Fascinating Bulletins on Tattoos Episode 2
Bulletin #4: Phenomenal Tattoo Designs Inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright
Frank Lloyd Wright (1867 – 1959) was one of the most famous architects in the United States, and believe it or not, his architectural designs have impacted a number of tattoo creations. Odd, isn’t it? Well perhaps not.
Apparently, the philosophy behind Wrights organic architecture—the harmonious convergence of the natural and the artificial—actually goes hand in hand with the very concept of body art. Some of Wrights most recognizable and distinct work is found in the windows and doors designed and created in his more famous houses.
While Frank Lloyd Wright tattoos aren’t exactly commonplace, there are some beautiful examples of these unique and amazing tattoos. The Coonley Playhouse in Illinois features some of Wrights most famous stained glass designs.
Even people with just a passing knowledge of Frank Lloyd Wrights work are likely to recognize these famous pieces:
Apparently, the philosophy behind Wrights organic architecture—the harmonious convergence of the natural and the artificial—actually goes hand in hand with the very concept of body art. Some of Wrights most recognizable and distinct work is found in the windows and doors designed and created in his more famous houses.
While Frank Lloyd Wright tattoos aren’t exactly commonplace, there are some beautiful examples of these unique and amazing tattoos. The Coonley Playhouse in Illinois features some of Wrights most famous stained glass designs.
Even people with just a passing knowledge of Frank Lloyd Wrights work are likely to recognize these famous pieces:
One tattoo enthusiast used the Coonley windows as a basis for an amazing upper arm piece, and the effect is quite stunning:
Wrights Tree of Life design with its straight lines and strict symmetry is another very distinct and easily recognized piece:
While the design has been simplified, it is easy to see that the Tree of Life design was the inspiration for this upper back tattoo:
While it is clearly a gem among Frank Lloyd Wright enthusiasts, the Dana House in Springfield, Illinois is relatively lesser-known design among his major works. Nevertheless, the Dana House may be the consummate Frank Lloyd Wright Prairie style showcase, featuring the trademarked organic components.
One Frank Lloyd Wright enthusiast found the door design of the Dana House to be an excellent inspiration for his calf tattoo:
One Frank Lloyd Wright enthusiast found the door design of the Dana House to be an excellent inspiration for his calf tattoo:
Frank Lloyd Wright approached architecture in a way that allowed for complete harmony between the natural and the artificial, the wild and the man-made. Well designed tattoos allow for a similar affinity between the flesh and the design.
Bulletin #5: Thank You Samuel O'Reilly for Patenting the First Tattoo Machine!
You can thank Samuel O'Reilly for patenting the very first tattoo machine in 1891. The mechanics of the machine were actually based upon an invention by Thomas Edison designed to embroider fabric.
This was Edison’s design, as recorded in the US Patent Office:
This was Edison’s design, as recorded in the US Patent Office:
O'Reilly modified Edison’s design to introduce ink into the skin. This early tattoo machine included moving coils, a tube of ink, and a needle bar.
O'Reilly worked out of a barber shop in New York, which he called a tattoo parlor. His invention and his tattoo parlor helped increase the popularity of tattooing as getting tattooed was no longer was the painful, and time-consuming process it once was.
O'Reilly worked out of a barber shop in New York, which he called a tattoo parlor. His invention and his tattoo parlor helped increase the popularity of tattooing as getting tattooed was no longer was the painful, and time-consuming process it once was.
Bulletin #6: Tattoo Shops and Their Sanitation Policy
With the lack of state regulations regarding tattooing you should watch out for dirty shops. Good artists follow a protocol. A good tattooist’s workspace is usually like a doctor’s office, only with cooler art. They take care of their equipment and insure there is no cross contamination.
This doesn’t seem like it’s a big deal. And if you are getting a tattoo, it’s probably the last thing on your mind. You probably have your local shop or shops in mind and take this subject for granted. Well don’t. Who wants to contract HIV or Hepatitis when getting a tattoo? Not I.
Check out your artist and his/her reputation, Ask about their sanitation policy, and possibly drop in a couple times before your appointment. Yes, a tattoo is forever, but a disease will kill you.
This doesn’t seem like it’s a big deal. And if you are getting a tattoo, it’s probably the last thing on your mind. You probably have your local shop or shops in mind and take this subject for granted. Well don’t. Who wants to contract HIV or Hepatitis when getting a tattoo? Not I.
Check out your artist and his/her reputation, Ask about their sanitation policy, and possibly drop in a couple times before your appointment. Yes, a tattoo is forever, but a disease will kill you.
Bulletin #7: Showing Off a Couple of My Tattoos
I was asked if I would show off some of my tattoos by a reader of this site. I thought it may be a good idea to post them here so you folks could get to know your author a bit more. So, I’ll post a few here and there and of course tell you about them and what they mean to me too. I’ll start with my right forearm:
My right forearm Chinese tattoo
My right forearm Chinese tattoo
This is on the top of my forearm and it all started with the Chinese lettering that says Music. (And yes I did have it verified that it does say what it’s supposed to.) Back when I was in the Navy and in a band, my guitarist and I were getting tats but being the ethical Navy dudes we were, we told ourselves that we’d never get anything below the elbow.
Heh, I started it off on a whim and got the Chinese on my forearm and he said screw it and got the exact same thing. So somewhere in Illinois there is a fantastic guitar player with the same Chinese tattoo on his arm. Jack? Are you there?
I took it a bit further and had the rest added around the lettering. I had done a favor for an artist and friend and to return the favor, he completed what you see surrounding the lettering—all free-hand. He drew nothing on me and I was very impressed. I look back and think that it was pretty risky!
The Living Wall tattoo design on my lower right forearm
Heh, I started it off on a whim and got the Chinese on my forearm and he said screw it and got the exact same thing. So somewhere in Illinois there is a fantastic guitar player with the same Chinese tattoo on his arm. Jack? Are you there?
I took it a bit further and had the rest added around the lettering. I had done a favor for an artist and friend and to return the favor, he completed what you see surrounding the lettering—all free-hand. He drew nothing on me and I was very impressed. I look back and think that it was pretty risky!
The Living Wall tattoo design on my lower right forearm
This piece is on the bottom of my forearm and works itself into the piece above. It is actually artwork from one of the cards in the card game called Magic: The Gathering. Called Living Wall, it was drawn by Anson Maddocks and I just loved the piece. So three sittings of three hours later, I had it on my arm and also in a tattoo mag somewhere!
The reason it took so long to complete was that there is a lot of blood-line shading in the tat. If you are unfamiliar with that technique, it is where the artist takes the gun with no ink on it and makes a line on your skin. The blood then comes up to that line and the artist uses it to shade off of with color.
The result is a lot of fantastic shaded areas with no real outlines, and it’s just smooth. I’m very proud of this piece and it’s certainly my favorite. I’d link to the shop where I got it but it no longer exits. It was called Excalibur Tattoo in Pensacola, Florida at the time.
That is my right forearm so far. I’d like to fill in the empty spaces with some wash of sort to tie it all together and of course, continue on up the arm. What do you think? Drop me an email and let me know what you like or dislike. And don’t worry, you can’t offend me!
Next time, we’ll take a look at my left arm. Until then, may your tats be colorful and healthy!
The reason it took so long to complete was that there is a lot of blood-line shading in the tat. If you are unfamiliar with that technique, it is where the artist takes the gun with no ink on it and makes a line on your skin. The blood then comes up to that line and the artist uses it to shade off of with color.
The result is a lot of fantastic shaded areas with no real outlines, and it’s just smooth. I’m very proud of this piece and it’s certainly my favorite. I’d link to the shop where I got it but it no longer exits. It was called Excalibur Tattoo in Pensacola, Florida at the time.
That is my right forearm so far. I’d like to fill in the empty spaces with some wash of sort to tie it all together and of course, continue on up the arm. What do you think? Drop me an email and let me know what you like or dislike. And don’t worry, you can’t offend me!
Next time, we’ll take a look at my left arm. Until then, may your tats be colorful and healthy!