http://www.urbanink.com Latest Articles from Urbanink. en-us Thu, 23 May 2013 18:04:54 GMT We were first introduced to Reda Dillingham through her feature in Urban Ink #22. Reda had just endured an intense battle with breast cancer, of which she got the upper hand. Looking for an artistic and creative way to cover up the battle scars from her double mastectomy, Reda chose to go with body art.

By the time Urban Ink #22 went to print, Reda's chest tattoo was still a work in progress, and she promised to reach back out when she finished up. Keeping true to her word, Reda and Urban Ink linked up again to check out the finished piece and to chat with Reda about the designing process of the piece, her continued mission to spread breast cancer awareness, and some pretty cool events she's been involved in since we last spoke to the marked-up survivor.

URBAN INK: Hi, Reda! I hear you've been making big moves lately. Can you tell us a little about the events you've participated in and your mission to spread awareness about breast cancer?
Reda Dillingham: Since last October, I've been an honoree at the Denver University Women's Basketball Game in support of Breast Cancer Awareness. Nothing like running with the players on the court as they are being introduced and being in the team huddle. This past February, I did a school project in the nude for a photography student at the Denver Art Institute. The student got a good grade for her project and the piece was even showcased in the school's hallway. I try and stay busy doing projects, while making others aware of breast cancer - or any cancer for that matter.

In your last feature, you were beginning a chest piece. How is that chest piece coming along?
The original artist that started my chest piece wasn't able to finish. That being said, I wish him and his shop the best. In my search for an artist or shop to complete my piece, I wanted more than free tattoos for the month of October (National Breast Cancer Awareness Month). At Endless Ink Tattoo (Denver, CO), they also do the free tattoos, but they give the proceeds to breast cancer research to find a cure. They also sell merchandise in the shop for breast cancer awareness. The artist that completed my chest piece is Jeremiah Heller.

Aside from their devotion to breast cancer awareness, what else caught your eye at Endless Ink Tattoo?
I was so impressed with how a couple of the guys in the shop were wearing "Save the Tata's" t-shirts. The shirts were also in a display case and hanging inside the shop as well. One of the owners, Crystal Kennedy, was the first to greet me. She impressed me with the background of the shop and their involvement with breast cancer awareness. During every session, they always make me feel welcome. I've told all my friends about them and the magic Jeremiah has done for me on my chest piece.

Did Jeremiah design the piece or did you help him out a bit?
I let Jeremiah have all creative decision on my chest piece. I didn't want to make it difficult for him. He chose the words, "Time Heals All Wounds," in script, which is on the bottom of my breast. Jeremiah was right in every aspect, because it does take time.

What about your health? How have you been doing in that department?
From time to time, I have abdominal pains, back pains, and swelling in my torso from lymphedema. Too much exercise can make it worse and doing nothing will make me fat. It's a catch-22 for me, so I walk and bowl to try and control it. I want to try yoga because I heard it's good for your mind and body.

Sounds like a lot. I hear you have a pretty large support system, though. Who are some of the folks who have helped you out throughout all this?
The people that showed for this shoot made it wonderful because they have supported me through thick and thin during and after my battle with breast cancer. I give thanks to my husband, Gary Dillingham, for supporting me in all the projects I do; Alemtra "Meechie" Robinson, who shaved her head so I wouldn't be bald by myself; Ginger "Gigi" Robinson, whom I've known since I was 13, and who helped me a lot during my treatment and recovery. Both Meechie and Gigi have gotten pink ribbon tattoos in my honor. Mykaia Thompson, for helping with this project. She may be young and soft-spoken, but she is wise. Also, the Aurora Women's Breast Cancer Support Group for always being there and making me laugh.



Jeremiah Heller

Originally from Denver, Colorado, Jeremiah Heller has been slinging ink at Endless Ink Tattoo for the last two-and-a-half years. Jeremiah has been tattooing for about five years now and loves to do all sorts of combinations of tattoos - from black and grey, color, and Americana, to Traditional, new school, and Asian-influenced pieces, among many other styles. He especially likes applying these styles to breast-cancer-influenced tattoos.

Jeremiah has a love for art in general. In fact, the biggest influence in his color work comes from his graffiti background. "As I was growing up, I saw graffiti in Cincinnati, Ohio, and Lexington, Kentucky, and it blew me away with the colors and vibe it throws off," he recalled. After finding himself continuously drawing designs like the ones he'd seen sprayed on the walls, he knew that his calling was in the arts. Jeremiah headed to Denver, where he attended the Westwood College of Technology; later graduating with a Bachelor's degree in animation and graphic design.

After graduating, Jeremiah decided to attend the Denver Tattoo School, following some good advice from his girlfriend - who is now his wife. Due to his sixth sense for art, he was able to graduate in no time. He also learned a lot from his mentor, Robert Martinez - another artist from Endless Ink Tattoo - who taught him much of what he knows today.

When Endless Ink started doing the Breast Cancer Ribbon tattoos for a charity, Jeremiah never really knew anyone that had cancer. "After the past two years--and hundreds of breast cancer tattoos with stories to back them - I know a ton more about the people and the horrors that come with the cancer," he shared, adding, "Reda (Dillingham) is one of those stories that touches and I hope she loves the tattoo that I have done for her. Remember Reda, 'Only Time Heals All Wounds.'"


Endless Ink Tattoo

"It's an art. Tattooing is just an application of art." That's what Alexander Kennedy, proprietor of Endless Ink Tattoo in Denver, Colorado, states. Not only a business, Endless Ink also is a mentor for teaching our youth about using art as an outlet. It's a platform for raising money and giving back to the surrounding community. Along with Alexander, co-owner Crystal Kennedy is striving to change the way the tattoo community is viewed.

Endless Ink does "Toys for Tats" once per year. They give away $75 gift certificates to anyone who brings in a toy or non-perishable for families during the holidays. In 2010, they were able to donate a car that was filled with food.

Endless Ink also founded the Ink Nation Foundation - a non-profit organization that helps underprivileged youth get exposure to the arts. They work with many community recreation centers like the Boys and Girls Club. They have set up field trips for the children to visit the shop and see for themselves the different applications of art - from becoming a tattoo artist, graphic design, and much more.

"Tats for Tatas" is another unique initiative of Ink Nation. The goal is simple. Alexander and Crystal want to see more than 1,000 people wearing a pink ribbon tattoo to raise awareness for breast cancer research. They tattoo participants with a pink ribbon tattoo for free but, of course, they kindly request a $25 donation that goes toward breast cancer awareness and research. In the end, that's a small price to pay for high-end body art and the cause that it stands for.

Their biggest goal is to get other shops to join the movement. Tattoo shops and artists generally don't work together, and Endless Ink is trying to change that. Want to learn more about the artistic abilities and good deeds of the good folks from Endless Ink Tattoo? Go to www.Endlessinktattoo.com and see how to get involved with the Ink Nation.

Endless Ink Tattoo
7507 E 36th Ave #120
Denver, Colorado 80238
303-371-2744
www.Endlessinktattoo.com
Endlessink303@gmail.com


Owners:
Alexander Kennedy
Crystal Kennedy

Staff:
Jeremiah "HellBoy" Heller: Tattoo Artist
Kena Warner: Stylist and Nail Tech
Fabian Retana: Apprentice
Patrick Bakes: Apprentice
Robert "Bass" Martinez: Tattoo Artist
Chad August: Tattoo Artist
Justin "Big J" Johnson: Barber
Francisco "Frank the Tank" Galvan: Piercing Artist


Photographer: Katie Long
Article by Dez Ward
Make up: Ebony Gray
]]> http://www.urbanink.com/article.php?aid=553 http://www.urbanink.com/article.php?aid=553 Thu, 09 May 2013 02:09:27 GMT New York City's Heather Holliday may look like your typical rockabilly pinup, but this petite dame was the youngest sword swallower in the world when she first interned at Coney Island's Sideshow by the Seashore at 18. Today, this sideshow sensation, famous for making gents drool for ingesting over two feet of steel, eating fire, and cracking whips, shows off her carnival skills on stages across the country.

To date, Holliday has even made cameo appearances in music videos for 50 Cent and Rick Ross. Now, Holliday is revealing more to her fans with another art form. The former punk rocker turned sword swallowing-seductress, who's performed 500 shows a year, speaks with Urban Ink about her growing tattoo collection, being inspired by burlesque beauties, and showing pride for NYC.

Urban Ink: What was it about sideshows that made you realize this was something you ultimately wanted to do?
Heather Holliday: Obviously, you need to have an appreciation for the art, but what makes a fan become a performer is the intensity of their love for it. Sideshows originally showed off physical abnormities and things that weren't common. There's less of them in sideshows because we now have medical terms to describe things people had. With books, TV, and the Internet, nothing is as shocking as what it used to be. So performers are prompted to learn new skills, like fire eating. Sideshows aren't what they used to be and anyone can actually learn these skills.

It's really hard these days to shock people. Therefore, why do sideshows continue to fascinate people?
It's just proving possible what most people think is impossible and that is what gets people going. If you see me on the street, I just look like some rockabilly girl. You wouldn't think that I was different from anyone else, or that I can do things other people can't do. The more people think what I do is impossible, the more of a thrill I get. I like to prove its real. It's annoying when you put a lot of hard work into learning a skill and some people say it's fake. But there are people who still get shocked. It's like watching the Olympics. You watch ordinary people do extraordinary things and it makes you wonder how they do it.

How does one become a sword swallower?
I don't think anyone does it without having a goal in terms of what kind of shows they want to be in. If you learn the skill, it's not going to do anything for you unless you have a stage where you can show it off. A skill is nothing without the act you put around it.

Talk about being the youngest sword swallower in the world when you were still a teenager.
When I joined the sideshow, everyone was older than me. I still had baby fat on my face (laughs). I wouldn't have had the chance to swallow swords if the original host had not left earlier. I was already practicing, but I never thought I would actually be able to put it on a stage. There was already a fire eater and a sword swallower, so you have to wait until someone leaves for that slot to open up. And it happened immediately for me. Im 5'3" and I swallow two feet of steal, so that's pretty amazing to people because the swords look larger than me.

How did burlesque become a major inspiration for you?
In the early 2000s, I was realizing that I was pretty and all I had to do was enhance what I already had. The sideshow at the time was full of boys and their look consisted of wife beaters, suspenders, and old derby hats, which didn't inspire me. But in 2007, I did the "Brothers Grimm Sideshow" and they had one burlesque girl, Go-Go Amy, who's gorgeous. Her costumes were so glamorous and I was in awe. She taught me about doing my nails and rolls in my hair. And in New York, a lot of burlesque shows had variety acts, so I would sometimes perform with them. While I was in the dressing room, I would just see gorgeous girls. I didn't want to walk on stage wearing costumes that were less than glamorous. So I got more glitter, sequins, and rhinestones (laughs). I'm still learning just watching burlesque girls. Go-Go Amy was a huge inspiration for me and we still work together to this day. She has taught me that, even though you have a really amazing act, you also want to look good for your audience.

Like many burlesque performers in New York City, you're also heavily tattooed and it's part of your overall look. Was this a conscious choice?
I started getting tattoos when I was 15. I should not have been getting tattoos then (laughs). There were these shops that no longer exist in the Village and I started getting tattoos at a young age. I knew I was living the alternative lifestyle before I even knew what "alternative" meant. That's what made sideshows so appealing because it had this punk rock, I-don't-care aesthetic to it as well. Before, tattoos were more taboo. People would tell me if I got inked I wouldn't be able to find work. But I always knew I wouldn't have a normal job. When I saw sideshows, I knew it was meant for me. A lot of people see me as a girl dressed like the '40s and '50s. They'll then ask me if tattoos get in the way of my classic, old school look. And honestly, not at all. People were tattooed back then, especially sideshow people. Aside from sailors, sideshow performers were the only other people you saw tattooed. That was a weird thing to go see. Im not billing myself as a classic burlesque beauty. I'm billing myself as a timeless sideshow performer.

Talk more about the body art you have now.
A lot of my tattoos are silly. Honestly, it kills me when some people say they want to get tattooed, but they aren't sure if they want something on their body forever. And I hear that a lot. Tattoos aren't for them. I have a dead cockroach tattooed on my arm. I hate roaches, but it's funny to me because it shows my home is New York City. A lot of people get home pride tattoos, so for New York City I got a dead cockroach. Isn't that funny?

For New York City it makes sense.
Right? I also have a portrait of my mom on my left foot. And no, she's not dead. I'm appreciating her while she's still alive. I hate my feet and my mom is beautiful, so it makes my foot gorgeous. I have a potato on my ankle from a book I read in the fifth grade from one of my favorite child authors. It's nice to have light-hearted tattoos that aren't so serious. My dad tells me, "There's nothing funny about a permanent joke! Jokes get old." But I get a kick out of life and I don't take things too seriously. I have a bearded lady on my forearm from Coney Island based on Jennifer Miller, an idol of mine. She looks like Jesus, so a lot of people think I have Jesus with tits. I'm not being sacrilegious. It's not Jesus, it's a bearded lady. I also got matching tattoos with Insectavora, a staple in Coney Island, back in 2004. We have mermaids riding a seahorse inside of our arms. I, however, don't have the boobs covered with shells. Insectavora does, which I thought was funny, because she has tattoos all over her face and yet she didn't want to be offensive by having boobs out. I totally wanted the tits out because I feel that's how it should be. When I was really young, I had this Irish superintendent who's dead now, but was totally sleazy and always at the pub. He had this shi*ty outline with no shading or color of a naked woman on his arm. I decided to keep the boobs out in tribute of that. But I do have a lot of Coney Island stuff.

What are some of your other memorable tattoos?
It's interesting. Sailors would get tattoos to mark important points of their lives. Now people get traditional art and don't really know what it means. I was in Coney Island for seven years and when I left it was the biggest thing I'd ever done because the sideshow was the first job I'd ever had in my life. I was over it. I wanted to leave and spread my wings. When I left, I got a ship tattoo to represent my leaving. I also have a shark on my arm that says "Maneater." It's a funny joke about how I go through guys.

How many tattoos do you currently have?
I don't really count them. I have one leg half done and one arm practically done. All on my left side. I just havent gotten to the other side yet. I'm never going to get my hands done because I personally dont think it's girly. The neck also isn't very traditional in terms of sideshow girls. I'll never do the back of my legs because I often wear seamed stockings and I don't want anything being a distraction. I also won't get my chest done because I'm a D cup and people like my chest. I've never showed them off because everything I do is a tease. Prancing around on stage in skimpy costumes, shoving swords down my throat, and winking at people? Come on [laughs].


Photography by Steve Prue
Article by Stephanie Nolasco

]]> http://www.urbanink.com/article.php?aid=549 http://www.urbanink.com/article.php?aid=549 Thu, 11 Apr 2013 09:52:27 GMT Rockabilly jams, hot burlesque, sick whips, bingo, bowling, mad tattoos, and so much more awaited us as we crossed the Nevada state line with many of our inked brethren on our way to the West Coast's yearly homage to all things cool. With a trunk full of banners, posters, and lots of copies of the mag (please don't ask which one) that brings you that tattooed swag, we set up camp in Tropicana Ave's Orleans Hotel And Casino to be a part of the magical happenings at Viva Las Vegas 15!

This self-proclaimed "Biggest Rockabilly Party In The World" offers attendees, vendors, and various participants a three-day license to break out the hair grease and hoop skirts, and be who they want to be. And though the weekend is aimed at the heart of the rock/psychobilly set, there is no positive look, style, or culture that is not welcomed into the VLV experience.

Goth, emo, punk, metal, gangsta, elegants, and every image in between represented and made their presence felt on the VLV landscape. A big part of said images and styles also includes the brand of body art that sets cliques and individuals apart. The old school faction boasted countless Sailor Jerry tributes, cupcakes, roses, and pin-up tats. Plenty of vibrant, head-turning Asian work was also on view, as was extreme, detailed black & grey, hyperrealism, Dia de los Muertos, crisp portraiture, European abstract ink, and the list goes on. VLV is not a tattoo show by definition. However, the event is high on the "must attend" list for so many in the ink community - and tattoos are so much a part of the atmosphere of the show - that not covering Viva Las Vegas would be an egregious omission to UI readers (at least that's what we told the publishers so we could score a free trip to Sin City).

VLV is a three-day wet dream for those with a real appreciation for beautiful cars, beautiful girls, and thrillseekers of all ages. It's pretty much impossible to take in the entire convention in three days, and, no matter how many of these shows you attend, there's still more to put on your "to do" list for next year.

We were particularly drawn to the Rockabilly bands, burlesque, and car elements of the show, but the brain trust at VLV can turn any activity into a good time. I thought I'd be using blue pills and wearing adult diapers before I'd even consider sitting down to play bingo, but there I was, shaking an angry fist and praying to hear the words "I-19" come through the sound system, while making new friends and trying to steal the attention of the bombshell guest hostesses.

The only time we really got serious over the weekend was when we broke out our cameras to snap ink shots of the many marked-up visitors for our Urban Ink coverage. Just to let you in on a little secret, you guys really make life easy for us at VLV. No one who comes to this convention is shy, and everyone is juiced to get in front of a camera and show their stuff for an opportunity to grace our pages.

Thank you to everyone that came by and made UI a part of their Viva Las Vegas experience.

There's already lots of info about whats going down at VLV 16 in March. Get yourself wise at vivalasvegas.net.


Photography by Steve Prue
Article by Dez Ward
]]> http://www.urbanink.com/article.php?aid=543 http://www.urbanink.com/article.php?aid=543 Tue, 12 Mar 2013 11:02:57 GMT There's no denying that getting tattooed has gone from taboo to mainstream. Everywhere you go, you'll more than likely see someone with a tattoo. Reality shows and celebrities have taken tattoos to another level of popularity, encouraging the masses to get "tatted" like their favorite musician, athlete, and/or actor.

Many tattoo artists have been voicing their opinions on how they feel that some celebrities don't really have an appreciation for the art of tattooing, and simply get tattoos for the "look." Color Outside The Lines showcased some artists expressing how they felt about "tatted-up" celebrities. Urban Ink was able to get hold of some of these artists to garner a deeper understanding of this stance.

URBAN INK: In Color Outside The Lines, they discussed tattooed rappers and athletes. Most of the tattoo artists stated that celebrities aren't a good representation of the tattoo culture, claiming that most of them get tattooed because it's the "in" thing - as opposed to appreciating the art. As a tattoo artist who has tattooed numerous rappers and athletes, how do you feel about this topic?
Gino: Monkey see, monkey do. Not all of them are in the same situation, but most are. They feel like they completely made it in life and no one could tell them anything and we're just like a barber or pool guy, or some nail lady. F*ck that; you're in my world now! Point is, listen to your artist if he's good, and stop watching those videos and trying to be the next guy. And the new generation stop looking at the old ones; they were cheap - that's why they got ugly work.

URBAN INK: In the film, they discuss how rappers are giving the tattoo community a bad rap, no pun intended. What are your thoughts?
Imani K. Brown: [Laughs.] It's very true. Unfortunately, they perpetuate most of the stereotypes that most of us artists hate to do and that most Blacks want to get - names, roses, skulls, RIP tombstones, and praying hands. And with their bankroll, they don't even look good! Even if it were those basic tattoos, at least show the masses that you invest in your body art. When people come in wanting what so-and-so has, we have to spend more time and energy telling them why their favorite rapper is a dumb ass and that the tattoo is whack. Sometimes, it's just way too much.

URBAN INK: Some folks are saying that rappers and athletes are negatively affecting the way the outside world views the tattoo community due to their poor quality tattoos. Do you agree with this?
Twig Sparks: I've always wondered about athletes and rappers - 100,000-dollar car, 1,000,000-dollar house, 1,000-dollar-a-day hooker, 50-dollar tattoo? They don't collect tattoos because of the art; they get tattoos because some chicken-head said that tattooed guys are sexy. Lil Wayne is the biggest offender. All of his tattoos suck, but his cars are bangin'!

URBAN INK: You've been noted for tattooing Black celebrities such as Nas, 50 Cent, and Mike Tyson. Urban Ink often gets bashed for featuring rappers and athletes on their covers. There are some in the urban tattoo community who believe that rappers and athletes are a poor representation of the community. Being that you tattoo rappers and athletes, what do you think of this notion? Do you think it's a bad case of generalization?
Brandon Bond: I think that you gotta sell magazines and those guys sell magazines! I tattoo a lot of athletes and musicians and you can't generalize about any of them. They are all different. Just like their tattoos are. No big deal. Who's complaining? Bill Cosby? That guy needs to relax [laughs]! Poor representation of the Black tattooed community? Not a bit. Nas, for example, is a great guy with a heart of gold and a sharp brain. I love tattooing him. What's not to like?

URBAN INK: The general opinion overall is that rappers and athletes attach a negative stereotype to the urban tattoo culture. When I've personally interviewed rappers and they tell me who their artists are, the're naming some reputable tattoo artists at times. What are you thoughts on celebs with ink?
Miya Bailey: A lot of the time, athletes and celebrities have a thing for instant gratification. It's like they have to skip the line. They feel like they don't have a waiting list. For example, my waiting list is actually two to three months, and I don't tattoo a lot of celebrities. They think they can just call me today and get a tattoo like, "Yo, I got money and I want a tattoo right now." They want you to bump all of the other appointments to serve them. If an artist does that, how much pride and honor can you really put into it? If you do that, it's like you're prostituting yourself - like art for money. You put this person in front of everybody to do his tattoo. How much pride and honor can you put into this work? They want it instantly, and, of course, if you want it instantly, a lot of artists aren't going to put their best work on you. And a lot of times, athletes don't trust the artist enough to let the artist be an artist. They have their own little thing that they want you to do to them and they're not even educated in tattooing at all. I don't know too many athletes that have work on them from good tattoo artists. You would have to tell me. When I see basketball games, I see at least 99.9-percent of work done bad. I see rushed jobs when I look at it. I'm an artist. I can tell when somebody's rushing on some pieces to get people in and out for some money.

Our publication gets bashed for featuring these musicians, but when we interview them, they're telling us that all of these good artists are the ones who tattoo them.
That's not true. Usually, after they learn about tattooing, they try to get these artists to fix the work that they already got. [Rick] Ross had a whole bunch of crappy work on him, then he goes to Gino (Lordgyn Belizaire) and Tuki [Carter] to get it fixed. Wiz [Khalifa] had tattoos before he met Tuki and Tuki had to go in there and clean up all of his old work. Everybody knows that [Lil] Wayne had tattoos before he met Duel; now Duel has to go back and clean up, or try and clean up, all of the work that he had. So none of the rappers or athletes do their homework. They just get a whole bunch of crap. Then when they see somebody with good work, they're like, "Oh, man! Who did your work? I'm going to them for my next piece." But that's once they have a whole bunch of crap on them. I tattoo rappers all of the time, and the majority of the work that we do on rappers is fixing work. We can't even get portfolio pictures off them. The only rapper that I can say I'm going in from beginning to end is Big K.R.I.T. I'm doing a sleeve now. He had blank skin, and I can do the whole entire sleeve, full. The number-one thing I say is, "I'm not going to make you look like a rapper." There's not one rapper that an artist can say, "Yeah, man, I'm proud of the piece I did on him." We had to squeeze in between some stuff that some other person did.

I had one of my old apprentices do Wayne. I know for a fact that Wayne only gives you about an hour or two worth of time to work. How much work can you do off an hour or an hour-and-a-half? It's like, "Oh, let me get this quick tattoo before I do the interview right quick." That's not tattooing. That's just a rush to get a whole bunch of little stuff all on your body to fill your body up real quick. You're not really getting real work, man. A person has to be able to sit there for a couple of hours to get a real piece, man. Most rappers don't have enough time in their schedules to sit through a real session with a real artist.

]]> http://www.urbanink.com/article.php?aid=542 http://www.urbanink.com/article.php?aid=542 Tue, 05 Mar 2013 11:23:10 GMT Facial tattoos were - and still are in some parts of the world today - a form for some cultures to identify with their specific group, tribe and/or sect. As tattooing has become mainstream, so have some of its traditional aspects. Although facial tattoos are still viewed as taboo in many societies, we find that many in the tattoo community are embracing the daring act. We asked our Color Outside The Lines artists what their views and policies were when it came to tattooing someone's face, and this is what they had to say...

URBAN INK: I wanted to ask, what's your view on facial tattoos?  Are you cool with stuff like that?
Derrick Verley: I think it depends on where you want to be in society, as well as the type of tattoo artist you are. Also, it depends if you can afford to live that lifestyle. Once you do that, you're segregating yourself from a lot of things that a "normal" person may need, such as a job. Unless you're planning on being in the tattooing industry or an entertainer. You can do something subtle on women - like a star on their face to cover a mole, for example. It doesn't stop them from getting work. My clientele are adults. They have jobs and theyre covered.

URBAN INK: What's your policy on tattooing someone's face?
Lordgyn "Gino" Belizaire: Can't pay me enough. It don't make cents or dollars - plus far from my style.

URBAN INK: I'm sure by now you've heard of the girl who got "DRAKE" tattooed on her forehead. It would be easy for the tattooer to argue that the customer's always right in a situation like that. I'm curious to know what your policy is on facial tattoos. How would you have handled that situation?
Imani K. Brown: I use a bit of discretion with these types of situations, but at the end of the day, you can tell if someone has given it a lot of thought to say they want it. Rule of thumb for me, at least, is that they came to me and if it's gonna be on their face (after some advisement), I can either do a kick-ass job, or they can go to the next shop and get fudged up, you know.

URBAN INK: What are your thoughts on facial tattoos?
Jacci Gresham: My thought is, what's going to happen when you get a little older? Tattoos do change. I've seen them change on me. I have seen some nice facial tattoos, but they're very light- - like the girls with the stars or the wisp along the side of the eye. I think those are cute, but I don't know that I would want that when I'm older. Like right now, I have my hair cut in a mohawk, and trust me, I can change that at any time - and that's pretty shocking to people. I want to be shocking, but maybe I don't want to be shocking permanently. Maybe that's it.

URBAN INK: Facial tattooing is still considered a tough pill to swallow within our society. What are your thoughts on facial tattoos?
Seven: In my personal opinion, some people take it too far, but there are a lot of people pushing that limit, so it seems more cultural now to me. You can take a glimpse at all the different cultures who tattoo their faces and it's accepted because it's "culture," or "means something," but if you're not part of that culture and only peeking in, how do you really know if it means anything? I think the Westernized societies are full of people from all walks of life and sometimes don't realize where they actually come from. A lot of "gang members" tattoo their faces, too, but, to me, I don't see a "gang" any different than a tribe who did or does the same exact thing. Society classifies and pushes opinions that aren't so accurate. Facial tattoos just have a lot of impact because it's the first thing you notice when you see someone and that's about it. Since society makes it a little rougher for those with facial tattoos, I weigh options before doing so to one of my clients.

URBAN INK: Facial tattoos seem to have turned into the "in" thing lately. I've had tattoo artists tell me that they won't do them. What's your policy on facial tattoos?
Twig Sparks: I only tattoo faces when the person is heavily tattooed. Not heavily tattooed, nothing on the face - heavily tattooed, ice cream cone to the face.



Article by Mannie Pendexter]]> http://www.urbanink.com/article.php?aid=540 http://www.urbanink.com/article.php?aid=540 Wed, 27 Feb 2013 11:13:19 GMT