Tattoo Art Galleries

Tattoo art has become extremely popular in the past few years. Research shows that North America alone has over 45 million people who have one or more tattoos. Due to this ever-increasing popularity of tattoos, tattoo art galleries have also come into tremendous form. These galleries display all kinds of tattoo designs, both ancient and modern, which help to understand the meaning behind this body art that is inked into skin. The art of tattooing is said to have originated from various tribes and most of the tattoo art galleries highlight the amazing history, powerful rituals and extraordinary social significance of tribal tattooing in many different cultures of the world. Some of these galleries go back to the history of tattoos by displaying the work of various old masters of the tattoo craft.

Some of the tattoo art galleries can also be called as photo galleries as they showcase photos of the fine ink work of various popular tattoo artists on Hollywood stars such as Thomas Lockhart, Christina Ricci, Chassity Ebony, Nikki Miller and others. Hence, along with showcasing tattoo art, these art galleries also highlight some of the top photographers for their fascinating and varied interpretations and visions of tattoos and their culture. Each photographer has a unique perspective and hence, the model is the main focus in some photos whereas the tattoo is in the others. The settings of every photo also differ from each other, as they display both ordinary as well as extraordinary settings. The tattoos applied by people today are very different from the ones showcased in tattoo art galleries. The tattoos that people have done today barely resemble the tattoo art that was found in the jungles and ancient civilizations of Southeast Asia and the South Pacific.

Though tattoo art galleries also highlight modern tattoo designs, the goal of most of these galleries is to celebrate the ancient art form of tattooing and its old practitioners. These galleries bring the works of various tattoo artists together and also help to understand the origin of the tattoo art.

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Tattoos - Which Tattoo Designs are Most Popular?

What are the Most Popular Tattoo Designs?

Tribal Tattoos - Tribal tattoo designs have been around for hundreds of years and are becoming more and more complex and constantly evolving and morphing into what has become known as neo tribal tattoo styles. Tribal tattoos can be traditional 'black work' on the arms and legs or more colorful styles characterised by the 'Modern Primitive' look covering the entire body.

'Old School' Style Tattoos - Anchors and swallows seem to be making a comeback and not just amongst old sailors and bikers. A lot of females are asking for tattoos of swallows and anchors on their neck and chest while many guys are going for the ol' sailor Jerry tattoos on their forearms. This style is further fueled by the 1950's revival characterised by retro vixens such as the Suicide Girls.

Lower Back Tattoos - These are a perennial favorite particularly amongst females. The most popular lower back tattoos are still tribal designs but dragons, lotus flowers and eastern symbolism seems to be popular as well.

Dragon Tattoos - Dragon tattoo designs are another style of tattoo that seems to be enjoying a revival. There are so many styles of dragons from the traditional chinese dragon tattoo to more mythical dragons.

Celtic Tattoos - Celtic tattoos are being done on people with a celtic heritage but also by many people with no celtic origin. Some of the celtic symbols are universal in nature and have universal meanings common to all races. This may explain why celtic tattoos are being mixed with tribal tattoos creating a style of tattoo known as tribal celtic tattoos.

Tips for Getting Tattoos

Choose your tattoo carefully. Don't go for some off the wall 'flash' tattoo. A good tattoo artist is capable of doing 'custom work'.

Try not mix different tattoo styles such as Japanese and Tribal styles. It doesn't work!

Go to a reputable tattoo artist not some backstreet 'scratcher' who is cheap but you will inevitably regret later. Build a relationship with the tattoo artist if you plan of getting a lot of tattoos.

Take proper care especially of newer tattoos. In summer many people get tattooed and can't wait to flash their tattoos in public. Be careful that you do not expose your new tattoos to too much sun which will fade them. Use plenty of sunscreen to avoid them fading prematurely.

Celtic Butterfly Tattoos - Cool, Colorful, & Symbolic

The legend of Etain was the inspiration for numerous Celtic butterfly tattoos. This legend is a story that symbolizes love, treachery and transformation.

Celtic butterfly tattoos are attractive, colorful and very distinctive. Although these tattoo designs are generally more favored by women, there are some men who also get fascinated by the versatility of this design. It is for this reason that the Celtic butterfly tattoo is usually incorporated in a lot of tattoo themes and designs among both men and women. In fact, it is a relatively common concept in tattoo art. It looks good whether it is worn alone or used as an add-on.

There are many ways in which the Celtic butterfly tattoo can be enhanced and styled. In fact, Celts are popular for a lot of knot work designs. This is because knots are symbolisms of the continuity of the life cycle. The Celtic butterfly tattoo can be done by forming the knots to form the image of a butterfly.

Celtic butterflies also symbolize resurrection or life after death. For some, they symbolize metamorphosis and beautiful transformation or change. However, in Ireland, butterflies also symbolize dead souls waiting to enter the purgatory.

In the world of tattoo art, Celtic butterfly tattoos symbolize the positive aspects of life such as grace and peace contrary to other people's beliefs which associate butterfly with death and rebirth. These symbolisms only add up to the beauty and mystery of the butterfly design. People can never guess exactly what it means to the person wearing it.

One good thing about the Celtic butterfly tattoo is its beauty and diversity. You can experiment well with its colors and shape. Its versatility makes it suitable in any part of the body. The lower back and a small area behind the shoulder, along one side of the upper back are popular spots for this tattoo design.

Many women are drawn by the beauty and symbolic nature of the Celtic butterfly tattoo. It is suitable for every person's unique personality and beliefs. Moreover, it also signifies the beauty and freedom of life. Open-winged Celtic butterfly tattoos are more common and popular than the close-winged designs.

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Tattoo Ideas For Girls

Tattoos have grown in popularity over the past 10 years. The idea that tattoos are rebellious, shocking or reflect a girls moral character have dissolved. The popularity of tattoos has increased and so has their acceptance. This is due largely to an increase in celebrities happily sporting them. It is estimated that thirty six percent of those ages 18 to 25 have at least one tattoo and forty percent of people ages 26 to 40 have at least one tattoo. With that being said it is still true that more men than women have tattoos.

Tattoos for girls are typically more feminine in nature. They are generally smaller and more delicate with thinner lines and are usually isolated to one or two parts of the body. Almost like accessories or accent pieces. The most popular spot for girls to get tattoos are the lower back, left shoulder, ankle, upper breast or bikini area. The lower back is a popular spot because it is not always shown but can be flashed. The shoulder is also a sought after spot. The left shoulder is traditionally known as the feminine shoulder and a tattoo there can be a great accent when wearing tank tops or halter tops. Ankle tattoos are cute and many girls are now getting tattoos on the top of the foot or small delicate ones on their toes. They are a great accent when wearing sandals or flip-flops. Like the lower back tattoo, tattoos on the upper breast or bikini area can be hidden.

Some tattoo ideas for girls that are feminine and have a long history include: sun, flower, angel wings, fairy, star, butterfly, Celtic and Zodiac symbols, dolphin, rose, and heart. Although traditional, these tattoo ideas are always unique by meaning to the person wearing them, and most tattoo artists are happy to create a one-of-a-kind design.

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Lower Back Tattoos

Tattoos have become extremely popular due to a variety of reasons. Two big choices to make when getting a tattoo is what type of design you would like along with what part of your body you want the tattoo located on. For women, a very popular choice is lower back tattoos. Lower back tattoos are usually chosen for a variety of reasons, often because it's one of the more sensual areas women can choose from. This particular location is easy to cover up if needed.

It is simply a fact that there usually is some point in time when a tattoo may not be appropriate, so having the option to simply cover the tattoo up with clothing is a big plus. This basically gives women the option to show off their tattoo whenever they choose.

The most common lower back tattoos are located around the waist line, but there are variations depending on the type of design a women chooses to have. Some of the more elaborate designs will rise up towards the middle of the back, while other designs such as small butterfly tattoos, flower tattoo designs, or tribal tattoo designs can be limited to the lower back area. Choosing to have your tattoo across the lower back offers a great deal of flexibility when it comes to picking out your design. Because of the area that you can cover, just about any type of design will work out well. Fantasy art tattoos such as dragons or angels are also popular designs that are chosen.

If this is your first tattoo, always remember to choose your designs wisely. Getting a tattoo is an important decision, simply because you will want to choose a design that you'll enjoy for a really long time. Some people will choose a tattoo based on it's meaning, more than a design, however this cannot be said for all. It's a wise decision to keep an open mind and take some time to explore your options and find the tattoo that is right for you.

Talking with professional tattoo artists and tattoo enthusiasts may help you with a decision when picking out your tattoos. Although they can offer advice, the decision is ultimately yours. Weighing out the options that are best for you will be the most important when it comes time to actually getting your tattoo. Luckily there are plenty of people that are ready and willing to help you out with choosing that tattoo designs that are right for you.

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Tattoo Body Art Design Ideas

You are dealing with something that will stay with you for the rest of your life it would only make sense to give this a lot of care and attention. You should do a lot of research on what you want and why you want it because tattoo body art designs should mean something and you should be proud of your tattoos/body art.

Interests When choosing a tattoo body art design you need to think about getting one that shows your interests. This will make the tattoo more personalized and show everyone what you are interested in. Make sure it is something you have been in for a while not a interest you just got into remember this body art is for a lifetime not a month or two.

Symbolism When you pick a symbol be sure you know what it means because the same symbol will not have the same meaning to everyone so do a little research and make sure you know what it means if you are happy with it.

Location The placement of a tattoo image affects its meaning not to mention its aesthetic quality. The placement of your tattoo will add to its meaning and have an effect on the design. Some tattoo body art designs are meant to be secret for many reasons so you would put the tattoo in a non easily visible place to only be shared with whom you chose.

Looks The main reason people get tattoos is so they can show them off to all of their friends. So do a little research and find the best designs you can so you can either use the one you found or combine one or two designs to get the tattoo body art design you want. There are a look of good places to go on the web to find quality designs

Selecting A Thigh Tattoo or Leg Tattoo Design - Artwork That Fits

Choosing a thigh tattoo or even a leg tattoo in general can be a pain. There are countless designs and artwork to choose from, but you must be careful which art piece you choose.

I assume that you already know the general area where you would like your leg tattoo. Whether it is on your calf, or it happens to be a nice thigh tattoo, you will want to find exactly what will look good on your particular body. Most of the random images on websites or Google will not be a good choice, because they were not actually drawn to be a thigh tattoo or even a leg tattoo.

The size and shape of your ultimate tattoo choice will limit where you can place the design. There are literally thousands of options for placement of a leg tattoo, so even if your search takes a while, it will not be in vain.

The best thing about choosing a thigh tattoo, or any leg tattoo, is that they are very easy to hide. But, you can also really show them off if you want to, because a leg tattoo tend to stand out when it is visible. Depending on the pants, or for women, a skirt, you can do just about anything you want with a leg tattoo.

Another great advantage of getting a thigh tattoo or leg tattoo is that they have a long life. First, they do not see the sun very often, unlike other places on your body. It is also a good choice because that part of your body does not bend very much, if at all. You may not have known, but bending is a very key thing to the life of a tattoo, which a thigh tattoo seems to avoid thankfully. Lots of bending and folding will create a "blending" effect on your artwork. If you have ever seen a blurry tattoo in somebody, now you know why. With a thigh tattoo or leg tattoo, you do not need to worry about this.

Another plus about getting a tight tattoo or leg tattoo is that they are very easy for your artist to draw and sketch. This is because there are not many contours and curves on this area of your body. A semi-flat surface for your artist means that you are going to get their best work. It will also take much less time to complete, which your body will appreciate! Wit ha thigh tattoo or leg tattoo you can get twice the amount of artwork done and it will cost you the same price as a smaller tattoo on another part of your body.

Now we come to the different places to find quality thigh tattoo and leg tattoo artwork and designs. While you will be able to find random images of good leg tattoos, you have probably not been totally, 100% convinced that a certain piece of artwork is perfect for you. Don't worry, though, because this tends to happen quite a lot. There is a reason the images you are seeing are scattered all over the internet: They are either plastered on so many other people already, or they are very cheap designs and are not tattoo artist friendly, which means that if you bring that piece to your artist, he/she will have a very hard time trying to ink it onto your skin. Spending thoughtful time when selecting your thigh tattoo or leg tattoo will pay off in the end.

There are so many other great quirks about the tight tattoo and leg tattoo and you probably know most of them, which is why you are thinking about one in the first place. Spend some good, quality searching time on your search for a thigh tattoo or leg tattoo and you will be one happy tattooed person.

Armband Tattoo Design

I have seen many armband tattoo designs in my lifetime, and I am not that old! Many times, they have been tribal, Celtic, or some significant design. Like have always said, the significance of a tattoo lies specifically with the bearer of the artwork. However, there is a bit more history that many armband presenters do not realize. Sure, it is very cool looking when you have some great, sexy biceps, but the underlying meaning have again been lost in translation.

Many people who have had even the smallest education of history, are aware of the sometimes-barbaric procedures used to thwart criminals from repeating offenses. In some countries like the Middle East and Africa, such practices are still utilized. If a man is caught and convicted of rape in the Middle East, two large rocks are used like cymbals to smash around his genitalia. Gives new meaning to The Clapper, doesn’t it? (Hmm – maybe the US should look into implementing that one. Oops, I digress.)

In the early 1700’s, the Japanese decided to rid themselves of such practices as amputation of ears, nose, and fingers, and instead adopted the idea to “mark” convicted criminals. for each offense, a ring tattoo of certain significance was etched around the offender’s arm. It was not until about 1870 that the tattooing of criminals was abolished in Japan. So, for all of those thinking about (or are already sporting one) armband tattoos, you may, once again, thank the worldwide penal facilities for the idea.

Although it seems tribal designs have overtaken the armband tattoo genre, there has been almost any character or creature imaginable that has been stretched out to entwine the upper bicep. Mystical creatures like dragons, fairies, and yes, I have seen a unicorn, make up just a few I have come across in recent years. In addition, the combinations of several subjects seem to make an even more interesting and intriguing armband. Lately, I did come across a man who had added skulls to stretched-out bones, perfecting a complex maze that – from far away – looked like the average, boring tribal armband. Up close, however, the artwork was astounding!

I look forward to my husband getting a new one. He has great interest in constructing his own armband tattoo. His tastes run to more Celtic in nature, and he would like an armband of Celtic lattice design. However, within the crevices of the latticework – just here and there – he would like faces of wolves peering through the shadows of the Celtic design. As interesting as that sounds, perhaps he will change his mind when he finds out what armbands used to symbolize. Oh, he would still get the tattoo, but it may be a more significant work of art. If anything, it could look like an average tribal from afar, but up close, you could read our wedding vows finely printed around his bicep. Can anyone say, “Ball and Chain”?

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