In a world where tattoos can and often have easily been relegated to mere fashion statements, or trendy extravagance, it’s nice to once and a while see them being equated with living one’s life to the fullest.  John Birdsall is 32-years-old and confined to a motorised wheelchair.  He speaks through the use of a typing device.  Because of his physical state, most people probably wouldn’t expect Birdsall to be the type of person who travels, sky dives and has undertaken both jetboat and motorcycle trips.  But that’s where most people would be wrong.

Birdsall has done all of those things and more.  He’s even written a book called The Never-Ending Sun, which chronicles his trip across Iceland’s volcanic plateaux on his own motorised trike.  Most recently, on his seventh trip to New Zealand, Birdsall had a tattoo done on his back of a silver fern incorporating a koru – a spiral shape that symbolises new life and growth amongst New Zealand’s indigenous peoples, the Maori.

‘Sporting several body piercings, and a fan of alternative lifestyles, Mr Birdsall yesterday said the tattoo was fitting because it was an outward expression of near obsession with New Zealand.

“It’s all about having fun, meet-ing people and challenging your-self to live outside the norm,” he said.

“That’s what New Zealand has represented for me and now I’ve got it inked in permanently.”

Q.T Ink owner Dean Jones gave Birdsall the tattoo free of charge, saying it was an honour to tattoo someone who lived their life to the fullest.

“It’s a privilege and a buzz to do something for someone who despite having a few limitations in life, uses that life to basically kick down all the barriers,” he said.’

Not only is this story very inspiring, but I like it very much for its positive portrayal of tattoo, showcasing just how much a tattoo can mean to someone and what it’s capable of symbolising.  Beyond a simple fashion statement, beyond a trendy extravagance, there is so often a real heart to someone’s artwork.  When we take the time to learn what is behind that artwork and how important it can be to both the person who wears it and the artist who did it, we experience an all new side to our humanity.

For more information on John Birdsall, visit his website here.

Soccer (or football, as it’s commonly know around the world) is without a doubt one of the most popular professional sports today.  Anyone who has ever watched a match will quite quickly notice just how many professional football players are tattooed.  Perhaps the player whose name is most synonymous with being tattooed is David Beckham.  In fact, many people credit Beckham as being one of the main celebrities to have helped raise the stature and popularity of tattoos amongst the masses.

This past summer during the World Cup, I noticed exactly how many players from all over the world had tattoos.  I was more than a little curious to find out more about these tattoos or at the very least, to be able to see them up close for longer than the few brief glimpses that I typically was able to grab on my TV screen.  Thankfully, the international football organisation FIFA has also taken notice of its tattooed superstars and started up a small page on the FIFA website dedicated to highlighting these tattoos.

Tales From the Tattoo Parlour is a compiled list of tattooed football players that focuses on not only which players have which tattoos, but also provides everything from what the tattoos mean to what inspired them in the first place.

‘Religious scenes are not the most popular designs among players, however, as Patricio Hinojosa, who has worked his magic for several Chilean footballers, explains: “More than anything they ask me for portraits of their children or their wives, or the names of their family members.”’

Then there’s players like Liverpool striker Fernando Torres who is so into tattoos that he’s actually set up a studio in his home for Argentinian tattoo artist Leonardo Miralles.  Although there are numerous players with a whole whack of different tattoos, their reasons for having these tattoos doesn’t seem to differ much from the reasons that the average person has for being tattooed.  That being said, I definitely enjoy the opportunity to look into the lives of these players and hear their reasons for being tattooed.  I only wish FIFA would expand this section on their site and continue to report on a regular basis about the tattoos of the players and the artists whom the players trust.

Nothing lasts forever.  We all know that.  Often what makes works of art even more beautiful is knowing that they won’t last or that one day they’ll be gone.  The sand mandalas that Tibetan monks create is a perfect example.  Gorgeous hand crafted art that’s here today and gone tomorrow, forcing us to recognise the impermanence of beauty and its place in our lives.

While not exactly a Buddhist monk, the tattoo work of the artist known as Electric Pick won’t always be available to the public, either.  Though he’s been tattooing ever since a Montreal tattoo shop owner bought 50 pages of his flash and subsequently offered him a job back in 1998, there will eventually come a day when Electric Pick packs it all in and focuses his skills instead on illustration.  It won’t be an immediate stop of course – Pick plans on casually slowing down before eventually putting a stop to his commercial tattoo work.  Regardless, simply knowing that a tattoo by an artist as talented as Electric Pick will one day become quite the rare commodity is enough to encourage anyone who’s hungry for a highly original and creative tattoo to seek him out.

Though he travels extensively and loves the influence that travel has on him and his work, Pick currently spends the majority of his time in Denmark, helping out at Conspiracy Inc.  His childhood was spent between Montreal, Canada and Paris, France, and that cross continental education no doubt helped him to see the world in a different light, a light that eventually began to illuminate the entire globe for him.  Aside from Denmark, he’s spent time working in Hong Kong and New York City, to name but a few of the additional locales which fill his roster.

And while tattooing may pay the bills and ignite his creative energies in a manner that benefits the entire tattoo industry, Pick’s number one love remains illustration and especially comic books.  From the age of 12 when he says that the realisation struck that he would always draw for a living, the art, colour and lure of comics has never ceased in its intensity for Pick.

I for one really like the way that Pick goes with what he loves best and what he feels matters.  Despite the dedication and effort that tattooing requires, there’s an unpredictable rowdiness to his attitude about life which transfers itself directly into his art, making it some of the most interesting and pleasing work out there.  Electric Pick might not always be around to tattoo, but for now he is, and that’s really all that matters.

I have to admit that I am a fan of Christmas.  I like the lights, the decorations, the gifts and yes, I even like the music.  Give me a copy of It’s A Wonderful Life and a Christmas tree with presents beneath it and I will settle in for some quality festive cheer.  It might sound hokey, but I like it.  Now that it’s all over for another year, I can let go of the festive stuff and get back to everyday life.  The decorations go back in their boxes, the tree helps fuel a massive bonfire and the It’s A Wonderful Life DVD gets put back on the shelf.  For some of us though, the Christmas season keeps right on going 24-hours a day, 365 days a year.

No, I’m not talking about Santa Claus, but it is quite possible that 23-year-old Sam Sprynczynatyk of Bismark, North Dakota loves Christmas more than Saint Nick himself.  In keeping with the spirit of Christmas, not only does Sprynczynatyk keep his Christmas decorations up and listen to Christmas music year round, but he’s also managed to build up quite the Christmas themed tattoo collection over the years.  Of Sprynczynatyk’s 27 regular tattoos, six of those are Christmas themed.

‘”I love them. They`re art work he can take with him wherever he goes,” said Sam`s mother Pam Sprynczynatyk.

Sam was always into the holiday as a child, but his feelings for Christmas grew stronger over the past few years.

“We were going through some hard times as a family and that helped Sam cope with it and make it all better. So he did everything he could to immerse himself into Christmas,” said Pam.’

Among Sam’s Christmas tattoos are mistletoe, the words “Merry Christmas”, Santa and a scene from the Peanuts Christmas.

Hey, if it makes him happy, then good for him.  I do hope that he gets a Grinch tattoo sometime soon, though.  You can’t have Christmas without the Grinch.

I spend a lot of time on the blog evaluating the need for regulations and licensing of tattoo artists and their studios in places where there are no such licensing or regulations.  Now, I realise that in order to maintain these types of regulated systems that money will eventually have to exchange hands and that yes, it will cost tattooists a little bit here and there.  However, I also feel that some local governments are beginning to see what a potential cash cow that tattooing can be and governments being governments, well…they want their cut of the green.

The most recent evidence of this comes from Missouri where state government officials have proposed a raise in tattoo licensing fees which will bump things up quite a bit from the current $30 to $100.  This increase is said to be capable of generating more revenue for the state (no kidding), bringing in roughly $120,000 over the two year licensing period.  The state however, is quick to not simply rest on the defence that this revenue will help the state.  They’ve also argued that the state needs this increase in fees in order to ensure that tattooists give tattoos “the correct way”.

Hmm…I find it interesting that up until now Missouri has had no problem charging tattooists $30 for their licensing fees and that it suddenly takes $70 more to ensure that tattooists are properly doing their job.  True, the tattoo and body piercing industry has increased in Missouri by 33% since 2005, which could ostensibly account for the need to raise the cost of the license.  Still, from $30 to $100 is quite a jump.  I’d like to know exactly what the Missouri state government does to ensure that tattooists are giving tattoos in the correct way once this licensing fee is paid.  Are officials doing inspections at tattoo and body piercing studios?  And if so, how often?  I’d really like to hear from some Missouri artists on this one to help give a better overall view of the situation.  So, if you live in Missouri and you tattoo or body pierce, do let us know what the situation is like there.

Thanks!

Got some money?  Feel like completely wasting it?  Here’s how: first you have to get yourself to Dubai.  Once there, head over to the high-end Burj Al Arab hotel.  By this point you’ll probably be in a really dizzy, half crazed state, considering the jet lag and the steady stream of wealth on display within this sail-shaped hotel.  Keep it together for just a little longer though and continue on to Flambeau Luxury Trading and Precious Skin.  See it?  All right then, now it’s time to get your very own temporary 24-carat gold tattoo.

Yes, that’s right, Flambeau Luxury Trading and Precious Skin is specialising in a new kind of temporary tattoo for people who want to spend money on something that will not last.  Granted, the starting prices for this aren’t too bad.  Fifty bucks US will get you your golden temp but I’m guessing it isn’t a very large or elaborate one for that price, considering that actual 24-carat gold is being used.  For the larger and more elaborate designs, you’re looking at something in the pricey neighbourhood of $US5,500.  Forgive me for saying so, but if you’re spending over five grand on a temporary tattoo, you’re a dick.

‘”It’s a revolution in the body art business, it’s the first time we can use 24 carat gold and platinum on skin,” said Arnaud Flambeau, managing director of Flambeau Luxury Trading and Precious Skin.

“We have had a lot of interest so far because it’s a new idea and a new product that’s between jewellery, makeup and accessories and it’s a lot easier to make the decision to get a gold tattoo than buy new jewellery,” said Flambeau.’

I suppose that it is easier to get a gold tattoo than to buy new jewellery.  Except of course, that jewellery actually lasts and a temporary gold tattoo doesn’t.  But yes, it really must be a burden having to buy new jewellery.  I myself can’t relate to such a bothersome activity, but I can only imagine how difficult it must be.  What a tough life the rich lead…

One smallish yet slightly annoying thing about the jump in popularity of tattoos is that it often seems to me that anything and everything that is capable of having an image stuck to it – be it with adhesives or temporary ink – is bogged down with the tattoo label.  It’s a cheap way for different companies to cash in on what they see as a trend that is worth investing in.

Take for example the latest idea to come from the minds of the business men over at Ford.  The campaign is called Ford Custom Graphics and it’s basically a layer of 3M Scotchprint Personalised Vehicle Graphic Film that is affixed to Ford vehicles such as the Mustang, the F-150, the Explorer and the Fiesta.  The print contains designs that are equated with tattoos, but judging from the images available so far, I’d say that Ford Custom Graphics have nothing to do with tattoos other than the act of affixing an image to a surface.  The quality of the art is cheesy and if I saw a person who had a tattoo with similar art, I could only hope that they didn’t pay much for it.

‘The company says that while the one-size-fits-all model isn’t really relevant to today’s consumers, it’s not necessarily a desire to stand out from the crowd. It’s more of a desire not to be lost in the masses, given that people are personalising everything – cell phones, computers and clothing – these days, and it’s no different with automobiles.’

I guess one of the upsides to this entire gimmick is that its cost is half that of custom paint, but with a similar look.  This helps people who feel the need to “personalise” their cars with what is essentially Ford flash to not have to dig too deep into their pockets for the luxury.  It’s also more easily removed than custom paint, which is a real bonus once a tattooed Ford Fiesta driver realises that people are now laughing at them for more than just driving a Fiesta.

Oh man, I’m sorry to say that it has come to my attention that I’ve made a mistake.  Oops.  Yes, I know, you would never think that I could make a mistake because I’m always so perfect when it comes to Tattoo Blog, right?  I know.  It’s shocking for me too.  Anyway, I have to make the massive correction that the fabulous tattoo skills of Steph D are not those of a woman, but of a man.  I apologise for being so silly and not getting things straight, but I admit that I didn’t have a lot to go on and I guess I just assumed (quite wrongly) that Steph was a woman and not a man – I’ve never seen a photo of him.  At any rate, that doesn’t change the quality of Steph’s tattoo work in the least and so, I represent to you Steph D.

Working in Saint-Germain en Laye, France at Dimitri Tattoo, Steph D is pretty much a mystery to me.  I can’t tell you anything about him because I don’t know anything.  All I know is that from the moment I saw his online portfolio, I had to immediately pass it on to others, telling them that they had to check out this artist from France.  His style is bold and vivid, fun, serious, silly and crazy.  It takes all the things that I love about really great tattoo art and brings them to life just a little bit more.  As far as I’m concerned, Steph’s on another level with his work and seeing tattoo art like this just serves to remind me that every day, everywhere, tattooists are upping their game, putting out work that jumps off the flesh and has the ability to shock, surprise and please.

Keep doing what you’re doing, Steph D.  You’re unbelievably good.

I’m not a big sports fan and although I like to take in the odd college basketball game during March Madness, I’m not much of an NCAA fan, either.  That being said, there are plenty of NCAA fans out there and whether it’s football or basketball or whatever, if it’s NCAA, there is a strong fan base.

One of the things that I like about the NCAA is that it seems to me that it keeps the players in line and through a variety of strict rules, prevents its players from taking endorsement deals with major corporations and their products.  In this way the players are there to play sports and be athletes – not just spokespeople for deodorant or soft drinks.  The actual sport comes first and that’s nice to see.

You wouldn’t think that anything having to do with the NCAA and the strict rules of what players can and can’t do would have anything to do with tattoos, but oh no my friends, that’s where you’re wrong.  Five Ohio State football players have been suspended after it was discovered that the players traded autographs and various items of memorabilia for tattoos.  Terrelle Pryor, Devier Posey, Solomon Thomas, Daniel Herron, and Mike Adams will have to sit out on the first five games of the Ohio St. Buckeyes 2011 season.  In addition to the suspension, the players will also have to pay back the cost of the items that they traded for their tattoos.

‘Adams must repay $1,000 for selling his 2008 Big Ten championship ring and Herron must repay $1,150 for selling his football jersey, pants and shoes for $1,000 and receiving discounted services worth $150.

Posey must repay $1,250 for selling his 2008 Big Ten championship ring for $1,200 and receiving discounted services worth $50, while Pryor must repay $2,500 for selling his 2008 Big Ten championship ring, a 2009 Fiesta Bowl sportsmanship award and his 2008 Gold Pants, a gift from the university.

Solomon must repay $1,505 for selling his 2008 Big Ten championship ring for $1,000, his 2008 Gold Pants for $350 and receiving discounted services worth $155.’

Ahhh, the enticing allure of tattoos.  Bad move on the part of these guys.  I do hope that the tattoos are at least good ones.  No word as of yet if the NCAA will force the players to cut off their tattoos and hand them in as well.  Ha.

At this time of year, no one wants to be broke.  Having no money or worse, having no job, really puts a massive damper on one’s festive activities. 29-year-old Jonathan Kehoe knew all the realities of being both unemployed and poor during the Christmas season.  Until recently he was eating regularly at McDonalds because according to Kehoe, it was the only meal he could afford.  Well, no one would have guessed it but it appears that eating greasy fast-food has actually paid off.

Kehoe had stopped at a McDonald’s just outside of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and ordered himself a McRib sandwich as well as a medium soft drink.  When he pulled the Monopoly game tab on his soft drink, he discovered that he had just won one million dollars.

‘“I don’t think it hit me right away. I didn’t realize right away that I won. It was like I had to, um, ask a few people, ‘Is this real?’ And after a couple of hours, it set in,” Kehoe said. “This is really a blessing, ya know. Right at the end of my unemployment, I pulled the million dollar tag off a cup. I mean, it couldn’t be better.”‘

Most people who win money have big plans, but aside from paying off some debts and a few bills, Kehoe’s biggest splurge looks to be a tattoo.  Yup, that’s right – he’s considering getting a McRib tattoo.  Normally I would tend to think that getting a McRib tattoo ranks up there with that dude who got the Zune tattoo a while back.  Corporate products as tattoos make me feel almost as ill as I would if I were to actually eat a McRib sandwich.

There’s something about this story, though.  Something that makes me feel as though Kehoe’s decision to get a McRib tattoo is a good one.  This entire incident seems to mark the beginning of a big turn-around in his life.  I can see how the image of a McRib would be kind of a comforting one for him, there to always remind him that even when things look grimmer than grim, at any point there could always be something great and life altering just around the corner.  You never know.