BME: Body Modification Ezine

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Celebrating body modification culture since 1994.

Tag: Portrait Tattoos

  • And That’s The Way It Is

    Written by

    Jordan Ginsberg


    Ever since Michael Jackson died/was killed/got beamed back up to the mother ship/whatever, we’ve worked tirelessly to bring you the very best in tattoo portraiture to honor, poke fun at and generally remember the man and his music. Well, with the publication of this outstanding piece by Denis Prevost of Live Once Tattoo in North Bay, Ontario (on a 50-year-old client getting her second tattoo ever, no less), we’re going to close the book on ModBlog’s dogged pursuit of King of Pop pieces; we think this is a fine note on which to go out. Wouldn’t want to become too predictable, right? Right.

    And with that, we’ll leave you for this evening. See you tomorrow, folks.

    Tattoo Hollywood, BME’s first tattoo convention, is coming to Los Angeles from August 21-23, featuring contests, prizes and some of the best artists from around the world! Click here for more information.

  • Easy or Impossible

    Written by

    Jordan Ginsberg


    As is likely well known around these parts, ModBlog has a proud tradition of tattoos celebrating both the work and many faces of Salvador Dali. This is a tradition we would like to continue, and, hey, we like to think that this handsome portrait of the man by the shit-kicking Nikko Hurtado at Ignition Tattoo in Hesperia, California, is a fine addition to an already impressive canon. “But Jordan,” you ask, “what kind of man wears such a fine portrait of such a gleefully mad artist?” All your questions will be answered after the jump.

    Do we know who it is? Well, no. But he’s wearing his summertime clothes, and on a scorcher like today, that’s just good thinking.

    Peace be with you, ModBloggers. Until tomorrow.

    See more in “Portrait Tattoos“ (Tattoos)

  • Step Into My Web

    Written by

    Jordan Ginsberg


    Hello there, ModBloggers! On the off-chance you’re not outside enjoy this lovely weather, well, here’s the chilling, steely visage of Neil Patrick Harris to scare you off your computer. Just look at him! Those eyes are a window to a soul darker than midnight.

    (Tattoo by Aaron Is at Studio XIII in Cocoa Beach, Florida, while at a convention in Augusta, Georgia.)

    See more in “Portrait Tattoos“ (Tattoos)

  • The Only Difference is the Distance

    Written by

    Jordan Ginsberg


    Ahoy-hoy, ModBloggers! Hope your Saturday is treating you well. I’m just in and out at the moment, but I wanted to quickly share this gorgeous portrait of Dave‘s. It’s not of anyone in particular, but, as he explains:

    I, like so many of our community members, have been totally fascinated with tribal cultures and their ideas of body art and beauty. In all simplicity this tattoo is my way of paying homage and showing people what body modification means to me and showing where my roots in this industry lay.

    From a technical standpoint, I’m very curious to see how the huge amount of white holds up in the long term. I’ve got high hopes, though—I really love the look of this piece.

    Enjoy your day, folks, and go on, gimme some fresh new eyes.

    (Tattoo by Daniel Jones at Asylum Studios in Salem, Virginia.)

    See more in “Portrait Tattoos“ (Tattoos)

  • Endless Elsewhere

    Written by

    Jordan Ginsberg


    Ahoy-hoy, ModBloggers! Hope the weekend finds you well. Sorry for the late post today—Internet at the manor has been a real kick in the dick all day. Anyway! Here’s some fine portraiture work by Josh Reynolds from Cannibal Graphics in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. What can I say? I’m a sucker from Day of the Dead/pinup/Virgin Mary iconography. (Which we see all the time, believe me.)

    Oh, and one more thing…

    If you’re in Toronto, the Seven Crowns gents, George and Matt (above) are hosting a gallery showing of tattoo art at Rocky Raccoon’s! I’ll be there along with resident BME photo magician Phil Barbosa, so come on out and say hello, etc. Here’s the info:

    On Saturday, May 30th we’ll be holding the “Monsters, Martyrs and May-sterpieces” show at Rocky Raccoon’s, 2579 Yonge St. in Toronto, a study in fantastically terrifying and disturbingly cheerful art pieces from the tattoo world. We will be displaying our own art as well as that of local tattoo artists, and would love for everyone to come and check it out. The event will start around 8pm, and there will be cheap drinks and free food, along with music by Sarah B. and other features that promise to tantalize and…you get the idea. Come out and celebrate art with us.

  • Frozen on the Boundaries

    Written by

    Jordan Ginsberg


    Admittedly, I’m woefully out of touch with cyberpunk anything, so pardon me if I’m missing a reference here and just projecting my own experiences, but is this not a dead ringer for Samppa? I mean, it is Samppa, isn’t it? The photo comes to us from Goldust and was taken at the Moscow Tattoo and Bodyart Festival this year, so hopefully we’ll get some much-needed clarification here. Whether it’s him or some other grilled-up cyborg, though, it’s damn fine work.

    And, after the jump, and not-so-ambiguous tribute to another artist who is no stranger to seeing his likeness engraved in others.

    This cutting of Emilio is by Martin Page, who was also responsible for the implants in this 3D portrait of Emilio from a little while back. (No relation, of course, to this glorious monument.)

    See more in “Moscow Tattoo and Bodyart Festival“ (Tattoo Conventions)

    See more in “Skin Removal Scarification“ (Scarification)

  • Sing and Rejoice

    Written by

    Jordan Ginsberg


    Good afternoon, ModBloggers! Have you saluted ol’ Queenie up there yet today? No? Well…the ever-watchful eye of the British Empire has a death gaze for you, after the jump.

    (Tattoos by the great Sean Karn at Fuzion Ink in Norfolk, Virginia. More Karn here.)

    See more in “Sean Karn Tattoo Mini Portfolio“ (Tattoo Artist Portfolios)

  • The Tongue Through the Tooth

    Written by

    Jordan Ginsberg


    The last time we featured a tattoo involving Dali on ModBlog, it got picked up by such varied places as Boing Boing, the official Star Wars site, and the personal blog of a Playboy magazine editor. I only mention this because, as excellent as toserveman‘s Dali portrait tattoo is, a precedent has been set, and I will not be satisfied unless it is linked to by NASA, the official web site of the Italian federal legislature and a talking gorilla’s Tumblr page. You’re all on notice.

    (Tattoo by Zac Adkins in Orlando, Florida.)

    See more in “Portrait Tattoos“ (Tattoos)

  • A Mere Heart of Stone

    Written by

    Jordan Ginsberg


    Well, holy crap. Guy sends in this photo of his incredible Charles Darwin portrait by Aliz at Primitive Origins in Hammersmith, London, finished after three sessions. I have nothing to add here: This is some of the more outstanding portraiture I’ve seen in a very long time. I mean, it’s no Leslie Nielsen-butterfly, but still.

    See more in “Portrait Tattoos“ (Tattoos)

  • Do You Like Movies About Gladiators?

    Written by

    Jordan Ginsberg


    Good morning, ModBloggers! Let’s start the day off right, with an Island of Dr. Moreau–esque hell demon. This insane Leslie Nielsen/butterfly cross was tattooed by Chris Hall at Crown and Anchor Tattoo in Barrie, Ontario, and, well…wow. I support this wholeheartedly, don’t get me wrong, but in the interest of safety, I think both artist and client should check their homes for gas leaks.

    See more in “Portrait Tattoos“ (Tattoos)

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