Unfortunately, when we lost some of the ModBlog content, it included the post about Rachel’s passing. (Original Post) Rachel passed away on June 22, 2022. She died in her sleep.
Even now, it’s extremely difficult to write this post. Rachel meant so much to so many. She was my friend but she was so much more than that. For me, she was family and today, just a week after what would have been her 43rd birthday, the pain is still very raw. For those of us who really knew her, Rachel was a light and a force. She was passionate, generous and kind. She was goofy and ridiculous. Without even knowing it or trying to, she could command a room.
I’ll never stop missing you Rachel.
Author: Jen Savage
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Rachel Larratt 1980-2022
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Rachel Larratt 1980 – 2022
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It is with a broken heart that I must make this announcement. On June 24th, 2022, Rachel passed away in her sleep. What can I possibly say? Rachel was a force and a light in the world. She had a passion and a love for the body modification community. She did so much for so many and without looking for any praise. In addition to our BME community, Rachel was well known in the car racing community and had just returned from the Gold Rush Rally, where, I’m told, she had the time of her life.
Right now, we are broken. We are deeply grieving this magnificent person whose life was cut far too short. Please keep her fiancee Marks and her daughter Ari in your thoughts and please respect theirs (and my) privacy at this time, while we try to come to terms with the unimaginable. Rachel leaves behind countless friends and loved ones who mourn her.
Rachel’s good friend Jimbo posted a video that can be seen, here.
We’ll miss you, Rachel. Your memory will remain a blessing for all who knew and loved you.
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MS is BS
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Hey folks, many of you know that Rachel was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2007. She has had many relapses and the drugs are simply not working. Her best option is a Stem Cell Transplant Program at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago. They use Rachel’s own stem cells in order to help halt the disease. This treatment has a 98% success rate of preventing relapses.
As you can imagine, the medical costs for something like this are very high. A couple of her friends have started a Go Fund Me in order to help her out with medical costs. If you can help, please consider donating. And please share this with as many people as you can. Rachel has done a lot for the BME community and for many individuals. Let’s help her out in return.
You can donate to the Go Fund Me (and learn more about the procedure she will be getting) here.
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Da da da dum…
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Is that a severed hand or are you just happy to see me?
Tattoo by Charley Gerardin
Check out Thing Gallery, where tattoo artists tattoo silicone hands for display. It started as a one-off charity event and turned into a long-standing gallery show.
On February 26th, Fareed Kaviani presented an exhibition of tattooed silicone hands and sheets at Melbourne’s Neon Parlour. All profits from the sale of the tattooed silicone went to SafeSteps and WIRE, two Melbourne based organisations dedicated to providing support to women and children experiencing domestic violence.
With support from INKED magazine, Things & Ink, Melbourne Permanent, Sailor Jerry, Protat (who donated $500 to the charities), Temple Brewery, Mulbury, Daseti, and Metal Couture, the event was a unique opportunity to view the work of many world-renowned artists such as Sasha Unisex, Grace Neutral, Guy Le Tatooer, and David Cote, including national talents such as Alvaro Flores, Matt Deverson, Lauren Winzer, and Mel Wink.
Each silicone hand was individually moulded from a unique cast of Fareed’s hand. With no prior knowledge of prosthetics or experience making moulds or using silicone, the process was one of trial and a shit load of error. Initially, the idea was to make one hand and write a ‘how to’ piece for INKED magazine, however, after investing over 3 months researching materials, contacting professionals, and sitting through hours of YouTube tutorials, Fareed felt like an article would be a premature ending. Plus, he didn’t want to part with his newfound skills in silicone moulding that easily. So, naturally, he contacted over 30 international, national, and local tattooists asking if they were interested in tattooing a hand or sheet that we could sell to raise funds for two incredibly important organisations, Safesteps and WIRE. And you can’t exactly say no to that! Lo and behold, these artists refused to shy away from the challenge and instead dedicated their time and demonstrated their artistic talent to create a beautiful and curious array of tattooed extremities and sheets.
Tattoo by Sam Kane
With the exhibition complete, Fareed decided to continue Thing Gallery by commissioning artists to tattoo hands for the public to purchase through the website (www.thinggallery.com). Artists currently tattooing a Thing include:
Guy Le Tatooer guyletatooer.com
Jorge Ramirez @jorgeramireztattoo
Vond Barta @vondtattoo
Mel Wink @smel_wink
Gakkin @gakkinx
Fergus Simms @fergus_simms
Nic Tse @jynt
Oozy @oozy_tattoo
Or Kantor @om_kantor
Amy Unalome @amy_unalome_tattoo
Elric Gordon @elriccfh
William Jellman @pastilliam
Tim Tavaria @timtavaria
Matt Deverson @mattdeversontattoo
Zane Donnellan @gooneytoons_str
Onnie O’leary @onnieolearytattoo
Eugene Plotnikov @yeahgnar
Hannah Pixie @blackstabbathofficial
Russell Winter @russellxwinter
Leonie New @leonienewtattoos
Mav @maverickreevetattoo
Emmet @emmet_jace_tattoos
Adrian @edekqwerty
Blair @blair_maxine_hewitt
Sasha Masiuk @sashatattooing
Damien Thorn @damien.j.thorn
Ishi Neve @ishi_neveThing Gallery also provides gallery quality tattooable hands and sheets direct to the public.
Thing Gallery have an exciting new project in the works featuring Hannah Pixie Snow, VICE magazine, and a full-sized silicone head! So follow their Instagram page @thinggallery for updates.
The single hands are current exhibited pieces, for sale in their gallery.
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BME Event in So Cal!
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Hey folks, are you in Southern California? The 16th Annual So Cal BME/IAM BBQ is taking place on Saturday, August 6th, 2016, hosted by our friends David and Tiffany. Check out their Facebook event page for more information!
And, if you go, don’t forget to take photos and submit them to BME!
(Click the photo to go to the Facebook page.)
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Helicopter Suspension
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Steve Truitt recently did a suspension from a helicopter. You can check out an article about it here. That link includes some video footage. Unfortunately it’s the only video footage I could find.
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Yakuza Apocalypse
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I recently received an email about a movie that looks pretty entertaining. Check out the trailer and information on the film and its release dates below.
YAKUZA APOCALYPSE
THEATRICAL RELEASE 6 JANUARY 2016*THE MOST LUNATIC VAMPIRE ACTION FILM YOU’LL EVER SEE*
Manga Entertainment is excited to announce a UK theatrical release of cult Japanese director, Takashi Miike’s latest cinematic feast, Yakuza Apocalypse. The film, which recently wowed audiences at the London Film Festival and had its world premiere at Cannes Directors Fortnight is coming to UK cinemas January 6.
In what The Telegraph’s Robbie Collin refers to as ‘demented brilliance’, the film is arguably the craziest vampire-gangster genre mashup ever witnessed. Miike’s signature blend of deranged horror, slapstick and action are all on display here, making Yakuza Apocalypse not only his most fun film but also the most bizarre to date.
Yakuza Apocalypse tells the story of Kageyama who is ridiculed for being the only member of the Yakuza clan unable to brand himself with their signature tattoo due to sensitive skin. However, when a dying Kamiura, the most feared boss in the Yakuza underworld, bites Kageyama he is transformed into a bloodthirsty monster who will stop at nothing to avenge his former boss.
“This is definitely the most insane vampire movie you’ll ever see and we are extremely proud to be bringing it to the big screen! For those familiar with Miike’s controversial yet fun work, you’ll be happy to know he is on fine ‘crazy’ form with this action-packed and blood-soaked horror. Yakuza Apocalypse is also from the producers of The Raid 1 & 2 so you know the fight scenes are exceptionally kinetic and the story is a thrilling spectacle!” – Andrew Hewson, Marketing Manager at Manga Entertainment
Director: Takashi Miike
Cast: Yayan Ruhian, Hayato Ichihara, Rirî Furankî
Synopsis: Due to his sensitive skin, Kageyama is ridiculed by his fellow Yakuza clan members for being the only one who cannot be branded with their signature tattoo. When Kamiura, the fearsome Yakuza boss who also happens to be a bloodsucking vampire is brutally killed by a competing clan, he passes on his vampire powers to his loyal lieutenant. Now Kageyama is transformed into a bloodthirsty monster who will stop at nothing to avenge his former boss.
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Merry Christmas
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It’s Throwback Thursday, so here’s a photo from 2011, submitted by aesthetic.
Merry Christmas from BME! Enjoy your holidays, be safe and we’ll see you in 2016!
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Tattoo Survey
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I received the following request for a tattoo survey. If you’re interested in participating, check out the information below.
Are you a tattooed job seeker over the age of 18? If so, you could get a $5 Amazon gift card by participating in our study at the following site, https://msupsych.co1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_78Onuts5qRiJ6O9. We are a team of researchers from Michigan State University interested in your views on tattooed individuals and the job search process. The survey is anonymous and no one will be able to link your responses back to you. The information is being collected solely for research purposes. In exchange for completing this survey, you will receive a $5 Amazon gift card.
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Patches!
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People have asked for these for a long time, well that time is finally here. BME patches!
If you would like to buy your very own Hockey or Calm patches, you can get them here:
Hockey Logo Patch
Calm Logo PatchYou may have heard about the recent flooding in Columbia, South Carolina. Unfortunately, Rachel was affected by this flood. She lost all of her belongings in the flood and the home that she lives in with Ari and her boyfriend David received serious structural damage. Things were lost that money can never replace and during this devastation Rachel has been working hard to help others in her community. FEMA and insurance won’t come close to covering their financial losses and a friend of David’s set up a GoFundMe to help them out. If you’re interested in helping, you can check out the GoFundMe here.