Sarah Channels Emma Goldman

I recently had the intense displeasure of discovering that my camera had broken. For someone whose spare time is spent taking pictures of other people's tattoos, this was a harrowing experience, especially since my BlackBerry's camera is flash-less and takes good pictures under only specific lighting conditions.

So what's a poor inkspotter to do? Pass out his card and hope for the best.

And despite dozens of cards distributed to many people with cool tattoos, the only one who has really come through for me is Sarah, who I met last Friday on the subway platform at West Fourth Street, as I waited for the D train to Brooklyn.

Possessor of several tattoos, the one of Sarah's I spotted was on her inner left forearm. My photo was blurry and, as the D pulled into West Fourth, she handed me her card so I could follow-up with her. Thankfully, she is a woman of her word, and sent me this photo yesterday:

Since Sarah is a writer and journalist, I'll let her do the talking. You can check out her work at  her website ohyouprettythings.net and/or read her blog at champagnecandy.tumblr.com. Sarah explains:

It says "It's not my revolution if I can't dance to it"

The tattoo is my most recent, and it's a paraphrase of a possibly-apocryphal Emma Goldman quotation. It's a line that spoke to me the first time I heard it. I'm a political journalist and a feminist activist, and Goldman's always been someone I looked up to. Also, I became a political person through music, and dancing and music have a particular significance for me.


It was done by Ryoko at Brooklyn Tattoo [who we most recently saw inked Julie Powell's tattoo here] and she's super-awesome...

As a lover of type tattoos, I had inquired about the font used and Sarah did not disappoint: "the font is Garton and the words revolution and dance are in Miama".

Thanks to Sarah for sharing her tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!

Ganesh Waits for the A Train

Actually, Kerry was waiting on the platform for the uptown A Train when I walked by at 34th Street.

How could I not stop and ask her about this tattoo:

This absolutely stunning depiction of the Hindu deity Ganesh took between eight and nine hours to complete.

Guy Ursitti at Thicker Than Water is the tattooist responsible for this work of art, the newest (at the time I met her) of Kerry's approximately fifty tattoos.

The detail in the tattoo is absolutely incredible.

Work from Thicker Than Water has appeared previously on Tattoosday here.

Thanks to Kerry for sharing this amazing tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!

Lower Back Tattoo - Look Sexy With the Right Tattoo Design

Lower Back Tattoo

So you want to look sexy, and hence decided to get a lower back tattoo? But before that, make sure you follow certain rules while selecting your tattoo design. Also, read through these tips for getting a "lower back tattoo".

Sean Shares a Host of Traditional Tattoos

I ran into Sean at the Foodtown in my neighborhood and when I stopped to talk to him about his tattoos (he has nine), I ended up with photos of several pieces, all of which reside on his left arm.

Most of the designs are traditional tattoo subjects, all of which were inked by Eli Quinters at Smith Street Tattoo Parlour in  Brooklyn. Work from Smith Street Tattoo has appeared previously on Tattoosday here.

First up is this amazing lighthouse:

Sean explained that this tattoo is for his mother, as this tattoo is based on her "favorite lighthouse," the Fastnet Lighthouse on the most southerly point on the coast of Ireland.

Then there is this owl tattoo:

This was done for no other reason that Sean has always liked owls. If you love owl tattoos, be sure to head over to this site.

Then there is the elephant tattoo:

He has this piece because "elephants never forget".

I know we posted a sugar skull yesterday, but here's another one:

This was all Eli's design. Sean gave him free reign and likes the fact that it is unusual in that there are not a lot of colors in it, like one sees in most sugar skull tattoos. For all that have appeared on Tattoosday previously, check this link.

There is also the traditional female figure, not modeled after anyone in particular, just done in a traditional style:

And Sean's last tattoo is this bat:

He told Eli that he "wanted something spooky" that included the moon. Quinters free-handed this piece, starting with a white Sharpie and then finished with a darker Sharpie before finishing the tattoo.

What's neat about all of Sean's tattoos is that they flow nicely together, as readers can see elements of many of the tattoos on the borders of the photos of specific designs.

Thanks to Sean for sharing these amazing tattoos by Eli Quinters with us here on Tattoosday!

Sugar Skull Sunday - One From Ryan

Since I seem to capture more sugar skulls than any other design, why not reserve a day just for these decorative symbols which, at their roots, have deep religious significance?

Two weeks ago, I met Ryan, who has ten tattoos.

Of that lot, he offered up this design on his left bicep, which Charlie Foos created for him at FlyRite Studios in Brooklyn.

Charlie Foos is now at Read Street Tattoo Parlour in Baltimore.

Aside from the traditional nature of the sugar skull tattoo, Ryan also loves Mexico and this design recalls that beautiful and diverse culture south of the border.

Thanks to Ryan for sharing this decorative tattoo with us on Tattoosday!

Work from Charlie Foos has appeared previously on Tattoosday here.
Tattoosday posts tagged FlyRite Studios are here.
Tattoosday posts tagged Reade Street Tattoo Parlour are here.

Swallow tattoos

Swallow tattoos are considered old school sailor tattoos. But they have been revived and are making a great comeback. Swallows symbolize freedom, love and loyalty. You see many people with "pairs of swallows", one looking forward and the other looking back, representing ending one chapter and starting a new chapter in life. You can use your imagination and come up with a unique twist to your swallow tattoos if you have the right tools. I'll tell you what those tools are.

Choosing a tattoo can be a hard decision. It will be with you for life so you want it to be unique and imaginative. Stop wasting time looking at website after website. Check out this review and make an investment now in one of the best membership tattoo gallery sites.
Find great swallow tattoos by joining an online tattoo gallery and looking through thousands of the best tattoo designs all in one place. Get unlimited downloads of tattoos so you can find the best tattoo designs for you.


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Katie's Tattoos: A Tribute and a Memorial

I met Katie on 34th Street one afternoon when I stopped to ask her about her foot tattoo:

This tribute piece on her left foot is for her cousin, whose initials are JMS. The letters sit astride the ribbon designating awareness for the disease Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The two feet represent the fact that she helps raise awareness in the fight against MS by participating in an MS Walk each year.

For more information on MS, visit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society's website here.

Katie also shared with me these wings on the back of her neck:

The initials "MCF" refer to her brother Mark, who was killed with a friend a few years back when a train struck them. This memorial piece ensures that her brother is always with her.

Katie's tattoos were inked by Spencer at Fat Kat Tattoos in Keyport, New Jersey. Work from  Fat Kat has appeared previously on Tattoosday here.

Thanks to Katie for sharing two of her four tattoos with us here on Tattoosday!

Cool and Stylish Celtic Tattoo Designs

Cool and Stylish Celtic Tattoo

Celtic tattoo designs are a popular and cool option when considering symbolic tattoos. There is no limit to the designs available or the art in question, so Celtic tattoos are a frequent choice with tattoo enthusiasts of all ages.
Celtic tattoos are based off of Celtic art. When used in reference to tattoos, the adjective "Celtic" is pretty much synonymous with "tribal." Not only are they considered stylish now and very popular, they are historically popular as well.
The most popular Celtic designs are variations on the Celtic cross, which is typically a cross comprised of woven lines and a circle around the intersection of the lines of the cross. Also, the woven Celtic arm band is worn by both sexes with pride. Other popular designs classified as Celtic are the "Celtic knot" and the Claddaugh, which is the known Irish design that has two hands holding a heart.

Since Celtic culture dates back to six centuries BC, you can be sure that people have been getting Celtic tattoos since the inception of tattoos themselves. People today see Celtic tattoos as a way to connect with their roots by displaying an ornamental design.
Celtic and tribal art are the main inspiration for tattoos described as such. Celtic art is based heavily off of symbolism, and is not based in nature. The typically curved or woven lines are clean and monochromatic, with black being the standard. They vary greatly, and there really is no "typical" Celtic tattoo. Standard of the style, though, are thick lines full of asymmetrical, curved lines that frequently weave together.

Body Tattoo pictures girl sexy

Leyna's Balloon Keeps Her Grounded

Leyna was leaving the Borders at 2 Penn Plaza when I spotted one of her tattoos and asked about it.

This was the tattoo in question:

It is located on the back of her left leg, on the calf.

The design was inspired by the cover art from the Modest Mouse record We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank.

Leyna thought the anchor was cool, and she feels it is a good representation of herself in her 20's.

The tattoo was inked by Derik Snell at Hand of Glory Tattoo in Brooklyn. He liked the design because he had never tattooed a hot air balloon before. Work from Hand of Glory has appeared previously on Tattoosday here.

Another one of Leyna's tattoos  caught my eyes, as well:

This two-word snippet, "ecstatic and insatiate" is an excerpt from Allen Ginsberg's Howl. I'd speak more about it, but it appeared first on the most awesome blog, Contrariwise. I'd direct you over here to read what Leyna had to say about this tattoo, and encourage you to linger about and check out the seemingly endless array of literary ink.

Thanks again to Leyna for sharing her tattoos with us here on Tattoosday!

3d spider tattoo on arm

cool 3d spider tattoo on arm, if you are just looking for spider tattoos, here are a lot cool desings, if you are searching for 3D spider tattoos, here are more 3d spider tatoo pictures

Tribal Phoenix fire tattoo

Free Phoenix Tattoo Design pictures

Cool Tribal Phoenix Tattoo Designs free, Also, a phoenix bird of fire tattoo must be of sufficient size to make an impact. This is a magnificent bird and deserves respect - size is important. You simply can't represent the idea of eternal life and rebirth with a small tattoo!

Japanese Character Tattoo

Japanese Character Tattoo and beautiful flower on the back

Japanese-tattoos

choosing kanji symbols

When choosing kanji symbols is that they are only one of three writing systems used in Japan --which is where kanji is used (not China). Kanji is the oldest and most complicated of the three writing systems( kanji, hiragana and katakana). The other systems are hiragana and katakana, with katakana being the most familiar to westerners. Why the most familiar? Because katakana is used specifically to write foreign words (and science words and a few other things) and foreign names.Characters can be written both vertically and horizontally. Here are some Kanji Tattoo Symbols pictures.

Chris Returns with a New Tattoo Putting a Face on Addiction

Earlier this month, I posted about Chris's tattoos (here) and how they represented his battle with addiction.

This past weekend, Chris sent me a follow-up, showing me a new tattoo he had just had inked. It's certainly worth sharing here, as it is not only impressive work, but it continues addressing his struggle with addiction.

Check it out:

Chris explains:

"Just yesterday [June 18, 2010] Ii had an absolutely incredible piece done on my left shoulder. I work at The Painted Bird Tattoo and the newly-opened Boston Tattoo Company (same owners) ... To help celebrate the grand opening weekend of the Boston Tattoo Company, we were fortunate enough to bring in a very talented artist (not to mention one of the nicest most genuine people I've ever met), named Christian Perez. I was able to get an appointment with him and he channeled exactly what I wanted into my skin.

I talked to him prior to his visit and told him that it seemed like every tattoo I thought about getting lately was all dark imagery which I attribute to the disease of addiction which still lives inside me. I wanted to bring all the evil, sickness, and wickedness of my past life to the surface, give it form so I can "see" my demon, if you will. This was the result ... you should think about making trip to Boston sometime. Lots of great artists and great work around here. Also, as of July, Christian will be tattooing out of Hope Gallery in New Haven, CT."

Thanks to Chris for following up with us and sending in this photo of his new tattoo. Former contributors are always welcome to submit their new work for us all to see and enjoy here on Tattoosday.

Anthony's Dragon (and more!)

I spotted Anthony on the N train in Brooklyn and was happy to see him also switching for the local R train at 59th Street.

As luck would have it, both of us were headed home to Bay Ridge.

Anthony has a bunch of tattoos, and I snapped this photo of the dragon on his upper right arm:

It was inked by Joe at Brooklyn Ink.

He estimated that the work so far has been completed in about three two-hour sessions.

Work from Joe and other artists at Brooklyn Ink has previously appeared quite frequently on Tattoosday (all posts tagged as such here).

Anthony later emailed me photos of these shots as well:

The praying hands holding the rosary, I recall him telling me, were tattooed at Distinction Ink in Brooklyn. The tattoo reads "Forgive me Father, for I have sinned".

He did not tell me where he had this tribal sun done, but it's definitely an attention-grabbing piece and certainly worth a mention.

Thanks to Anthony for sharing his tattoos with us here on Tattoosday!

Cross Tattoos For Men - Symbols and Meaning of Each Kind

Cross tattoos for men are one of the top ten most popular tattoo designs worn by bearers. Among them are angels, flowers and zodiac. When choosing a permanent tattoo, you should always consider your beliefs and feelings. Make sure that whatever design you put on your skin, you seriously accept it for the rest of your life.

There are many designs of cross tattoos for men. The big question has always been which kind of cross tattoo should one get. Your decision of course, mainly depends on your belief and character. The cross is a symbolical shape to so many religious sectors, spiritual groups and other tribes. Well, I've narrowed the choices down to these four classifications of cross tattoos for men.

Christian or Catholic Cross Tattoos

The Christian design mainly symbolizes the bearer's faith. If you are looking for a design that can express your individuality, identity and most of all, your faith, then this kind of cross tattoo is for you. The wearer sees his body as a canvass where he can express his love for God and proclaim his faith and belief in Him.

Celtic Cross Tattoos

This certain design classification centers mainly on heritage more than faith. For the Irish, Scottish or Welsh and other Celts, this symbolizes their ethnicity. The complexity of the Celtic design mimics the elaborate interrelation of nature. The intricate weaves, spirals and mazes of their design showcases the cycle of life where there is no beginning and there is no end. It is a deep symbol for life and the seasons of nature.

Cross Moline Tattoos

Originally of English design, cross moline tattoos represent a time of knights, fair maidens, jousting tournaments, Renaissance period, slaying dragons, kings, queens and magic swords. The design of each cross was a way of identifying the combatants during battle when their faces are covered with iron masks and shields.

Gothic Cross Tattoo

More than a symbolic tattoo, the Gothic design represents pain, suffering and darkness. If you have a deeper understanding of the universe and if you find yourself out of place in the world because you feel different in a certain level, then this design can be very suitable for you. It is for someone who can truly relate to the dark side of life and is not afraid of living in it because he accepts it as it is - life.

star tattoo picture

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Leo tattoo

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Pisces tattoo

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Taurus tattoo

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Libra tattoo picture

Libra tattoo picture

Virgo tattoo

Virgo tattoo