This weekend, New York City tattoo artist Friday Jones officially opened her brand spanking new tattoo studio, Friday Jones Fifth Ave. Jones, who apparently officially coined the term “tattoo couture”, is doing something a little different with this studio.  Says Jones:

“I love the peace and philosophical approach we can enjoy in the privacy of the tattoo couture studio – that’s the real motivation behind the concept.  It’s simply another evolutionary turn of a truly ancient art, where the human directive to honor and beautify itself takes many forms. I’m so happy to be practicing this perennial craft in one of the most significant marketplaces imaginable.”

So what exactly is “tattoo couture”, you ask?  Well, as far as I can tell, it involves the blending of a traditional tattoo shop with the comforts and pampering of a spa.  Jones’ Fifth Ave studio for example, offers a variety of different services prior to clients actually receiving their artwork.  These involve, but are not limited to: massage, manicure and pedicure.

It’s certainly a different approach to tattooing, though I am uncertain as to exactly why one needs to have their finger nails filed and buffed before they get down to the business of having a tattoo done.  Perhaps it’s something the type of clientele that Jones caters to are interested in.  After all, her previous patrons include Angelina Jolie (I know, I know, who hasn’t tattooed Angelina Jolie?), but also Robbie Williams and the Neville Brothers, to name a few.

In addition to the new shop and the “tattoo couture” that Jones is offering, she is also launching a wholesome tattoo care line, products which aim to soothe your skin after having tattoo work done.

All of this is of course, bound to have its share of detractors, but this is interesting stuff.  Not my cup of tea and a little excessive in my personal opinion, but it’s still a unique spin on an industry that continues to evolve on a daily basis.

I’m starting a new weekly section dedicated to brand tattoos, everyone has a favorite brand and in this section I hope to capture the unqiue tattoos that are inspired by each brand.  Everyone has a brand they’ve grown an emotional attachment to and what better to show it off than with a tattoo?  For the first of many posts on Brand Tattoos of the week I thought I’d start with Pabst Blue Ribbon everyone’s favorite dive beer… living in Philly for a couple years the Philly Special of a shot of Beam and PBR for $3 was always a favorite of mine.

Now as many know, I am not a fan of getting someone’s name tattooed on you. Perhaps its because I’m a firm believer in the old Chinese adage, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” However, if you are going to insist on getting someone’s name tattooed on your body having their actual signature would be the best way to go, especially if they happen to be a superstar.

I have seen, and done, my share of KISS tattoos in my time and once had the pleasure of recreating the Love Gun album cover as a back piece. But on a recent episode of Gene Simmons Family Jewels a soon to be married young woman named Brook had to have out done them all.

While in Las Vegas promoting his new clothing line “The Demon“, and his good friend comedian Carrottop, get involved in a bachelorette party. The not so blushing bride takes a dare from a friend to have Gene’s signature tramp stamped on her, and they are off too the tattoo parlor.

Gene does make an attempt to talk the girl out of the tattoo, but in the end relents and puts his signature completely across the girl’s lower back.

While we don’t get to witness the entire tattoo, it is done at the Vince Neil Ink tattoo studio in Las Vegas. The tattoo studio owned by another legendary rocker Vince Neil, of Motley Crue fame.

I realize that there are many girls who have had a rock star sign their bodies, and later had the signature made permanent by heading to the local tattoo artist, but I believe that this is quite possibly the first time the rocker has been there to witness the actual tattooing. Not to mention having the girl’s fiancé come back to the hotel room later to thank Gene for allowing the tattoo to be done in the first place.

Although they did prank Gene by having the future hubby pretending to be irate about the whole deal, the groom seemed to be rather happy with having the huge autograph etched into his bride’s skin.

I would also, perhaps, be remiss if I didn’t mention that it has to be the biggest celebrity signature tattoo done to date. That has to be a record of some kind.

It is often said that the wheels of justice turn slowly, but it would seem that enforcement is just as slow. Case in point, the tattoo laws in Illinois. Although the state has had a tattoo law that was passed by the General Assembly in 2006, tattoo studios are just now gearing up for that law to be enforced now. For the first time!!

The Illinois Department of Public Health states that local health departments now have the framework in place to enforce the tattoo law passed by the General Assembly in 2006, and that officials will begin inspecting tattoo parlors and body piercing establishments in August.

Excuse me? The law has been in effect for three years and their only now getting around to enforcing it? In yet another month? You would think that the studios would have had enough time to “come up to code” by now. Wouldn’t you?

In a perfect world all tattoo artists would be caring of their clients, and completely health conscious, considering that our “canvas” is a living body. Unfortunately, as we have shown here at Tattoo Blog from time to time, that simply is not the case. There are bad apples in any profession and letting a law as important to public health as tattoo laws are go for three years is unconscionable.

Oh, well. Better late than never, I guess.

As of now Tattoo studios will be inspected yearly to ensure sanitary conditions at tattoo and piercing establishments, and that workers have been properly trained, or trained at all. Health department spokeswomen Kelly Jakubek says 212 facilities have already registered with the state.

About bloody time, if you ask me. Sheeesh!

It never ceases to amaze me what people will get tattooed on their bodies.  This can go either way: I’ve seen plenty of tattoos that I hadn’t considered as potentially good ideas, only to be proved wrong by how good they actually looked.  Of course, I’ve also seen plenty of tattoos that were not only terribly done, but revolved around a completely terrible idea as well.

Enter the movie/book fan tattoos.  These sorts of tattoos are in a constant state of fluctuation, in my books: from bad to not that bad but still not that good, either.  Call me a jerk, call me a hater, call me what you must, but I just can’t take a Harry Potter or Twilight tattoo seriously, no matter how good it may be.  Sorry.

But why shouldn’t I?  Aren’t they regular tattoo ideas, just like any other?  Is it fair of me to dismiss these tattoos simply because I think they’re lame?  Maybe.  I guess I just have a hard time swallowing the concept of a fantasy novel for children, like Harry Potter, being influential or important enough in anyone’s life to merit getting a shitty tattoo of Daniel Radcliffe done.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve actually read every Harry Potter novel and seen every film, so it’s not like I’m just looking at this from the point of view of someone who doesn’t see the appeal of such stories.  I guess I’d just like to ask one of these people who has a tattoo from Twilight or Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings, etc…why.  What’s the appeal?

I guess the other thing that I find so bizarre about these sorts of tattoos is that when I was reading any one of the Harry Potter novels, I had my own image of what Harry Potter looks like in my mind.  So when people get tattoos of the actors who currently play such roles, I have to wonder how personal of a tattoo it really is.  

Well?  What say ye? 

DENTON, Texas (AP) — God might not be the only one passing judgment on a man who skipped out on paying $200 for a religious tattoo at a parlor. Denton police are investigating a nonpayment complaint filed by a tattoo artist who inscribed “Only God can judge me” on a customer’s arm. The Denton Record-Chronicle reported Thursday that the artist finished the work, which included a pair of praying hands, and presented the bill. The customer Monday offered a credit card, which was declined, then he ran out of the store.

Would this be news if the tattoo wasn’t so ironic? If someone else does this they should get a tattoo saying “thou shall not steal” or would that be to obvious?

Though tattoo and being a tattoo artist in Japan are two things more often associated with the Japanese mafia, or Yakuza instead of mainstream Japanese society, being foreign and trying to find your place as a successful tattoo artist is even further from such mainstream acceptance.   

Enter Minneapolis native Ben Her.  After being hooked on Japanimation at the early age of 11, Her kept a steady obsession going with Japanese art.  This eventually culminated in him making the big move to the land of the rising sun in 2002.  Her soon ended up in Osaka, where he began the lengthy and difficult road to secure himself an apprenticeship at Osaka’s Chopstick Tattoo.

Fast forward a few years and as of 2007, Her is now a professional tattoo artist at Chopstick Tattoo, tattooing under the name Hori Benny. He speaks both English and Japanese, and one look at his portfolio should be enough to answer any questions you may have about his work.  

Although Her admits that he enjoys doing all genres of tattoo work, it is evident that Japanimation plays an influential role in his style, with its colorful flourishes and often dark sensibilities.  

This guy definitely has got some skills.  Sugoi, ne! 

Its not often that a tattoo artist come writer gets a chance to introduce a rising star to the world, but the ‘Ol Doc is getting an opportunity to do just that. It is my great pleasure to introduce to those of you who may not know him yet, Justin Page.

Justin has been tattooing for only three short years, but as you can plainly see from the few samples of his work shown here, he exhibit’s a talent equal to artists who have been in the biz for much longer. Co-owner of Ink Revolution Tattoo studio in Kingsport TN, Justin’s immense talent to create realistic portraits in skin rivals some of the best I’ve seen, bar none.

Justin is a very down to earth person, and a pleasure to talk with. As he says on his My Space page, he’s in it for the art, and believe me, it shows. Just a quick glance at the rest of his online portfolio will let anyone know that he is very serious about his work. Not to mention that Ink Revolution has been voted number 1 in the tri-cities 4 years in a row! I’m willing to bet that a lot of that is due to Justin, and his co-owner’s , dedication to providing a safe tattoo environment that exceeds the TN health code in every way as well as his ultra cool renderings in skin.

Justin has the distinction of having had many mentors in his training, Orrin Hurley, Kyle Cotterman, and Steve Martin who originally owned Ink Revolution. Justin’s influences in tattooing reads like a who’s who of tattooing, but he readily admits that Mike Devries, Nikko, and Mike Demasi, have had the biggest impact on where he wants his art to be. I’d say he is already there, but Justin is ever striving to improve.

Celebrities that are wearing Justin’s work include UFC’s Alan Belcher, Jerry “The Horror Show” Bentley, MMA Champ Tim Stout, Professional Wrestler Homicide of TNA fame, and he has also been chosen as the official tattoo artist for the band Framing Hanley, famous for their rock cover of Lil Wayne’s hit “Lollipop.”

A graduate of Dobyns Bennett High School, with a little college under his belt, Justin was all about his art and making a living being an artist from the start. “I did a few paintings and had them in a few galleries, but I just wasn’t into doing the same tired old landscapes and things that so many people seem to want. My paintings were more unconventional, and didn’t sell well. Then I met Orrin Hurley, who first peeped me to tattooing for a living and I haven’t looked back since.”

Well, Justin, I would say you made the right choice and the galleries loss is our gain, Homes. I’m sure our readers here at Tattoo Blog would agree.

Justin tattoos by appointment only and can be found laying ink at:
Ink Revolution Tattoo
2309 Fort Henry  Dr.
Kingsport, TN
(423) 288-8286

Give him a call if your looking for a great tattoo, a great tattooing experience, or that special custom piece that will knock someone’s eyes out and make ‘em drool with envy. 😉

Keep “Em Flyin’, Bro! And thanks for the chance to interview you, it was killer.

Peace out, Gang!

All images ©Justin Page. All rights reserved.

It was reported in the United Kingdom that the abusive, and pedophilic, step father of Baby P, who is serving a life sentence for not only raping a two year old, but allowing or causing the death of Baby P, has received a number of death threats from fellow inmates. This has caused the prison chiefs to move him for his safety.

Now, what is getting my goat about this is that he has had to be moved not because he killed a toddler, nor because he raped a two year old. He had to be moved because of a tattoo! What the Fuck?!

Maybe it’s just me, but things like this make me think that human intelligence is quickly becoming an oxymoron. There was a time when a slime ball like that would have to be put in protective custody right from the start. Mostly because even the worst inmate would have happily tore the sick bastard apart on sight. Not this time it seems.

So what has the other inmates so up in arms that they would kill him over a tattoo instead of a crime so hideous the bastard deserves to be left in the general population? What tattoo could possibly be more sickening than the fucker’s crime?

A tattoo that pays tribute to Combat 18 – said to be the “armed wing” of the racist Blood & Honor group. That’s right, a racist tattoo.

Now I’m not saying that Nazi, Aryan tattoos, or any type of racist markings are in any way a good thing. But, come on!!! A tattooed piece of racist propaganda is a worse offence than child murder and rape??!! Since when? A silly idea that’s made into a tattoo which shows someone’s complete ignorance is giving more offence than an actual crime of the lowest kind any human being, (and I use that term very loosely), can sink to.

Where the Hell has our value system gone?

Debbi Franchi is the founder of New Jersey based E-commerce company, I Do Tattoo.  As far as temporary tattoos go, I think that Franchi just may have hit something big.

By combining tattoo and a line from the old superstitious bride-to-be rule of having something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue on their possession while getting married, two highly profitable worlds come together.
  

The idea as it were, is what this article calls a “custom designed by a specialty artist”, blue temporary tattoo.  A quick trip to the company’s website however, reveals that by “custom designed”, they actually mean that everyone chooses from the same 8, cheesy looking, blue tattoos.  (Samples of which, incidentally, can be seen to the right and left.)  

Personally I think that it would be way cooler if I Do Tattoo actually did do custom designs for the brides.  Come on, I Do Tattoo, would you just think of all the lovely brides on their special day? 

I can however, foresee this being popular.  I mean, being a bride isn’t exactly my area of expertise, but I do know that they (brides) like to look nice on their wedding day and apparently they have to have something blue as well, so, you know, they can kind of kill two birds with one stone here.

Still, I can’t help but think how much popular these would be if they were marketed by a real tattoo artist, who could custom design exactly what was requested by the ladies…