Inked up

What’s the perfect accessory for color and black and grey tattoos?



Some crushed velvet worked into blazers and jackets seem to work...?



This Inked editorial with model Jonathan Kroppmann combines soft fabrics with ill ink. Unapologetic and full of contrast, this editorial might just have you contemplating a trip for some etching. BRRAAAP!

Horiyoshi III

Horisyoshi III the legendary japanese tattooist who's each piece tells a story of a million words.



"To get a full-body tattoo takes years of suffering, and that requires maturing as a human, learning to experience and overcome pain. It is as if with each piercing of the needle, they become stronger and more complete." - Horiyoshi III



"Real beauty is often hidden. Young men want to show off: their manhood, muscles, jobs, women, cars and tattoos are all on display. As a man matures, he shows off less outside and learns to hide his beauty in his heart." - Horiyoshi III



Horiyoshi III is revered by tattoo enthusiasts as possibly the world's greatest horishi, or full-body tattoo artist. (Horimono are tattoos done purely for fun, while irezumi are tattoos that mark criminals.) Friendly and too cool for words, the 61-year-old loves digging his needle into people — he definitely gets under their skin while doing his beautiful works.



Although Horiyoshi considers the human body as his canvas, he has published 10 books of artwork on both paper and skin. His latest exhibition of original artwork has just commenced at the Vanilla Gallery from March 18th to April 30th. So if you're around town and want some inspiration, don't miss out on this opportunity.



Vanilla Gallery Presents:

Horiyoshi III - Exhibition of Original Artwork
Held: March 18th to April 30th, 2009
Admission is 500 yen

The 58 Musha Wednesday, March 18 - Tuesday, March 31

Namakubi and Ghost Thursday, April 2 - Wednesday, April 15

100 Demons Friday, April 17 - Thursday, April 30

Location: VANILLA GALLERY Kamata Bld.4F ,6-10-10 Ginza Chuo-ku Tokyo ,104-0061 TEL & FAX +81 3 5568 1233

Juxtapoz illustration & Tattoo Book

Juxtapoz is one of the many magazines that i frequently keep a tab on and its a great source of inspiration for many including myself. For those who do not know, Juxtapoz Art and Culture magazine was established by California artist Robert Williams in 1994 to document an exploding art movement emanating largely from the West Coast of the United States. In the intervening years, this movement has gone global and Juxtapoz has rebranded and reimagined itself to better represent a generation of artists intent on working outside the ossified art establishment.



The "Juxtapoz Illustration" was the first volume of hard covers released which featured artists such as MODE 2, KozynDan, Mike Giant, James Jean, Evan Hecox, Grotesk, Alex Pardee, Jeremy Fish and Morning Breath. After much success they released their 2nd hard cover book entitled "Juxtapoz Tattoos".



The second book in an ongoing series from the seminal West Coast art and culture magazine, Juxtapoz Tattoo focuses on a subject very dear to the inked hearts of its readers. Most of the featured artists came up at the beginning of Tattoo’s modern renaissance in the mid 1990’s, hungry for a new approach, but steeped nonetheless in the traditions of their craft. Featured tattooists include; Troy Penning, Alex McWatt, Brian Randolph and Chris O’Donnell of New York Adorned, Scott Campbell, Daniel Trocchio, Steve Boltz, Bert Krak, Henry Lewis, Joseph Ari Aloi, Jason Schroder, Eli Quinters and more.

If you don't know...now you do. Go check out Juxtapoz at your nearest book store today.