Tattoo Design | Tattoo Art | Tattoo Ink Books

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	A unique illustrated reference on the origins and meanings of nearly one thousand tattoo symbols that serves as a guide for choosing a personal image and provides a fascinating look at the tattoo as a work of art. Tattoos continue to move into the mainstream and grow in popularity with each passing day. For people contemplating getting a tattoo, however, the choice of images can be overwhelming. A comprehensive, informative exploration of the colorful world of tattoos, The Tattoo Encyclopedia presents concise descriptions of symbols both common and unusual and sheds light on their historic, religious, and cultural significance. Organized in a convenient A-to-Z format, cross-referenced, indexed by category, and illustrated with three hundred samples of authentic tattoo line art, this book features a stunning array of images ranging from ancient Buddhist and Chinese designs to those sported by twenty-first-century bikers. The definition of each symbol includes the widely accepted interpretation based on historical fact and cultural source, as well as various interpretations that have developed across different cultures and time periods. Whether choosing a personally significant tattoo, wanting to learn more about a symbol, or simply being interested in tattoos as a form of art and body decoration, readers will discover the richness of tattoo culture in The Tattoo Encyclopedia. Read more
	As a relatively newly tattooed woman, I have embraced the culture and am looking to learn more about it. This book showed me what it was like for women with tattoos through the ages. The book is extremely well written and researched and the photos are fabulous. If you are a woman who has tattoos or is thinking about getting one, I highly recommend this book. I work in an extremely conservative environment and was brought up to believe tattoos are evil and dirty, so I struggled with my decision to get my tattoos, but this book not only made me feel more comfortable with my decision, it helped me with new ideas for my backpiece :) Read more
	Skin Deep Magazine/ The United Kingdom's Best Selling Magazine 2002 "...clearly a shrewd observer of humanity... Madame Chinchilla tells many revealing stories from her years as a tattooist. Product Description: Revised Second signed Collector's Edition. A tattoo book on the many aspects of tattooing...Historical, Spiritual & Contemporary, Military, New Age Tribalism, Circus Sideshows, Social illustrations and tattoos, Contemporary American tattoos, modern day tribal rituals...over 100 photos...written by world famous Madame Chinchilla of Triangle Tattoo & Museum. Art With A Pulse! Read more
	The artistic versatility of tattoo artists has frequently been overshadowed by the negativity that surrounds tattooing in general. Many tattoos are made by would-be artists who copy overused designs. A perfectly tattooed body requires the skills of a professional and talented artist, who creates a unique and personal design. These designs are often inspired by one or more of the various tattoo styles of Japanese, Maori or other tribal origin. "The Sketchbook" offers the reader a selection of 80 of these unique designs by well-known and less famous, but very promising, tattoo artists from around the world. Each artist was requested to create a sketch unrestrained by commercial demands and which reflects their own personal motivations. The book is divided into two sections: the first comprises an explanation of how this collection was brought together, along with a brief illustrated overview of the history and various styles of tattooing. The second section is devoted to the artists, each sketch being accompanied by a biography and favorite quote. The concept of this book was developed by Marco Bratt, a tattoo artist from The Netherlands, and his partner, Germanborn lifestyle photographer Nancy Heimburger, who also wrote the introductory chapter. Read more
	Tattooing-- once thought of as barbaric and the preserve of the lower classes-- is now mainstream. Tattoos are worn today not only by celebrities and leading media folk, but also by an increasing number of people in the street. Displayed proudly or hidden discreetly, tattoos are a permanent expression of individuality, and tattooing has finally emerged from the backstreet parlour to become high fashion. TATTOO contains over 65 superb color and black-and-white photographs specially taken for this book. Award-winning photographer Dale Durfee has persuaded a variety of people from every walk of life to show their tattoos. Here she presents the very best examples, some in high-detail close-up and others covering the whole body in spectacular style. Every aspect and type of tattoo is included, from delicate and beautiful flowers and rock 'n' roll icons, to Buddhist prayer symbols and interwoven Celtic designs of great simplicity and power. All the models share a refreshing open attitude and display their tattoos for the camera with warmth and spontaneity. Some have described the significance of their designs, why they were chosen and what the tattoo means to them. With amazing designs, remarkable people and some practical guidance on getting your first design, TATTOO is an inspiring and entertaining collection of body art-- the ultimate celebration of one of the world's oldest forms of body decoration. Read more
	Seriously, this book is much more fun to read than use as a doorstop, but that is an accurate reference to its very thick size! Amsterdam tattooist Henk Schiffmacher has collected material from far and wide within the tattoo scene for this comprehensive volume. Drawn flash and photographic images date back as far as the late 19th century, covering material from Europe and England to the distant Pacific islands. Modern tribal and post-modern colorways from the US and UK are also well represented. Black and white as well as color images cram each page. A good foundation to any tattoo library. Tattooists would do well to keep a copy around the shop to keep indecisive clientele busy. Read more
	The Tattoo History Source Book is an exhaustingly thorough, lavishly illustrated collection of historical records of tattooing throughout the world, from ancient times to the present. Collected together in one place, for the first time, are texts by explorers, journalists, physicians, psychiatrists, anthropologists, scholars, novelists, criminologists, and tattoo artists. A brief essay by Gilbert sets each chapter in an historical context. Topics covered include the first written records of tattooing by Greek and Roman authors; the dispersal of tattoo designs and techniques throughout Polynesia; the discovery of Polynesian tattooing by European explorers; Japanese tattooing; the first 19th-century European and American tattoo artists; tattooed British royalty; the invention of the tattooing machine; and tattooing in the circus. The anthology concludes with essays by four prominent contemporary tattoo artists: Tricia Allen, Chuck Eldridge, Lyle Tuttle, and Don Ed Hardy. The references at the end of each section will provide an introduction to the extensive literature that has been inspired by the ancient-but-neglected art of tattooing. Because of its broad historical context, The Tattoo History Source Book will be of interest to the general reader as well as art historians, tattoo fans, neurasthenics, hebephrenics, and cyclothemics. Read more
	I must start by saying that I am considerably disappointed with this book. The author spends a lot of time boasting about being a "tattooed Jew", tooting her own horn for organizing a tattoo convention in New York, and talking about how "tattooed people are ok!" and "bikers are just like everyone else". There is definately too much chatter and not enough information. The list of tattoo studios in the back of the book is not a very good resource, as the information there is highly likely to change, such as addresses and phone numbers. There are a lot of black and white photos, not "many in color!" as the back of the book claims, and most of the pictures can be found in any number of other books on the subject. The book was inexpensive, and may provide some insight into tattooing in New York, but it lacks substance and isnt worth much more than a quick read. Read more
	Excellent book. It takes you back to a different era, when tattoo shops were only on the rough side of town, and the tattooers were salty old dogs who took no guff from anyone. Full of humor in the recollections of many well respected old-timers. Very interesting to see the slight differences in recollection, by the subjects' memories of things that happened. Excellent prints of traditional flash and old photos. Professional tattooing in the US began with Martin Hilderbrandt in NYC in the 1840s. This book tells the story of such NYC artists as the Moskowitz Brothers, Brooklyn Blackie, Huck Spaulding and more. Read more
	In recent years, appreciation for tattoo art has soared, from the discovery of a 5000 year-old tattooed mummy to its acceptance within an art world increasingly intertwined with pop culture. Determined to be a tattoo artist at the age of ten and tattooing professionally since 1967, California native Don Ed Hardy has become one of the world's leading tattoo artists. Inspired by traditional Japanese work, he was instrumental in developing the medium's fine art potential and fueling the late-century international tattoo boom. Tattooing the Invisible Man presents a survey of Hardy's paintings, etchings, lithographs, drawings, photographs, and elaborate tattoos, over 500 color illustrations, most never before published. Chronicling a uniquely extreme self-expression that encompasses Asian aesthetics, Western art history, surfing, hot rod art, and California funk, this exhibition catalogue will appeal to a wide-ranging audience, and will be an important addition to the printed history of the tattoo. Read more
	In Gangs And Their Tattoos: Identifying Gangbangers On The Street And In Prison, Bill Valentine draws upon his twenty years of experience as a line office for the Nevada Department of Prisons to create an informed and informative reference presenting an overview of street and prison gangs, including their history, structure and common tactics, as well as their 'official' codes of conduct. Also included are street and prison gang signs, code words, and most especially, their various skin tattoos associated as associated with each gang. Illustrations, sketches, and photographs vividly show sample gang tattoos, while the text carefully notes the origin of the most common symbols. Gangs And Their Tattoos is an accurate and very strongly recommended reference for law enforcement, sociologists, youth workers, and anyone else with an personal or professional interest in contemporary gang cultures in or out of prison. Read more