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A black-and-white photo of a person mid-air in a Superman-style body suspension pose, supported by multiple hooks in their back and legs, smiling joyfully toward the camera. They are suspended horizontally in a large indoor space with high ceilings and visible rigging. A group of onlookers—some seated, some standing—watch with expressions of admiration, amusement, and support. The atmosphere is lively and communal, capturing a moment of shared experience and transformation.

Tattoo, Piercing, and Body Modification News, Events, and Culture

Life Becomes Art

Written by

Shannon Larratt

My friend Johnny Murphy made a commitment to himself that his sleeve was going to be totally based on his own distinctive, somewhat Ojibway-reminiscent artwork (of which you can see some in the background) — I wish more people would do that, whether they’re amateur artists, professional artists, or not artists at all… These were applied for him at Starr Asylum in B-Town, Iowa.

Comments

148 responses to “Life Becomes Art”

  1. Grunt Avatar
    Grunt

    My favorite piece ever will always be the seahorse I drew. It was also my first piece. I’m not obsessive about or too into my artwork, but I feel more connected to it than my other tattoos I have, which says a lot to me.

  2. Grunt Avatar
    Grunt

    My favorite piece ever will always be the seahorse I drew. It was also my first piece. I’m not obsessive about or too into my artwork, but I feel more connected to it than my other tattoos I have, which says a lot to me.

  3. Masticate Avatar
    Masticate

    I fucking love that tattoo

  4. Masticate Avatar
    Masticate

    I fucking love that tattoo

  5. Masticate Avatar
    Masticate

    I fucking love that tattoo

  6. Masticate Avatar
    Masticate

    I fucking love that tattoo

  7. Raevyn Avatar
    Raevyn

    Johnny’s just an awesome person anyway, and now he has awesome tattoos! His art is so much fun!

  8. Raevyn Avatar
    Raevyn

    Johnny’s just an awesome person anyway, and now he has awesome tattoos! His art is so much fun!

  9. Raevyn Avatar
    Raevyn

    Johnny’s just an awesome person anyway, and now he has awesome tattoos! His art is so much fun!

  10. Raevyn Avatar
    Raevyn

    Johnny’s just an awesome person anyway, and now he has awesome tattoos! His art is so much fun!

  11. alienboy Avatar
    alienboy

    I love the colors ,Awesome !!

  12. alienboy Avatar
    alienboy

    I love the colors ,Awesome !!

  13. alienboy Avatar
    alienboy

    I love the colors ,Awesome !!

  14. alienboy Avatar
    alienboy

    I love the colors ,Awesome !!

  15. TeaDream Avatar
    TeaDream

    Sleeve looks amazing and also agree with the sentiment 100%.
    Although I didnt really think of it in that way at the time, my first tattoo was based on somthing I drew. When I actually went to talk to the artist I had specific ideas for what needed to be added. Makes it that much more yours, no?

  16. TeaDream Avatar
    TeaDream

    Sleeve looks amazing and also agree with the sentiment 100%.
    Although I didnt really think of it in that way at the time, my first tattoo was based on somthing I drew. When I actually went to talk to the artist I had specific ideas for what needed to be added. Makes it that much more yours, no?

  17. TeaDream Avatar
    TeaDream

    Sleeve looks amazing and also agree with the sentiment 100%.
    Although I didnt really think of it in that way at the time, my first tattoo was based on somthing I drew. When I actually went to talk to the artist I had specific ideas for what needed to be added. Makes it that much more yours, no?

  18. TeaDream Avatar
    TeaDream

    Sleeve looks amazing and also agree with the sentiment 100%.
    Although I didnt really think of it in that way at the time, my first tattoo was based on somthing I drew. When I actually went to talk to the artist I had specific ideas for what needed to be added. Makes it that much more yours, no?

  19. Uraniumhobo Avatar
    Uraniumhobo

    now thats a nice sleeve, very unique too

  20. Uraniumhobo Avatar
    Uraniumhobo

    now thats a nice sleeve, very unique too

  21. Uraniumhobo Avatar
    Uraniumhobo

    now thats a nice sleeve, very unique too

  22. Uraniumhobo Avatar
    Uraniumhobo

    now thats a nice sleeve, very unique too

  23. Ted Avatar
    Ted

    Hey shannon, is b-town bettendorf?

  24. Ted Avatar
    Ted

    Hey shannon, is b-town bettendorf?

  25. Ted Avatar
    Ted

    Hey shannon, is b-town bettendorf?

  26. Ted Avatar
    Ted

    Hey shannon, is b-town bettendorf?

  27. Hamel Avatar
    Hamel

    This is a fantastic looking sleeve!

  28. Hamel Avatar
    Hamel

    This is a fantastic looking sleeve!

  29. Hamel Avatar
    Hamel

    This is a fantastic looking sleeve!

  30. Hamel Avatar
    Hamel

    This is a fantastic looking sleeve!

  31. d00j Avatar
    d00j

    YEAH JOHNNY!! represent Iowa! also.. i havent seen you in forever, maybe we should have the next bbq in mt pleasant.

  32. d00j Avatar
    d00j

    YEAH JOHNNY!! represent Iowa! also.. i havent seen you in forever, maybe we should have the next bbq in mt pleasant.

  33. d00j Avatar
    d00j

    YEAH JOHNNY!! represent Iowa! also.. i havent seen you in forever, maybe we should have the next bbq in mt pleasant.

  34. d00j Avatar
    d00j

    YEAH JOHNNY!! represent Iowa! also.. i havent seen you in forever, maybe we should have the next bbq in mt pleasant.

  35. Paul Avatar
    Paul

    I was going to say ‘amazing colours’ but #1 beat me to it!

  36. Paul Avatar
    Paul

    I was going to say ‘amazing colours’ but #1 beat me to it!

  37. Paul Avatar
    Paul

    I was going to say ‘amazing colours’ but #1 beat me to it!

  38. Paul Avatar
    Paul

    I was going to say ‘amazing colours’ but #1 beat me to it!

  39. Tisch Avatar
    Tisch

    Thanks for this post, Shannon. Now I know how to continue my own tattoo~!

  40. Tisch Avatar
    Tisch

    Thanks for this post, Shannon. Now I know how to continue my own tattoo~!

  41. Tisch Avatar
    Tisch

    Thanks for this post, Shannon. Now I know how to continue my own tattoo~!

  42. Tisch Avatar
    Tisch

    Thanks for this post, Shannon. Now I know how to continue my own tattoo~!

  43. pip Avatar
    pip

    My first thought was that it looks like something from Dr. Seuss. But it looks awesome either way.

  44. pip Avatar
    pip

    My first thought was that it looks like something from Dr. Seuss. But it looks awesome either way.

  45. pip Avatar
    pip

    My first thought was that it looks like something from Dr. Seuss. But it looks awesome either way.

  46. pip Avatar
    pip

    My first thought was that it looks like something from Dr. Seuss. But it looks awesome either way.

  47. stormy Avatar
    stormy

    crazy bright, original and freaking amazing

  48. stormy Avatar
    stormy

    crazy bright, original and freaking amazing

  49. stormy Avatar
    stormy

    crazy bright, original and freaking amazing

  50. stormy Avatar
    stormy

    crazy bright, original and freaking amazing

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