Inked Talk

Author’s note: Today, Inked Talk takes a literary turn as we look at tattoos influenced by the life and work of Hunter S. Thompson. If this proves to be a popular subject, we may feature more articles featuring tattoos influenced by a particular artist or author. Read on.

Hunter S. Thompson is perhaps best known among the general public for three things: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, his legendary drug use, and (sadly) to a lesser extent, Gonzo Journalism, even though the latter is truly his greatest contribution to the literary world.

It comes as no surprise to those familiar with his work and his life that he has also become the subject of a number of interesting tattoos.

This excellent portrait of HST features his oversized glasses and iconic cigarette holder at his lips. His distant stare, often captured in photographs and artists’ renderings of HST, may be the product of deep thought or heavy drug use. Or perhaps a little of each. The emblem in the background, which is a stylized fist grasping a peyote button, was first designed in conjunction with Thompson’s bid for sheriff of Aspen, Colorado. The logo is now associated with gonzo journalism, and is also popular subject for HST-influenced tattoos:

Perhaps the best evidence that HST’s persona remains at least as great and influential as his body of work is the fact that tattoos of HST’s most famous quotes are far less common. A popular HST quote, “Buy the Ticket, Take the Ride,” is featured on this simple tattoo:

There is no doubt that Hunter S. Thompson’s work and influence will continue to outlive their source. In fact, that his influence has extended to body art seems like a natural extension of gonzo, culminating in a total conjunction of the work with the person.