Indelible TARA KEILTY Tooradin Tattoo’s Leading Lady TATTOO TIMELINES Tattoo’s through the ages. Ageless or Aging?
MARKS OF MEANING
CULTURE SHOCK The roots and traditions of Ink
CONTENTS 8 . Blood, sweat and ink 12 . Gallery 16 . Tooradin Tattoo’s 20. White Ink 22. Culture Shock
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INDELIABLE Australia is for the ARTISTIC individual who wants to lead a life of EXPRESSION without any REGRETS. They care about MEANING and FREEDOM, and they are always looking for their next adventure. I hope you will join me on this journey through the following pages to celebrate the BEAUTIFUL and TALENTED women of the tattoo world while appreciating every piece of MIRACULOUS ink on every body, every shape, every size and every colour. May we always be united through our love of ART and the human canvas.
BLOOD SWEAT
AND INK Thinking about getting a tattoo? Wondering if it will hurt? If you are thinking about getting some permanent ink for the first time but dreading the anticipated pain or you have had painful experiences listen up. Here is the guide to surviving the tattoo experience. ‘I think you’re going to cry’ she said leaning over the bathroom sink. I can’t believe it my own mother calling me a sissy with a low pain threshold. To my face! If it wasn’t offensive enough I’m surrounded by cleaning products begrudgingly assisting with the house work. I am vehement that I won’t shed a tear and determined to prove her wrong. Whether you fear and expect the pain or are resolutely attempting to prove a point you need to get through the process to appreciate the outcome. I anticipate a bit of pain, realistically a humming needle filled with ink piercing your skin –repeatedly- isn’t going to be a rose garden but I believe I’m strong enough to get through it without any sniffles or damp eyes. But she’s planted a seed of doubt in my mind. How much will it hurt? Well that depends on who you ask and who you are, but if you’re afraid you might get a bit teary or somebody suggested you should bring tissues here’s how to prove them wrong.
Before I reveal the enlightening information that will hopefully ensure that you tattoo experience is relatively painless you need to have an idea about what you are going to get. I strong advise against a full back tattoo for a first timer even if you have a very high pain tolerance. The area and complexity of your tattoo is going to determine generally how much pain you’re in for depending on sensitivity and nerves.
2-Distract yourself. While it is actually better if you don’t bring along a friend or the whole family mainly because they will get bored but being alone might make you feel less self conscious and relax. In addition to that keep your mind distracted. Bring a book, browse on your phone or have a chat with your tattoo artist. Perhaps they will be kind enough to blast the tunes so you can sing along and hopefully drown out the thrum of the needle.
Less than a week from now I intend to receive my very first tattoo. The tree of life inked on my fore arm. Serendipitously the fore arm is one of the –commonly- least painful areas and depending on the intricacy of the tattoo it shouldn’t hurt too much. Despite the pain this tattoo is worthy of the any pain it may incur as tithe. It shall remain as a symbol of my past, present and future, symbolising my transition from one aspect of life into another.
3-Have breakfast and get some rest. While this seems like a double whammy, two tips for the price of one it essentially translates to look after yourself (and is applicable before and after you get your tattoo). By eating and having a good night sleep your body should be more prepared to take on the day.
So as a beginner myself may I suggest something moderate, well thought out and located in a coverable place, ideally somewhere fleshy such as the thigh, calf or forearm. Once you’ve decided what you are going to get and determined a suitable place with optimistically minimal pain. However I do have to put out a disclaimer there is no other sensation likened to that of the tattoo process and pain can vary drastically. But here are some helpful ways to keep the spikes of pain away. 1-Keep calm. Going in panicking will only make it worse. I remember my mother telling me (yes the same one that called me a sissy) that her second tattoo hurt worse than the first because the expectation of pain is increased in the first experience and in reality the sensations that your mind creates are probably far worse than the actual tattoo. It won’t hurt as much as you expect.
Before you rush in though here is a big no no. Don’t drink any alcohol or take any blood thinning medication like aspirin to in preparation for any pain. It can be very dangerous, it is much better to tough it out. If worse comes to worst apply some numbing cream provided you have spoken to your artist. Remember what you are getting and why. Let this meaning carry you through despite the pin pricks of pain, some would say it’s a part vital part of the process, giving and receiving, suffering and reward. Despite my confidence that we will all get through our appointments unscathed always talk to your artist if you are feeling uncomfortable, sore or nauseous. Reschedule, shift positions (let your artist know first!) or take a break, trust them and trust yourself. Good Luck.
GALLERY
A mother of three and tattoo apprentice Tara Keilty works alongside Jay constantly learning and creating beautiful art on living canvas’. I was lucky enough to catch her before she began her maternity leave and obtained an exclusive interview. In a previously male dominated industry women have emerged as both tattoo recipients and artists developing with the art and concepts. Tara herself has noticed that Mothers are a source of increasing clientele. Once considered solely masculine expressions tattoos are now gender neutral with increasingly strong women come fiercer tattoos and desire of self-expression. The industry has no doubt changed with the appearance of new styles, techniques and mediums however at its core tattooing remains the same, ‘a beautiful, eternal art’. With technological developments and an a decrease in limitations people are embracing tattoos. ‘You used to walk into a tattoo parlour and pick an image from a wall. Today though people are planning and thinking deeply, getting full sleeves and customised tattoos. There is so much meaning, we commonly get requests for tattoos that symbolise and support personal and social issue/beliefs such as autism, depression and gender identity.
Despite developments there are various sexualised images in media depicting scantily clad models. However these representations contradict many personal experiences with artists. Female artists are often requested on the basis of delicate artwork or the gender of clients. ‘It comforting having both sexes represented in the tattoo industry. Many older female clients request a female artist and the cross section of artists just increases the diversity of the work.’ The industry has changed and so has society however there is still stigma present in society. Tattoos can be associated with ruffians and unsavoury types due to their previous association with strength. Yet people are becoming more open discussing the meaning behind their tattoos. ‘I still sometimes get some incredulous glances when I disclose that I am a tattoo artist however some people my children especially thing it’s amazing.’
FACT FILE INSPIRATION Artists such as Sam Clarke, Emily Rosemurry and Clients who bring in ideas and sketches FAVOURITE STYLE Neo traditional style. I also love experimenting with different line weights and bold colours. CRAZIEST THING TO HAPPEN WHILE TATTOOING? I have had a couple of people vomit before. Not exactly crazy but definitely unexpected.
Tara began as a cosmetic tattooist who gradually began to sketch in her spare time assisting the primary artist and after working closely with him was offered an apprenticeship. ‘A primary element of tattooing is artistic skill, so if it’s something you’re interested in begin by developing you drawing and practice while finding somebody willing to take you on.’ For prospective clients Tara offered this advice. ‘You don’t have to walk in and pick a tattoo straight away. Talk to your artist and find somebody willing to sketch it up for you. This is a permanent decision’. There are various tattoo clichés emerging and while some trends have developed into powerful movements and representations such as the semi -colon
There are however some definite tattoo don’ts such as fake tan. ‘Fake tan over tattoos can disrupt the healing process while effecting the tattoo it is a definite no no’. Spur of the moment tattoos are also advised against. ‘Think about what profession you might undertake in the future while some businesses love tattoos as they create a
“My Daughter Charlie often drums up work for me at Kinder. While both her and MacKenzie play tattoo artist with my light box. Calling out ‘next client’ “ which supports people suffering depression certain trends have become mainstream losing their meaning. ‘While I personally have nothing against infinity symbols, king and queen couple tattoos or birds flocking together they have become quite mainstream and I yearn for creative, original and personal designs’ she said. While not necessarily a tattoo taboo let your imagination go wild and think of something with meaning and originality.
certain atmosphere and attract younger clientele make sure you can cover your tattoo if you need to’ says Tara. Ultimately get something you will be proudly showing off to you friends and family for years. Be confident and sure in what you choose. And do your research! Don’t walk around with something rude written in chinses character on your arm because you used google translate and didn’t fact check.
White Danielle Strle What influenced your decision to get a white ink tattoo? Do you have any other tattoos? If so which do you prefer, white ink, black ink or coloured? I feel like I read a very brief mention of white ink tattoos in a fashion magazine years before I got one and became intrigued with the concept. Then I saw a girl at the stumptown inside the ace hotel in Portland Oregon who had a full sleeve in this lacy white ink. It was stunning and striking and gorgeous but so subtle that you couldn't see it til you got within a couple feet. It was the most beautiful tattoo I had ever seen. I have a little tiny tattoo in black from my teen years, but everything else is white or UV ink. I just prefer the subtlety. Have you encountered any issues with the white ink? Example, skin reactions/absorptions. Nope! Everything has healed up great and stayed pretty true to colour. I do go to the best white ink tattoo artist in New York though. I actually tried to get other tattoo shops to do white ink stuff and they refused, but Friday Jones is an expert and takes great care to make sure that the white ink doesn't get mixed up with the ink of the pattern. I am also pretty pale and my ink is on my forearms, rib cage, and inner bicep which don't get a ton of sun. Do you have a particular model that influenced your decision to get a white ink tattoo? For example white ink tattoos are gaining in popularity; celebrities such as Kate Moss and Lindsay Lohan have white ink tattoos. Nope, just that cool barista in Portland. It makes sense though that these actors & models would go for ink that the camera might not see from afar. Do you believe that white ink is just a trend or do you believe that having a white ink tattoo has a deeper personal meaning? Extension- Do you believe that tattoos in general are become less meaningful due to their popularity and use as a fashion statement. If anything I think white ink should be more common than it is. It's so beautiful and subtle. I get a lot of compliments when people notice them, but they often don't see them at first. When they do, they are often surprised to hear that it's white ink, as most people haven't seen tattoos like this before. I hope more artists learn the art of working with white ink. I think it is no coincidence that there aren't many artists working in white ink and most of them are female tattooers tattooing female clients.
Ink
What do your tattoos mean to you? That's too many long stories for this format haha. But I love them all, and they're especially special because I am the only one who can see them. My tattoos are for me, not for other people to gawk at from afar and wonder but not ask about.
Culture