Flash Your Tattoo

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. (continue reading…)

Recently I’ve had an itch to take some type of sculpting class – learn how to throw some clay – or bake a statue.  What’s perked my interest in this art medium recently is the detailed work that some artists are able to achieve.  It looks like it would be fun to take a stab at it – make you appreciate their skill and the realism they are able to reach can make you doubt what you are seeing.

Lisa Lichtenfels creates realistic soft sculptures.  They range from less than 5 inches to life-sized figures.  Her sculptures have been sold to collectors from all over the world.

The sculpture she has on her landing page is so real, I first thought it was the artist and she had a great sense of humor.  I thought that even though I KNEW she was an artist that created life like sculptures.  I just refused to believe it could be anything but an old lady dressed up for a funny photo shoot. (continue reading…)

You may not recognize the name but you are likely to recognize Ryan Hadley’s tattoo portraits which are often featured in tattoo magazines.  In doing research on Ryan I discovered that he almost gave up on tattooing at one point.  He started out self taught, working on friends that were willing to spare some skin.  He said he was discouraged with his results and put down his tattoo machine for a couple of years with the intention of giving up.  That would have been an awful waste of talent.  Fortunately, he decided to give it another try, this time working in a real studio.  He now is known for his portrait work, which is normally the toughest area to conquer.  (continue reading…)

Jace Masula is still in the early years of his tattoo career.  His professional life began as a software developer and graphic designer. He eventually got the calling to express his artistic and creative side by learning how to tattoo.  He semi-forced his way into an apprenticeship and finished in eight months but his tattoo journey now began at the age of 31!  (continue reading…)

Carson Hill is an outstanding painter, renowned tattoo artist, photographer, scientist and inventor of a revolutionary tattoo machine.  He has a rare combination of artistic talent in addition to a scientific brain. He has invented a tattoo machine called the Neuma that is very different from the ones that have been around for decades.  It may be a challenge to convince established artists to try something so different from what their used to, but all you have to do is check out Carson Hill’s portfolio or that of Mike Devries who also prefers the Neuma over a traditional machine.   (continue reading…)

Damien Rodriguez is a young tattoo artist hailing from Philly but currently working in New York City at Superstition Tattoo. Most of Damien’s earlier artwork was related to graffiti but he says tattoos were always in the background.  He attended multiple shows even before he was old enough to get a tattoo.  Even then the art was calling out to him.By the time he was only 17 he had decided being a tattoo artist was for him.  (continue reading…)