Authored by John Watson in Body Arts
Published on 02-28-2009
Now that tattoos have been, for the most part, taken off the taboo list, there is a real clamoring to grab the latest fashion accessory and therein lies the problem. Men seem to be the number one culprits here, opting for the same old tired designs with little thought or imagination put into their tattooing decision. The best place to see this in action is at the gym where you will see a bunch of dudes in sleeveless t-shirts sporting their delightful little tribal, Chinese symbol, Celtic or, worst of all, ring of barbed wire tattoos that they think makes them look ultra cool. Heads up guys, it does not look cool at all.
If you really want to stand out and have your tattoo noticed then you’d be well served to try and do something original. If you have a very specific career, then why not get something that pertains to that. For example, if you are in the culinary business you could have a chef’s hat tattooed or perhaps a couple of utensils or knives. Hannya masks, inspired by ancient Japanese theater, are gaining a lot of popularity and allow the tattoo artist a little bit of free rein to play with color and appearance and have more of a traditional look and feel to them. If it’s tradition you are looking for then you could go for a koi fish, a very popular tattoo design, but, again, one that allows for the artist to play with color.
Pin-up girls are another design that I think look great. You can make them as sexy or demure as you like or, better yet, if your girlfriend or wife is up for it, use her features as inspiration for the design. A lot of the more recent pin-up design have gone away from the traditional look and headed towards a more realistic look. If that is the way you choose to go, be sure to do your homework and find an artist that excels in portrait work. Portraits are another cool idea and a great way to honor a loved one, whether it is your kids or a parent or grandparent who has passed, but you really have to take the time to find an artist for this style as portraits can go horribly wrong if left in the hands of someone unqualified.
These are just a few ideas that may help you choose which way to go. If you don’t like any of these, then at least try to choose something that is unique or means something to you. Remember, a tattoo is something you are going to carry with you for the rest of your life, so take the time to make sure you get what you want and you will be left with a great piece of art for yourself and others to admire.
