Archive for Tattoo Books
An Overview of Tattoo Magazine
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For those of us who love body art and can’t get enough of it, Tattoo Magazine is a good addition to the pile of glossy pictures of various tattoos. It may not be as flashy looking as its competitors, but the pictures are decent, the articles are informative and if you ignore the sleazy ads, the magazine is definitely a worthwhile buy.
The publisher is EasyRider and since it is a company that primarily publishes magazines about the world of street motorcycles, it is pretty easy to see how they happened to decide on a couple of tattoo magazines. The fact of this relationship is seen in the publication, which centers more on the lifestyle aspects of bike-riding tattoo folks then it does on the “artsy” aspects that other tattoo magazines often focus on. They also publish two other tattoo-themed magazines: Savage and Flash.
The upcoming March issue is a pretty good example of the type of articles they tend to carry – with the emphasis on street culture (Barcelona and Will Rise Tattoo) but some spotlights on bands with tattoos (Eve to Adam) and of course the usual Tattoo Parlor Spotlight that has become a staple of many tattoo magazines.
All in all, it isn’t the most flash tattoo magazine out there, but it has some solid articles every issue, always shows off some of the reader tats and even has contests for the best tattoo. If you were going to get another tattoo magazine to add to your collection, it is worth checking out. Hint: if you get one and like it, get the subscription as they give you a big discount over the newsstand price.
Tattoo Books: Juxtapoz Tattoo 2
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If you are a lover of tattoos whether you have a tattoo or not, you are going to love this latest addition to the great collection of tattoo books about the new age of tattoos. There are some great illustrations in here of many of the best works of art from some of the more celebrated tattoo artists of today’s tattoo world.
For many of the artists highlighted in this new edition, they were just coming of age at the turn of this century and so there is not as much around of their artwork outside of magazines. In here you will find examples of some of the best work from artists like Mark Heggie, Jose Lopez, Paulie Tattoo, Jun Cha, Eva Huber, Liz Gruesome, Mark Bode, Colin Stevens, Angelique Houtkamp, Yoni Z, Stephanie Tamez, Jime Litwalk, Shawn Barber, Sunny Buick, Clae Welch, Stever Byrne, Mike Ledger, Virginia Elwood and more.
At 188 pages of amazing color illustrations this Ginko Press production will be something you want to pass around to your friends, display at your home or office and even maybe give to that friend who seems to have impeccable taste in tats. You can’t miss with a book like this!
The Sacred Art of Tattoos
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They have been around Southeast Asia for centuries, these tattoos. They aren’t beautiful in the western concept of that, but to anyone who has one they are beyond special. They are called sak yant tattoos and for many in countries like Thailand they are sacred. In fact, they are help in such high esteem that this past summer the government of Thailand made it illegal for a foreigner to get one.
There have been a few notables that have one, the most famous being Angelina Jolie, she of the numerous tattoos. But the styles are simple – just simple blue-black with hand-lettering as a major part of the design. With most westerners love of color and decorative embellishes, you wouldn’t even think that the government of Thailand would need to make them prohibited to non-Thai. But that is what happens when you are a major movie start and you have the process of getting your sacred tattoo filmed.
For those of us who aren’t planning a trip to Thailand to get our under-the-table totally illegal tattoo, there is an easier way to see these tattoos. The books explore the mystical connections behind the tattoos. During the Red Shirt Rebellions last summer you could see that many of the rioters had sak yant tattoos under their shirts, as a form of protection. As symbols of the individual’s relationship with the higher spiritual world, these tattoos create a powerful statement for the wearer.
The book – Sacred Skin: Thailand’s Spirit Tattoos is written by two Thailand-based writers Tom Vater and Aroon Thaewchatturat. The book delves into the meaning, history and mysticism of the tattoos without ever being boring. Vater has a long history of writing about the subcultures of this part of the world and talks with authority on the story behind the tattoos. When paired with Aroon’s stunning photos, you have a book that goes beyond the basics to truly draw you into this world that so few have seen.
Let’s hope that with this kind of book, and there is another on the tattoos about to come out as well, we can bring enough of an education to the western world on the spiritual importance of sak yant to have the ban lifted. It is a pity when our ignorance leaves us in the dark of such a rich and important part of our ever shrinking world.
Tattoo Source Book by Andy Sloss and Zaynab Mirza
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Tattoo Source Book is by artists Andy Sloss and Zaynab Mirza. Andy is a seasoned writer and graphic designer who has been closely studying Celtic and tribal designs and also drawing and designing some himself for over twenty years. Zaynab on the other hand is a popular make-up artist who has appeared in several TV shows etc. in Asian TV networks (like TV Asia, Asianet, and Zee TV) giving her professional opinion to matters related to body art and decoration.
Here’s a brief description of the book from the publisher:
“Approaching the fascinating world of tattoo art from the perspective of design, “The Tattoo Sourcebook” offers basic instruction on designing a tattoo and hundreds of images to help you choose one that’s right for you. Along with health and safety tips for getting a tattoo, there is also information for creating the designs using body paints and mehndi for those who want to try out different looks before choosing a permanent image. Six chapters follow, organized by theme, from intricate Celtic knot-work patterns and beautiful floral designs to geometric tribal art.”
The contemporary looking book consists of over five hundred great quality designs of both traditional and modern tattoos. Cool tattoo patterns ranging from Asian, Tribal, Aboriginal ta moko, and intricate Celtic knot to Fairies, Mermaids, Dragons and popular motifs of our time. The book is especially designed for start up artists or serious hobbyists who would like to increase their repertoire of designs. The art work present in the book lets you create your own designs using the ones present as a base or even trace, enlarge and use the ones present in the book.
Every chapter in the book offers a several innovative ideas and a wide range of themes. The book also includes some very useful safety information and tips on getting a tattoo the healthy way. This book can be very handy even for those that are on the fence about whether they should get a tattoo. Tattoo Source Book by Andy Sloss and Zaynab Mirza also gives a great deal of information about creating body art using body paint and Mehndi. This will help you try out the art before you get one etched on your skin permanently.
Secret Historian by Justin Spring is not a book about tattoos, but it is a book about the life of a very interesting tattoo artist in the twentieth century. The book recounts the secret life of Samuel Steward who is more popularly known as Phil Sparrow in the ink world. Sparrow was once considered the official tattoo artist of the Hell’s Angels in Oakland, California. Interestingly enough, Steward was a University Professor before he decided to give up teaching and start tattooing full time.
Here’s a brief description of the book from the publisher:
“Drawn from the secret, never-before-seen diaries, journals, and sexual records of the novelist, poet, and university professor Samuel M. Steward, Secret Historian is a sensational reconstruction of one of the more extraordinary hidden lives of the twentieth century. An intimate friend of Gertrude Stein, Alice B. Toklas, and Thornton Wilder, Steward maintained a secret sex life from childhood on, and documented these experiences in brilliantly vivid (and often very funny) detail.
After leaving the world of academe to become Phil Sparrow, a tattoo artist on Chicago’s notorious South State Street, Steward worked closely with Alfred Kinsey on his landmark sex research. During the early 1960s, Steward changed his name and identity once again, this time to write exceptionally literate, upbeat pro-homosexual pornography under the name of Phil Andros.
Until today he has been known only as Phil Sparrow–but an extraordinary archive of his papers, lost since his death in 1993, has provided Justin Spring with the material for an exceptionally compassionate and brilliantly illuminating life-and-times biography. More than merely the story of one remarkable man, Secret Historian is a moving portrait of homosexual life long before Stonewall and gay liberation.”
When Steward died in 1993, he left all of his belongings including his writings and photographs to a GLBT library which was what most other gay men were doing at the time. Since the death toll during the AIDS epidemic was high, the library had no room to put Steward’s belongings. When Justin Spring (the author) started researching on Steward he found all his belongings in a dusty old attic, its colorful story almost lost in time.
Let me assure you, that ‘Secret Historian: The Life and Times of Samuel Steward, Professor, Tattoo Artist, and Sexual Renegade by Justin Spring’ is just as intriguing and astonishing as its title. The book reads like a novel and is sure to keep you glued to it!
Mitch O’Connell: Tattoos by Mitch O’Connell
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‘Mitch O’Connell: Tattoos by Mitch O’Connell‘ is a fantastic new addition to the world of color, graphics and tattoos. In the publisher’s own words: “The book contains 250 tattoo designs, the best of O’Connell’s 3 sets of tattoo flash titled Stewed, Screwed and Tattooed (2001), Done While Drunk (2002), and From the Bottom of the Barrel (2006). Each limited edition set sold for $100, and is now out of print, and this volume collects all the images in one easy-to-flip-through book. Mitch O’Connell’s art is reminiscent of the Old School tattoo art, from masters such as Sailor Jerry Collins and Don Ed Hardy, but uses more contemporary themes with a distinctive style.”
Mitch is a freelance artist whose work has been published in magazines such as GQ, The New York Times, Time, Playboy, Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, The New Yorker and Juggs. He’s also known for creating art work for advertisements for business giants such as Coke, McDonalds, KFC, Kellogs etc. In addition, he has exhibited his art work in galleries around the world including New York, Hollywood, Germany and Tokyo.
Anyone familiar with Mitch’s work will know that he is, without doubt, the master of old fashioned tattoos, pop art, and kitsch. This book is a collection of his best work – good quality pictures of his addition to the industry, all bound together with a soft cover. If you are contemplating getting a tattoo and are looking for some novel ideas – you’ll find them here. If you are a first timer and are not yet certain if tattoos are you’re thing then perhaps the reviews contained in this book might help you make up you’re mind.
Even for those old-timers in the industry, this book is sure to be a great buy. It gives you a whole different perspective (Mitch’s perspective) to some commonly used tattoo symbols and art. You’ll find all kinds of interesting art – ranging from cupid with a gun to a sexy looking beatnik kitty!
For all those ardent fans, ‘Tattoos by Mitch O’Connell’ will make a fantastic collector’s item.