Welcome Tattoos: March 2011

Thursday, March 31, 2011

InkFest Live Tattoo Expo Hits Chicago May 13th-15th at Rosemont Convention.

Including Top Notch Tattoo Artists Like LA Ink's Ruthless
InkFest Live, the Nations only urban influenced tattoo, graffiti and music expo invades Chicago, IL at Rosemont Convention May 13th-15th for their second stop in 2011! InkFest Live contributes their huge success to their one of a kind tattoo event matched by no other and Chicago will be no different.

InkFest Live, the Nations only urban influenced tattoo, graffiti and music expo invades Chicago, IL at Rosemont Convention May 13th-15th for their second stop in 2011. InkFest Live contributes their huge success to their one of a kind tattoo event matched by no other and Chicago will be no different. The IFL landscape will defiantly burn a lasting image in everyone's mind.

IFL is the only tattoo expo with an urban landscape that brings leading tattoo artists from around the world including LA Ink's Ruthless. Combined with graffiti demos on a huge 40ft wall, live musical performances by Chicago Native Na Palm on Friday May 13th along with Cutti Boy aka Mr. Nascar and Dead Sea Scrilla. InkFest Live doesn't stop there, as they will host DJ battles, B-Boy Battles by Poppin' Paul, Custom Cars & Bikes by Chii Racing Culture and of course what will an event be without GoGo Dancers.

Developed by industry veterans who felt it was time for a big change in the way professional tattoo artists and manufacturers of body art products display their goods. At InkFest Live attendees will mingle with top industry manufacturers, tattoo artists, vendors and celebrities. InkFest live captures the lifestyle side of the body art industry and will not fall short of anyones expectations. "I was tired of the same cookie cutter, boring tattoo events with no flavor, thus InkFest Live was born," says Jose A. Martinez Creator of InkFest Live, "I created an event for the collector to be able to choose from the best tattoo artist in world with top notch entertainment second to none." Jessica Renfro Operations Manager of InkFest Live commented "InkFest Live is the most professional tattoo expo company with a vast knowledge in the tattoo industry. InkFest Lives' professional image can be seen as soon as you go on our website and it doesn't stop there. Our top notch creative department is the best in the world along with our marketing and street team you can rest assured you will experience an event like no other." InkFest Live showcases the latest and future trends from the concrete jungle.

Tickets Available at www.inkfestlive.com or at the door
Friday $15 || Saturday $20 || Sunday $15 || Weekend Pass $35
Free Raffle Tickets to win Free Tattoos and Body Piercings with paid admission.
For more information about InkFest Live please visit their website for pictures and videos
www.InkFestLive.com
Facebook Page
www.facebook.com/inkfestlivetour
InkFest Live info(at)inkfestlive(dot)com - Toll Free 888.249.0364

InkFest Live Chicago May 13th-15th will be held at:

Donald E. Stephens Convention Center at Rosemont Convention
5555 N. River Road
Rosemont, IL 60018
www.rosemont.com

Jose Martinez
InkFest Live
888-249-0364

Source

PR Web

Monday, March 28, 2011

Snoop Dogg's Tattoo of Nate Dogg

This is exactly what I mean when I speak about getting a portrait from a reputable artist, this Ink work is amazing and easy on the eyes, you look at it and you know the person portrayed really meant something in the life of who's wearing it. When choosing an artist to do a portrait for you, keep in mind that when someone really means a lot to you, you will do your best to honor that person the best way possible. When people want a portrait they should want it to look like it is supposed to but sometimes people either get concern about a cost or simply don't do the necessary research before choosing the artist. When you go for something so meaningful like this you want the best, you want to show you really mean what you say, and you focus on keeping those memories alive forever. This is a great piece of artwork.

R.I.P. Nate Dogg

Sunday, March 27, 2011

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

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Body Modification and Cultures

It is wonderful to see how many ethnic cultures have preserved their habits, ways of living and what they believe is the right way to live. Sometimes people in what is called "civilized" countries admire the way of living of people from many parts of the world and they do fantasize of living such loving, united and pleasant life, they wished they lived a way from noise and pollution and their big desire is to live in a jungle, a tribe or perhaps a life where people respect the right of others to live. Sometimes those who complaint of not having enough money to spend on a trip forget there is people who can't afford shoes or had never wore them at all, they might not know they exist. There is people in this world who don't care about things that we think we can't live without, still they got what we wish we had.

People around the globe have their ways of living and cultural differences that make them unique and allow them to have their own identity. Having their bodies modified since an early age is common and normal, it represent status or let everyone know where they come from without saying a word, could also be a warning for those who try to get in their way. When it comes to the so called civilized world things change, many years ago, having a tattoo was taboo and would make anyone think whoever wore them was associated with criminal gangs or was an ex-con, etc. Every individual has a reason to get a tattoo and all reasons are different from each other.

People have learned to accept tattoo and body modification in a great way and it is simply because they have taken the time to educate themselves and passed it on to others. Tattoos and piercings are more common this days and people who enjoy body modification in general have moved up to new options and more things to enjoy. Many years ago it was shocking to see someone with a tongue piercing and today, anyone can just have it. Today those who want to get to a higher level or want to upgrade from a tongue piercing, simply make an incision to make it look like a snake tongue (see posting below) cause they want something new, exciting and that not everyone dares to do, people have a desire to stand out from the crowd and thats not a bad thing at all.

Some people might be shocked to see something different or unique, but if they look around and read a bit of history you will realize body modification has always been there, it is nothing new and sometimes a generation present it to the next one as something bad or wrong. We have to keep in mind that regardless of a professional career if a person have a desire to identify with a community they will do it regardless of what others might say, just because it is not visible, doesn't mean is not there.

Avoiding Tattoo Infection

TATTOOS are becoming popular, especially among young people who do not balk at having symbols or letters printed on various body parts.

Decades ago, tattoos could only be seen on outlaws, convicts, sailors or members of notorious gangs. Today, tattoos are part of body decoration.

However, you have to know first some safeguards for your protection. Remember, putting tattoo is like wounding yourself even if it is the henna type. Like any puncture or cut, having or tattoo puts you at risk for infections and disease.

Make sure you're up to date with your immunizations especially hepatitis and tetanus shots and plan where you'll get medical care if your tattoo becomes infected. To avoid problems, choose a trusted artist.

Signs of infection include excessive redness or tenderness around the tattoo, prolonged bleeding, pus, or changes in your skin color around the tattoo.

If you have a medical problem such as heart disease, allergies, diabetes, skin disorders, a condition that affects your immune system, or infections or if you are pregnant, ask your doctor if there are any special concerns you should have or precautions you should take beforehand. Also, if you're prone to getting keloids, it's probably best to avoid getting a tattoo altogether.

To make sure your tattoo heals properly:

* Keep a bandage on the area for up to 24 hours.

* Avoid touching the tattooed area and don't pick at any scabs that may form.

* Wash the tattoo with an antibacterial soap. Do not use alcohol or peroxide. They will dry out the tattoo. Use a soft towel to dry the tattoo. Just pat it dry and be sure not to rub it.

* If you don't have an allergy to antibiotic ointment, rub some into the tattoo. Don't use petroleum jelly — it may cause the tattoo to fade.

* Put an ice pack on the tattooed area if you see any redness or swelling.

* Try not to get the tattoo wet until it fully heals. Stay away from pools, hot tubs, or long, hot baths.

* Keep your tattoo away from the sun until it's fully healed.

Even after it's fully healed, a tattoo is more susceptible to the sun's rays, so it's a good idea to always keep it protected from direct sunlight. If you're outside often or hang out at the beach, it's recommended that you always wear a sunscreen with a minimum sun protection factor of 30 on the tattoo. This not only protects your skin, but keeps the tattoo from fading.

Friday, March 25, 2011

Last Rites Gallery Announcement

The staff at Last Rites Gallery, are proud to host a plethora of artists from around the planet, creating the some of the best work within the Dark Art genre. Right now our hearts go out to our friend, Japan based artist Yoko D'Holbachie, her family, and everyone who has fallen victim to the unexpected and tragic events of the earthquake and tsunami.

In lieu of these recent hardships, we are deeply touched by Yoko's contribution to our upcoming "Song Of The Sirens" group show of her uplifting painting "Goddess", and her offer to donate her share of the sale of this piece to the relief effort. In her own words: "In this painting I depicted a goddess that could save the people of Japan from the Tsunami. I hope she will rescue people in Japan, my homeland, from despair. "title: GODDESS size: 16.1 x 20.9 in chacrylic on coated wood panel (framed) $2200 USD Last Rites will also be donating the gallery portion of proceeds on this piece so that 100% of the sale cost will go toward the relief effort.

If you are interested in purchasing this featured painting, or donating otherwise toward the Tsunami relief, please contact the gallery:

Sincerely, Paul Booth & The Last Rites Team

212.560.0666

info@lastritesgallery.com

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Types of Body Modification

Sometimes It is hard for people to believe the meaning of Body Modification, but once you read this you might realize it has always been present in our lives.

Explicit ornaments

Body piercing – Permanent placement of jewelry through an artificial fistula; sometimes further modified by stretching.

Ear piercing – The most common type of body modification.

Dermal anchoring Similar to transdermal implants, giving the appearance of a small bead on the skin.

Pearling – Also known as genital beading.

Neck ring - Multiple Neck rings are worn to stretch the neck.

Scrotal implants

Eyeball tattooing – Injection of a pigment into the cornea.

Extraocular implant (eyeball jewelry) – The implantation of jewelry in the outer layer of the eye.

Surface Piercing – A surface piercing is a piercing where the entrance and exit holes are pierced through the same flat area of skin.

Microdermal implants

Transdermal implant – implantation of an object below the dermis, but which exits the skin at one or more points.

Surgical augmentation

In contrast to the explicit ornaments, the following procedures are primarily not meant to be exposed per se, but rather function to augment another part of the body, like the skin in a subdermal implant.

Breast implants – Insertion of silicone bags filled with silicone gel or saline solution into the breasts to increase their size, or to restore a more normal appearance after surgery.

Silicone injection

Subdermal implant – implantation of an object that resides entirely below the dermis, including Horn implants.

Removal or split

Hair cutting

Hair removal

Male circumcision – the partial or full removal of the foreskin, sometimes also the frenulum – conversely some men choose to take up foreskin restoration.

Female genital cutting – removal of the labia minora or the clitoral hood.

Frenectomy

Genital bisection – splitting of both the underside and the top of the penis, including Genital inversion.

Meatotomy – splitting of the underside of the glans penis.

Headsplitting – splitting of both the underside and the top of the glans penis.

Nipple removal

Nipple splitting

Nullification involves the voluntary removal of body parts.

Body parts that are removed by those practicing body nullification are for example Fingers, Penis (penectomy), Testicles (castration), Clitoris, Labia or Nipples. Sometimes people who desire a nullification may be diagnosed with body integrity identity disorder or apotemnophilia.

Subincision – splitting of the underside of the penis, also called urethrotomy.

Lingual frenectomy

Tongue splitting – bisection of the tongue similar to a snake's.

Trepanation, drilling a hole into the skull.

Applying long-term force.

Body modifications occurring as the end result of long term activities or practices.
Corsetry or tightlacing – binding of the waist and shaping of the torso.

Cranial binding – modification of the shape of infants' heads, now extremely rare.

Breast ironing – Pressing (sometimes with a heated object) the breasts of a pubescent female to prevent their growth.
Foot binding – compression of the feet of girls to modify them for aesthetic reasons.

Anal stretching

Non-surgical elongation of organs by prolonged stretching using weights or spacing devices.

Some cultural traditions prescribe for or encourage members of one sex (or both) to have one organ stretched till permanent re-dimensioning has occurred, such as: The 'giraffe-like' stretched necks (sometimes also other organs) of women among the Burmese Kayan tribe, the result of wearing brass coils around them. This compresses the collarbone and upper ribs but is not medically perilous.

It is a myth that removing the rings will cause the neck to 'flop'; Padaung women remove them regularly for cleaning etc.

Stretched lip piercings – achieved by inserting ever larger plates, such as those made of clay used by some Amazonian tribes.

Others

Branding – controlled burning or cauterizing of tissue to encourage intentional scarring.

Ear shaping (which includes Ear cropping , Ear pointing or "elfing")

Scarification – cutting or removal of dermis with the intent to encourage intentional scarring or keloiding.

Tooth filing

Bodybuilding

Controversy

The head of a man with conspicuous tattoos and other body modifications. Some sources of controversy stem from the notion of attempting to artificially beautify the natural form of the body, often leading to charges of disfigurement and mutilation. Extreme forms of body modification are occasionally viewed as symptomatic of body dysmorphic disorder, other mental illnesses, or as an expression of unchecked vanity.

Unlicensed surgery (i.e. the plastic surgery field) performed outside of a medical environment can often be life-threatening, and is illegal in most countries and states."Disfigurement" (a subjective term) and "mutilation". (regardless of any appreciation this always applies objectively whenever a bodily function is gravely diminished or lost, as with castration) are terms used by opponents of body modification to describe certain types of modifications, especially non-consensual ones. Those terms are used honestly uncontroversially to describe the victims of torture, who have endured hurt to ears, eyes, feet, genitalia, hands, noses, teeth, and/or tongues, including amputation, burning, flagellation, piercing, skinning, and wheeling.

"Genital mutilation" is also used somewhat more controversially to describe certain kinds of socially prescribed modifications to the genitals, such as circumcision, female circumcision, castration, and surgeries performed to conform the genitals of individuals with intersex conditions to those of typical males or females.

Individuals known for extensive body modification.

Rick Genest, has had his entire head and torso tattooed so as to appear like a human skeleton.

Pete Burns, had extensive polyacrylamide injections into his lips, along with cheek implants, several nose re-shapings and many tattoos.

Elaine Davidson, the "Most Pierced Woman" according to the Guinness World Records.

The Enigma

Lolo Ferrari

Julia Gnuse ("The Illustrated Lady")

Cindy Jackson, had more cosmetic surgery procedures than anyone else in the world.

Katzen ("Cat woman")

Tom Leppard, formerly considered by the Guinness Book of World Records to be the world's most tattooed man.

Erik Sprague ("The Lizardman"), with sharpened teeth, full-body tattoo of green scales, bifurcated tongue, and recently, green-inked lips.

The Scary Guy, his nose, eyebrows and ears are pierced and tattoos cover 85 percent of his body.

Lucky Diamond Rich, holds the Guinness world record as "the world's most tattooed person" as of 2006.

Hao Lulu, extensive cosmetic surgery in 2003 to alter her appearance, tagged "The Artificial Beauty".

Horace Ridler ("The Fantastic Omi"), tattooed in a pattern of curved black stripes, often described as zebra-like.

Pauly Unstoppable, the first person to get the white of their eye tattooed.

Stalking Cat ("Cat man") Stelarc, got a cell-cultivated ear implanted into his left arm.

Jocelyn Wildenstein ("Lion Queen / Cat Woman")

Fakir Musafar, having exposed himself to body piercing, tightlacing, scarification, tattooing and suspension.

Tongue Splitting

Here's a couple of videos (before and after), showing how tongue splittings is done and the after results.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Cherry Blossom Tattoo

Cherry Blossoms have many different meanings in different parts of the world, when it comes to a Tattoo it makes no exception, meaning to each individual represents something different and most of the time it tends to be something magical and positive.

Some people choose a cherry blossom flower or a tree because of their beauty, uniqueness and symbolism. Women chooses to have this flower tattooed more often than men do, it is more common to see a female with a cherry blossom flower.

Men also tend to go for that design and the good thing about it is that as simple as a single flower can enhance a tattoo and it is always a pleasure to look at. Some people choose a tree and others simply enjoy having a few flowers sprinkled here and there.

Amazing Works of Art

Sometimes a tiny detail is good enough but sometimes going over the top can be fun as well.

Monday, March 21, 2011

Rose McGowan Pin-up Girl Tattoo

Rose McGowan is an enchantingly beautiful Italian-born American actress, featured on the television series Charmed, and in movies such as Jawbreaker, Scream and Grindhouse Planet Terror.

Once upon a time, Rose McGowan had a pin-up girl tattooed on her back right shoulder blade, however she has since had the tattoo removed.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Evolution of a Corset

A corset is a garment worn to hold and shape the torso into a desired shape for aesthetic or medical purposes (either for the duration of wearing it, or with a more lasting effect). Both men and women are known to wear corsets, though women are more common wearers. In recent years, the term "corset" has also been borrowed by the fashion industry to refer to tops which, to varying degrees, mimic the look of traditional corsets without actually acting as one.

While these modern corsets and corset tops often feature lacing and/or boning and generally mimic a historical style of corsets, they have very little if any effect on the shape of the wearer's body. Genuine corsets are usually made by a corset maker and should be fitted to the individual wearer. The most common and well-known use of corsets is to slim the body and make it conform to a fashionable silhouette. For women this most frequently emphasizes a curvy figure, by reducing the waist, and thereby exaggerating the bust and hips.

However, in some periods, corsets have been worn to achieve a tubular straight-up-and-down shape, which involves minimizing the bust and hips. For men, corsets are more customarily used to slim the figure. However, there was a period from around 1820 to 1835 when a wasp-waisted figure (a small, nipped-in look to the waist) was also desirable for men; this was sometimes achieved by wearing a corset.

Note:

1) An over bust corset encloses the torso, extending from just under the arms to the hips.

2) An under bust corset begins just under the breasts and extends down to the hips. Some corsets extend over the hips and, in very rare instances, reach the knees.

A shorter kind of corset, which covers the waist area (from low on the ribs to just above the hips), is called a waist cincher.

A corset may also include garters to hold up stockings (alternatively a separate garter belt may be worn for that).

Normally a corset supports the visible dress, and spreads the pressure from large dresses, such as the crinoline and bustle. Sometimes a corset cover is used to protect outer clothes from the corset and to smooth the lines of the corset. The original corset cover was worn under the corset to provide a layer between it and the body. Corsets were not worn next to the skin, possibly due to difficulties with laundering these items during the 19th century, as they had steel boning and metal eyelets which would rust.

The corset cover would be in the form of a light chemise, made from cotton lawn or silk.People with spinal problems such as scoliosis or with internal injuries may be fitted with a form of corset in order to immobilize and protect the torso. Andy Warhol was shot in 1968 and never fully recovered, and wore a corset for the rest of his life. Aside from fashion and medical uses, corsets are also used in sexual fetishism, most notably in BDSM activities.

In BDSM, a submissive can be forced to wear a corset which would be laced very tight and give some degree of restriction to the wearer. A dominant can also wear a corset, often black, but for entirely different reasons, such as aesthetics, and to achieve a severe, armored, "unbending", commanding appearance. A very common fetish costume for women is the dominatrix costume. Usually it consists of mostly dark or even black clothing. The woman usually wears a corset or bustier and stockings with high-heeled footwear. High boots are quite common as they enhance the woman's domination.

Women in dominatrix costumes usually carry an accessory such as a whip or a riding crop. A specially designed corset, in which the breasts and vulva are left exposed can be worn during Vvanilla sex or BDSM activities. By wearing a tightly-laced corset for extended periods, known as tightlacing, men and women can learn to tolerate extreme waist constriction and eventually reduce their natural waist size.

Tightlacers dream of 16 inches (41 cm) and 17 inches (43 cm) waists, but most are satisfied with anything under 20 inches (51 cm). Some went so far that they could only breathe with the top part of their lungs. This caused the bottom part of their lungs to fill with mucus, symtoms of this include a slight but persistant cough and heavy breathing causing a heaving appearance of the bosom. Until 1998, the Guinnes Book of World Records listed Ethel Granger as having the smallest waist on record at 13 inches (33 cm). After 1998, the category changed to "smallest waist on a living person" and Cathie Jung took the title with a 15 inches (38 cm) waist.

Other women, such as Polaire, also have achieved such reductions (14 inches (36 cm) in her case). However, these are extreme cases. Corsets were and are still usually designed for support, with freedom of body movement, an important consideration in their design. Present day corset-wearers usually tighten the corset just enough to reduce their waists by 2 inches (5.1 cm) to 4 inches (10 cm); it is very difficult for a slender woman to achieve as much as 6 inches (15 cm), although larger women can do so more easily.

Menhdi

Menhdi is famous in the east for centuries. It is the application of henna as a temporary form of skin decoration in the Indian Subcontinent, as well as by expatriate communities from these areas. Henna is typically applied during special occasions like weddings and traditional festivals.

Mehndi decorations became fashionable in the West in the late 1990s, where they are sometimes called henna tattoos. Also, all other regions has its own style of Mehndi – every one is different, but one thing they have in common – they all have amazing color that offers a beautiful unique design on the hands and feet.

Last Rites Gallery presents Song of the Sirens

Opening Reception: Saturday, March 26th, 7pm-12am
Saturday, March 26th, Last Rites Gallery presents it¹s first all-female group show.

Known for exhibiting "Dark Art" - a genre typically outnumbered by male artists, The gallery has set out to present a feminine twist on this hard-edged style. Just as the Siren song lured sailors to their violent death, over 17 female artists will be entrancing viewers with the beauty of their aesthetic, leading them into a more sinister realm.

Among this diverse group of talent is Tara McPherson- a fine artist & illustrator who¹s been profiled by publications including Vanity Fair and Spin, in addition to her work for rock bands such as Beck and Modest Mouse and commercial clients such as Warner Brothers and Nike; Niagara- former member of the punk band Destroy All Monsters, now creating striking depictions of strong women which have been exhibited in galleries & museums around the planet; Lady Pink- a world renowned graffiti artist who's artwork has been gracing the streets since the since the 80's, as well as presented in collections including the Whitney Museum, the Brooklyn Museum, and the MET in New York City; and Amy Crehore's mysterious, dream-like narratives have been exhibited in notable galleries and museums for many years and commissioned by America's top magazine and book publishers such as ESPN Magazine, Esquire, Forbes, GQ and Rolling Stone.

Featuring diverse subject matter and a variety of media from:

Amy Crehore, Imminent Disaster, Yoko D'Holbachie, Leslie Ditto, Dan-ah Kim, Danni Shinya Luo, Angie Mason, Tara McPherson, Miso, Catherine Brooks and Tamara Cervenka aka Isobel Milena, Niagara, Lisa Petrucci, Lilly Piri, Mijn Schatje, Pink Smith, Allison Sommers…and more!

About Last Rites Gallery:Established in 2008, Last Rites has become a premiere gallery for the Dark Art movement and a haven for artists who prefer to explore the ominous, uncomfortable, and eccentric in their work.

Striving to showcase some of the most thought-provoking art in contemporary surrealism, Last Rites creates an atmosphere where the artist can harness limitless expression and the observer can reflect inward, inspired to understand that which resides in us all. Since it's inception, media accolades now include Juxtapoz, Inked Magazine, Tattoo Society, Hi Fructose, NY Post, and the Channel 11 News.

Paul Booth, featured by Rolling Stone as "King of Rock Tattoos", opened Last Rites after 20 years of contributions to the tattoo and art community. Networks including Discovery, TLC, MSNBC, and MTV, continue to share Last Rites' reputation with the world.On display March 26th to April 23rd, 2011.

CONTACT: Celeste Fuechsel
Assistant Director1-212-560-0666 info@lastritesgallery.com

Last Rites Gallery,
511 W. 33rd street, 3fl New York, NY 10001

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Hannya Mask

The Hannya mask is a mask used in Japanese Noh theater, representing a jealous female demon or serpent. It possesses two sharp bull-like horns, metallic eyes, and a leering mouth split from ear to ear. The name hannya is a Sino-Japanese word for prajna or wisdom.

The Hannya mask is used in many noh and kyògen Japanese plays, as well as in Shinto ritual kagura dances. The Hannya mask portrays the souls of women who have become demons due to obsession or jealousy. Plays in which a person may wear the hannya mask include Aoi no Ue and Dòjòji; its use in these two plays, two of the most famous of the Noh repertoire, and its distinctive and frightening appearance make it one of the most recognizable Noh masks.

The Hannya mask is said to be dangerous and demonic, but also sorrowful and tormented displaying the complexity of human emotions. When the actor looks straight ahead, the mask appears frightening and angry; when tilted slightly down, the face of the demon appears to be sorrowful, as though crying. The oldest hannya mask is dated 1558.

Hannya masks appear in various skin tones: a white mask indicates a woman of aristocratic status (such as Rokujò in Aoi no Ue), a red mask depicts a low-class woman, and the darkest red depicts true demons (revealed after appearing as women, as in Momijigari and Kurozuka.) Those who get a Hannya mask tattooed in their bodies have identified themselves in one way or the other with this masks. People have a reason to get tattooed, and choosing a design plays a role as well.

Some people might like the way it looks, the colors, etc. or simply have a personal reason to go for the mask, some people follow the cultural significance and others might relate to the mask in some ways.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

San Francisco Tattoo and Piercing Studio Hosts Art Exhibit and Cocktail Hour March 27

Tattoo Boogaloo's art show opening on March 27th will feature artwork by two of its own tattoo artists Deanna Wardin and Mez Love.

As connoisseurs of all things art, Tattoo Boogaloo's owners and artists are hosting an art exhibit and cocktail hour beginning at 6pm on March 27th, 2011. Located in the heart of North Beach in San Francisco, Tattoo Boogaloo's tattoo artists Mez Love and Deanna Wardin switch media for the night, and will display ten collaborations they created for local tea company, Herb 4 U Garden.

Herb 4 U Garden commissioned Mez and Deanna to digitize some of their original paintings to create labels for their tea canisters. "We had so much fun creating the original paintings, that it's really exciting that our work will now be featured on the canisters of Herb 4 U Garden Tea," says artist Deanna Wardin.
The original artwork by Mez and Deanna will be up for sale at Tattoo Boogaloo, and the art opening is in support of Tattoo Boogaloo as well as Herb 4 U Garden. Additionally, information about Herb 4 U Garden's new products will be on display at the event.

Jared Anderson and Kyle Ford, mixologist extraordinaire of the bar 15 Romolo located in North Beach and known for their unique and delectable libations, will concoct tea-infused cocktails during the event.

Tattoo Boogaloo is hosting an art exhibit and cocktail hour on March 27th.

Mez Love specializes in portraits and realism and I enjoy creating contemporary and graphic works," said Deanna. "We encourage everyone to stop by for good company, an exceptional cocktail, beautiful artwork and lots of fun."

We had so much fun creating the original paintings, that it's really exciting that our work will now be featured on the canisters of Herb 4 U Garden Tea.

For more information about Tattoo Boogaloo's art exhibit or any of their products or services, call them at (415) 391-1053, view them on the web at http://www.tattooboogaloo.com, or visit their store located at 528 Green Street, San Francisco, CA 94133.

About Tattoo Boogaloo
Tattoo Boogaloo is a San Francisco tattoo and piercing studio located in the North Beach neighborhood. They accept walk-ins for tattoos and piercing and are also available for consultations on future body art.

The San Francisco tattoo studio has been open since July of 2010, and it is owned and operated by the three artists Chris, Deanna and Mez. They are also pleased to announce the newest addition to the Boogaloo crew, Katie Grienstead, also known as Katie the Piercing Lady.