Ta2 publication

Jordan Betley everything about one thing.

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Show me a man with a tattoo and I'll show you a man with an interesting past.

Jack London

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contents _ history

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scarification

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skinheads

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sailors

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prison

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get ya tats out

57 - 87

interviews

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bibliography

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history _ The word tattoo is said to have two major derivations - from the Polynesian word ‘ta’ which means striking something and the Tahitian word ‘tatau’ which means ‘to mark something’.

The history of tattooing began over 5000 years ago and is as diverse and individual as the people who wear them.

Tattoos are created by inserting coloured materials beneath the skin. The first tattoos were most likely created by accident.

Someone probably had a small wound and rubbed it with a hand that was dirty with soot or ash from the fire leaving a mark. Once the wound had healed, they saw that a mark stayed permanently.

Despite the social sciences’ growing fascination with tattooing, and the immense popularity of tattoos themselves, the practice has not changed much.

Bronze Age _

In 1991, a five thousand year old tattooed man ‘ötzi the ice man’ made the headlines of newspapers all over the world when the frozen body was discovered on a mountain between Austria and Italy. ötzi is the best preserved corpse of that period ever found.

The skin boasts 57 tattoos: a small cross on the inside of the left knee, six more lines 15 centimeters long above the kidneys and more parallel lines on the ankles (pictured left). The positioning of the tattoos suggests that they were probably applied for therapeutic reasons (treatment of arthritis).

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Egypt _

Written records, physical remains and works of art espressing Egyptian tattoos have virtually been ignored by earlier explorers.

Today however, we know that there have been bodies recovered dating to as early XI Dynasty exhibiting the art form of tattoo.

In 1891 archaeologists discovered the mummified remains of Amunet who was the priestess of the goddess Hathor who lived some time between 2160 BC and 1994 BC (pictured below). This female mummy displayed several lines and dots tattooed about her body - grouped dots and/or dashes were placed into paralell, abstract geometric patterns. It seems that this art form was restricted to women only. In most cases these women were associated with ritual practices. The Egyptians spread the practice of tattooing throughout the world from country to country. The Egyptians developed international relationships with Crete, Greece, Persia and Arabia, spreading the art form that is tattooing. By 2,000 BC the art of tattooing had stretched out all the way to southeast Asia.

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Japan _

The earliest evidence of tattooing in Japan is found in the form of clay figurines. These figurines have their faces painted or are engraved which represent the tattoo marks.

The oldest figurines that have been found and recovered from tombs dated back to 3,000 BC. These figurines served as memorys for living individuals who kept them as keepsafes on their journey into the unknown. It is believed that the tattoo marks had religious or magical significance. The first written records of tattooing in Japan is found in a Chinese dynastic history which was created in 297 AD. The Japanese were interested in the art of tattooing mostly for its decorative style, as opposed to magical ones. The Horis (Japanese tattoo artists) were the undisputed masters of tattoing. The use of colors and imaginative designs gave the practice a whole new angle which had never been seen before.

The classic japanese tattoo, is a full body suit.

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Polynesia _

There is a lot of historic importance in Pacific cultures. Polynesian tattooing is meant to be the most complex and skillful form of tattooing in the ancient world. Polynesians used to believe that a person’s mana (their spiritual power) is displayed and difined through their tattoo. From what we know today a huge part of it was passed down through legends, songs and ritual ceremonies. Complex geometrical designs were often added to and reapplied through the life of the individual until the tattoo covered the entire body.

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Indonesia _

Borneo is one of the few places in the world where traditional tribal tattooing is still practiced today without a single thing changed. Recently many of the inland tribes had little contact with the outside world. As a result of this, they practiced and preserved many aspects of their traditional way of life, which included tattooing. Borneo designs have been made popular all around the world in the form of a tribal tattoo.

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Central and South America _

Recently in Peru they discovered 11th century tattooed inca mummies. When Cortez and his army arrived on the coast of Mexico in 1519 they were horrified and surprised to discover that the native people not only worshipped devils, but had somehow managed to imprint irremovable images of these idols on their skin. The Spanish had never heard of tattooing before so they presumed it the work of Satan. The 16th century Spanish historians who discovered the adventures of Cortez and his army reported that tattooing was widely practiced by the native people of Central America.

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Africa _

In Africa, where people have dark skin, it is difficult to make tattoos. But they want to be tattooed anyway so they have developed another technique. They make scarifications which is unlike any other form of tattooing.

These ‘tattoos’ are made by lifting the skin a little and making a cut with a knife or some other sharp object. Then special sands or ashes are rubbed in to wound which would make raised scars in patterns on the body after healing. The patterns and designs they use often follow local traditions and family traditions.

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The Celts _

The Celts were tribal people who moved across Western Europe in 1200 and 700 B.C. They reached the British Isles around 400 B.C. and most of what has survived from their culture is in Ireland, Wales and Scotland. Celtic culture was full of body art. Permanent body painting was done with woad, which left a blue design on the skin. Spirals are very common, and they can be single, doubled or tripled. Knotwork is probably the most recognised form of Celtic art, with lines forming complex braids which then weave across themselves. These symbolise the connection of all life.

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France _

in the 18th century, many french sailors returning from voyages in the south pacific had been tattooed. In 1861, french naval surgeon, Maurice Berchon, published a study on the medical complications of tattooing.

After this, the navy and army banned tattooing within their ranks.

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England _

Sailors and explorers returned home with tattooed Polynesians which they would exhibit at fairs, in lecture halls and in museums. This was to demonstrate the height of European civilization compared to the ‘primitive natives’. After Captain Cook returned from his voyage to Polynesia tattooing became a tradition in the British navy. By the middle of the 18th century most British ports had at least one professional tattoo artist on shore. In 1862, the Prince of Wales, which later became King Edward VII, received his first tattoo - a Jerusalem cross on his arm. He started a tattoo trend among the aristocracy when he was tattooed before ascending to the throne. In 1882, his sons, the Duke of Clarence and the Duke of York were tattooed by the Japanese master tattooist, Hori Chiyo.

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scarification _ Scarification is the act of puncturing and scarring the skin as a form of mark making.

This can be done by using numurous different methods and techniques such as etching, scratching, burning, carving or branding. As spoken about earlier it is popular in many African tribes because of dark skin it makes the tattoo not legible so scarification is the chosen method.

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Ways of Creating Scarification _

There are many different ways to create Scarification. A few are similiar to tattooing in the way that ink is rubbed into abrasions left in the skin which leave marks once healed.

Another way to create scarification is by branding which is similiar in nature to animal branding where a piece of metal is heated and then pressed against the skin. I’m going to be focussing and explaining about the more unusual and obscure ways of Scarification and how it’s done.

Skin Removal _

Skin removal is simply removing skin using a sharp object, commonly a scalpel or a similar tool in the West. The skin then heals leaving a scar of the design. This method tends to be used for simple designs as the skin tends to heal wider and thicker than the markings that have been cut.

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Strike Branding _

Strike Branding is almost identical to the branding used on livestock on farms. A piece of metal is heated and then pressed firmly against bare skin, burning away layers of skin, which in time after healing leaves scarring.

This technique is not used that often as the scarring tends to expand when healing, this means the designs can’t be precise due to the nature of healing process.

Years ago Strike Branding was used to mark slaves with their owners stamp which would show ownership. Branding was also used as a punishment for criminals in the old days.

Branding was used because of how painful it is and as a form of humiliation, the brand was placed in certain places depending on the severity of the crime.

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Ink Rubbing _

Ink Rubbing is similar to modern day tattooing in the sense that ink is rubbed into a fresh cut. Nowadays tattooing has advanced alot, tattoos can be made to look almost identical to photographs. With Ink Rubbing it’s obviously not as detailed, it’s going back to the basic form of tattooing. Ink Rubbing is made by making a cut into the skin, rubbing ink in and waiting for it to heal. The scabs contain parts of the ink so it’s important for the scabs not to be picked as this will ruin the design.

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Packing _

Packing is unlike any other form of scarification in the way the final outcome is 3D. At the start of the process a slash is made in the skin and then is packed with such things as clay or ash. These scars are bigger than normal scars as the body tries to push the inserted items out creating a ‘3D tattoo’.

This process is most common among traditional tribes in Africa rather than Western Civilisation. However, in America some people insert cigar ash creating a more raised and purple scar.

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High off Scarification _

It has been known for scarification to get people high, endorphins can be released during the process inducing the recipient in a euphoric state from the adrenalin.

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skinheads _ Skinhead culture originated in London by the working class youth. Skinheads got their name from the shaven crew cut haircuts they used to have, they took influence from West Indian Rude Boys (specifically from Jamaican roots) and British Mods. Originally Skinheads were concentrated on the fashion, lifestyle and music element rather than race/religion/ politics.

Tattoos have been popular in Skinhead culture since the revival in the 1970s. It used to be a common sight to see skinheads with heavily tattooed faces, however in todays day and age it’s not so popular.

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Forehead Cross _

Many Skinhead tattoos were all about fashion and people following trends, however, tattoos like the cross on the forehead showed that they were Christian and had a Religious background.

There are many different types of Skinheads, a popular subculture is a Trojan Skinhead which are named after the record label Trojan Records. Many Trojan Skinheads had the emblem tattooed on them. Unlike the White Power Skinheads Trojan Skinheads weren’t racist, they had strong connections to Reggae and the Jamaican community.

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These tattoos show how proud they were of their subculture and how they were part of something that seemed to be of a big importance to them and that it would last forever. It’s like a ‘uniform’ to them, something to show off who they are and brand them.

This is a big comparison to today as subcultures tend to come and go over time.

A lot of the time, people are embarrassed to be branded as part of a subculture e.g a Chav wouldn’t be seen with ‘Chav’ tattooed on their forehead as they probably wouldn’t admit that they actually were a Chav. Tattoos have always had negative connotations and suggest criminality but they are now becoming more accepted in society.

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sailors _

Most Sailor tattoos are in a style of tattooing called ‘Old School’ or ‘Old Skool’ depending on how down you are with the youth of today. Popular ‘Old School’ sailor tattoos include swallows, girls in sailor hats or pairs of dice. Sailor Jerry’s work was and is the most famous work regarding sailors and old school sailor tattoos. fter falling out of style for several decades, these stylized tattoos are regaining popularity again among young people, both sailors and non-sailors.

This chapter is going to touch on the origins of these tattoos, the history behind them, the traditions behind them and the superstitions.

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History _

It’s believed that the art of tattooing on sailors was a trend set by Captain James Cook and his crew after a visit to Tahiti.

Captain Cook and his crewmen got the tattoos as a souvenirs of their trip. There’s not much information about how sailors tattoos orginally started but now it is one of many ways to identify a sailor.

Many of the sailors tattoos had religious meanings behind them. Being at sea for a long time was dangerous due to the unpredicatble weather. The tattoos were meant to appease the powers that caused storms and drowning far from home.

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Sailor Jerry _

Many people associate Sailor Jerry as a drink, a design or tattoo style, however, Sailor Jerry was actually a tattoo artist. Sailor Jerry made his name in WW2 in Honolulu. Sailors would stumble into the redlight district after having a skin full of booze they would end up sat on Norman Collins (Sailor Jerry) chair getting tattooed. He got himself a reputation around the area as the man most noted for making tattoos an art in America rather than just a permanent souvenir for drunken sailors.

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Superstitions _

Sailors were very superstitious back in the day, they used to believe symbols and talismans would help and guide them through difficult times at sea. They would often get these symbols tattooed as a way of preserving the culture of superstitions. Sailors often got a pig and a hen tattooed on them incase of a shipwreck. These symbols are important as hens and pigs can’t swim, the thought behind it is that God would look down upon a shipwreck and see an animal incapable of swimming and would take it into his hand and place it on land.

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prison _ As the name suggests, prison tattooing is the form of tattooing inside prisons. Prisoners aren’t allowed anything sharp or anything that can be used as a weapon for obvious reasons so they have to create their own ‘tattoo guns’ and different ways of creating body art.

Many prison tattoos in America and Russian connect individuals to gangs and groups within the prison they’re located in. Prisoners often fall ill after having having the tattoo, due to the lack of health and safety regarding clean needles and the after care for the tattoo.

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Teardrop _

One of the most popular prison tattoos is the teardrop (pictured below). The tattoo is forcefully put on another inmate and the meaning of the tattoo is to show the other inmates that the prisoner belongs to another inmate, in prison terms ‘their bitch’. There is a lot of confusion regarding the teardrop tattoo, this is because of when the prisoner comes out they have to explain it to their family and friends. They would often state that they got the tattoo because they killed a man in prison. This statement was not far from the truth since their submissive act of becoming another man’s ‘bitch’ could easily be viewed as the death of their manhood.

Even more confusion has occured since people who have never even been to prison started getting the teardrop tattoo - making them an instant target if they were to ever go to prison.

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Russian Prison Tattoos _

Unlike American prison tattoos Russian prison tattoos are more personal and give complex information about the wearer. Not only does the design hold meaning, where the tattoo is placed equally carrys as much meaning.

Pictured above is a prisoner with the tattoo ‘не буди’ which means ‘don’t wake me up’.

This tattoo was for prisoners who had been in prison for a number of years. In Russian prisons there was a lack of beds so having this tattoo meant that the prisoner didn’t have to partake in the bed rotation between other prisoners.

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Tattoo Guns _

As spoke about in the other section, the tattoo artists inside the prison have to build their tattoo guns using objects smuggled in or objects found in the prison. One of the most important items for the inmates to acquire is the motor for the needle, it’s also important to have a battery setup which is used for powering the motor. Most of the other items are much easier to get hold of, quite a large proportion of improvised tattoo guns use the shell of a Bic biro pen which a sharpened paperclip is placed through.

Some tattoo guns aren’t as advanced as this, if the parts aren’t available then prisoners can just use a sharpened paperclip and ink.

Ink is a valuable commodity in prison and most of the time is quite hard to get hold of. Prisoners have to improvise and use ink from pens or made using melted plastic, soot mixed with shampoo, or melted styrofoam.

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Motifs _

Different gangs/prisons/groups each have their own tattoo motifs and symbols. These tattoos are to communicate with other prisoners what gang they’re in.

A common motif in English prisons is to have ‘ACAB - All Coppers Are Bastards’ or a dot on each knuckle, sometimes prisoners have a dot on each hand in between the thumb and forefinger, one meaning going into prison and one meaning they have completed their time inside. There is a similiar tradition in Irish prisons where inmates tattoo a dot under their right eye meaning that they’ve done time behind bars.

In American prisons Mexican gangs often have 3 dots in the shape of a triangle, this represents ‘Familia’ - their family. Sometimes inmates have a watch tattooed but without any hands, this represents ‘doing time’.

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My body is my journal, and my tattoos are my story.

Johnny Depp

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get ya tats out _

What I find interesting about modern-day tattooing is that people you would never expect to have a tattoo have one. I find it fascinating how when they have clothes on they look like a normal, an un-inked human being, but when they take their clothes off they have tattoos. As we know, a tattoo is for life, so I’ve been interviewing the friends and family asking them whether they have any regrets or would change anything about their tattoo.

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Garry Betley _ Joiner _ Forty Seven _ Cotswolds _ Father _ Swallow

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How long have you had the tattoo?

I’ve had the tattoo for 28 years now, I got it done when I was 17.

Why did you choose it? And does it have meaning?

At the time there was only one tattooist in Evesham and because he was new and we looked young he restricted our choice to a few small designs, hence all four of us ending up with small swallows tattooed. We ended up getting ripped by our other mates and they used to call us ‘The Bird Gang’.

Do you have any regrets?

Now I’m older I don’t have any regrets about getting a tattoo, but I do regret not going to a better tattoo artist.

Has it affected your life in any way?

It’s not affected my life in any way because I was sensible and got it in a place that’s not viewable, however, I do get embarrassed of them while I’m on holiday sunbathing.

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Poppy Newman _ Student _ Twenty one _ Londoner _ Egyptian Symbols

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How long have you had the tattoo?

I think I got it done on my18th birthday or maybe my 19th! Yeah my 19th my brothers got me it, so coming up to two years but feels like longer, maybe it’s 3 years now.

Why did you choose it? And does it have meaning?

Well I thought about what I wanted for years and originally designed a tattoo of four Egyptian symbols, one meaning protection, one eternal happiness, one togetherness and family and the other one was love I think. But, I took it in to this tattoo artist in soho who was like re design it so it sits nicely on the body, so I drew up what I’ve got now which is essentially a combination of 3 of the symbols but within eachother, so essentially yeah it does have meaning but at the same time you want a tattoo ‘cos it’s aesthetically what you want so that was part of it to.

Do you have any regrets?

I’d say that I don’t regret it because it’s in a place where people only see it if I want them to its fairly small and I do still really like it, the only thing I could say that’s negative about it is it kinda looks like the illuminati symbol but otherwise no regrets.

Has it affected your life in any way?

Hasn’t changed my life in anyway really apart from its nice that I’ll always have something there and I guess it reminds me of my brothers when I look at it but I forget I have it most of the time, but it’s an experience that I think everyone should try, even if its a pin prick size!

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George Gamble _ Illustrator _ Twenty one _ Graffiti fanatic _ Egyptian Symbols

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How long have you had the tattoo?

I’ve had the tattoo 2 1/2 years now. I had the basic idea for the tattoo then gave it to the artist (Nick Baldwin) who drew it up properly for me and made a fantastic job of it.

Why did you choose it? And does it have meaning?

Not entirely sure of a proper meaning, I just love the design plus kinda always liked the whole all-seeing eye side of things, illuminati conspiracies and what not haha.

Maybe a meaning could be like ive got something/someone watching my back.

Do you have any regrets?

I don’t regret it in the slightest, in fact sometimes I forget I have it then catch a glimpse in the mirror and it just makes me happy to know ive got such an awesome piece of art on me.

Has it affected your life in any way?

Nope hasnt affected me in anyway other than making me want to get more tattoos and providing quite a good ice breaker sometimes haha!

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Andrew Weston _ Welsh _ Twenty one _ Sugar Skull

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How long have you had the tattoo?

The first tattoo I got is a sugar skull on my shoulder and I got 4th January 2013 mainly because I’d always wanted one growing up on Miami ink and it was the day our loan came in so I just went for it. I chose it because when I was younger my dad had a t shirt with the same sugar skull on it and I always loved and I still have it now it so first thing that came to my mind. I don’t regret the tattoo but I do regret the positioning as it’s only hidden with long sleeves. Made it easier while travelling to spark up a conversation with someone who also had a tattoo and I met an amazing Danish girl with the same tattoo which gave me an instant in!

Why did you choose it? And does it have meaning?

My last tattoo was a latin quote - Vir Sapit Qui Pauca Loquitur. In latin this means ‘the man is wise who talks little’. My grandad used to say it a lot when I was growing up so that’s why I chose it.

Do you have any regrets?

My second tattoo I regret the most, it’s a blue OG owl on my tricep area. I got it because a girl I was madly in love with designed it and now I barely talk to her... classic!

Has it affected your life in any way?

That one doesn’t effect me really cause it can’t be seen but due to the reason I got it I don’t openly tell people I have it. I got it about 6 months ago and my parents still don’t know!

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Gareth Farrell _ English _ Thirty Five _ St. Christopher _ Koi Carp _ Dragon Sleeve _ Tribal Sleeve

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How long have you had the tattoo?

The first tattoo I got when I was 18 which was 17 years ago. My last one was in last august.

Why did you choose it? And does it have meaning?

So far I’ve got 5 tattoos, a koi carp and dragon sleeve, a tribal sleeve on the other arm, chinese symbolism on my chest, a rose on my leg and st. Christopher on my back dedicated to my son. The first one I ever got was because all of my friends were getting them and it was fashionable.

Do you have any regrets?

My biggest regret is getting the smaller ones done when I was younger. I didn’t research what I wanted or the tattoo artist and consequently I’ve had to have a few covered up. Another regret was when I went to get a tattoo when I was drunk!

Has it affected your life in any way?

I can’t say it has. If you’re into tattoos then you’re into tattoos. To be honest, I do think I have an addiction to getting tattooed but it hasn’t affected my work or social life in anyway whatsoever. I don’t see the problem with tattoos as long as you’re sensible. One thing I will say though is don’t get a tattoo if you’re body conscious!

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I’ve got something/someone watching my back.

Gareth Farrell

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Joss Murphy _ Student _ Twenty One _ Welsh _ Graphic Design _ Basquiat Crown

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How long have you had the tattoo?

I got the tattoo February 2012 in Cardiff.

The tattoo shop has now closed down.

Why did you choose it? And does it have meaning?

My tattoo is a small Crooked crown under Neath my armpit I top of my right rib cage, the crown is the signature of the Jean Michael Basquiat...the first African American artist to make is big on the art scene. ..he signed most of his paintings with this crown. ‘Most young kings get their heads cut off’...another famous quote of his was, ‘believe it or not I can draw...’ If I hadn’t read this quote, and discovered the work of this man, I don’t think I would never have started drawing myself, which inevitably lead me to have a dream/a career.

Do you have any regrets?

No regrets.

Has it affected your life in any way?

I hope to be as successful in my chosen profession one day, my own sort of king.

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William Morris _ Fashion _ Twenty two _ Pinup girl _ Lyrics

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How long have you had the tattoo?

I’ve had the pin up girl for 11 months now, the minotaur for 3 years and the lyrics for 4 years.

Why did you choose it? And does it have meaning?

I had the pin up girl just because I love pin up girls, classic tattoo. It was worked from an early photoshoot of Dita Von Teese and the roses were added just to fill up a bit of space, make the tattoo a bit more interesting. The lyrics on my arm are from My Bloody Valentine - Thorn. I got it because its one of my favourite songs.

Do you have any regrets?

Nope, at the time I just wanted a tattoo, I was 18 and been wanting one for ages and thought fuck it.

Has it affected your life in any way?

I dont think they’ve affected my life, they may of stopped me getting a part time job, but I couldn’t care less.

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Joss Murphy/Basquiat

Believe it or not I can draw.

I couldn’t care less William Morris

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Maisie Bleu Leavy _ Fashion Design _ Twenty two _ Nottingham _ LoveHeart _ Music

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How long have you had the tattoo?

I have my tattoo roughly five months now.

Why did you choose it? And does it have meaning?

I chose the love heart symbol because 1.

It was easy to achieve (home made tattoo, needle and ink) 2. It as small as a five pence piece so it would be done as quick as possible, saving pain! 3. The love heart tattoo resembles the love I had for my exboyfriend as he was the one who tattooed me with the symbol and I tattooed him.

Do you have any regrets?

I don’t have any regrets having it done as it was an extremely happy period in my life and in our relationship. It was personal and holds many fond memories, the love will always be there, whether in my heart or through a tattoo. I can live life regreting it as he was the one who broke my heart but i like to take a negative and make it a positive, hate takes up too much energy its easier to ‘love’.

Has it affected your life in any way?

It hasn’t affected my life in any way, as its only small and can be hidden easily with a sock or trainer. But In the future it may abit strange discussing it with my future husband haha.

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Hate takes up too much energy.

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It’s easier to love.

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interviews _

In my opinion the art of tattooing is highly under-appreciated. There’s lots of characteristics you need to be a good tattoo artist, a steady hand, good control, be able to tattoo without it looked morphed around the curvature of the body, have confidence in yourself etc.

One of my favourite tattoo artists is Antony Flemming, he works in a studio called ‘World of Tattoos’ in Ruislip Manor. I’ve been in contact with him to ask him some questions about the industry and how he got into it.

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Antony Flemming

- How did you get into the art of tattooing? Has it been something that you’ve always been into?

By accident haha! I was getting tattooed by one of the guys at the place I work now and she asked me if I would like to do tattooing as she had seen my drawings (She was tattooing my design I had draw) I didn’t really think anything of it, as I was set to go Uni. But in the end she persuaded me and I took the chance.

I’ve not always been into it. I fell in love with it after I started my apprenticeship.

- What’s the most enjoyable factor about being a Tattoo Artist?

Drawing for a living, working with your best mates and making people happy. Nothing better than to see a customers face light up when they look in the mirror .

- When you were younger what did you want to be?

A footballer... Come on who doesn’t!

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- If you could change one thing about the industry what would it be?

Glory hunters. People that are too interested in becoming famous rather than concentrating on their drawing and tattooing.

If you are work hard enough notoriety will come naturally.

- Has being a Tattoo Artist changed/ affected your life in any way?

Of course. Every part of my life now revolves around tattooing.

- Would you consider yourself to be a Graphic Designer? As a considerable amount of Graphic Designing is typography based.

Not at all. I don’t really do any typography haha!

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Antony Flemming.

I really want my work to be timeless.

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- Y ou’ve been in Ruislip Manor since the beginning. What made you decide to stay at World of Tattoos?

I have stayed here because I am happy. I couldn’t ask for a better bunch of guys to be around, they are all talented; all have good morals and a brilliant work ethic. I have had offers from other shops but I really don’t see the point of moving. With the Internet it is easy for people to find out where I am, I don’t need a “big named shop” to further my career, I guest and work at conventions where I can learn from others but I have all the support I need from the guys here. I can try and explain it further but it’s quite simple. I love it at World of Tattoos.

- What is your opinion on skin carving?

Scarification? I think it looks awful.

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- Your style is unique. It’s a mix between neo-traditional with a tint of realism and fantastic imagery.

The characters and animals you draw are very charismactic and always seem to hold powers. What in your opinion makes a good design?

I really want my work to be timeless, or at least something that can be appreciated for its artistic and aesthetic qualities and not the in thing at the time. I think a good measure of that, is if the customer’s mum likes the tattoo. Because she hasn’t got a clue what is hip and cool in the tattoo world, she just sees it for what it is. If she can appreciate it then I think I’ve done a good job. If mum likes the tattoo it’s more than likely going to look relevant forever.

When I draw things I always try and put the animal in position that gives the piece movement, without doing those lines like you did when you where 10, you know like the zoom lines you see in a cartoon or comic (laugh) ! I really hate it when you see a tattoo that looks like a sticker. Like, awesome if you can tattoo like that but to me it’s boring. There is nothing personal from the artist that has done it. I hate to sound cliché but there is no emotion in tattooing like that. It’s just like burr burr burr (that’s the noise a tattoo machine makes by the way) and done, see ya. I’m really not sure if my tattooing has that feel to it yet, but one day that’s how I want it to look. I want people to understand it in that way.

It’s something a little more than just sitting down and getting tattooed.

Tattooing for a lot of people is not just the tattoo. I think some tattooists forget this is a big deal to some people. I want them to have a nice experience from the first contact to me wrapping the tattoo up and actually for the rest of that tattoos life. I try and think about that when I’m drawing. I don’t have any specific reason why my work looks the way it does, obviously we are all influenced by our friends, peers and people in the industry but my work looks like that simply because it does. I’m just extremely lucky that people seem to like it!

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Our bodies were printed as blank pages to be filled with the ink of our hearts.

Michael Biondi

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bibliography _ - http://people.howstuffworks.com/culture-traditions/body-art/history-of-tattooing1.htm - The Tattoo History Source Book - http://www.ezakwantu.com/Gallery%20Scarification.htm - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scarification - Skinhead by Nick Knight - http://onepeoplesproject.com/index.php/arts-culture/history/336-history-of-the-skinhead-movement - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skinhead - http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2011/12/a-visual-guide-to-sailortattoos/250208/#slide1 - http://sailorjerry.com/norman-collins/ - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1185598/ - Russian Criminal Tattoo Encyclopaedia Volume I - http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=teardrop%20tattoo - http://www.crimelibrary.com/photogallery/prison-tattoo-field-guide.html - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prison_tattooing - http://www.getinked.co.uk/criminal-tattoo-history.html - http://antonytattoo.tumblr.com/

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