INK

Anne is a personal friend of ours. When we met her, she had two tattoos and said she would never get a full sleeve… Now she’s got a half sleeve, and she isn’t going to stop there. So, what changed her mind? 

Tell us about being a fine art student-

I have just recently had an exhibition in Birmingham entitled forever: art inspired by ink at the Custard factory. It was a 50’s inspired photoshoot, playing with the idea of authenticity, making the conventional into the unconventional, taking old photographs and poses and re drawing them and adding tattoos.

And for instant last term my theme was nostalgia in a twisted way, so again I used my obsession of tattoos and incorporated it into my project. I tattooed on pigskin, illustrating images of Alice and wonderland and similar children’s stories.

A lot of my work is inspired by tattoo artist, shawn barber he specializes in loads oil painting and portraits.

Tell us the story behind you ink?

Most of my tattoos don’t really resemble a concept or anything, but have all derived from certain people or musical influences, some connect to people but I didn’t want a really big connection and make it too obvious, I’m not into marking the death of someone to be honest, but for my Grandma who I lost recently I do have a burning candle, I wanted timeless pieces and I think I have that.

My first tattoo was a month before I was 20, a pinup girl on leg I Waited for so long, mainly because I know as soon as I started getting inked that would be it, I’d be hooked as I’ve always been into the culture.

Also saying that the same time I feel I haven’t rushed into them, a lot of my tattoos have been booked in for a year or so, so I have had plenty of time to think about them carefully.

When we first met you in first year you were pretty adamant that you wouldn’t become obsessed and get a sleeve, so what’s changed your mind dude?

Well I was quite apprehensive, because once I would get one on my arm I knew I would get the full sleeve…

I wanted to get sleeve now because I would regret it if I didn’t when I was older…. And I think they mark a part of me, like I said I waited and made sure I knew what I wanted.

Also I think from working in a tattoo shop and being around a lot of people who have full sleeves, its made me see it is expectable and has become the norm for me if you like, it’s a totally different world from when I was at school, then it seemed kinda taboo to have tattoos.

So no reason why not now…

The big appointment I’m waiting for is from the artist Valerie Vargas, she’s a well-known tattooist from Soho I’m on a 2year waiting list, very excited!

Most painful-

Feet!!! I’d much rather get another two hours on my arm than 2mins on my feet, still need to get them touched up but can’t handle it at the moment.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Being Tattooed and a lot more covered, a tattooist? Defiantly an ink related job or an artist career.

I’ll still be getting tattoos done and having them as a hobby, I want to keep this element in my life.

Depends on the individual, when people ask me about mine its more over interest, especially after getting my arm done, a lot of people stare, and I’ve had loads of people coming and chatting to me which is nice.

Saying that though, I wouldn’t get anything that I couldn’t cover up, especially for girls I think that elements important.

Its still not that acceptable for girls to have tattoos, maybe that’s not the right words, but it’s not really common place.

I’ve been working at the tattoo studio for a while now, and I often have a cardi on which covers my sleeve so people tend not to notice. Some of the artists didn’t even realize I had any.

I’m really glad I’ve waited and had time to think about my tattoos, like I said I think they’re all pretty timeless. So I don’t think I’ll ever regret them or get bored of them. I would never get someone’s name on me though, it ends in disaster doesn’t it.

…the very busy FMC graduate who writes her own blog: Behind the Box. www.sedgebeswick.com

When did you start liking Tattoos?I didn’t ever really realise I was into tattoos until I started working at Skin Deep, the tattoo magazine. I started working as an intern there when I was about 15/16, I walked around the office in awe, everyone was covered in ink and everyone had a story to tell. By lunchtime on my first day I was discussing new school and old school ink with one of the photographers and by the end of the day he was sketching out things that he thought would suit me.
Looking back it was pretty rad. The guys there are lovely, they massively go above and beyond to make you feel apart of the team. Back then I was still young, naïve and not entirely sure what it was that I was into. Yeah, I listened to AC/DC every morning on the way to school but at that age I found you were always swapping and changing who you were to fit in, and AC/DC wasn’t exactly something my friends were in to.
 What do you like about tattoos?
I love the story behind the ink, everyone has a tale to tell even if it was just ‘I was drunk and…’ The tattoos I like are subtle, you can’t always see them, I like phrases and quote mainly because of the font they’re in and where they sit. One of my favourites is a photographer who has ‘Smile’ of her index finger; see picture, its quirky, humorous and meaning to her profession. I adore athletes and musician’s tattoo’s the best, because of their jobs they’re fully able to do what they like and express themselves through tattoos so people like Travis Barker, Harry Main and even Megan Fox. Every image you see of them you spot another tattoo, Travis is a huge inspiration for me – I’m really into my rock music and Travis Barker has become a bit of a household name in my family. I want ‘Self Made’ written on the right hand side of my ribs, I’ve even chose the font (well stole it, from one of my favourite bloggers; B Dunlap).Travis has ‘Self Made’ across his knuckles (not somewhere I’d get inked) but it reminds me that everything you want in life you have to work for and that you’re dreams are never too far away as long as you push for them.

Even reading about Travis’ tattoos and the inspiration behind his ink amazes me,
‘I tattooed my body so I couldn’t fall back on anything. I purposely did that so I couldn’t get a normal job or live a normal life. I did it so I had to play music.’
Dedication.
Where do you source the images for your blog?I spend hours, every week looking and searching for fresh ink, from blogs, to models, to magazines even Facebook stalking friends. I’ve even started approaching people in the street, when I was studying fashion I was always told to go out and get some Street Style pictures but I couldn’t ever bring myself to stopping people and asking. With tattoos it’s different, they’re always so pleased to be asked and I usually waste a good half hour hearing their stories.
I was at a Sony Ericsson party recently, one of the guys working behind the bar, had some epic ink. He was maxed out like Travis and Harry, I literally threw myself over the bar ripped off his shirt and starting taking pictures. He was cool, he just went along with it, and in fact he even became my Male Monday on my blog.
Because of my fashion background my favourite tattoos are on models, I love a grungy Michael Lavine style shot with a cheeky tattoo here and there. So, models like Freja Beha Erichsen, Erin Wasson or Margaux Lonnberg always nail it for me.
What’s you’re all time favourite tattoo?I love Freja’s gun on her bicep, as part of Freja’s modelling contact she’s allowed as many tattoos as she likes as long as she doesn’t cut her hair. There’s a random fact for you.
Another one is ‘Naked, if I want to.’ Which is one of Margaux Lonnberg’s – I found that tattoos absolutely years ago and have been tracking her down since, she’s now a big time Koople’s model with her equally as hot boyfriend.
Who’s your favourite tattoo artist?Hmm, Chris Garver is a favourite, not that I’d ever get any of his work done, as I don’t think it would go with my Matthew Williamson dresses, but he’s incredibly talented and so good at what he does. The details in his work are beyond incredible. I love how he sold his bass guitar to buy tattoo equipment. I’d literally die for him to ink me up but some how think he might find it kind of insulting to just write out a couple of words on my ribs.
I love checking in to see his latest work; I spend way too many hours watching him on Miami Ink too.

Although it’s not exactly tattoo artists, I love the Graffiti Kings too, I’m always stalking away at their work. I first found out about them through the Skin Deep team after they worked at Tattoo Freeze. The walls at Skin Deep are covered in their work, it’s insane.

The Artist Statement of Emily Alice Johnston

‘In my practice, I like to explore the many realms of what Dave Hickey calls, the ugly word, beauty. As of right now, I am curious to explore the human interest in decoration of the body, which includes make up, jewelery, tattoos and whatever else I discover.

“We all came into this world naked. The rest is all drag.” -Rupaul

The allure of decoration is present in my practice, like a magpie, the shine of severe elegance steals my attention and drives me to obtain it. My women charm the viewer with promise of elegance and glamour.
Whilst exploring conventional ideals of that ugly word beauty, I am also pondering the whole aspect of the need to manipulate what we are. Does decorating ourselves let us be more ourselves? Let us show what’s on the inside, on the outside? Or are we creating a mask of what is perceived to be beautiful?
I would like to capture the perfect shine to a glossy head of hair. 
I am inspired by Isabella Blow’s emphasis on having a ‘good silhouette’; she always complemented her discovery, Alexander McQueen, on being a creator of beautiful silhouettes.
My preferred method of practice is currently paint, ink and pencil. Through these medias, I want my audience to be indulged in decoration and sexuality, aesthetics, elaborate costumes and romantic imagery.
Right now, I am focusing on looking into the work of Maurizio Anzeri and Dr.Lakra, who both ‘enhance’ their initial piece with decoration.’

Corey Beaulieu from Metal Band ‘Trivium’ took some time out to answer a few questions for us…

Do you think there is a connection between tattoo’s and music?

im not really sure, maybe back in the day when tatoos werent as common and alot of muscians had em cause it seemed more dangerous .. nowadays everyone gets tattoos and its more of a common thing in culture so i dont think it def has a connection to music , cause alot of musicans dont have any. but its very common for a musician to have tats. especially in the scencish bands that alot of there appeal has to do with how they look.

If you could play any venue in the world, where would it be?

we have played alot of places around the world so its not to say what i would like to play.. just off the top of my head probably have to be budakon arena in japan. 

Interview with Dick Venom from ‘Dick Venom and the Terrortones’. Already well known in the Nottingham area, Venom and his sidekicks are set to take the gigging world by storm. If you’ve never been to see them, you should! They are a very entertaining bunch… 

What first got you interested in starting a band? 
A long standing love affair with whisky, women and all things bad for you. 

Your band is interesting and formed of people of different ages - how did you choose your bandmates?
Wrex St.Clair and SugarBeats are a pair of well greased cream machines that I played with before, they had those swampstompin gatorgroomin grooves that just seemed to fit. Vicky Twist came outta nowhre, she just shot in like a hotrod on a comet tail and landed on us like a ten tonne lump hammer. Between us…. well, you seen what fresh kinda hell an havoc we make. 

You are already well known in Nottingham and branching out, where do you see yourself in 5 years? The band must be a huge part of your life as we know you have your band name tattoo’ed on your back. 
Leatherclad and dangerous. Two steps from rehab and a father of 50. Most of our gigs are outta town now, we’re playing more and more gigs in different cities, getting asked to play at festivals like Glasonbudget and DV8, we only been going for just over a year and things are gettin good quick. 5 years time? Hell, I wanna run rings around the rings ‘round Saturn, I wanna be the first man in stockings on the moon, the first band on Mars. InterStellar LadyRaidin brought to you from Outer Space. And yeah I gotta band tat – three weeks after we got together. 

What is the most exciting gig you’ve ever done?
Rescue Rooms was hell of a date, a nice big stage to run ‘round on, the venue pretty much at capacity. 12Bar in Soho stands out- things were going badly, an hour late on stage, the venue was getting empty, but just as soon as we started to play the place got filled by the best kinda people. Legs to look up, dresses to chow down on, girders t hang from, everyone just wanted t dance an play. Awesome. 

If you could gig anywhere, where would it be and why?
The Moon man, get come shedevil craterbabys rockin to the ‘Tones and get it sent back to Earth via some kinda satellite. CBGBs in it’s hayday. Give us a set of white horses t ride in on and we’d have been there. If you could stick me in a line up with Raw Power era Stooges, Standells, Johnny Cash and The Cramps I’d play just about anywhere. 

When did you first get into tattoo’s? 
Best part of a year ago, startin’ with one on mah hip. 

Do they all have a meaning?
The Dick Venom & the Terrortones logo means a heap, I got the RKO symbol because they made a bunch of shit kickin’ films like King Kong and It’s A Wonderful Life, aint seen em? Watch em! ‘Specially Wonderful Life. An I guess I’m a sucker for ol’ sci-fis so the The Day The day The Earth Stood Still just stood out as a pice of 50’s awesomeness. ‘At’s the tat in the pic. 

Do you think there is a relationship between tattoos and music? 
I think there’s a something that connects a permanent mark on your skin to a passion. Mine’s music and sci-fi so that’s what I got. 

And finally, tell us a random fact about yourself you would like people to know.
I got six nipples an awl of ‘em are tinglin’.

… James Graham - Tattoo Artist from Loughborough. 

James took some time out to answer some questions for us. We wanted to get a perspective from someone on both sides of the spectrum. The tattooist and the tattooed, so to speak. 

Did you always want to be a tattoo artist?

No, but I was always intrigued by them, wanted to be a rockstar haha.

What got you into it?

I got into them as soon as I started getting them, I started taking my own designs to the guy who was tattooing me, he suggested I think about taking it up and it went from there.

Is it your passion?

ts one of my passions, tattooing and music are my main ones.

How many years have you been doing it?

6 years.

Who taught you?

I was mainly self taught at the start but was guided by friends in studio’s and take any hints, tips and advice from anyone I can, gotta keep learning, most tattooists would say “when you think you know it all and can’t get any better, quit!”.

What were you doing before they decided to be a tattoo artist?

I studied music before I was tattooing.

What are your music influences?

I love all music but punk is my favourite genre.

Do you think it is important to have a meaning behind tattoos?

Not necessarily, but I think that a bit of sentiment behind a tattoo can help to extinguish the possibility of regret that worry about.

Do you know about how many people you’ve tattooed?

I honestly couldn’t say.

Whats your favourite tattoo of your own? have they got a specific meaning?

My favourite one of my own is always the last one I’ve had done because it looks so fresh, currently that’s a skull in a coffin with 2 roses on my left arm. No meaning to it, just liked it and it fitted in to my sleeve perfectly.

             .

— Jack London, 1883

Verity Roberts

Photography. VerityRobertsPhoto.blogspot.com

Anne Notghi

From Anne Notghi Artworks

Chris Lord              

Writer and Model

Tom Pykett

Model. Owner of Purple Parabellum Productions. 

Emily Johnston   

Model. EmilyAliceJohnston.tumblr.com

…to INK. 

A blog and Zine created by Rosie King and Lauren Garner for our 2nd year final project. We aim to delve into the interesting world of Tattoo’s, Music and the subculture surrounding this with interviews, photography and illustration. 

Enjoy.