tattoo, armando branco

Being happy with the skin you’re in

Skin … our biggest feature, from our big head ‘till our little toes. Skin a feature that is unfortunately also used by bigots to separate groups of people or individuals by the color of their skin. Luckily skin can also be seen as canvas: canvas for broadcasting different kinds of art. Yep, from the crappy to the real art. No, I am not writing an article about freaky Jame Gumb (from ‘the Silence of the Lambs’), but want to dedicate this monologue to the world of tattoos.

Nowadays tattoos are no longer linked to sailors, gang members or the male cast of MTV’s Jersey Shore. No longer regarded as pure trailer trash art, having or wearing a tattoo is almost fashionable & main stream. You see people on the streets, social media or TV that use this kind of body modification as the biggest personal visual statement. Some go for sleeves, body-suits or turn themselves into a full walking 3D painting (e.g. Rick Genest : artist & model).

Tattoo Artist

Tattoos …. you’ll find them all over the world in all different shapes, patterns, colours etc. Since the old days tattoos had a personal and/or work related and/or religious and/or even ethnic background. In these fast modern times where visual art is managed like a world war the work related, religious or ethnic history behind the tattoo is overshadowed by people that follow the flock. A few years ago having a Tribal Tattoo was the best next thing … and the mindless crowd followed. The whole Tribal Tattoo Culture & History was shamefully ‘abused’ by the trade.

A tattoo is something that sticks to your skin … it’s even a part of your skin. I myself am easily bored, that’s the reason why I don’t wear or have any tattoos. BUT … if I would want to have a tattoo ; I would think about a place somewhere on my body, a spot where a tattoo means something . I would ask people where you can get the best tattoo (in the style/shape I desire). I would save some good money to spend it on a TRUE tattoo-artist. I would go for a tattoo-artist that can spell & has an opinion of his or her own.  The final design most be something that has NOTHING to do with trends or hypes… it should say something personally through it’s visual design & should have the right shape and position.

Yep …. because you wear a tattoo as permanent sticker glued to your skin (almost) kind of forever … I am rather clueless why some peeps go for the budget-kind-of-tattoo. Of course you bring a nice black and white photo of your oldest daughter. A picture you want to cherish on the fleshy part of your shoulder. But after such a small budget trip your tattoo, representing your daughter, looks like a Smurfette in heat. Also most peeps think that they are ‘forever young’ … but an ugly tattoo that was created on your chest can end on your belly if you don’t keep that firm youthful figure.

And let’s not forget those exotic words or sentence tattoo’s in e.g. the easy readable Chinese language. You may think your fabulous tattoo says : “Stay true to Yourself”, but if you go to order in your local Chinese restaurant and the waiter says with a smile on his face, after reading your new tattoo visible on your arm ‘Oh, you like hot & steamy green tea’ …. you know you are screwed.

Also don’t forget : most colors, like most good things in life fade through time. A good tattoo artist will explain how you can try to maintain the best quality as long as possible.

Photos :

Malcolm @ Fic Models

by Armando Branco.com

tattoos, armando branco

It’s all down to what you want to represent

tattoo, armando branco