Phoenix Tattoo: The Second Installment

So – just to get you all psyched for some up and coming content – I will be meeting with a tattoo artist this afternoon to go over ideas for finishing off my Phoenix 3/4 sleeve tattoo. I will be adding space designs – and have spent the last two months searching high and low for an artist who could render those designs on my flesh with the most accuracy and beauty.

This is that guy: London Bellman of Atomic Art Tattoo here in good old Portland, Oregon.

My concepts include adding a half-earth towards the bend of my elbow – along with inky blue/purple space, stars, a spiral galaxy and maybe a ringed Saturn like planet. Also hoping to get some touch-up work done on the original piece.

I’m feeling really confident about this man – he seems like a genuine artist and someone who will be easy to communicate my ideas to and get a gorgeous looking piece. I scouted him out through word-of-mouth from a trusted friend, scouring his portfolio and the shop reviews.

What I discovered in my searching is that there is a wealth of tattoo talent here in Portland. You can EASILY find at least five or six shops in town with impressive reviews and the chops to back them up. Some others I considered before finally choosing Atomic include:

- Infinity Tattoo: Alice Kendall specifically

- Optic Nerve Art: Pedro Dorsey probably does the best portrait work in town

- Imperial Tattoo: Todd J. originally created the Phoenix

- Raven Ink Tattoo: Been inked here before – seen artwork done on friends. Will most likely be back up if Atomic falls through.

- Atlas Tattoo: Great old school flash arty stuff. Not right for my style

While I was mostly sold on the artwork and the vibe from the shop (custom pieces only – setting is a zen kind of Japanese garden) – what finally did it for me was locating this interview with London Bellman on youtube yesterday. This is the kind of calm, respectful person I feel most comfortable letting near my skin:

Thank Thonk Tattoo

Airbrush tattoos

If you're new to tattoos and want to see what one would look like on you, why not try an airbrush tattoo? Airbrush tattoos are painted on the skin much in the way that airbrushed T-shirts are made. Using a CO2 sprayer, a stencil, and specially formulated paint, a person can apply.

beautifule tattoo

Body Art Tattoos

Fantastis Tattoos

Getting an in loving memory tattoos to pay tribute to someone you love is a very meaningful reason to get tattooed. You choose to have something immortalized in your body
in memory of a loved one who passed away, whether it be your mom, dad, a friend or a sibling maybe. You simply will never regret a tattoo with such deep meaning.

Wrist Tattoo

How To Find the Perfect Tattoo Design For You

Wrist Tattoo

Tattoo Studio 2

Tattoo StudioLook for the following items. If you don’t see them, ask the artist about them. If the artist tells you they are unnecessary or “overkill,” leave immediately and go look for another studio. Your health is more important than the risk of using a tattoo artist that is less than totally dedicated to the safest practices in his or her studio.

1. Autoclave - an autoclave is used in hospitals to sterilize equipment. It uses heat, steam, and pressure to kill every organism on the equipment. It usually takes about an hour for an autoclave to run a cycle from a cold start to effectively kill all organisms. You can even ask to see the autoclave and sterilization certificate. The tattoo artist should first clean the equipment and then place it in a special pouch before placing it in the autoclave. There is a strip on the outside of the pouch that indicates when the equipment is sterile. The needle bar and tube are reusable pieces of equipment that must be sterilized before each use.

2. Single Use Items

Single use items should be used only once so that the chances of cross contamination are eliminated. The single use items include:

Ink

Ink cups

Gloves

Needles

Most of these items are purchased in sterile packaging that should be opened in front of you just before the artist begins work.
Tattoo Studio3. Sharps/Biohazard Container

Used needles and objects that have come into contact with blood or bodily fluids should be disposed of in a sharps/biohazard container.

4. A universal container for any ointment, ink, water, etc. should not be used especially if any of these items have been removed from the container to be used on a client.

5. Some studios are required by law to have a sink in the work area supplied with both hot and cold water. Even if it isn’t required by law in your area, it only makes sense to have one for the cleanliness of the studio.

camel tattoo for girls

camel tattoo on foot

new back tattoo for girls

new design back tattoo

Small Tattoos

There is a lot to be said for the small tattoo. If you are really interested in getting a tattoo, but maybe work in a business that would frown on the full on sleeve tattoo, maybe a beautiful little tattoo is the answer for you.

Powerful

Just because a tattoo is small, does not mean that it is any less significant. Small tattoo designs can be just as detailed and colorful as a large tattoo. Sometimes if can actually convey your message better.

Name Tattoos

If you are thinking about tattooing your significant others name on yourself, you might consider a small tattoo design. I know you think that person will be important to you forever, but realistically, probably not. Look instead for a small tattoo design or symbol that holds significance to you both. This is a lot easier to explain to your new boyfriend "Dave" than a huge "Richard" tattooed across the back of your neck. Also, if you just are lusting after that tribal tattoo, but don't really have the nerve or circumstances to put it on you shoulder, consider a small tribal tattoo design on your foot or ankle. Maybe your wrist or upper shoulder. There are so many places on the body that are perfect for the small tattoo, you could easily have many and no one would know. That is, of course, if you don't want anyone to know.

Less Is More

The small tattoo design follows that age old principle, Less Is More. A beautiful little heart, a small set of angel wings, a tiny tribal, butterfly, Celtic cross, dolphin, whatever, can make a bolder statement than a full back tattoo. Well, I suppose that isn't really true. A full back tattoo makes a huge statement, but if you are looking into small tattoo designs, I don't think that is the statement you are looking to make.

Your Secret Tattoo

Your small tattoo is like a secret you hold. It may not be immediately noticeable at first, but as you get to know someone, that secret is revealed. They don't call you" that guy or girl with the fried eggs tattooed on his or her head or back, whatever. They remember you, and then remember your tattoo. Your small tattoo is not who you are, but rather something you have.

Get The Best Design

Since 35% of people that get a tattoo regret it, it is really important to choose your tattoo design wisely. You can search all over on line and you will find millions to "free" tattoos, but is that what you really want? Spend a few bucks on the design itself. You are going to spend a small fortune on the tattoo, why not get the best design you can afford.

Where To Get The Best Design

Where do you get the best design" You could seek out an artist and have them draw what you are looking for. You could hire the tattoo artist to design your tattoo.(Most times you pay a drawing fee), Or you could go to one of the tattoo membership sites and check out what they have. This is a great option for most people because you can browse through thousands of artist drawn tattoos. Instead of paying one artist for one drawing, you pay a small membership fee to have access to more good designs than you will ever need. The designs are updated regularly with new artist submissions.

Be Your Own Boss

Once you have your design, take the time to find the best tattoo artist you can afford. Take a good look around the shop. Is it clean? Are the employees happy? Are the customers happy? Does the artist take the time to tell you about how your tattoo will be applied? Do they tell you how to care for your tattoo when they are finished? If not, leave! There are plenty of really professional tattoo artists out there. Do not settle for a shop or artist you are uncomfortable with.

It is your body, it is your tattoo. You make the choices. Enjoy that small tattoo. It probably won't be your last. When someone gets one tattoo, they usually end up with three.

Tattoo Images

Tattoo Images