with ink sitting on this beach next summer….Hard to believe in civilized country that your rights are so restricted. Makes you appreciate your freedoms.

I Smell Corruption

Tattoosue — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 16:04:49 +0000

Although living in New Mexico has it’s upside, corruption and failure in the judicial system are hard to ignore.
A recent example involved a local tattoo parlor and it’s proprietors. The two men charged in the attack on the owners of this tattoo parlor are politically connected and one of the brothers was even employed as a policeman at the time.

To make matters worse, the two brothers charged also have a brother currently running for sheriff. Just by chance, there was another police officer present getting a tattoo! The charges included battery, assault and criminal damage for the mess they made of the shop.
This week the judge through the case out due to “lost” evidence. Missing evidence included handwritten written statements, a photo lineup and a statement by the officer that happened to be getting a tattoo. Now all sorts of discrepancies are popping up. The State Police spokesman said they never received the evidence in the first place although several witnesses said they gave written statements. The whole case reeks of corruption. In addition, the judge dismissed the case with prejudice which means charges cannot be refilled. This doesn’t make any sense to me. It seems like with all the witnesses present at the time and the involvement by both local and state police, this case should be a no brainer. And why not gather up the witnesses to testify at trial?

Meanwhile, the owners of the shop were attacked, their shop was trashed, and they’ve incurred legal fees in the mean time. And the bad guys will walk scot free. Life ain’t fair.

Dad Goes to Prison for Tattooing Son

Tattoosue — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 23:22:00 +0000

I wrote about this poor excuse for a father back in April. It was a case where the father and his tattoo artist friend tattooed the guy’s seven year old son. Just because the kid whined about wanting a tattoo. On top of that – they give him a gang tattoo – the same gang they belong to. This was wrong on many levels.

Fortunately, the ex-wife eventually spied it on the kid’s hip and called the cops. The trial ended recently and the father and the artist were given a prison sentence. A dermatologist is removing that tattoo.

Although the sentence was heavy, the point being made is that the law is serious about battling street gangs and handing out heavier punishment for any crimes related to gangs. This Latino gang was responsible for killing an officer of the law four years ago and is a lot of bad blood between law enforcement and this particular gang.

In addition, being brought up in the gang environment is ruining the lives of kids. The men that are supposed to be leading by example are leading them right into a life of danger, possible death and or jail time. You would think that being a parent would want you to help your offspring escape that lifestyle.

A Work of Art

Tattoosue — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 22:04:19 +0000

They say that tattoo shops are seeing a new trend with their customers desiring to wear one of their favorite pieces of art forever on their skin.

People are covering their skin with classic, vintage and book art. More elaborate stencil designs, premixed inks of hundreds of color variations to choose, more sophisticated machines, have all been reasons for classic works of art to transform so nicely to tattoo art. Another factor is the influx of tattoo artists who formerly studied art in college. Some fans of certain artist even prefer just to get THEIR portrait. The tattoo is there for you to enjoy forever.

If you can’t afford a piece of artwork you are in love with, or if you are attracted to a certain piece of sculpture, you can get your kicks from getting the art tattooed instead! Parents are even getting their kids scrawls and stick art tattooed on their skin. My personal opinion is that this will get old and eventually a cover up or laser removal may be called for…Hang those scribbles on the fridge where they belong!

Removing Tattoos – for 12 Hours

Tattoosue — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 01:20:35 +0000

There’s a new product on the market that will be sure to do well considering the statistics on people contemplating tattoo removal. A whopping 17 percent of people with tattoos were considering removing them. In many cases, people are in a hurry or don’t have the money to lay down for tattoo removal. Cost of laser and other options run well into the hundreds and thousands of dollars. Dermablend Professional has developed a product line termed Leg and Body Tattoo Primer. It’s easy, it’s immediate, and it’s cost effective. And if you are part of the remaining 83 percent of us that are happy with our tattoos, then this allows you to keep them but yet “erase” them when needed.The primer is applied under another coat of cover-up sold by Dermablend. The two combine to give a natural blend of color. It claims to be water and smudge resistant and should last up to 12 hours. Comes in various skin tones to help match. Sounds like something that has the perfect market out there. Once I was told I would have to wear those gym type sweat bands over my tattooed wrists – to an office job. Fortunately, I didn’t get the position. And did that have anything to do with my tattoos in the first place? This product is an option for exactly that scenario.

This is a new product launch so there isn’t much of an opinion as of yet. Please if you have any experience with it – let us know- leave a comment. Share.

Tattooed TV-Online!

Tattoosue — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 19:45:21 +0000

TATTOOED TV – WEBISODE #5 from tattooedtv on Vimeo.

With the huge success of YouTube like videos, we are now seeing other ways video is now becoming a prominent tool in our entertainment and other aspects of our lives. So it’s no surprise we can now get instant gratification and access to a web site that offers webisodes of tattoo reality TV. I’ve only watched one episode so far but I’m giving it a thumbs up. Instead of having the same type of emotional drivel you sometimes find on other tattoo reality shows, this episode concentrated more on the shop, the artists, and that tattoo work. So far there are only 5 webisodes available for viewing but things must be going well because they are promoting a full fall season.

Snake Guards Cocaine

Tattoosue — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 19:29:43 +0000

These crazy snake stories pop up once in awhile. Still fascinates me. Giant snake eats goat accompanied by gross and disturbing pictures of the form of the animal inside the 30 foot snake.

Well, this snake story will give you the willies. Italian police confiscated a rare albino python while busting some big time drug dealers. The snake is over nine feet long.

The dealers used the snake to guard their cocaine and to intimidate business acquaintances and clients. When it was found, the snake was perched atop 200 grams of cocaine. The police didn’t even try to deal with this reptile. They called in professionals to capture the snake which was then moved to it’s new home in the Rome Zoo. The arrests netted a dozen dealers. Surveillance videos include videos showing customers being intimidated and terrorized by the snake. Freaking out the customers insured these guys would never get screwed out of their money as seems to happen so often amongst people in the drug trade. Just a way to keep a person honest.

Pepa Heller Tattoo Artist

Tattoosue — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 23:51:46 +0000

Papa Heller is not a new comer to tattoos but he is not very well known in the United States. He hails from the Czech Republic but has been a tattoo artist practicing his trade in New Zealand for over ten years now. He’s also lived in the UK and has traveled to Australia and the Middle East. There was an extensive and thorough interview with him in my latest issue of International Tattoo Art. He studied under an American who owned a shop in Prague. He says he’s been shooting for more realism and says he’s relying more on references to help with achieving this. He’s also been trying to incorporate more color into his work. He has a way of using his backgrounds – whether it’s a drop shadow or a blue sky to cause his artwork to jump off the skin. I really like the way the tail end of this shark looks like it’s coming around the corner of the guy’s torso. You can see much more of his work by visiting his Myspace page.

Too Fast Online

Tattoosue — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 20:47:43 +0000

I’m going to give a shout out to an ex business associate and all around nice person who runs one of the best online tattoo clothing stores to be found on the internet. Too Fast Clothing is owned and operated by Maureen a former resident of Albuquerque. She has since moved her family and company to the Jersey Shore. The site and the product offerings keep getting better and better. So, even though I haven’t talked to her in awhile, I’m guessing things are going well. She sells baby clothes (like the onesie pictured here), items for the house but mostly tattoo clothes for adults. She’s been in the business for many years and is a good person to do business with. Visit her store – here.

Officers Told to Cover Up

Tattoosue — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 12:55:40 +0000

I was surprised to see that this story is coming out of liberal minded state like Colorado who has recently become an example of a state responsibly handling the business of medical marijuana.

Police officers located in Aurora Colorado have recently been mandated to either get their tattoos removed or keep them covered up while on duty. Officers affected by this new regulation are not too happy and feel that if anything, their tattoos were an icebreaker and conversation starter with the citizens of Aurora. The officers have been given the option of buying long sleeved uniforms, makeup kits or a pair of slide-on half sleeves.

According to the authorities that came up with this brainstorm, the regulation was put in place because some people find them offensive and distracting. Although, these same people state that NO documented complaints have ever been made regarding the Aurora Police Department. The powers that be also said the tattoos were intimidating! The department wants to portray more of a professional appearance to the public.Current officers with the department feel that the department is barking up the wrong tree. The tattoos make them more approachable. Officers feel that it helps to open doors with gang members and other young people they are trying to communicate with. They feel the department could be focusing on other more important topics like fitness standards. These days when tattoos are accepted in so many circles, it’s hard to understand anyone going in the opposite direction and adapting policies like this.

Since tattoo removal can be very costly, most officers are covering up for now. Sounds like a step backwards to me. I’d be more likely to start a conversation with an officer sporting some ink than one that wasn’t.