Onko Chishin – Japanese Tattoo Documentary

In this documentary we follow Dutch tattoo artist Rob Admiraal on his trip to Japan where he goes to have a huge dragon tattoo on his back finished, do some tattooing himself and visit other leading Japanese tattooists.

Onko Chishin (Complete with ENG subs) from rodgezooi on Vimeo.

Admiraal gives us a guided tour of Japanese tattooing and explains how traditional art and modern, Western influences each play their part in what tattoo in Japan has become today. He also talks about his personal tastes and preferences and does not hesitate to go deeper into more theoretical aspects of the art, such as the balance between representation and abstraction, typical for Oriental art.

An intriguing scene in the documentary is that in which Admiraal gets the very last part of his huge tattoo done: the eyes of the dragon, which will “bring it to life”. It is nice to see how this Dutch fellow at the same time acknowledges the importance of this almost magical gesture but also stays clear-headed and never seems to get carried away by all the “Orientalism” in which he is surrounded. I don’t know the guy, but I already like him…

The film was made by Rogier Postma.

Sacred Skin : An exploration of Thailand's sak yant tattoo culture

Almost like a cartographic reference to ancient wisdom, the ink on the man’s body stands out in dramatic detail on the monochromatic image on the cover of “Sacred Skin: Thailand’s Spirit Tattoos.”

His skin has been transformed into a magical canvas, a manifestation of his faith, on which archaic geometrical patterns interspersed with ancient script, Buddhist iconography, deities from the Hindu pantheon, heavenly creatures and earthly animals are woven into a primeval codex designed to protect the wearer from accidents, misfortune and crime.

It is this sacred Thai tattoo tradition, sak yant, that is the focus of writer Tom Vater and his photographer wife Aroon Thaewchatturat’s new collaboration in print.

Sacred Skin is“the first book that looks comprehensively at a really important aspect of Thai culture that most foreigners know absolutely nothing about,” says Tom, who has published non-fiction books and travel guides and co-written a number of documentary screenplays for European television.

"Sacred Skin" is an introduction to Thailand's spirit tattoos, highlighting the men and women who make them come alive on their skin.

Aroon, an assignment and stock photographer around Asia since 2004, has shot three photo books.

In 2005, she won an Emmy for her role as associate producer on "The Sea Gypsies," a documentary on the plight of Thailand’s Moken sea nomads in the wake of the 2004 tsunami.

Here the two of them talk about their latest project.

How did the idea for this book develop?

Aroon: In 2003, we attended the annual tattoo festival at Wat Bang Phra and Tom wrote about it for the “Fortean Times.”

Tom: We kept returning and in 2009 we approached a Hong Kong-based publisher.

What is the origin of sak yant?

Tom: Most of these signs come from India. In the 4th century, India was ruled by the Buddhist Emperor Ashoka who sent missionaries out to spread the religion.

Worried, the Hindus in turn dispatched Brahmins, who were already using sacred yantra (mystical diagrams) on cloth and metal as protective symbols.

And in Southeast Asia, it got transferred from cloth to skin.

Zhou Daguan, a Chinese diplomat at the court of Angkor in the 13th century noted that the kings of Angkor had metal yantras inserted under their skin. So already 1,000 years ago this was in use in Cambodia and most likely in Thailand too.

We also found yants of tribal origin. So it’s a whole amalgamation of different religious and esoteric beliefs.

"Koy is a 23 year old chef in her parents’ restaurant," says Tom. "When her sister was abused by her husband, Koy attacked her brother in law and paralyzed him. She feels that the warrior yant and a tiger yant on her back enabled her to defend her sister."

Why get a sak yant?

Tom: The wearers believe that it stops bullets or knives and has miraculous effects. Perhaps, those who wear sak yant have a need to stop bullets and knives as it turns out that some are quite shady.

But in order to get the tattoos and for them to work, you have to follow a set of rules the tattoo master gives you. A lot of the advice is commonsense: to stop taking drugs, or getting drunk.

A shop-owner who wants to attract new customers will be told to be polite and friendly.

You follow these rules, your life will improve a bit, and you might think that these tattoos are really working; they are in a way. As one master said, sak yant is a powerful reminder to stay on the right path. The vast majority who have sak yant for the moment are working class, though many get done in oil to escape the stigma.

Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, all peddle certain rather unlikely truths, so, why not believe in the power of a ancient diagram?

How does one become a tattoo master?

Aroon: You cannot just set up a sak yant studio. You have to find a master, study and learn the mantras.

First he will allow you to tattoo junior devotees, then at a ceremony he will put a "risi" mask on you, making you a master.

Tom: It would take years to learn, not just the tattoo technique but the mantras that are chanted while it is being done.

The writing on the skin is Pali, an old Indian language, and the earliest liturgical language of Buddhism.

But when they tattoo they transliterate from Pali into Khom, an old Cambodian alphabet, so what you read is Pali but written in Khom.

To make each yant unique so that it can’t be copied, they switch the letters around. It’s like a copyright, the master’s signature.

"25 year old Yod is the son of shaman and grew up in a spiritual environment," says Tom. "He feels destined to wear sacred tattoos."

Your biggest challenge?

Tom: Getting these people to trust us and gaining access to them as some of them have been burned by sensationalist TV and tabloid journalism.

An interesting anecdote you came across?

Tom: A petite 23-year-old cook had an amazing story to tell. Her brother-in-law got involved in some shady business and she went with her sister to get him home.

At the meeting he began hitting his wife, at which point this girl bit his shoulder and tore out a part, paralysing him. She believes that her tiger yant took over, giving her superhuman strength.

Her tattoo master told her that though it had worked, she shouldn’t overestimate its power. He told us that when she got the tiger tattoo on her back, she went into a khong khuen (trance) and even four guys couldn’t hold her down.

Aroon:Her brother-in-law returned home and became a nice quiet guy.

What do you think about the Ministry of Culture’s decision to crack down on religious tattoos?

Tom: We assume that the ministry is largely concerned with what commercial tattoo studios do. This might not have anything to do with sak yant, as such.

That said, the ministry would be better off educating people about sacred tattoos than trying to ban all sorts of things considered un-Thai or bashing foreigners; many Thais also wear commercial religious tattoos.

It is a storm in an inkpot; perhaps the relevant authorities need to look active prior to the upcoming elections.

The movie "Hangover II" is grossly insensitive to religious sensibilities, but I don’t see the authorities complaining about it.

Tattoo Artist Dee Dee Seruga

Dee Dee Seruga works on the beginning stages of Ty Remondelli's tattoo sleeve. This appointment was scheduled well in advance; requiring research and custom artwork by Seruga. Remondelli says of his custom-made "Killer Clowns from Outer Space" tattoo: "I'm into horror movies. It's both parts of me; dark and comedic." When he viewed Seruga's original sketches, he said with a smile, "It was more than I expected."

Even if you would never walk into a tattoo shop, most of us have some fascination with the whole concept of tattooing and the artistry behind a brilliantly administered tattoo.

Yet not so long ago, tattoos were considered badges of honor only suitable for sailors, soldiers and bikers.

That stereotype is changing as cultures embrace the idea of tattooing to express individuality.

And more than ever, the tattoo artist's signature artistry comes through, displayed on the canvas of human skin.

Tattooing is an art form, practiced by artists who have mastered the same skill set as graduates from art institutions. Dee Dee Seruga and Michelle Gallo both studied art and have extensive resumes in their field, 15 and 19 years of experience, respectively.

Each can document lists of happy customers who often wait a month or more to get in for an appointment.

They work together at Requiem Body Art in Spring Hill, a Northcliffe Boulevard studio where there is much more going on than simple "skin poking." The prep stages are far lengthier than one might expect, depending on the size and detail of each tattoo.

Inside the artfully decorated building, Seruga is busy transposing her sketches for a customer who would begin his first session toward receiving a full sleeve later that afternoon.

After determining the customer's vision, based on the movie "Killer Clowns from Outer Space," Segura started researching. "I'd never seen the movie," she said. She borrowed the DVD and watched it, sketching images while pausing the frames, and then copying them on a thermal fax that creates the stencils.

She had a handful of images she'd later tattoo onto the customer's arm.

The first session was expected to take at least nine hours, Seruga said, which isn't at all uncommon, especially for a sleeve. Most take a minimum of 30 hours, broken up into smaller sessions over time.

Custom tattooing is what Requiem Body Art does. Rarely does a customer opt for a stock tattoo.

More typically, they will describe what they want and Seruga or Gallo will draft the images. Each tattoo, then, becomes unique and an expression of both the artist and the individual.

"We try and get a good concept of what the customer wants before we draw for them," Gallo explained.

Samples of their work are displayed in portfolios, available for browsing. Many of the images preserve a memory, express a symbolic icon or immortalize a family member.

Tattoos are permanent; both Seruga and Gallo stress the decision shouldn't be entertained lightly. While options do exist for tattoo removal, the process is typically painful and costly.

Sometimes the best option for an unwanted tattoo is to cover it or blend it into a brand new image.

In fact, Gallo is working with a customer who had two layering attempts done to remove a stock tattoo that was applied in the '80s. Gallo is creating all new artwork and the customer will be a recurrent visitor as the process is completed.

Requiem's customer base is largely compiled of repeaters who, as Seruga puts it, "collect art." Others come from referrals through very satisfied clientele.

"They become walking billboards for us," Seruga said.

Gallo is also very involved in areola repigmentation, or nipple tattooing, which follows breast reconstruction in mastectomy patients. Her artistic skills allow Gallo to make a positive and emotional impact.

Paul Kriner rounds out the team as Requiem's only body piercer. The art of body piercing doesn't require as much prep work. Often a customer can just walk in and receive a piercing on the spot.

Make no mistake; Kriner is truly an artist in his field with an extensive 10-year resume and membership in the Association of Professional Piercers (safepiercing.org).

Kriner's demeanor is calming yet informative as he guides his customers through the process with an almost methodic tone.

Karina Wroble had her septum, the soft tissue between her nostrils, pierced. Hesitant at first because she wanted the piercing to be discreet, Kriner eased her concerns by demonstrating how the jewelry could be "tucked away" any time she wanted it hidden. She left very pleased with the process.

Ty Remondelli, 18, who was receiving the first step in his tattoo sleeve, was visibly impressed with Seruga's sketches. He'd been tattooed before, on his chest, so he wasn't expecting a pain-free experience. Still, he was surprised at how little it hurt compared to his first tattoo.

"It was like an ant bite," Remondelli said.

Gallo explained that the level of pain is variable in different people.

After a few hours it tends to get a little worse depending on the individual's pain tolerance.

The studio is cozy, well-maintained and clean. Every health precaution against infection has been addressed.

Requiem Body Art also adapts certain fundamental boundaries including age requirements on both tattooing and piercing.

"We don't tattoo anyone under 18 here," Gallo said. The minimum age for piercings is 15 with parental consent. The artists will decline any job they don't feel comfortable with, including certain images that might be deemed offensive.

To satisfy a longtime curiosity, I went "under the needle" for my first tattoo. Gallo tattooed a stock image, the autism symbol embraced in a heart, on my left ankle.

The process took less than an hour, and was, surprisingly, a very stress-relieving experience.

For me, the "anticipation" of the pain was much worse than the reality.

But my expectations of the ending result were far exceeded.

I will display my passion proudly as I plan for a return visit.

"We do a good job and people are drawn in because of the job we do," Kriner said.


Sources
La Sumisa
Kim Dane
Hernando Today


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Last Rites Announcement

Last Rites Reborn!

Join us to celebrate
July 22nd through 24th


Last Rites is proud to announce a very exciting point in its evolution. We are now becoming more of a destination than ever before as we are now undergoing a major makeover. We are literally gutting our space, knocking down almost every wall and rebuilding from the ground up.

Not only will we be expanding our overall square footage, but we are flipping the entire layout altogether and giving Last Rites Gallery utmost prominence and increased space for a better viewing experience. And of course, the Last Rites Tattoo Theatre's new set design will surely take the client’s experience to new dark realms like never before.

Aside from a more elegant dark décor throughout, Paul is adding some new surprises that are sure to inspire even the most unsuspecting guest. The all new Last Rites will truly live up to the commitment of furthering it's notoriously dark and haunting yet equally warm and inviting atmosphere that makes it so unique. Last Rites is and always will be a true sanctuary for all that share a like-minded appreciation for art that originates from the dark side of the human condition.

As Last Rites steps boldly across this threshold, One can expect to see a greater focus on support for our familiars in the art community with the development of painting and tattoo seminars from notable artists, live painting events and gatherings, artist roundtable discussions, a completely new and innovative online community and of course, let's not forget those surprises we mentioned!

Join us in celebrating this new era for Last Rites
The Grand Reincarnation Weekend

Friday July 22nd
Chet Zar and Craig LaRotonda Opening Reception
~ The inaugural exhibition for the all new Last Rites Gallery ~

Saturday, July 23rd
Unveiling Party for the all new Tattoo Theatre.
~ Come help us launch the new Last Rites ~

Entertainment, refreshments, giveaways, prizes and more!

Sunday, July 24th
Live painting sessions throughout the day.
~ With the Last Rites family of artists (artists TBA) ~

Watch master painters bring their works to life!


Please stay tuned for more details & announcements.

Last Rites is located at 511 West 33rd Street - suite 3N | NY, NY 10001


Sources
La Sumisa
Last Rites


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Pramod K. - Tattoo Artist

This may well be called Kochi Ink. For those of you who have drooled at the many tattoos and tattooists on Miami Ink or LA Ink, and yearn to ink your self, Black Art is your chance.

Black Art is a Panampilly Nagar-based tattoo studio run by Pramod K. Is tattooing all that popular here? If that's what you are thinking, then Pramod's answer is a resounding yes!

The Unseen factor

So your next question should be - How come we don't see anyone sporting tattoos except maybe the ‘odd' actress? That's because most people get tattoos where people cannot see them and according to him, the most unlikely of people sport tattoos. And we've just got to take his word for it because he runs two tattoo studios in the city, and has an experience of around six years in the business.

A trained graphic designer, Pramod stumbled on to tattooing. A six-month course in Malaysia and he was ready to ‘ink', and the logical choice was setting up a tattoo shop in Fort Kochi, given the traffic of overseas tourists. That was six years back. Black Art is his second tattoo studio.

Getting a tattoo is not as simple as bracing yourself for the pain (that is of course there). Clarity is one and being of voting age is important. One cannot get a tattoo juts like that. It is like on Miami/LA Ink, a tattoo is the result of discussions between Pramod and prospective ‘tattoo-ee'. “There has to be clarity; for both parties involved. The design and dimensions are put down on paper, and shown to the client. Only then do we proceed.” Every aspect is worked down to the last minute detail. “It avoids hassles later, of all kinds,” Pramod says, with a laugh. A tattoo is forever…because getting it off is tough and expensive.

Tattoo is personal art which in the past was associated with deviant or socially unacceptable behaviour. There are some who frown upon tattoos, but it is generally acceptable. “Families come together even if it is just one member (usually male) getting a tattoo. It has to be okayed by all families before the design gets a go ahead.” And inevitably another member gets a tattoo as well, ‘but that's generally married couples.'

Very personal

Personal iconography – images or symbols that are important to a person find expression through tattoos. For instance religious icons (Ganesha is popular) or symbols or images associated with love (sweetheart's name etc) and even those relating to one's profession find expression through ink. Tribal designs are popular, then there are angels, butterflies, flowers etc. By the way if you have thinning eyebrows or scars on your eyebrows you can get a tattoo and cover it up. Or if you want a beauty spot , Pramod will do that too.

The ink, Pramod says, is vegetable dyes, and these are permanent (unlike on garments where they run for their lives) since the ink is inserted on the second layer of the skin. He warns against tattoo joints, the fly by night kind, where a combination of henna and hair-dye is used as tattoo ink.

Doctors, software professionals, those working in the hospitality industry, housewives, college students….talking to Pramod it sounds like everyone's getting a tattoo. And when so many people are doing something there are bound to be stories, stories galore. Some are outright hilarious. For instance a girl who is to be married or engaged in a couple of days was brought to his studio. She had a tattoo of her now ex-boyfriend's name or initials and the parents wanted it off. In comes cover-up tattoos, meant for love gone awry and botched up tattoos.

There are many ways of getting a tattoo done, it all depends on how you look at it, literally. “When you look at it one way it will be your name, read it from another angle it will be someone else's name.” Getting tattooed is addictive, there are people who keep coming back for more.

A peek into his tattoo studio puts to rest doubts about the cleanliness and hygiene of the whole process. It would give most medical clinics a run for their money. The room where the tattoo is done is sterile and clean. He imports the equipment required for tattooing. The needles once used are destroyed and the entire machinery is then dismantled and sterilised. He even got health department officials to inspect the premises and made the minor changes they recommended.

Talking of needles, the needles are three point, five point, seven point etc. There won't be three or five needles that the tattoo artist will jab you with, these are very fine needles which the lay person will not know or doesn't need to know. The design decides how many needle points will go into you. Is it very painful? “No, just a wee bit,” says Pramod. A tattoo needs to be looked after initially, till it gets under your skin.

There are painless tattoos, which are temporary. But Pramod does not offer these off the counter. “If it is for specific purpose like a photo shoot or film shoot I will do it. Otherwise no!” How long each temporary tattoo will last depends on the skin type. Some wear off faster and some last, and… let's just say he likes peace.

Filing it all

He has a meticulous system of ‘filing' each tattoo. Each tattoo has been photographed and catalogued. “This is expensive. So some people come and get it done in instalments and I need to know the continuity, and other details about the work to avoid confusion.” A three sq. inch tattoo at Black Art costs Rs. 2,000. Then how come the man who holds forth on tattoos does not sport a single spot of ink? He says he is waiting for his tattoo Master, an expert of the Yakuza genre of tattoos, to do it for him.


Sources
La Sumisa
The Hindu


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China’s first lady of tattoo

A tattoo artist by profession, 28-year-old Zhuo, a native of Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, is perhaps the most instantly recognizable resident of Shanghai: her fluorescent green, floppy mohawk and heavily inked frame skull, neck, chest, arms and hands all covered with black tats distinguish her as a counterculture icon of sorts.

Her provocative outward appearance can best be likened to the visual antithesis of the traditional Chinese value of blending in with a faceless sea of peers and comrades. But Zhuo, or Ting as she prefers to be called, is actually a perfect example of China’s push toward modernity. Her ability to combine Chinese and Western ideals and cultural references has allowed her to pursue her individuality, while creating a burgeoning independent business.

After dropping out of Harbin Normal University’s visual arts program, bored by the mundane nature of Chinese education, Ting decided to pursue her passion for body art, accepting an apprenticeship at one of the few tattoo studios in the Heilongjiang capital.

Cutting her teeth at several local studios by studying the techniques of local artists and visitors from Beijing and Guangzhou, Ting quickly scaled the ranks to become a full-fledged tattoo artist, and opened her first shop, Wen Yi Fuxing.

It was during this time that Ting met Dylan Byrne, the man who would eventually convince her to move south and open Shanghai Tattoo. In addition to managing all day-to-day operations at their Cool Docks-based studio, Byrne is an avid fan and collector of Ting’s tattoo art, recognizing in her a unique artistic style and ability.

“Her style is [always] developing; she does her own interpretations,” says Byrne. “The way she uses negative space, background effects and textures, you know it’s done by Ting.”

Eager to grow as an artist and digest foreign influences to improve her ability, Ting, moved to Shanghai in 2006 to open her first incarnation of Shanghai Tattoo on Zizhong Lu.

Recognized by the local media and the city’s expat population, Ting was immediately given the chance to not only ink an increasing number of foreigners and learn from their tastes, desires and requests, but she also used the opportunity to study Western styles, a study that has greatly impacted her growth as an artist.

“I like European and American-style realistic tattoos, or large Asian-style tattoos,” says Ting, who has moved away from simple tattoo styles, graduating into more-advanced techniques to draw portraits. “I like [to draw] something special.”

As her business continued to grow, Ting, along with Byrne, decided to leave their comfort zone in the city’s central Luwan District and open what has become Shanghai’s premiere tattoo studio in terms of size and hygiene.

While the new, remote location in the city’s South Bund would have killed most other small businesses, Shanghai Tattoo managed to increase its customer base to the point where they’ve employed two other full-time artists to meet the demands of Ting’s busy schedule. She is generally booked up to six weeks in advance and no longer practices tribal tattooing.

In just two and a half years since the opening of Shanghai Tattoo 2.0, Zhuo Danting has become the face of Shanghai’s tattoo community.

Featured in tattoo publications around the world and regularly invited to attend some of the most prestigious tattoo conventions in the world, Ting is finally arriving at the point where she realizes that her next logical career step is to test her worth at the international level.

“The thing about Ting is she is so naturally talented I would venture to say that I have never seen someone as gifted in their trade as she is,” says Devin Gallery, a three-time customer. “Guys back home in the [United] States who have been working [as tattoo artists] for 10-plus years [aren’t] capable to do anything close to what she was doing."

While Gallery is adamant about Ting’s world-class abilities, Byrne is eager to see her take to the international stage, and currently making arrangements for Ting to show at the International London Tattoo Convention next September.

Despite this constant push to become better and bigger, Ting is collected and focused on the important things: improving as an artist.

“For the artist, the tattoo is not only a job, but also a responsibility,” explains Ting. “My tattoos are my lifelong friends ... I have deep feelings [for them]. I wouldn't know what to do without tattoos."

Sources
La Sumisa
CNNGo
Shanghai Tattoo


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Tattoo Artist Dwaine Shannon

Tattoo Artist Dwaine Shannon of Saints And Sinners in Fells Point inks a floral back piece on Baltimore resident Bonnie Mimmack at the Baltimore Tattoo Arts Convention at the Sheraton Baltimore City Center Hotel on Friday April 8, 2011. Shop worker Shawn Sapp stands in the background dispalying a back piece that Dwaine did for him last year that won the back piece category of the annual competition at the convention.

Byron Velásquez - Abstract Black NYC Tattoos

Byron Velasquez, owner of Abstract Black, is not new to tattooing. With 20+ years experience he has worked alongside some of the best artists in the industry. In the late 90's Byron had the privilege to work with Leo Zulueta who was named "the father of modern tribal tattooing" Leo has been sited as one of Byrons's main influences and it shows in his work. After relocating to NYC, Byron was in a league of his own. At that time and still today he is one of a small handful of artists who specializes in tribal. This Individuality of craft launched the opportunity for the creation of "Abstract Black NYC".

Abstract Black NYC Tattoos

The studio is intimate and the atmosphere is warm. This has brought other artists of different backgrounds and artistic styles to work alongside Byron. The shop, the art and the family continues evolve spiraling ever forward. Stories are told, art is created and lives are changed. Come in and see for yourself, be a part of our future and let's make history.

Abstract Black is located at 621E 11th St
(between Avenue B & Avenue C)
New York, NY 10009
Neighborhoods: East Village, Alphabet City
1-347-351-5223
Open: Mon-Sun 1 pm - 9 pm

www.AbstractBlackNYC.com

Tattoo Artist

Learning how to tattoo artist


Tattoos are more popular in this industry, making a career of tattoos in the United States remains a possibility for many people. An individual working alone can be seen as a tattoo artist, then you need to know first if you have a few things. In this article you will learn how to tattoo artist.




Tattoo artist is not easy to learn. And it's not for everyone. Then you do not have the raw artistic talent, perhaps, if it does not work for you. But if you are a strong aspect of art, then you may be what happened. The first step is to exercise your artistic skill. Books, classes and other artists, you can do this. Once your order form at the time it takes for the best artists, collecting parked portfolio of work. This is basically a collection of professionally collect your art you can show to potential employers.




The next step is learning how to tattoo artist is an apprentice. Apprenticeship you work for free for anyone to go and learn about internships, it is. Your internship useful knowledge about the tattoo business will give you. You can find internships by the network. I know they're capable of your friends if they ask. You can also become your student portfolio and ask them, they can reach the owner of the tattoo.




End no formal apprenticeship. Ended when a teacher or a shop owner and his disciples, ready to prepare a professional to determine the tattoo. Sometimes the contracts are signed at the beginning of the internship. Other times, teachers were able to hire you as an employee. I learned how to tattoo artist, and your other work, even his own accord to find the 10 tattoos.




Learning how to tattoo artist, like other professions, has never ended. As a moment to learn new technologies and processes from employers, colleagues, workshops, conventions and even employees. As a tattoo artist, you should always be open to learning and skills development. This will be the best way to remain successful in business. By Sarah Freeland