A small dolphin on the ankle, a black line on the lower back, a flower on the hip, or a child's name on the shoulder blade-among the women who make up the twenty percent of all adults in the USA who have tattoos, these are by far the most popular choices. Tattoos like these are cute, small, and can be easily hidden, and they fit right in with society's preconceived notions about what is 'gender appropriate' for women. But what about women who are heavily tattooed? Or women who visibly wear imagery, like skulls, that can be perceived as masculine or ugly when inked on their skin? Drawing on autoethnography, and extensive interviews with heavily tattooed women, Covered in Ink provides insight into the increasingly visible subculture of women with tattoos. Author Beverly Thompson visits tattoos parlors, talking to female tattoo artists and the women they ink, and she attends tattoo conventions and Miss Tattoo pageants where heavily tattooed women congregate to share their mutual love for the art form. Along the way, she brings to life women's love of ink, their very personal choices of tattoo art, and the meaning tattooing has come to carry in their lives, as well as their struggles with gender norms, employment discrimination, and family rejection. Thompson finds that, despite the stigma and social opposition heavily tattooed women face, many feel empowered by their tattoos and strongly believe they are creating a space for self-expression that also presents a positive body image. A riveting and unique study, Covered in Ink provides important insight into the often unseen world of women and tattooing.

In recent years, having received a considerable boost by social media, a young and dynamic scene has emerged that is dedicated to what has become known as queer tattooing. This special community, which is growing steadily, has been born out of a desire to break with the hierarchies and patriarchal structures of traditional tattoo art. It aims to create safe, tolerant, and inclusive spaces where queer, nonbinary, and trans people can experiment away from the mainstream and develop their own individual styles and techniques. In their work, many tattoo artists break free from the destructive, heteronormative, and capitalist ideals of beauty, creating a visual language that subverts the long tradition of cultural appropriation which characterises the traditional tattoo scene. Their designs reveal a unique creative flair for queer iconography. This book is the first comprehensive introduction to this vibrant and diverse queer tattoo community. It presents 50 international tattoo artists with the help of extensive portraits, texts, and series of images.

Record your tarot reading interpretations and connect with your spiritual side using this journal featuring artwork from the bestselling Tattoo Tarot deck. How do you relate to the fool? Who is the star in your life? What is your yearly spread looking like? Tattoo Tarot Journal includes illustrations and meanings for all the tarot cards for reference use, plus space to record three, five and ten-card spreads as well as to meditate on deeper questions. A must-have for fans of the best-selling Tattoo Tarot: Ink and Intuition and for all budding tarot readers.

For many service men and women, the battle is over, but the ink lives on. Thousands have chosen to commemorate their military service through tattoos, a custom as old as war paint itself. Yet military tattoos go far beyond the usual anchor and eagle clichA (c)s, and are often as complex and varied as the military experience. For the first time, documentary photographer Kyle Cassidy has sought out veterans who marked their military service with a tattoo and they are shown here in all their glory: fresh, faded, sometimes intertwined with wounds, physical and otherwise. And the stories behind these tattoos, both conventional and surprising, are just as engaging. In a transient world, with shifting enemies, mores, leaders, and friends, this is a testament to the values of a permanent commemoration. The unique journey into each service man and woman's story will captivate you. Not only is this book a great resource for history and military buffs, but it is also a great reference for tattoo artists.

Now fans of the smash-hit Listography journal series (over a quarter of a million copies sold ) can list all their favorite movie picks. Featuring the colorful illustrations of artist Jon Stich throughout, Film Listography boasts over 70 list topics ranging from the classic (favorite films of all time, favorite actors, directors, and soundtracks) to the lovably idiosyncratic (top so-bad-it's-good movies, scenes that made you cringe, characters you are most like). A celebration of celluloid that's sure to entertain, this is the ultimate fill-in journal for film fanatics, list lovers, and anyone who appreciates an alternative approach to journaling.

Why do people put indelible marks on their bodies in an era characterized by constant cultural change? How do tattoos as semiotic resources convey meaning? What goes on behind the scenes in a tattoo studio? How do people negotiate the informal career of tattoo artist? The Social Semiotics of Tattoos is a study of tattoos and tattooing at a time when the practice is more artistic, culturally relevant, and common than ever before. By discussing shifts within the practices of tattooing over the past several decades, Martin chronicles the cultural turn in which tattooists have become known as tattoo artists, the tattoo gun turns into the tattoo machine, and standardized tattoo designs are replaced by highly expressive and unique forms of communication with a language of its own. Revealing the full range of meaning-making involved in the visual, written and spoken elements of the act, this volume frames tattoos and tattooing as powerful cultural expressions, symbols, and indexes and by doing so sheds the last hints of tattooing as a deviant practice. Based on a year of full-time ethnographic study of a tattoo studio/art gallery as well as in-depth interviews with tattoo artists and enthusiasts, The Social Semiotics of Tattoos will be of interest to academic researchers of semiotics as well as tattoo industry professional and artists.

This is a staggering volume of thousands of examples of the celluloid acetate stencil, an essential tool in the history of tattooing. Mythical creatures, angels and devils, anchors and other nautical symbols, and more abound in stencil form, the classic tracing method that has only increased exponentially in popularity since the rough days of crude materials and callused hands. Before Thermofax (TM) and numbing cream, tattooists had to hone their tracing skills perfectly-and clients had to hope for the best. Over time artists would ask sailors and dock workers to let them trace remarkable tattoos they got at other ports, effectively inventing design replication. Today tattoo artists use tattoo stencils to transfer designs onto wood, quilts, and even cabinets. A worthy companion to Flash from the Bowery: Classic American Tattoos, 1900-1950, this volume continues to ignite the curiosity of American history and tattoo buffs.

This fabulous new colouring book features 90 original designs from popular Paris-based tattoo artist and illustrator Sunny Buick, all ready and waiting to be coloured in any way you like. Inside, you'll find everything from candy castles and sugar skulls to religious icons and classic tattoo symbols, and from circus animals and Day of the Dead decorations to ice creams and lollipops, and everything in between.

The intimate relationship of Japanese tattooing with the dark world of the yakuza has helped cover this form of artistic expression with an aura of mystery. But the culture of irezumi is deep and rich in meanings, shapes and motifs that have gone from color woodblock prints to being applied to the skin to beautify and protect their bearers. This book reveals the meaning and the secrets behind the most significant motifs from traditional Japanese tattooing-such as mythological and supernatural creatures, animals, Buddhist deities, flowers and historical characters-and turns this art form into a path toward personal knowledge and individual expression. Readers will discover the origin and meaning of each visual representation of the most frequent themes in this art form. Irezumi itai begins with a brief review of the history of Japanese tattoo art and then examines each subject (water, mythological animals, real animals, mythological characters, historical characters, flowers, shunga and yokai) through images and descriptive texts; it also includes a gallery of original designs by the author and a glossary.

Over 330 color images display the designs, sacred images, and scripts that are the tattoo art of Indochina. Traditional tattoo forms dating back over a thousand years are presented, expressing the combined animist-tribal beliefs and deep religious faith of a complex and spiritual people. Despite the encroachment of the global community, the skilled priests and specialists of Indochina continue to create tattoo magic today, as displayed and described in a fascinating text. Interviews with individuals using rituals and symbolsreveal the creative process expressed through their tattoos that help them cope with the unpredictable nature of their lives.

Japanese men have been marked by tattoo artists for the past 300 years. Todays urbane Japanese youth continue the tradition, proudly creating and wearing this ever changing art form. Over 530 breathtaking color photos display a vast range of Japanese tattoos, from traditional full-body forms repleat with classical images steeped in symbolism, including Horimono, to modern One-Point style, heavily influenced by the cultures of the West.\nThe fascinating text provides a glimpse of Japans youth culture and recounts, through personal interviews, stories of Japanese masters of the tattoo art, including Senseis Horihide, Horiyoshi III, Horitoshi I, Horiyasu, and Horikoi. Readers will see some of the most intricate tattoo art in the world, while traveling through time from the 19th century Edo Floating World to the busy streets of modern Tokyo.

As old as human history and as new as this moment, tattoos have gone from being the domain of outlaw bikers and sailors to becoming cutting-edge body decoration. And Tattoo celebrates the medium for what it is - deeply personal and often provocative art. Myriad motifs appear on its pages, from malevolent totems and dark demons to light-hearted graphics, cartoon anime, flowing Japanese-style florals, and old-school flash, in palettes as subtle as black and grey to as in-your-face as vibrant Day-Glo. Showcasing striking, full-colour photographs of this skin art, Tattoo also features the honest words of a broad spectrum of individuals who have submitted their skin to a tattoo artist's needle. When the needle pierces the skin, the whims of the artist and the subject become permanently embedded on the skin. What inspired these indelible designs? Tattoo invites you to share the unique stories and striking visuals of some amazing ink. About the authors Tattoo collaborators Brousseau, Hajeski and Purcell share an appreciation of the visual poetry of the art of tattooing. Marcel Brousseau is a freelance writer and artist living in Santa Barbara, California. Nancy Hajeski is an award-winning writer of fiction and is also a human-interest newspaper columnist. Lisa Purcell is an editor and artist living in Manhattan.

Innovative artist Spider Webb has brought the traditional art of tattooing into the modern age, elevating the primitive or folk art iconography into modern art with startling interpretations. 400 color and black and white tattoo flash, in two volumes, feature dragons and other mythological beasts, skulls, eagles, beautiful women, hearts, daggers, serpents, and tigers of the natural and supernatural worlds. Many tattoos may be seen as social and political commentary as well. Here is an opportunity to review a prolific artist's work that people from around the globe have been happy to bear as permanent expressions of their inner lives. This book will be treasured by all who enjoy tattoo art.

An intimate look at individuals who choose to be heavily tattooed. The seventy black an white photographs display both tattoos and the outstanding characters of men and women who wear them and artists who apply them. Many of the people were photographed over two decades, revealing the evolution of art on their bodies through time. This fascinating approach enables the individuals to tell their unique stories in their own words. It make fascinating reading, equal to the strong emotional impact of the photographic art that accompanies their tales. This compelling book will fascinate everyone who wears or admires tattoos as art.

Enjoy this dynamic collection of tattoo imagery. Over 500 vintage photographs display hundreds of people decorated with thousands of tattoos. This historic tattoo art dates from the 1800s through the 1980s and includes images of love, military, religious, exotic, parlor, and tribal markings. Sailor boys, circus performers, and lovely daring women are among those who celebrate tattoo art by showing off their collections.

Dragons have inspired fantasy, fear, and heroism. Re-known tattoo artist Spider Webb has been tracing their images in ink and oil, on skin and parchment, for decades, and here gathers the best of his imagery for an inspiring look at the mythical realms of this fantastic creature. Dragons lend their forms to colorful, swirling artwork, playfully and sometimes provocatively displayed to inspire graphic artist, ink jockeys, and fans of the fantastic.

Tattoos have played an important role in human culture for thousands of years. Ideal for the tattoo artist, anthropologist, or tattoo fan, this visual lexicon covers tattoos from hundreds of different cultures and lists meanings, reasons for wearing, and rites of passage and indicates placement for thousands of individual tattoos. Complete with nearly 650 illustrations, the book breaks down the symbology of these tattoos, indicating the origin and significance of motifs from tattoo cultures that still exist and those that have been lost to history. The breadth and depth of this information serve to inspire today's tattoo artist and expand the knowledge of this ancient and global phenomenon.

All of the artwork in this collection -- Skulls, Catrinas and Culture of the Dead share a common theme: a lust for life and reverence of death -- all explored in engaging paintings, drawings, photography and sculpture. This book represents a veritable compendium of skulls and Catrinas with impressive artistic scope, and a valuable source of inspiration for contemporary tattoo artwork. Skulls and Catrinas are the most significant attributes of Mexico's traditional celebration of The Day of the Dead, El Dia de los Muertos. Such pleasures are brilliantly displayed in the artwork featured, in full vibrant colour, on the pages of this book. In this massive hardcover, Edgar Hoill has assembled renowned tattooists from around the world, who uniquely interpret the icons of this sacred day. The Calaveras, literally, "skulls" are artfully manifested in various forms among the artwork. Images of Catrina, the covert queen of the dead, within this book demonstrate how the artists view death as something to be laughed at and not feared. Also populating these pages are beautiful women with skeletal features transposed over their faces, bringing to mind the joy and suffering of love. Tattoo artists represented in this book: Jacky Rudy, Horiyoshi III, Italia Ruotolo, Chuey Quintanar, Colin Dale, Christin Hock Dolorosa, Dimitri, Paco Arias, Fredi Tut, Greg D., Rask Opticon, Derek Noble, Benjamin Estrada, Pablo Xno, Miguel Morales, Shige, Martin Martinez Castro, Roy Palma, Frank Chavez, Jesse Hernandez, Richie, Chamaco, Manson, Elvia Guadian, Paul Barrientos, Phillip Spearman, Ricardo Mendez, Abraham Ortega, AR Ink Bombers, El Chocky, Rob Struven, Diego Garcia, Gabriel Frias, Tony Boyd, Dr. Lakra, Steve Soto, Robert Atkinson, Mike, Roxi, Osiris, Stef De Bad, Dermafilia familia, Dan Chase, Indio Reyes, Chia, Krazy K, Tatu Baby, Khan, Javier Pina, Colin Dale, David Dettleoff, Jonathan Fernandez, Edgar Alvarez, Rich Martinez, Elvia Guadian, Paco Arias, Chuy Ortega, Electroshock, Pablo Ash, Kiki Platas, Liber Riot, El Chanok, Genziana, Jason Wheeler, Claire Octopus, Chamaco, Tony Mancia, Joe Romero, Ben Corn, Rojo, Paola Maria, Brian Everett, Vampiro, Juan Metal, El Chocky, Manuel Lorenzana, Paul Nguyen, Gator, Steph D., Rob Hill, Grim, El Buster, Manuel Valenzuela, Tracey, Tuich, Juan Arreguin, Kasuyoshi, Fide, Simone Pfaff, Justin Hendrick, Henri B., Yushi Takei, Homero Reyes, Jorge Issac Trujeque Gutierrez, Peque, Horikazu, Ricardo Mendez, Eric San, Federico Ruiz, Nervio, Colin Dale, Pedro Alvarez, Heidi Scheck, Mouse Lopez, Hector, Dermafilia familia, El Will, Nelson Acido Garcia, Morof, Tuer, Italia Ruotolo, Roxi Tattoo, Alex 'Kofuu' Reinke Horikitsune, Ina Trece, Sodapop, Karrona, Catalyst Butcher, Mike Sirot, Tofino Tattoo, Gajin Fujita, Steve Martin, Chino De Tepito, Will Contreras, Chuy Espinoza, El Whyner, Antonio Mejia, Listo Tj, Shane Tyner, Defer, Christina Ramos, Robert Cervantes, Shane Modica, Miguel Morales, Charlie Machete, Pedro Alvarez, El Sukre, Ching, Ocelotzin, Tony Chakal Serrano, Dawn Silva, JJ., Rudy Chee, Lorena Vuyovich, Carlos Macias, Chino De Tepito, Nelson Acido Garcia, Pedro Alvarez, Naualli Russo, Tatu Baby, Andres Juarez, Javier Hurtado, Tony Salgado, Horitaka, Aaron Hernandez, Melissa Reyes.

Bold, visual, profound, symbolic: Japanese kanji characters communicate powerful graphic messages that look great on skin, walls, stationery, T-shirts, and more Here are dozens of edgy, targeted characters hand-picked to help you find the inner you and express yourself in a distinctive stylish way. With cultural clues, readings, font varieties, and ideas for proper use. Don't embarrass yourself with bad ink! Shogo Oketani is an editor and author in Tokyo, Japan, and a long-time student of Japanese martial arts, philosophy, poetry, and history. Leza Lowitz is the author of twenty books of fiction and poetry and is owner/teacher at Sun and Moon yoga studio in Tokyo, Japan.

When a freshly-mummified body is discovered at the Brighton Museum of Natural History, Detective Francis Sullivan is at a loss to identify the desiccated woman. But as Egyptian burial jars of body parts with cryptic messages attached start appearing, he realises he has a serial killer on his hands.

Revenge, obsession and an ancient religion form a potent mix, unleashing a wave of terror throughout the city. Caught in a race against time while battling his own demons, Francis must fight to uncover the true identity of the Embalmer before it's too late...

This new book continues the tradition of the American pin-up girl, while taking it to new territory. It celebrates not only the stunning beauty of the models, but the artistry of tattoos and piercings that adorn their bodies. These new cultural icons are sassy, alluring, bold, outspoken, gorgeous, and proud to show off their assets.The 46 women who posed for the stunning photographs all wear creative body art by some of the most talented tattooers and body piercers in the world. They share their thoughts about tattoos and life in brief character sketches that accompany the pictures. Readers quickly learn that their body art is emblematic of the empowerment they share and the zeal with which they live their lives. This fascinating book will delight everyone who loves the feminine form and those who appreciate the tattooist's art.