In Search of History - Art of Tattooing (History Channel) - Tattooing is a universal human practice. The Ainu, the indigenous people of Japan, wore facial tattoos. Tattooing was widespread among Polynesian peoples, and in the Philippines, Borneo, Africa, North America, South America, Mesoamerica, Europe, Japan, and China.

Tattooing has been a Eurasian practice since Neolithic times. “Ötzi the Iceman”, dated circa 3300 BC, bearing 57 tattoos: a cross on the inside of the left knee, six straight lines 15 centimeters long above the kidneys and numerous small parallel lines along the lumbar, legs and the ankles, exhibiting possible therapeutic tattoos (treatment of arthritis). Tarim Basin (West China, Xinjiang) revealed several tattooed mummies of a Western (Western Asian/European) physical type. Still relatively unknown (the only current publications in Western languages are those of J P. Mallory and V H. Mair, The Tarim Mummies, London, 2000), some of them could date from the end of the 2nd millennium BCE.

Three tattooed mummies (c. 300 BCE) were extracted from the permafrost of Altaï in the second half of the 20th century (the Man of Pazyryk, during the 1940s; one female mummy and one male in Ukok plateau, during the 1990s). Their tattooing involved animal designs carried out in a curvilinear style. The Man of Pazyryk, a Scythian chieftain, is tattooed with an extensive and very detailed range of animals, monsters and a series of dots that lined up along the spinal column (lumbar region) and around the right ankle ..

The Body Art Book: A Complete Illustrated Guide to Tattoos, Piercings and Other Body Modifications - 8 pages of photos and a worldwide directory.

This is the first fully comprehensive, illustrated guide to body art in all its forms.

This is the only reference source available that explores every step of the process.

This is the definitive guide for choosing style and placement, finding the right artist, ensuring safety and proper care, and even correcting or removing unwanted body art.

About the Author
Jean-Chris Miller is the Editorial Director of Art & Ink Enterprises, overseeing production of the magazines Skin Art, Tattoo Review, Tattoos for Men, Tattoos for Women, In the Flesh, Art Alternatives, Outlaw Biker, and Girls of Outlaw Biker. She has written extensively on the subjects of tattooing, piercing, and other forms of body art. –This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

And just for fun:

The Sketchbook: 80 Unique Designs by the World’s Finest Tattoo Artists - The artistic versatility of tattoo artists has frequently been overshadowed by the negativity that surrounds tattooing in general. Many tattoos are made by would-be artists who copy overused designs. A perfectly tattooed body requires the skills of a professional and talented artist, who creates a unique and personal design. These designs are often inspired by one or more of the various tattoo styles of Japanese, Maori or other tribal origin. “The Sketchbook” offers the reader a selection of 80 of these unique designs by well-known and less famous, but very promising, tattoo artists from around the world. Each artist was requested to create a sketch unrestrained by commercial demands and which reflects their own personal motivations.

The book is divided into two sections: the first comprises an explanation of how this collection was brought together, along with a brief illustrated overview of the history and various styles of tattooing. The second section is devoted to the artists, each sketch being accompanied by a biography and favorite quote.

The concept of this book was developed by Marco Bratt, a tattoo artist from The Netherlands, and his partner, Germanborn lifestyle photographer Nancy Heimburger, who also wrote the introductory chapter.

Tattoo Goo Jumbo Goo and Tattoo Rejuvenator Kit -

• Tattoo Goo Salve heals the skin but does not pull ink out
• Color Guard Tattoo Rejuvenating Spray has SPF 30 with Aloe, Cucumber and other Herbs to renew, revitalize and protect your tattoo
• Deep Cleansing Soap protects the tattoo or piercing with a pH balanced, antibacterial and antimicrobial formula
• Tattoo Goo is the original pharmacist developed BodyArt Aftercare product line
• Great Gift Item!

FREE Tattoo Goo Lotion 2 oz. with purchase- $5.99 Retail Value. Protect and rejuvenate your new and existing tattoos with this Jumbo Value Kit. Use the salve to promote faster healing time, the soap to remove dirt and dead skin cells, and the spray to renew, revitalize and protect your tattoos. Tattoo Goo Jumbo Goo & Tattoo Rejuvenator Kit #542: One Tattoo Goo Healing & Skin Care Treatment Salve 1.5 oz. AND one Tattoo Goo Deep Cleansing Soap 3 oz. AND one Color Guard Tattoo Rejuvenating Spray 2 oz.

• cyberpunkreview.com » Experiences in Body Modification
  More on the use of magnets in body modification
  (tags: body+modification magnet+implants)
• Technoccult: occult and fringe culture blog
  High-tech Implants Aren’t the Future of Body Modification
  (tags: body+art body+modification)
• Pure Body Arts
  Some absolutely beautiful tattoo work from artist Lizzie Renaud
  (tags: Tattoo Tattoo+Art Lizzie+Renaud)
• Body Modification Goes High-Tech: Magnet Implants - Gizmodo
  What happens when you place a body modification artist and a neuroscientist in a room?
  (tags: body+modification body+art magnet+implants)
• Mentawai: The tattooed village - Tattoo Blog
  In Mentawai, Indonesia, the art of tattooing is more than a phenomenon. The fact that practically everybody here is tattooed proves this.
  (tags: body+art Tattoo Tattoo+Art Indonesia Mentawai)
• Fashiontribes.com: Tattoos
  Embroidery Tattoos - - Embroider your towels! This ain’t yo’ grandmas stitching
  (tags: Tattoo Tattoo+Art)

Bushido : Legacies of the Japanese Tattoo - This gorgeous book delves into the elusive world of traditional Japanese tattooing. The Samurai spirit, Bushido, is an integral component of Japanese tattooing that is traced through the imagery and interpersonal dynamics of this veiled subculture. The eloquent text is based largely on Takahiro Kitamuras experiences as client and student of the famed Japanese tattoo master, Horiyoshi III. Over 200 beautiful photos by Jai Tanju capture the breathtaking tattoo artistry of Horiyoshi III. Five original, unpublished prints by Horiyoshi III, like those in his acclaimed book, 100 Demons of Horiyoshi III, are included here. Bushido: Legacies of the Japanese Tattoo is certain to fascinate everyone with an interest in tattoo culture.

Takahiro Kitamura, who tattoos as Horitaka, currently resides and works in California. Katie Kitamura is pursuing a doctoral degree at the University of London. Jai Tanju is a photographer in San Jose, California.

An excellent article here at BME: How I got into body modification and how stereotyping is wrong!

Body modification is not a cry for attention; it is me expressing myself.

I’m seeing these all over the place - - tattoos inside the lower lip. Anyone have one of these done? How good is the pain?

James Lambert from AgapePress (reliable news from a Christian source) - wonders why people would do it: I feel compelled to ask: Why? Before you go down to the local tattoo parlor or visit a body piercing practitioner, ask yourself: “Can I really see this on me for the rest of my life? Or will this form of ‘expression’ later hurt me?”

Along with that gem of wisdom (as if any of us aren’t already asking ourselves that very question the moment we decide to get a piercign or a tattoo) - James also offers this one: “Ask God - that’s always the best way to get direction.”

I asked god for world peace once. God didn’t answer. What makes me think god will concern himself with my trivial question about piercing? Heh.

In other news, Kimberly Dreiman from the American Chronicle believes that tattoos and body piercings are “are a way for Satan to mock what God has created”. She further states that they are not pleasing to the lord.

She quotes Leviticus 19:28 “Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves, I am the Lord.”

It is interesting, in this context, to read what other verses Leviticus 19 has to say:

Verse 9: “When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest.”

Verse 19: “Do not plant your field with two kinds of seed. Do not wear clothing woven of two kinds of material.”

Verse 26: “Do not eat any meat with the blood still in it.”

Verse 27: “Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard.”

Verse 28: “Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the Lord.”

Which means, of course, we are not pleasing to the lord if we garden the edge of our land, plant tomatoes AND cucumbers in our garden at the same time, wear linen and silk simultaneously, eat our steaks rare or medium rare, cut our hair (or for you men - shave your face) AND/OR get a tattoo.

We’re doomed, I say.

Tattoo and body-piercing shops must meet health and safety regulations under a measure signed into law by Gov. Rod Blagojevich Friday that also aims to increase the number of potential blood donors in the state.

Under the law, tattoo and body-piercing shops must follow state health and safety requirements for sterilization and sanitation techniques.

They also must register annually with the Illinois Department of Public Health and be open for inspection.

Because Illinois did not previously regulate the facilities, blood banks had to turn away potential donors for a year after they had gotten piercings or tattoos, said Margaret Vaughn, government affairs coordinator for the Illinois Coalition of Community Blood Centers.

The new law takes effect for all of the estimated 425 tattoo and body-piercing facilities in the state July 1, 2007. - Chicago Tribune

Tattooing is an ancient form of art that was used to beautify the human body. In today’s society body art is used in the same manner and is a way to display our personally perceived image and individuality.

As recently as a decade ago tattooing was still a taboo that was believed to only be done by prisoners, gangsters, bikers, rock musicians, and so on. Within the past couple of years the taboo wall has slowly begun to crumble. Whereas today body art is not only more openly accepted, but is being embraced by a larger portion of the worlds populous.

Considering that receiving a tattoo is permanent (unless you have it removed) it is important to choose the design, location, and artist carefully. It isn’t something to do without having the right information or on a whim.

Considerations:

Design - Perhaps you will choose one of the many flash art pieces found on the walls of your local tattoo studio, or you have designed your own. Also know that many tattoo artists are in fact wonderfully talented artists, many of which are more than happy to design a custom piece for you.

After finding the perfect piece if you are still unsure that permanent ink is for you, don’t despair. There is still a way to try it out without having it done in perm ink. You can have the piece done in henna, using the ancient art form known as mendhi. The piece will last for a couple of weeks. Traditional mendhi is done in one color, so the piece will lack the array of brilliant colors that having it done in tat ink offers. Even though this is true, I still believe that it is the right way to go if you have any doubt.

Please know that mendhi is totally painless. Yes, receiving your new tat is going to hurt a bit. Even though everyone’s threshold for pain varies, the overall experience of receiving a tattoo is not bad. You will feel the many pin like pricks, but the end result is wonderful, and well worth it.

Placement - Where you have your art placed on your body is just as important as to what you have done. Again, if you are having difficulty deciding the best location mendhi is a good starting point.

Another consideration is the size of the tattoo. Perhaps after you receive your first piece and some time has passed you will desire another. So the location you receive the tattoo should be fitting as to the design size. If you place a small tattoo where you could later have a larger one you could run into a few different obstacles. One being covering the first tattoo, having it removed completely, or not receiving a new one.

Cost - When getting a piece done should cost be a factor? In my opinion, no. You are having a permanent piece of art placed on your body and I feel it is more important to have it done correctly than to save a few dollars. There are some people that choose to save a few dollars and have the work done by a less reputable artist and then they end up going to another artist to have it fixed.

Yes, some tattoo artists are more expensive, most of the time there is a reason for this. I once heard someone say,”A good tattoo is not cheap, a cheap tattoo is not good.” A valid point in my opinion.

Artist - Always have a tattoo done by a professional. There are some people known as “scratchers”, these individuals are not licensed and work mostly underground. I am not saying that there aren’t those “scratchers” that use sterile conditions and do very good work, but it is just easier to have it done professionally and to not put yourself at risk.

If you know people that have body art you can speak to them about the artist and studio they had it done. You can also find studio listings in the yellow pages of your local telephone directory. One of the most comprehensive listings of tattoo artists and studios is found at Tattoos.Com E-zine.

Studio - When visiting a studio you should be able to ask any and all questions. In doing this you should receive straight forward answers. If you do not receive answers to your questions then you should move on to the next studio.

Studios should meet these requirements:

• The studio must be clean.
• There should be a sterile work area.
• The studio should have an autoclave sterilizer.
• Only fresh out of the package new clean sterile needles should be used.
• New disposable items should be used.
• Cross contamination control.
• The artist should wear latex gloves.
• Proper disposal of used items.