Tattoo, Piercing, and Body Modification News, Events, and Culture
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I know that I post a lot of tattoos by Joey Pang from Tattoo Temple so it’s easy to forget that she’s not the only artist working there. This stunning piece comes from Wang, another one of the artists at Tattoo Temple in Hong Kong. It’s definitely got an abstract vibe to it, but it maintains the brush stroke style that Tattoo Temple is famous for.
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Recently, I received the book Deviled Art: Sketches and Paintings by Travis Franklin for review. This isn’t a tattoo book like I have reviewed recently but rather contains artwork and sketches by tattoo artist Travis Franklin.
Click through to read the rest of the review.
You won’t find any photos of tattoos within this book, it is strictly a traditional art book but that doesn’t mean the appeal for body modification enthusiasts is non-existent. The artwork is focused mainly on darker images, skulls, skeletons and zombies and much of Travis’ work is the design product that would then be used to create a tattoo.
One thing that sets this book apart and makes it more than a simple sketchbook is the fact that the book includes notes and thoughts by the artist. The font for the text is meant to look like hand writing and the effect is one I really like as it feels like I have been allowed to glimpse deeper into the artist, his method and the things that motivate him.
While the book might have benefited from an editor to eliminate the few grammatical errors, it certainly is not lacking in interesting artwork. This is definitely not a book of flash art but rather a journey through a tattoo artist’s process both on and off the page.
While the paintings certainly speak to the artist’s talent, for me the sketches are even more enjoyable as they show the hesitation, the thought and the process of realizing a piece of art. It seems quite common for people to believe that a tattoo artist merely copies a design from a piece of flash onto someone’s skin. This book reminds us that a tattoo artist is just that, an artist.
As far as I can tell the only current way to purchase this book is directly from the artist through his website, travisfranklin.com. The book retails at $40 and is hardcover printed on high quality paper meaning this book will hold up to repeated viewing.
Travis Franklin has been tattooing professionally for just under 20 years and credits Tattoo Charlie for letting him in the industry at age 17. He works out of his shop, Oddity Tattoo Studio & Art Gallery in Sarasota, Florida.
Editors: Tammy Zeitler Zeitler, Travis Franklin
Illustrated by: Travis Franklin
Contributors: Brittany Helmer, Travis Franklin
Hardcover: 124 pages
Publisher: Poor Mel, 2011
ISBN 0615493262
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Someone by the name of Wutp Doca just sent in a number of corset photos all done with play piercing needles. There is a particular rawness to these photos that really makes them pop. This one especially stood out from the crowd as it plays up the bondage aspect of corsetry.
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“I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence, or insanity to anyone, but they’ve always worked for me.”
— Hunter S. Thompson
The cutting part of this scar/tattoo tribute to the godfather of gonzo, Hunter S. Thompson was done by Tony Snow. Tony is currently out in my neck of the woods guest spotting at Fatty’s with Hannah. A mere twenty minutes away from my shop and not even a visit. For shame you bastard.
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In keeping with the theme from my last post, “mods that stir up a genuine sense of awesomeness for me”, I present to you Mason’s (who you may remember from this Modblog gem from the past ) deep chest “piercings”. I say piercing in quotes, because while these are opening in the skin filled with a piece of jewelry, the procedure to get them there (and healed) was FAR from a piercing.
When I first saw this picture on Tumblr, I shot Mason a message I wanted 2 things: a) a better photo of this mod and maybe some additional photos. b) his permission to post this on modblog. That little bastard never responded to me and I realized 2 things: a) this mod is so AWESOME that if all we can get is a homoerotic myspace mirror shot, then that’s what we will post! b) This is Mason, am I really waiting on permission from him?
Since I never got the full 411 from Mason, I am basing the following information on what he told me a long time ago, and my own theories so if anyone involved with this project wants to jump in and correct me, please do so.
These “piercings” started as subdermal implants done by none other than Brian Decker (if memory serves me correct). After the subdermals were allowed sufficient time to heal, they were removed which left behind a healed fistula. Then the entry and exit points for the new “piercing” were opened by Howie and teflon jewelry was inserted. (Thanks to Tony for correcting me on the implant to piercings steps). This left behind a piercing that would be nearly impossible to heal using traditional manners and a mod that I have only actually seen one other time…and that was on Fakir Musafar!
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I have to admit, after over a decade on this site I tend to take mods that other’s would consider amazing for granted. It’s rare that I see any mods that stir up a genuine sense of awesomeness for me. This ear mod on Kira got that reaction from me.
This awesome ear mod was done by Bruno, who was one of the first practitioners I knew of to use the cut and suture method for cartilage removal. For this piece he used a custom made dermal punch and custom jewelry. The plan is for her to wear the jewelry for a few years to truly define the shape and then hopefully she can not wear any jewelry and still have the cross removal be well defined. If it turns out as well as the inner conch removal Howie cut and sutured on me a few years back, she will have an awesome ear mod for sure!
For more pics of the custom punch, and whatnot you know the deal, keep on keeping on…..
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One of our favorite Hungarian hunks is hitting the road soon and is looking for some places to visit. Gabor Zagyvai is currently looking for guest spots all over Europe, so if you’ve got a shop you’d like him to come visit, you can get in touch with him through his website or his IAM page. In the meantime, check out this swastika inspired scar he finished recently.
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I don’t know how she does it, but Joey Pang is able to transform her machine into a paint brush. This horse doesn’t look like a tattoo, but rather a watercolor on canvas. Every stroke bringing it to life, to the point that it looks like it is about to leap off the leg. It’s simply gorgeous.
Joey is the owner of Tattoo Temple located in Hong Kong.
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BMEGirls are the answer to life, the universe and everything.
Sent into the geek tattoo gallery by Kzez.
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It’s been a while since the last BMEtv interview, so to get us back on track we’ve got one from last year’s BME World Tour. Today’s video features Ben Braniff. Ben is just one of a family of tattoo artists, and he talks to us about apprenticing under his dad, and the friendly rivalry he has with his brother.
To check out the video, you’ll have to keep on reading.
If you’ve missed any of the videos so far, you can check out the rest of them in the BME World Tour Video Gallery
