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…)

Body art can be used to describe tattoos as well as many other types of body art.  Temporary but elaborate paintings are very popular and are often part of art shows here and in other countries.  It’s becoming more respected as an art form.  It’s just sad to think they are basically temporary art that will washed (more likely scrubbed) off the skin of these models.  (continue reading…)

I see a bright future for this artist.  I have a couple imaging programs but find them so damn hard to learn.  When I see someone accomplishing this level my mouth just hangs open.  I can appreciate the work involved.  Check out this video for a babysitting ad done by an art school student.

Some weeks it’s hard to find new and fresh topics to blog about – I think of it as Blogger’s block and then there are the weeks where you find a gem like this and you can’t wait to get that post written.  This is one of those types. The talented young team working at Julian Murray Photography and Design from Las Vegas has some offbeat projects.  (Tattoos & Tentacles from Julian Murray on Vimeo.) They work in primarily the music, advertising, and fashion industries. One of the projects they’ve been working on this past year and plan to continue expanding upon is called the Tattoos and Tentacles Series. Check out the video – gives you an idea of the photo shoots. It features heavily tattooed people posing with a sea creature with tentacles.  It looks like an octopus. (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…)