Some amazing tattoo work by Amanda Wachob

She started as a painter and transitioned to tattoos, she has some great fresh looking tattoo designs. It is really amazing how much she can make some of them look like painted brush strokes. She works out of a shop in New York called Dare Devil Tattoo. I think he style is so beautiful, it makes me want to take a trip to New York for some new artwork for myself. Here is the link to some more photos of her work, check it out.

http://www.daredeviltattoo.com/component/option,com_gallery2/Itemid,26/?g2_itemId=1249

The Curse of the Matching Tattoo??

Lots of people get matching tattoos for hundreds of reasons, from best friends to people mourning a loss. One category of matching tattoo that I am starting to feel is almost a curse is the “we are so in love” matching tattoo. Almost every single couple that I have known that have gotten such tattoos have ended up splitting. And in most cases on very bad terms. I don’t know what it is, but such tattoos seemed to be jinxed. I am sure that this isn’t the case for everyone but I just feel from my experiences it seems to be the majority. This thing that was gotten because a couple wanted to show their commitment to everyone becomes a scar that reminds each of the pain of going through a break-up. Well I guess this is one way to look at it, it can also be seen as a reminder of the good times shared with this person, that things were not always so bad. I’m not saying that I regret my tattoo, because I don’t. I’m just saying I don’t know if I would ever get another, it just seems to mean doom for the relationship.

just a really cool video… patience is a virtue.

I thought this video was amazing. the patience of the person making and the tattoo artist for working in a way that could make this stop motion work is really neat. I found it on this guy Dabe Alan’s photo stream on flickr. It is really well done and worth taking a min out of your day to watch. Enjoy!

-Above is a photo from the video, you can find the Link to it through the “Links” section of this blog on the right side or you can copy and paste this web address into your browser… http://www.flickr.com/photos/bearandyeti/4027491253/

the not so fun, but important stuff…

Getting a new tattoo can be super exciting but taking care of it properly is very important. Here are some tips:

- Remove the bandages with in 3 to 4 hours of getting your tattoo. Do NOT re-bandage it.

-Frequently wash your new tattoo with anti-bacterial soap and hot water. Do NOT use anything abrasive. Your finger tips work best. The more frequently your new tattoo is cleaned the better it will heal.

-Apply a neutral, fragrance free, aloe free lotion to the tattoo throughout the day with clean hands. A little goes a long way, too much lotion can damage a new tattoo. (Lubriderm or Curel are good options)

-A new tattoo will peel slightly while it is healing and will itch similar to how sunburn does. THIS IS TOTALLY NORMAL! Do NOT pick or scratch at it, just let your skin heal on its own.

-Do NOT soak your new tattoo or expose it to salt, chlorinated or fresh water for at least 3 weeks. Your tattoo must be fully healed before swimming or going into hot tubs.

AND THE MOTHER OF ALL TATTOO RULES…                                                                                                                         -DO NOT expose your new tattoo to direct sunlight for 3 weeks (yes, this includes tanning beds). After your tattoo is healed avoid sun contact to prevent fading and keep clarity. If you can’t avoid the sun apply a good sunblock (spf 30 or better).

This is just better for your skin anyway, too much sun will leave you wrinkly and cause skin problems later in life. Fresh, smooth, tattooed skin is much prettier than wrinkly, leather-like tan skin anyway. But that could just be my opinion…

 

my first.

Two years ago I woke up on a normal day in January, but this day was an exciting one to me. It was the first day I was going to get tattooed. I remember getting ready for the day and looking at my bare back in the mirror and thinking that later that day my body would be altered in a way that would make it more mine, more suitable for the soul and personality that it has to carry around everyday. I mean I decorate everything else that I own why wouldn’t I decorate the one thing that I can take with me everywhere.

I found a great tattoo artist through a friend, and after weeks of collaborating and making him redraw and redraw we were finally able to start to make my back into something beautiful. Being an artist myself, I was used to things being produced at the speed that I create them, relatively quickly. When I came up with what I wanted, I didn’t realize how long all of this would really take. Between time and money, two years later my back is still not finished. But with each session with Chris I am more and more excited with what wonderful work he has done.

Tattoos have become a part of who I am, to me they are timeless and will always be a part of my life.