A tattooed person suspends from hooks, laying flat, one leg higher than the other. Their head is back, and they seem to be smiling, dark hair dangling like an anime character.

Author: Rob

  • The body as art

    While I was in the process of putting together this week’s news roundup, I came across a submission from Peter Mayaart about an artist from Palm Beach that combines piercings and body painting together to form a unique piece of art.

    Georgette Pressler from Devious Body Art, has taken her preferred medium (paint on skin) and combined it with a corset piercing to create a really beautiful piece of art.

    img_3065-e12803572866421

    This piece was a collaboration between myself; Tara Hauck, who is our photographer; Shorty, who is a body piercer from Hellcat Tattoo; Melrose Telles, who is an amazing hairstylist; and Brittany Johns, who is our willing model.

    Brittany had 22 piercings in her back. She is such a trooper. We had the piercings done first, and we stopped at 22, which is more than enough.

    Shorty is an amazing piercer. He wanted to do something artistic, and he did this beautiful corseted lacework on her back, with chocolate satin ribbon. I came in and brought some vintage romance by doing copper paneling with gears, some tubing, a lot of metallic details and lacework.

    This is something that we had been talking about for months. We started at 9 in the morning and worked until 9 or 10 at night. At the end of the day, we were all very happy with the work. It was what we had all really wanted: something reminiscent, something old and slightly mournful, but still beautiful and romantic at the same time.

    The Palm Beach Post has a full interview with Georgette, as well as a gallery of the process involved in creating this work.

    It’s amazing to think that a full team of people worked for 12 hours to create a beautiful work of art that was only going to last for a few hours at most.

    If you’ve found a story that you think should be included in the ModBlog news, just click here to submit the link.

  • Two by two, hands of blue

    Well, maybe not two blue hands, but this branding piece by Quentin at Kalima Emporium in the UK, definitely has a blue tinge to it.

    It’s interesting to see how the color from the tattoo ink is affected by the branding, really making the flower pop.

    bluehand1

    You can see more branding and scarification by artists from Kalima Emporium in their gallery.

    If you have an image you’d like to share with ModBlog, send me an e-mail with the image or a link to it.

  • It’s story time!

    A lot of the posts on ModBlog feature images submitted to BMEzine by people from all over the world.  In addition to the image galleries, BME also has an entire section dedicated to the stories that our members share with everyone.

    The following story was submitted by someone named Steph to the piercing section.

    I will start off by saying before I got my triangle I did a lot of research. I read nearly every single experience on BME over a number of weeks, called up different studios to ask questions and joined various websites to get the opinions and experiences of professional piercers, as well as those few who already had a triangle piercing. It certainly is not that easy to find information (from my experience) and you really do have to dig for it. But once you know your stuff, you’ll feel much more comfortable about going to get the piercing.

    Before I set my heart on getting it done I knew it would only be possible if my anatomy was suited to the piercing. I did a lot of poking around in the mirror to check if I had hood space just underneath my clitoris. Even though I felt I did, I knew the majority of women did not so I decided to email a piercer who does free consultations and is experienced in doing triangles, Elayne Angel. I sent her a couple of pictures and she said she thought I was suited to it. This is worth doing.

    After a few days I had finally plucked up the courage to actually visit a studio. My research (particularly messaging people with triangles) had led me to Kalima Emporium. I had already spoken to four women who had their triangle pierced by Quentin at Kalima. All of them praised him and the welcoming atmosphere of the studio, it was also a nice little addition that Quentin is one of the most experienced body modification artists in the UK! To get there I had to travel from London, it felt like forever to get to the studio in Worthing. It is also right near the beach so before I got pierced I just sat with my friend on the pebbles by the sea, which relaxed me quite a bit and I would recommend that if you are nervous and go to Kalima.

    Upon entering the studio my friend and I were warmly welcomed by Quentin and the other piercer, John (and even the customers were friendly!) The place was elaborately decorated and very unique looking, unlike some white wall studios I am used to which make you feel as if you are visiting the dentist! I explained what I wanted done to Quentin and was taken into the piercing room to have my anatomy checked. I didn’t feel rushed or at all uncomfortable. I was told that whilst I had space under my clitoris, my outer labias might affect how deeply I could be pierced because they would rub on the jewelry. He said that it was certainly possible for me to have it done but I had to be aware that because of this the piercing could migrate itself slightly into a more comfortable position. Armed with this knowledge and everything else he had told me, I got dressed and went to sit outside for a bit whilst he dealt with two other clients that wanted a scaffold and microdermals. Quentin said that he wanted a lot of time to mark me up and explain things in more detail, as what I wanted done was going to be ”intense.” I was happy to wait if it meant I would receive care and patience – which I did.

    Back into the room I went. I felt surprisingly relaxed even though this was going to be my first genital piercing (I’ve only just turned 18) and is generally considered the most painful female genital piercing (other than the clitoris.) Quentin compared it to the ampallang on males. There was soothing music playing in the background and I was told to concentrate on my breathing and relaxing my muscles. It is worth mentioning Quentin in general has a calming effect and takes a very personal, spiritual approach. I’d read that before more than once in my research and it is true. I was marked up and for both the anatomy check before and the piercing itself I did not even need to lay in the birthing position, apparently it isn’t necessary and I think that helps in making you feel a little less on show. All I had to do was lay down with my legs straight out flat, about a shoulder width apart, whilst I was marked up. Numbing was not used with my triangle because whilst being clamped I had to say if it feels like my nerve bundle is being clamped. I didn’t mind this – I didn’t want a pierced nerve bundle! Quentin talked me through everything, telling me the odd story about his modifications, putting me at ease. I was clamped up (with septum clamps, which create a straight tube for the needle to pass through, eliminating the dangers of the nerve bundle being pierced) and then pierced.

    Yes, it did hurt. It was INTENSE. But only for a couple of seconds. However, the next part was more painful. I was told after I was pierced with a needle exactly the same size as the jewelry (14g) to prevent unnecessary bleeding. This meant for the jewelry insertion the circular barbell had to be wiggled through with more pressure. I’m usually good with pain but with this I really scrunched my face up in agony. Although, this subsided once it was done and I spun around to admire my new piercing in the mirror – I fell in love instantly! The whole process must have taken about half an hour or more, certainly no pressure or rushing to get the next customer in. I was really relaxed throughout, apparently I was the most calm client he’s had so far for a triangle! Proud

    Walking back to the train station was easy enough but I made the effort to walk slowly. It is now day two and I have had minor bleeding on and off, with little soreness. I’m still taking anti inflammatory tablets (not that I feel I am even swollen) as well as doing sea salt soaks in the bath twice a day. It was worth the travel, especially if you are in England and reading this because you want a triangle. It seems there are few piercers who can perform it properly whilst putting you so at ease.

    I have had such a positive experience and I really do owe it ultimately to Kalima. Like someone said to me, the studio is a little ”hidden gem.” I felt considered as an individual, not just another piece of flesh to pierce. I couldn’t fault any part of my experience and will certainly be going back there for other heavier mods in the future.

    Steph.

    So, do you have a story to share with the world about your modifications?  Head on over to your account page and let us know something about one (or more) of your experiences.

  • Waiting in suspense

    I really enjoy photographs capturing a moment in time that almost can’t be described in words.  This image is one of those.  Sure you can describe the situation as a woman is getting the final checks on the rigging before a suicide suspension, but it’s what’s going on between the two of them that really speaks the loudest.

    This is that moment, just before she is to be lifted off the ground.  The quiet intensity of both the suspender and suspendee.  The final preparations right before some goes through a potentially life defining moment.

    The image was submitted anonymously, but I really would like to know the story behind it.  Was it her first suspension?  What was going through her mind at that moment?

    Then again, part of the allure of the image is in not knowing.  So I’ll just leave it here for you to enjoy.

    suspension

    To see the rest of the images in this series and others like it, check out the suspension galleries.

  • Got any plans for the weekend of August 20th?

    Well if you do, then cancel them.  The Tattoo Hollywood Convention is that weekend!

    th2010

    The convention runs all weekend long, and kicks off with an opening party Thursday night at Known Gallery (441 N. Fairfax Ave Los Angeles, CA 90036)

    Conventions Dates & Hours
    Friday August 20th: 5pm- 12am
    Saturday August 21st: 12pm-12am
    Sunday August 22nd: 12pm-8pm

    Closing Party August 22nd 8PM-11pm (Artists, their guests and VIP passholders ONLY)

    Ticket Prices: $20 a day, $40 weekend pass, $100 VIP weekend pass. Tickets are available at the door. VIP passes are extremely limited and include special event/artist access.

    Hotel Information:

    The Grand Ballroom
    Renaissance Hollywood Hotel
    1755 N. Highland Ave.
    Hollywood, CA 90028

    For more information, including a full list of tattoo artists appearing, seminar listings, and contests; head on over to www.tattoohollywood.com

    Do you have an event coming up?  A tattoo convention?  Art exhibit?  Let me know about it!  Just send me an e-mail and your event could be featured on ModBlog.

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