Inked Talk

The “Mom” tattoo is an enduring classic. For this week’s Tattoo Spotlight we are looking at a beautiful twist on the classic “Mom” design. Meet Leah:

Leah’s “Mom” tattoo is unique in that the heart has an Ankh resting between the heart itself and the “Mom” banner. The Ankh is an ancient Egyptian symbol associated with life, and Leah had special reason to choose this design for her tattoo.

Leah’s Mom is an amazingly strong lady in a very small package. She has been plagued with serious back problems for years, for decades, and has undergone excruciating surgeries and in short has dealt with more pain than most people could ever even imagine. Despite all of this, you have never met a feistier, more spirited strong-willed woman. When she learned she was pregnant with Leah the doctors advised her to abort because carrying the pregnancy to term could do significant damage to her already strained body. On top of that, she was four months along when she found out she was pregnant, and she had been taking some heavy-duty medications for her pain. She refused the doctors’ advice and she bought an Ankh ring as a symbol of the life she was so determined to protect. To this day Leah’s mom still wears the Ankh ring.

As a Mother’s Day tribute to her mom, Leah got her tattoo, complete with the Ankh.

And for the record, Leah is an amazing lady with a sharp sense of humor, an incredible amount of talent, and she’s a great friend.

Thanks for sharing your story, Leah. You rock!

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Lost starts tonight!

Lynn Ann Allen’s work is making quite a stir in her local tattoo community. Her love of photography along with her own collection of tattoos made combining the two seem natural, and the results speak for themselves. Her project, Beautiful Women with Ink, is an ongoing effort to showcase heavily tattooed women.

Lynn took a few moments to speak with Inked Talk about her project.

Inked Talk: What inspired you to begin photographing tattooed women?

Lynn Allen: Well, I am a woman adorned with more than a few tattoos and I worked, until recently, in a corporate environment. I was always respectful when I was with clients or fellow associates and covered up when needed. Still, it always got my goat when negative things were said about me based on the fact, and the fact alone, that I had tattoos. Even people I did business with for an extended period of time and we had what I thought was a good working relationship treated me different after learning about my tattoos. Like it changed me somehow, but why I don’t know.

Tattoos have become so mainstream now, but in the end nothing really has changed. People, women I think more so than men, are looked at in a more negative fashion if they have tattoos. I am not talking about little butterflies on your hip or flowers on your foot, but rather “manly” arm tattoos or extensive works covering more than a square inch of your body. “Such a pretty girl, why would you do that to yourself?” So those experiences lead to my wanting to do this project. The project isn’t necessarily about the tattoos themselves though. It is about the woman who chooses this as a form of self-expression. Who she is and the beauty she still possesses regardless of “defacing” herself. This project is a way to show the world that the old stereotype of women with ink is antiquated.

IT: Tell us about your own tattoos.

LA: I have approximately twenty or so, mostly concentrated on my arms. The crow is my totem animal so I have a lot of art that incorporates birds. I love spirals too, so most have some sort of spiral in them. My favorites are a couple Tim Burton characters I had done most recently. When I moved to Milwaukee I read an article on Heather Shinn. I then went to meet her and I “fell in love” with her personality and her work. Now, I will continue to go to Heather since I trust her and her work.

IT: How has your project evolved from the beginning to where you are now?

LA: In the beginning I wanted to do portraits and that’s it, but as I meet these beautiful, independent, intelligent, charismatic women I want more and more for them to be seen as I see them. Once I get enough women interested, interviewed, and get the test shots completed, I plan on choosing a few iconic locations in Milwaukee and do a final shoot with the women who best personify the premise behind this project.

IT: You have mentioned that this project has been a learning experience for you. How so?

LA: Well, as I mentioned I am not familiar with photographing live subjects. I am used to inert objects like rusted cars and cemetery sculpture. Humans are a totally different ballgame and, for me, it’s been hard trying to figure out how to communicate a person’s personality in a photograph. Each session helps a bit though and I learn something new each time.

IT: What do you see in the future for this project or similar ones?

LA: Well, hopefully I can find a local business to allow me to have a small show and then the book. I have recently expanded my solicitation to include men who are tattooed and I would love to do a series on people with “extreme” body modifications. I think there is a beauty in any form of self expression even if it is something (we) think is crazy.

IT: What has been the most personally rewarding part of this project for you?

LA: Meeting all these amazing women, I feel blessed to have met them.

Thank you, Lynn, for taking the time to talk to Inked Talk about your project. If you want to see more of Lynn’s work, including her other projects, visit her website: Necropolis Photography.

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And, for my daily plug of another 451 Press blogger’s site: Today I found Anime Fans online. Anime is so mainstream these days but it’s still fun to see what those wacky Japanese are up to. Check it out!

Cha Cha and Anxiety Gallery are hosting an art show to celebrate the darker side of carnival life this Friday, February 1, 2008. The festivities start at 8:00 p.m. at Cha Cha, 121 E. Mifflin Street in Madison.

Mitch O’Connell will be there signing his new book - Mitch O’Connell: Tattoos.

Nicolette Biscamp will also be there with limited edition prints. (If you are unfamiliar with her work, you’d be doing yourself a favor by checking out her Myspace page - great stuff!)

Along with Mitch and Nicolette, Capital City Tattoos will be there tattooing in you are inclined to get some ink, and other artists including howcasing original art by Patrick Fatica, James Brunner, Jessica Hobdell, Jared Deal, Nik Scarlett, “Kettle” and others will be showcasing their work.

Official details on the event are available on the Anxiety Gallery Myspace page.

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As always, I want to plug a fellow 451 Press Blogger. Today I’m plugging Darkside Rainbow, an extremely real look at LGBT life.

The Healing Art Foundation is sponsoring the first annual Annual Tats for a Cure Walk at Beach Park in Bakersfield, California to compliment their Tats & Art for a Cure Convention at the Double Tree Hotel in Bakersfield, on March 14 - 16, 2008. The walk is taking place on March 15, 2008.

Both events are being held to help in the fight against breast cancer through awareness, prevention, survival and research. For those who are too far from Bakersfield to join in the actual walk, a “virtual walk” is being planned through the Tats for a Cure Walk website.

“Tattoos Not Required But Greatly Admired.”

What a great cause!

The 18th Annual Shades Of Blue Tattoo Show is happening this weekend in LaCrosse, Wisconsin at the LaCrosse Center - Downtown. Show information is available by calling 608-857-3100. You can also visit the show’s website for more details.

Show Hours
Friday: 4pm - 11pm
Saturday: 10:30am - 11pm
Sunday: 10:30am - 7pm

Show Admission
(per person)
Day Pass $12
Weekend Pass $25

Show Events
• Tattoo Competition
• Working Tattoo Artist
• Lingerie Fashion Show
• Belly Dancers
• Vatican P-X Fashion Show
• Wing Nut Suspension Group

Ideally, any large tattoo should feel like a cohesive piece, developed and carried out with a single vision. Changing artists in the middle of piece seems like a bad idea, but is there ever a good reason to make a switch midstream? One of our readers shared his story of how sometimes change can be a very good - and necessary - thing.

Dan Collins had contemplated getting a tattoo for the better part of ten years before taking the plunge. He decided to get a pinup style tattoo of an Indian Maiden on his arm, as homage to his Lakota heritage. He had imagery that he wanted to incorporate into the pinup which had special significance to him, so he took his time selecting an artist that he felt could work with his ideas.

I could have drawn my tattoo but I didn’t want that. I wanted an artist to take my ideas and stick them on me. If it had been my art I am sure I’d be too critical. And after stopping around I went to Charlie’s House of Tattoos in Simi Valley, California because I knew him from my younger years. What better then someone I knew?

Dan took a look at the artists’ portfolios, and was impressed with Rick’s work. He had a lot of experience doing pinups, and he felt confident that Rick could bring his Indian Maiden idea to life. Rick took notes and said he would draw up the piece to be ready for Dan’s first session.

I showed up the day of my appointment to find out that Rick, the original artist Charlie assigned to me, had quit. Charlie assured me that the new artist would do even better. The drawing was nearly done when the first artist left, so there was not too much for the second guy to do but clean it up a little and stick it on me. I met the new artist, but I didn’t like his portfolio as it was pretty much tribal and gang art. But he had a redeeming grace of making the changes to my pinup exactly how I wanted them.

The second artist had told Dan that the pinup could be completed in about four sittings and would cost a total of $400.00. Immediately Dan was unhappy with the work at the sittings, as each sitting was only about forty-five minutes, with about twenty minutes of each session spent in preparation. Dan felt he was being nickeled-and-dimed.

But how do you change artists mid-tattoo?

For Dan, the choice wasn’t entirely his:

I showed up on my scheduled last appointment for my final sitting only to learn that the second artist had quit. No one at the shop could give me an answer on how my tattoo was going to get finished at that point. I later found out that my second artist had been arrested. And here I am with an incomplete tattoo on my arm.

Finding an tattoo artist that wants to work on another person’s project can be a challenge, as Dan learned.

I called around and found that a new tattoo shop was opening in Simi Valley called First Amendment Tattoo. I spoke with Will, the artist, and he was hesitant at first but asked me to stop by so he could see what it needed.
The next day I went to Will and he looked at it and said “I’ll fix it up, have a seat! I was floored, he was willing to fix it then and there.

I sat down and he relined it shaded it and plugged in all the color, all in an hour and a half. Will completely relined her and shaded her in. It went from a line drawing to awesome in only one sitting.

The finished piece:

Sometimes, you need to make a change. Remember, your ink is going to be on your body for the rest of your life. If you don’t like how things are going, speak up. And if your artist won’t work with you to your satisfaction, don’t be afraid to make a change. After all, you have to live with - and hopefully love - your tattoo.

Thank you Dan for sharing your story with Inked Talk. Myspace users, check out Dan’s Myspace page and add him as a friend!

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Time for my daily 451 Press Plug: Everyone loves the Simpsons, so check out this great blog about America’s favorite animated family!

You can thank Samuel O’Riley (sometimes spelled “O’Reilly”)for patenting the very first tattoo machine in 1891. The mechanics of the machine were actually based upon an invention by Thomas Edison designed to embroider fabric.

This was Edison’s design, as recorded in the US Patent Office:

O’Riley modified Edison’s design to introduce ink into the skin. This early tattoo machine included moving coils, a tube of ink, and a needle bar.

O’Riley worked out of a barber shop in New York, which he called a tattoo parlor. His invention and his tattoo parlor helped increase the popularity of tattooing as getting tattooed was no longer was the painful and time-consuming process it once was.

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If you like reading Inked Talk, help me out here and give a click to the link below for the Disney Movie Club. If you sign up, I can buy a cup of coffee to keep me caffienated enough to keep writing all day!

Get Your Favorite Disney DVDs Today - Join Disney Movie Club!

Ron Black, Founder of Wild Oklahoma Media, was kind enough to share his tattoo story with Inked Talk.

What is the story behind your ship tattoo?

In Ron’s own words:

Ron was a mere seven years old when he realized what he wanted to do with his life. He and his family toured the USS Missouri while on display in Bremerton, Washington and seeing the majestic nature of the warship and the historical impact of the Mighty Missouri, it was settled: Ron would join the Navy.

Strangely, no one has ever had the courage to speak disparagingly about Ron’s tattoo. They call him the “400lb Gorilla of Oklahoma Media” - perhaps that’s why.

Ron - thanks for sharing your tattoo and the story. Military tattoos have a special significance for me: my dad had some excellent and admittedly bizarre tattoos from his days in the Army in the 1950s. I bet each one had an amazing story, and I wished I had asked him to share them before it was too late.

Visit the Wild Oklahoma Myspace page for more about Ron and his show.

Thanks, Ron! Awesome ink, and a great story.

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I always love to plug my fellow 451 Press bloggers. If you are a video gamer you can’t miss 1PStart - easily one of my favorite video game blogs around.

We are adding a new weekly feature to Inked Talk: Shop Talk. Each week we will be talking to a different tattoo shop.

This week, Shannon Walton, owner of Color Bomb Tattoo in Milwaukee, Wisconsin was kind enough to take some time to answer some questions for Inked Talk.

Inked Talk: What got you interested in tattooing?

Shannon Walton: I’ve always been into art since i was a little turd. When I was sixteen I went with my older brother and watched him get a tattoo done, and I was totally hooked on the idea from that point. It’s the ultimate flattery to have someone let you put a piece of permanent artwork on their body.

IT: Who are your biggest artistic influences?

SW: I’m influenced by everything around me. I take in everything as much as possible and try to use it in my art. I am inspired by the work of Tony Ciavarro, William Webb, Bob Tyrell and of course Paul Booth.

IT: Tattoos are more popular now than ever before. While that must be good for business, how do you feel about the popularity that tattoos are currently enjoying?

SW: With the insurgence of “reality” tattoo shows being shoved in everyones’ faces, it has both a good and bad effect. The good being people who you’d never think would get or have a tattoo are coming in to the studios and getting art done. It’s becoming more socialy acceptable. Whereas people who are heavily tattooed aren’t looked at like thugs or criminals.

But on the other hand there are more and more young kids buying home tattoo kits and scarring and frankly destroying their friends skin…and possibly spreading disease and infection. I wish there were more regulations on people buying equipment. At the very least they should show on the T.V. programs some sort of proper sterilization procedures. I’ve watched many times and couldn’t count the times I’ve seen cross-contamination occur. It really is disgusting and scary at the same time. Any qualified artist can fix a bad tattoo…but if you’re passed along some horrible disease…well good luck.

IT:Tattoos seem to go through trends. Lower back tribal pieces enjoyed a lot of popularity for awhile, and now that has seemed to wane a bit. What are some of the current trends, as you see it?

SW: We’re seeing a lot of foot tattoos and a lot of larger work, partially due to the fact that tattoos are everywhere.

IT:What is the most challenging part of your job? What do you find most enjoyable about tattooing?

SW: The most challenging part would probably be helping the person find the right idea. Often times they have in their head what they want, but they can’t seem to put it into words. So I have to pick their brains and try to get that idea that means so much to them onto paper. The most enjoyable part is making that idea come to life on their skin. I love the look on someones face when they leave happy. You get to meet a lot of interesting people in this business. I’ve made a lot of good friends because of it. Tattoo artists touch people’s lives in a small way. I still remember the guy who gave me my first tattoo.

IT: Tell us about Color Bomb Tattoo.

SW: Color Bomb was built around frustration of with the industry. We try to be different. We’re a big family and no one takes life too seriously around here. We have a fun job and I think it shows in our work. We have great artists (including): myself, Tattoo Q is an amazing artist, his color portraits are top-notch and his freehand skills are mind-boggling at times. My girlfriend Kala is apprenticing and coming along great, and will be on her own shortly and I’m sure she will be a name everyone will come to know very well.

Our chief body piercer John Vaughn is very talented and knowledgeable in his craft. There’s isn’t anything he can’t do. Our other apprentice Rachel is also coming along well and will be tattooing the world soon.

IT: Thanks, Shannon for taking the time to talk to Inked Talk and answer these questions.

If you want to visit Color Bomb Tattoo yourself:
On the web:
Color Bomb Tattoo Myspace Page

The shop:
8030 N. 76th Street
Milwaukee, WI 53223
Telephone: 414-371-2525

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If you enjoy my blog, say thanks by buying me a cup of coffee! (Just click on the link below to check out Smilebox, a neat way to blog photos and videos!):

Blog your photos & videos using Smilebox

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I always enjoy promoting other 451 Press writers’ work, and I found this gem today: “The Top Ten Artistic Things I’m Thankful For.” A very sweet read.

The ink is fresh, the skin is smarting, and the bandage is still on. It is time to think about tattoo aftercare to make sure that your tattoo heals well and looks good for years to come.

Listen to your Artist

Your tattoo artist has a lot of experience in tattoo aftercare, and he has a vested interest in making sure that your tattoo looks great for a long time. Unless you have been getting tattoos for years and have an established aftercare regimen, you should put your artist’s aftercare advice above all else. He won’t steer you wrong. Before you leave the tattoo chair, ask your artist about aftercare. Ask what products he recommends, and what he uses himself. Don’t leave the chair with a question unanswered.

The First Few Hours
Bacteria is not your friend. A tattoo is an open wound, and for the first few hours bacteria can wreak havoc on your new tattoo unless you care for it properly. You should leave your bandage on for at least two hours - more, if your artist recommends it. When it is time to remove the bandage, do so with clean hands.

After removing the bandage, you will want to wash it with warm water and a gentle antibacterial soap. Do not use a washcloth - they are breeding grounds for bacteria, and they are too abrasive for a new tattoo. Pat the tattoo dry with a soft cloth or paper towel.

Beyond the First Few Hours

After drying your tattoo, and then regularly over the next few days to weeks, apply an ointment such as A&D Cream (look in the baby supplies section of the drugstore - A&D is used as a diaper rash treatment!) to your tattoo. This will keep the moisturized and the vitamins in the cream will help the healing.

Tattoo Goo and other specialty products are also good, but they are pricier and a harder to find than A&D Cream. Moisturizing is very important, so while it may be tempting to clean your tattoo with peroxide or another alcohol, they will dry your skin. You will want to wash your tattoo every day and reapply A&D Cream again and again for the first week or so. After a week or so you can switch to a regular moisturizer.

Stay away from hot tubs and swimming pools for a few weeks after getting your tattoo. The bacteria and chemicals in pools and hot tubs can be devastating to your tattoo.

A well-cared for tattoo will look bright and beautiful for years, and good aftercare practice will prevent the complications that can make a tattoo a bad experience. Enjoy your ink!

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Feeling the cold? Stop by the Honolulu, Hawaii blog and warm up!

Welcome to Inked Talk, and a Happy New Year to all! I am going to be writing for Inked Talk at this time, so I thought it would be appropriate to post a short introduction and background.

Writing and tattoos are two of my passions, and so working on a tattooing blog is a wonderful combination of two of my favorite things. While I am not a tattoo artist, I am continually adding to my own ink collection. I love classic tattoos, particularly pinups and nautical themes.

My latest tattoo was done by Evil Mind Tattoo in the Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. It is a variation on the classic Sailor Jerry-style swallow.

My plan for this blog is to review tattoo websites, discuss tattoos in the news, talk about social issues related to tattoos, and really any other topic related to tattoos and tattooing. In the future I have planned interviews with some tattoo artists to talk about their art as well as the business aspect of tattooing.

I’m happy to have this opportunity to work on this blog, and I hope you will stop by often. And if you have a chance, please stop by my other blog about my hometown, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

-Jennifer