Emperor Tattoos

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Emily's Typewriter

Last week, on Eighth Avenue, I spotted an incredible tattoo on the back of a woman's calf and knew that I had to speak to her about it. Check it out:

This vintage typewriter belongs to Emily, and was tattooed by one of my favorite artists in New York, Virginia Elwood at New York Adorned. You can click the tag at the bottom of the post to see other work of Virginia's that I have been fortunate enough to spot in my Tattoosday travels.

Emily explained that she is a writer, and wanted a vintage typewriter inked to represent her vocation. My guess she had decided on one of these Royal typewriters, and then Virginia worked her magic. Emily elaborates:

"I asked her originally to give me a little typewriter on top of the books here:

but there wasn't enough room ... [Virginia] was like It'll be too small if I put it on your arm, we'll have to do a big one to get the best detail."

The rest, as they say, is history.

Emily has nine tattoos in all, counting a half-sleeve as one large piece, and all of her work has been done by Virginia.

Emily is managing editor for a website called xoJane, and has even written about her tattoos. She directed me to this article she recently wrote, called "My Tattoos Make Guys Think I'm Easy." She's got a smart style that really taps into the heart and soul of the subject. I'm sure many tattooed women can relate to the sentiment in that piece. She also pointed to a more current article she wrote, with some input from Virginia, as well, about sexism in tattoo shops, specifically with the drama in the premiere (and subsequent episodes) of the latest tattoo reality series, New York Ink.

I, for one, certainly recommend checking out Emily's site, xoJane, and exploring not only her contributions, but those of the other writers, as well.

Thanks to Emily for sharing her incredible work with us here on Tattoosday, and for talking with me, even though she was running late. I do appreciate it and hope we'll see more of her tattoos here in the future!

If you are reading this on another web site other than Tattoosday, without attribution, please note that it has been copied without the author's permission and is in violation of copyright laws. Please feel free to visit http://tattoosday.blogspot.com and read our original content. Please let me know if you saw this elsewhere so I contact the webmaster of the offending site and advise them of this violation in their Terms of Use Agreement.

Emily's Typewriter

Last week, on Eighth Avenue, I spotted an incredible tattoo on the back of a woman's calf and knew that I had to speak to her about it. Check it out:

"I asked her originally to give me a little typewriter on top of the books here:

but there wasn't enough room ... [Virginia] was like It'll be too small if I put it on your arm, we'll have to do a big one to get the best detail."

Monday, June 20, 2011

Orlando the Brave

Last fall, I met Orlando near F.I.T. and posted some of his tattoos in December. I had wanted to get clearer photos, but I hadn't been able to contact him, so his work appeared here, in an end-of-the-year recap.

Fast forward to a month ago, when I spotted Orlando again on the corner where I work, so I was able to get a clearer photo of one of his tattoos, and obtain something new from him.

I was waiting until this week to post the picture, to coincide with Pride Week here in New York City.

Orlando explained that these are antlers and he got them for a specific reason:

"I got it last year when I was 19 ... antlers, for the animals who have them, are a symbol of strength and sexuality ... I came out when I was 13, so last year that would have been six years ago. So I got it just to commemorate me coming out, and I got "BRAVE" underneath it for it being the bravest thing I've ever had to do."

I wanted to share this during Pride Week as a tribute to Orlando's bravery, and with the hope that it helps instill courage in other people to be proud of who they are, and to not be ashamed of their true selves. I don't often get up on a soapbox here on Tattoosday, so I'll spare you the rhetoric, Dear Readers. Nonetheless, I want to thank Orlando for his bravery and his willingness to share a bit of his journey with us here on Tattoosday.

Orlando credited Chantal at Bleeding Image Tattoo in Astoria, Queens, with this tattoo.

Orlando the Brave

Orlando explained that these are antlers and he got them for a specific reason:

"I got it last year when I was 19 ... antlers, for the animals who have them, are a symbol of strength and sexuality ... I came out when I was 13, so last year that would have been six years ago. So I got it just to commemorate me coming out, and I got "BRAVE" underneath it for it being the bravest thing I've ever had to do."

Orlando credited Chantal at Bleeding Image Tattoo in Astoria, Queens, with this tattoo.

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Orphans: The Hungry Lion

So what do I do with a tattoo photo that has been abandoned and forgotten?

Why post it here, of course.

Back on May 10, I met a guy in Penn Station and took a picture of his tattoo, which he referred to as his "Hungry Lion":

And then, before I could talk to him further, his girlfriend emerged from the bathroom and he told me they had to catch a train.

He had a Tattoosday flier, but never e-mailed me.

So if anyone wants to adopt this tattoo, leave a comment. Or, if you know who the artist is, please let me know.

Thanks to you, Dude, wherever you are, for sharing your cool tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!

Orphans: The Hungry Lion

Reminded Me of My School Project–New Releases from Superfrock

I have been running here and there for business trips lately and were not able to get online as frequent as I wanted. Not until my dear dolly friends both from Australia and Hong Kong mentioned to me about their new purchase of Sybarite – Geometry, had I then visited Superfrock.com and found that they have also released another outfits set - Picnic Magnet outfits.

Some Insight from Friends:

Both of my friends told me that the elbow joints of the Geometry have been improved by showing only one piece when they are bended; and that the slip-on shoes with metallic plat are cool in style - although the front is too sallow that it could not stay on. Plus there is a hook stuck out from the ear lobs for hanging ear-rings. Although she has no idea whether the hook could be removed from the lobs or not, you could further accessorizing her with more fun!

Reminded Me of My School Project:

To me, both pieces somehow reminded me of my primary school art project which my teacher asked us to recylce old magazines, cloth, candy wrapings, food packaging, anything we could recycle of, and sticked them on a paper to form our own art!

I could not help but notice why there is a blue feather ponygirl headpiece on Geometry! Is it inspired by the Circus? Having said that I sometimes appreciate how C&D surprise doll lovers. It may not please everyone but it spiced up the dolly world with their wild imagination!

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Below are the official pictures and write up copied from www.superfrock.com

PICNIC MAGNET SYB/741

PICNICALLY SPEAKING.... Venus LOVES the frock...
but, as she he walked across the manicured lawn; the heels of her delicate pink strappy 'leather' and tulle sandals sunk into the damp ground....
A dungaree style frock of delicious pink gingham, brown polka dots, blue mini polka dots and pansy print become the delightful patchwork accented by pink satin dungaree top with buckles, and floaty ruffly hemline. Patchwork embroidered in metallic components.
A sheer blue tulle separate petticoat and a divine metal & mini polka blue pouch bag.
Fabulous pink sandals, nude hose & I hate picnics attitude!
Forget the burned cookies and hand me a glass of champagne!
Ed 100
Price: £142.86 (Excluding VAT at 20%)

GEOMETRY DD_030
ONLY 10 DOLLS REMAINING!!!!
Venus d' Royce clone: 779, regular skintone!
SECOND OF THE CURRENT COLLECTION "COLOURVISION"

Like a Goddess... no excuses!
Bright magenta hose, and multicolor corset embroidered in harlequin grid metal components and yellow grosgrain flat bow, feather photographic print strapless glamour chaps with heavily embroidered hemlines interdispersed with transparent gauze, custom print reverse satin square slink skirt slashed up the front. Metal accent magenta closed toe sling back shoes and crimped wig of electric magenta and lime in a simple centre part flowing to below her waist!
'ponygirl' headpiece of steel with electric blue plume.
Includes doll stand and applied eyelashes.
ED: 100

Picture credit: Superfrock.com