500 Design Tattoo Art

Many tattoos of the Twentieth Century have been based upon mythological creatures. Unlike the past centuries, the mythology behind many of the subjects of lore have become a lot more fantastic and alluring to people of all ages nowadays. Still, there are those few groups (I usually like to call Bible-pounders) that believe the entire ideas behind tattoos are Satanic and blasphemous.

I will always say, "To each his own". That philosophy works with everything for me. Don't like the radio station? Change it! Not interested in what is being played on the television? Turn it off! Don't like tattoos? Don't get one! Geez, is this that difficult?

Have you ever read the true Grimm Fairy Tales? They certainly do not have the Walt Disney "G" ratings on the original versions of the stories! Take the fable of "Snow White." In the Disney ending, she and Prince Charming live happily ever after. However, the wicked stepmother in Grimm's fairy tales was brought before the couple on their wedding day. There - in front of the wedding revelers - it is written that the stepmother was forced to dance in iron shoes - heated upon a blazing fire - until she dropped dead from the ordeal! Hmm, I must have missed that part in the Disney version!

Nevertheless, one can see how the beginnings of one myth or folklore can be changed over the centuries, to adapt to a more "G" rated crowd. The same can be said for certain designed tattoos. From the more arcane skulls and dragons, to the celestial fairies and hearts - the original meanings surrounding many of these designs have become more suitable to the owner of such tattoo art. Did you know that an ankle bracelet tattoo used to ward away the fear of drowning? On the other hand, some Native American tribes would etch markings upon their faces if they were hurting from something. (I.E. Chronic headache sufferers would tattoo their foreheads. Toothache victims would tattoo their cheeks.)

Whatever the reasons may have been, somewhere along the lines, hundreds - if not thousands - of designed tattoos have had their original meanings wiped clean, and were replaced with the more "G" rated idealisms of the Twentieth Century. I have two fairy tattoos, and they both are elegant, beautiful, nude wood nymphs. However, after a bit of research, I found that much fairy lore originated back to Ireland.

Tattoo Art Women Suits Your Personality

For some people having a tattoo is an art that is why they decide to get a tattoo. Perhaps, you noticed that tattoos are not only for men but there are also tattooed women. If you are interested and enticed to have tattoo in any part of your body make sure that you choose the right design suited with your personality. Some people say that the tattoo adds attraction and make them sexier. But you should be certain when you decide to put tattoo in your body because despite of being fun it would last a long time that is why you should select suitable tattoo that you will enjoy for a long time.

Factors to Think About in Selecting Design

Selecting the best design of tattoo that would fit your personality is not an easy thing. Even tattooed women also find difficulty in choosing tattoo despite of the fact that there are wide array of choices. You should not be overwhelmed in making your decision because you have to consider few things such as the colors, the patterns as well as the sizes. It is important that you not rush instead take your time in making your decision and ask help from tattoo artist for you to select the best one.

Many tattooed women choose design that has a significant value for them. You should also be aware to choose style that has positive interpretation. Make sure that you convey what you really want others would think when they see your tattoo. Remember that what is right for you may seem odd to others. It is necessary that you weigh all options before you settle for one design.

Flower Tattoo Art

Flower tattoo designs are one of the most popular tattoo designs for women. With more and more women getting tattoos these days, floral tattoos have become very prominent. Women find colorful floral tattoo designs extremely attractive and it enhances their natural beauty. Also flowers can be drawn and colored in so many different ways that it is easier for an artist to make unique designs rather than reuse few cookie cutter tattoos. Flowers represent the best of nature. There is abundant variety of floral life throughout the world and tattoo art can be used to represent them in the best possible way to brighten up the skin. So if you are fascinated by nature and its colors these may be the best designs for you. But the floral tattoos are extremely feminine. Men don't usually get floral tattoos, and even if they do generally it is of the tribal flower kind. The most floral tattoos in the west are of course roses. But there is so much variety in rose in regard to the way it is designed and colored. Red roses are symbolic of love and romance. So they top in popularity among roses. White roses represent purity of heart and innocence, it can also represent virginity. Other lesser popular colors for roses are yellow, pink and even black, but remember black roses mean death. Even more popular than rose tattoos are lotus tattoos in the east. Lotus has always been very popular in the east as a sign of spirituality. In Indian and Chinese culture, several of the Gods are depicted on Lotus flowers. Even Buddha is dedicated to have emerged from the lotus bud. Lotus flowers also have a very feminine beauty and can look really good on the curvy women body. Several other parts of the world have their own popular floral tattoos for example hibiscus is really popular in Hawaii. All Hawaiian garlands are made from hibiscus flowers. Hawaiian women general even adorn these flowers in their hair. Japanese and Chinese have their own floral designs as well. Floral tattoos have been used for centuries. Even the different tribes such as Native Americans, Celtics, African, etc. have used floral tattoos to decorate their body. But these tribal tattoos are generally done in black color. The reason for this might even be because they don't have access to sophisticated tattooing machines which can create extremely colorful tattoos. Another advantage of floral tattoos is that they look good at any part of the body. You can have floral tattoos on hips, arms, black, thighs, foot, abdomen, etc. Just get them at a place on your body you want to highlight in a brightly colored fashion. The multi colored flower tattoos look the most sexy and attractive.

Girl Tattoo Art

If shows such as Miami Ink and L.A. Ink show us anything, it's that tattoos are not some passing fad. What once was a form of rebellion is now seen by many as an outward extension of who they are. Women today are becoming increasingly tattooed and searches on the net for girl tattoos have skyrocketed. Some tattoo studios (once called tattoo 'parlors) can even have a female to male ratio of 60% to 40%.

What drives a woman to get a tattoo? The most heard reason in studios is that they just broke up with someone. Some get their first ink after a divorce or other major change in their life such as losing a loved one, childbirth, marriage or even religion (think cross tattoos or The Virgin Mary). This is a practice that dates back thousands of years.  

What are women having done tattoo-wise? The most popular are typically flowers, tribal designs, butterflies, fairies and cartoons. These tattoos are also starting to get larger and more customized. There was a time when women usually "hid" something very small on their shoulder or ankle. Today popular spots include the small of the back, arms legs and even chests. Although, the ankle and shoulder are still tremendously popular locations...the tattoos are just larger. Typically being more stylish that men, women are more concerned about tattoos they want and where on their body to put it. Part of the tattoo artist's job is to help the client select a design or possible location that will accentuate a certain part or shape of the body.

Women also seem to be better than men when actually getting tattooed. Men like to think they are tough can take the pain. But when the needle hits their skin they pass out in the chair. Women, on the other hand anticipate the pain and will have a higher tolerance.

Have you been searching the internet looking for tattoo designs, a tattoo finder or more particularly girl tattoo art? Finding the right design can be downright exhausting. People with tattoos will tell you how long it takes to choose the right one. After all, they last forever and shouldn't be rushed. It could take 20-30 hours to find the right tattoo design, so don't get a tattoo on a whim or go with cute and trendy. A feminine tattoo should be unique and should speak about who you are and not copied from someone else.

If you are like most women, you have searched and searched for the right design; be it a cross tattoo, a floral tattoo or butterfly tattoo. You may have searched the internet, looked for a tattoo finder or even searched the books of your local tattoo studio. Take your time and try to visualize the type of tattoo you want before you get it. Try to find examples that resemble your idea to see what it may end up looking like. Never be tempted to 'just pick one off the wall'...never settle for less just because you can't make up your mind. The first half of 2008 shows the 5 most popular girl tattoos to be Traditional Japanese tattoos (koi fish, dragons, etc.), Traditional American tattoos (pin ups, classic cars, etc.), Floral tattoos, Anime (although I think this is a passing fad) and Indian / Hindu tattoo designs. Be careful, though, some designs can have totally different meanings than what you thought and can also be associated with particular cultural groups; such as gang tattoos.  Also be sure to have any foreign tattoos, such as Japanese lettering, translated before having them permanently affixed to your body! The estimate is that 25% of all translation in tattoo studio is wrong! There are tons of cases of people going to get a Japanese tattoo of "strong will" and the lettering actually spelling out "small fish" or something worse.

When getting a tattoo, remember that fads come and go, be aware of any regulations your employer may have against them and remember that having one removed can cost up to ten as much as the original tattoo!

People have said that getting a tattoo is like losing your virginity! The rush, the smell, even the pain are extremely memorable and intense. People even say that tattoos are addictive!

Tattoo Art Arm Designs

Arms are the most frequently tattooed part of the body. This common practice and choice has its roots both in Eastern and Western traditions and makes sense when you consider that our arms are very visible parts of our body and naturally lend themselves to being viewed in most situations.

Most frequently, we see that tattoo arm designs fall into two major categories, Japanese and American Traditional. These will frequently be naval or sailing tattoos, kitch Americana such as pin-up girls from the 40's and 50's style, flags, etc.. They are generally executed within a few basic styles, including different locations on the arm, different sizes, shapes and of course designs.

One popular style becoming more common as tattooing increases in popularity is the SLEEVE TATTOO. These can be a full sleeve which will cover the entire arm, a half sleeve which starts at the shoulder and extends to the forearm, and the quarter sleeve, or quarter arm tattoo which generally goes from the wrist to about the middle of the forearm.

The idea is that the tattoo is dense enough so that no bare skin is evident and the appearance is as if you were wearing an article. You can even find some tattoo 'sleeves" to actually wear that way on e-Bay though I don't recall seeing anyone wearing one myself J.

Another popular pattern for the sleeve is floral, and as you expect generally women will favor this approach. But that isn't written in stone by any means and with the right design a floral pattern will work excellently with men as well.

Your choice is your own, of course, but taking into consideration your build type in general and the size of your arms in relation to the rest of your body is something that would be wise to consider before applying the ink.

Another style you may want to consider is the WRIST TATTOO.

Wrist tattoos are also gaining in popularity, especially with women who enjoy the "bracelet" designs of Japanese, Amerind or Polynesian origin to name just a few. Many of these tattoo arm designs are frequently of the "Tribal" variety and have special meanings to their owners and are believed by many to have some charm effect for them.

Men frequently will choose these tribal patterns because of their starkness and bold coloration. Be sure to consider the cultural and stylistic aspects of any tattoo arm design you choose. Many tribal designs have been "modernized" for contemporary tattoo art and are quite extraordinary.

Other wrist tattoos have designed flame bracelets and the flames will extend various distances up towards the forearm from the wrist area. This style tends to be more associated with the "biker" look and relates well to contemporary Harley Davidson flame paint jobs, to name just one association.

Once you decide on your design for any of these styles, you will need to locate a reputable, experienced and hopefully talented artist to entrust your precious skin to. Be prepared to pay for these because they require a lot of work and time.

A full sleeve tattoo for example can take 20 hours of work and that means repeated visits (your body and the artist can only take so much at one time). In practical terms, giving yourself time to heal between sessions and considering the availability schedule of your artist, a complete tattoo arm design could take 4 to 6 months and cost as much as $2000 (or more!).

Remember! This tat will be with you from now on. Approach it with respect and good judgment. Don't look for "bargains." Know who you are working with. Do your homework, and then be proud of the beautiful work of art you are displaying.

Popular Lettering Styles For Tattoo Art

The importance of selecting the right lettering styles for tattoos can't be emphasized enough as they are crucial for expressing yourself in the right manner. Take for example the tattoo that graces the left rib of Swedish football/soccer hotshot Zlatan Ibrahimovic, which was inked in classical lettering style and denotes the following phrase; "Only God Can Judge Me". Truly a great statement and brought to an equally great effect all due to the appropriate use of lettering style.

Think for a second, would such powerful statement produce the right impact if it were conceived using unsuitable lettering styles such as grunge, bone or even block? I believe it would have significantly reduced the "oomph" factor of the tattoo and giving it a rather peculiar appearance. Tattoos are not just a matter of flaunting stylish body art or a way of garnering attention. It's about having a means by which to express ideas, experiences, and beliefs that you hold very dear to your heart. Many famous names and celebrities express themselves through letterings and images of tattoo art. Here is a list of popular lettering styles for tattoos that graces the body of many famous names today and how you can source them at the comfort of your own home.

Latin letterings - Latin is regarded by many as one of the most beautiful languages in the world. Tattoo lovers all over the globe decorate their bodies with Latin words in order to express themselves in an exotic kind of way. Soccer star David Beckham had the following phrase inked into his skin in Latin words; "Ut Amem Et Foveam" which translates to "So that I love and cherish". I feel that such sentimental phrase befits the beauty of the Latin language and the effect would have been indifferent if the tattoo was engraved using other types of lettering style.

Arabic letterings - In my opinion, Arabic letters can make for terrific tattoo ideas mainly because they evoke a certain kind of exotic quality and thereby a worthy inclusion among popular lettering styles for tattoos. A lot of famous people are permanently stamped with them such as the aforementioned Zlatan Ibrahimovic who has a tattoo of his last name stamped in Arabic script. Heck, even Hollywood heartthrob Brad Pitt, has a tattoo of Arabic characters on the lower portion of his back.

Kanji letterings - Japanese kanji symbols are very stylized and full of expression, hence they are highly sought after and have adorn permanently on many celebrities including the likes of WWE pro wrestler Dave Batista, and popular American singer, Pink.

Chinese letterings - Well known folks that have Chinese script tattooed onto their bodies include Kiefer Sutherland, Tyrese Gibson, and Sarah Michelle Gellar. Chinese letterings are highly regarded by many tattoo enthusiasts simply because they are creative, expressive and cool looking too! There's no denying it, Chinese characters are absolutely popular and will remain so for a very long time.

Finding truly 'unique' and great looking designs to go along with the above-mentioned lettering styles for tattoos can be a painfully trudging experience. I'd highly recommend that you look for them online via tattoo art databases instead of the traditional tattoo shops or websites that offers cookie-cutter designs.

Tattoo Art Ideas for Men

Tattoo is a means by which people wish to project what they want others to perceive them as. Their ideas and opinions are evident through their body art. Although there are no restrictions, based on gender or otherwise, as to what kind of tattoo an individual may sport, there are some socio cultural factors and personal tastes that show that certain tattoos are the males' alone. It is a known fact that as compared to women, majority of men get tattoos done. Even among the ancient Polynesian tattoo masters who had the final word in what kind of design was appropriate and when and where to mark them were seen to be mostly male.

Human skull design:

Very few other designs can be bolder than a skull tattooed to the body. The idea to get a 'skull' is only a start, as there are innumerable types of skull patterns from which one will have to choose. Addition to that, the visual depiction and detailing around it may also vary. For example, a Naga who has lived all his life seeing the typical motifs of his tribe might commission a tattoo of a skull of the native bull with crossed arrows adorning the background. A man who has been fascinated with the tantric ways might wish to show off human skull tattoos on his body. Thus, the choice of the 'kind' of skull may differ from person to person based on their preference of type and other external factors.

Dragon designs:

Large dragon depictions look best as tattoos especially on the chest area, biceps and upper back. The most attractive of them all are the fire breathing fierce dragons with special detailing given to the spikes of their massive tails and their lethally sharp and large teeth. Such dragon tattoos suit those men who are particularly more masculine than others. Less fierce dragon tattoo types may be considered as an option for those who have been fascinated by dragon myths and those into fantasy writings. It is also a common body art among the East Asians, for whom the dragon has been part of ancient folklore.
'Heart' for Moms:

To flaunt your love for your mom, request your tattoo artist to give you a Sailor-Jerry style tattoo with a headline over it reading ''Mom'', thus showing your respect to your creator. Avoid the cheesy eyesore kind, but it's tough to say whether she'll like it or not. It is a classical style pioneered by the American tattoo artists.

The Best Pictures of Tattoo Art

Okay, so you've finally decided to get a tattoo. If you thought that the hardest part is over, think again. Anyone who has already gotten a tattoo would tell you that choosing the right tattoo design for you is as difficult and as time-consuming as picking a new house or even your future bride or groom. Tattoos remain on your body for life, after all. And because of that very permanence, you would naturally want it to mean something to you and be an understandable message for the viewers of your body art.

Pictures of tattoos would definitely help you to get to the bottom of what visually appeals to you for your tattoo design. They help your research on what styles you generally prefer. Pictures of tattoos have become as varied as the aficionados who wear them.

So instead of marching toward the nearest tattoo shop and browse your way through their thick portfolios of flash tattoo designs, you might want to look at different pictures of tattoo from more than one resource. Even if you eventually get your own tattoo design customized, inspiration comes best from looking at pictures of tattoos and other design ideas.

Kokopelli Tattoo Art

Kokopelli, the mythical prankster and joy bringer of the Southwestern Native Americans, is a great tattoo choice for someone who wants a unique design to compliment their personality. This art form is truly one of a kind. But it can be difficult to find quality Kokopelli tattoo designs... they are starting to gain popularity, but aren't a mainstream trend yet. Here are some ideas on how to find Kokopelli art work that translates well as a tattoo.

Kokopelli is a flute-playing deity that is found in ancient petroglyphs throughout the Southwest. He is symbolic of all fertility and abundance... crops, dreams, love, etc. He is also a trickster and a prankster.

How do you find Kokopelli tattoos?

One way is to search online for pictures of Southwestern petroglyphs to find truly authentic images of Kokopelli. You can use these images to come up with your own unique tattoo designs.

Another way is to search through the tattoo design websites. The problem with this approach is most of these sites only offer boring and unoriginal designs. To make matters worse, most of these random images were never created to be tattoo art. As a result, they may look ok on paper but don't translate well on the body.

The solution is to only deal with sites that showcase tattoo art created by professional tattoo artists. There are tattoo artist who truly understand the Kokopelli art form and can translate it into original tattoo art. You may have to wade through the generic sites to find unique Kokopelli tattoos, but they do exist.