Tattoo Art

Tattoos have become a very common fashion accessory in modern times…more and more people are expressing themselves through the medium of body art. The definition of the modern tattoo is quite evident…tattoo designs are indelibly applied to the skin by piercing the skin with a needle and injecting the colored ink.
The most favoured tattoo application technique and the most accurate method is the modern tattoo gun, with its extremely fast reciprocating needle action.

Most tattoo needle gun designs are very similar, and there are varieties for fine needle work and those with multiple needles for broader areas….single needle guns are the most popular, and the artist will change needles after every tattoo, as health regulations are rightly very specific about the dangers of infection from reused needles, which need to be disposed of properly.

We have all been exposed to “jailhouse tattoos” done by prison inmates which are done with homemade equipment, everday household needles and dyes…these tattoos are normally of an inferior quality, and the recipient is at a high risk of infection and skin damage…the biggest problem here is consistency and quality, as going too deep with the needle ends up in a very poor job.

The modern tattooist utilises the electronic tattoo gun, and a simple internet search will show these to readily available at a very cheap price, however due to the large number of skilled qualified professional artists making their living from the industry, it is recommended that anyone intending to get a tattoo go to a recognised professional.

The most obvious characteristic of a professionally done tattoo is the sharpness of detail and clarity of color…although black is the most common color, these days there available modern inks which can provide bright vibrant and long lasting color…however, in my opinion the utmost consideration should be given not only to the design and the placement of the tattoo, but to the reputation and skill of the chosen artist. Once that work is done, it is very difficult to remove, so great care should be taken at this step.

Some enthusiasts are purists and lean more towards the historically accurate methods from ancient times…again, use caution here, infection is always a concern when getting any kind of tattoo.

Maori Ta Moko tattoos are virtually chiselled into the skin…the application technique is a sharp bone is held against the skin and tapped with a hammer or peice of wood, creating a wound into which is rubbed ashes, clays or dyes….traditional Maori tattoos can cover virtually the entire body. The process is very arduous and the Maori people regard this as a rite of passage…great shame is attached to anyone who does not have his tattoo finally completed.

Japanese tattoos are performed in a similar manner….a small rake like metal instrument is scratched or tapped into the skin and the resulting wound has a dye or ink rubbed into it. These designs can also be seen over large areas, are highly traditional and meaningful.