Jason came up with this idea awhile ago and I thought it would be a great project. When he asked me to be a part of it, I was very excited, because I have been obsessed with getting a tattoo since I was old enough to know what they were. (much to my mothers horror, I assure you) I have been trying to come up with a different perspective to add to this project. I was thinking about men tattoo artists, and women tattoo artists, and their different techniques and style. I know every tattoo artists, man or woman has their own style and try to find a way to put their own unique spin on a tattoo that they do, but in essence there a uniqueness to a man 's style vs a woman’s style. I’m not trying to be sexist in any way, shape or form, so just go with me on this one.
I told my boyfriend that I can look at a tattoo and tell whether a man or a woman has tattooed it. He looked at me like I was crazy. He asked me how I could do that. He even tested me by bringing up random pictures of tattoos and asking if it was done by a man or a woman. I was right on every case save one. I couldn't put my finger on it at that time, but after giving it some consideration, I realize that it is perspective. Of course men and women’s perspective are different, which makes the way they interpret a concept different.
I take, for example, my own tattoos. I have a fairly large one on my hip, it was inspired by a painting I had seen in Hawaii when I was there. I brought a photo of the picture to a male tattoo artists and he went to town. I was happy with it. I’ll try to post a picture of it.
A few years later I went to a different tattoo place, with another idea for a tattoo, and again I brought a couple of pictures and told the woman tattoo artist what I was looking for. A few days later she emailed me a picture of her conceptualization of my idea. I loved it, and I went and had it done. To this day that tattoo is my favorite tattoo. I find it hard to believe I will ever have another tattoo I love as much. (I hope so, I’m overdue for another) If you scroll down to the bottom of this blog, you’ll see a picture of it.
So since I became a part of this project, I have been giving my tattoos more thought than I have in years. And one day, I realized that my hip tattoo, while definitely a “female” tattoo, looks like a man’s interpretation of the picture I brought in. The ocean looks sharper, the dolphin looks more stark, and impersonal. While looking at my foot, I see that the hibiscus are soft, the ocean looks more subtle. Again, another totally “female” tattoo, but totally different.
So what do you think? Am I totally off here? Anyone have any opinions or stories to share?

Stacey G

How I Got Here

About 6 years ago (I'm not entirely sure on that, my memory is a little fuzzy), an older male acquaintance of mine and his 19-20 year old daughter got matching tribal tattoos on the small of their back.

That was...odd...to me.

A couple years later, my brother-in-law and his brother got matching tattoos on their upper arms.  A kind of family crest that they designed.

I found that to be a pretty interesting idea.

At that point, I was pretty intrigued.  It happened around the same time that I really started getting into photography.  Those two things danced with each other in the back of my mind over the next several years.

Why would my brother-in-law, a young professional, choose to do something like that?  Weren't tattoos a niche thing?  Something that existed more on the periphery of society?

Then I started noticing, more and more, tattoos finding their way into the mainstream.  They weren't just for bikers or rock stars and groupies anymore.  They weren't just a rebellious thing for young people just coming of age.  They were appearing everywhere.

I was also getting better with my photography.

I slowly developed a framework of an idea in my mind.  I could combine the two.  I could create a photographic essay.  Something that would delve into the psychology of the mind behind the choice, and couple that with the beauty inherent in the art.

I pitched the idea among some people with some positive results.  I could do this.

As a husband, father, and professional software engineer, as often happens, routine and daily life got in the way.  The idea festered in the back of my mind.  It was refined and sharpened.

Almost a year ago now, my life took a dramatic change.  The particulars there aren't important.  But I needed, and still do, an outlet.  Something that I could point to and say "I did that".  Something that could give me a creative sense of accomplishment.

I couldn't do it all alone.  I enlisted a close personal friend with some experience in publishing and an excellent creative mind.  Together, we can bring this to fruition.  We can delve into this subject, and learn something about these interesting and amazing people and their choices.  Hopefully, I can make them feel beautiful, or handsome.  Powerful and insightful.  And maybe...we can sell a few books while doing it!

Thanks for letting me take up some of your time.  Hopefully, you'll enjoy the ride on our way to a finished project.

Jason T. Countryman

Interesting Item #1

Every now and then, as I learn about this culture, if I find a particularly useful or interesting link, I'll share it with everyone.  The first one I'd like to share is the Needles and Sins Tattoo Blog.  I could try to describe this blog, but there is such a wealth of content on this site that I wouldn't do it justice.  All I can say is; check it out!

Mehndi - The Beautiful Art of Indian Bridal Skin Decoration

Mehndi or Mehendi (Mehndi used for the purposes of this essay)

Mehndi is a traditional form of body decoration most closely associated with bridal customs in India.  Mehndi is technically the application of a paste made from finely ground leaves of the Henna (Lawsonia inermis) plant.  This art is commonly mis-represented as ‘Henna’, but that name is solely for the plant itself, or the paste derived from it.

Mehndi is an important part of the Indian bridal custom.  Before the wedding itself, the bride’s artwork is part of a ceremony unto itself, primarily for the bride’s family.  On the eve of or several days before the marriage, a function solely for the enjoyment of the bride and her guests is held to apply the Mehndi artwork to the bride’s hands and feet.  In some regions, it is considered ritual for the first motif to be applied by either the future sister-in-law, or the bride’s mother.

Mehndi itself is not just for the adoration of the bride, but also to signify the bride’s transformation.  Showing the bride’s maturation from virgin girl to seductive temptress for her husband.  Traditionally, interwoven into the intricate designs inscribed on the bride are the bride’s and groom’s names.  The wedding night is not allowed to commence until the groom has found both names in the design.  This shows the husband’s visual acuity and active intelligence in an effort to impress the bride.  

As part of the Mehndi celebration, itself organized with the sangeet function, there are festive dances and traditional songs performed.  The bride is usually dressed in light-colored clothing and sparse jewelry.  Common motifs popularly used include the conch shell, flowers, Kalash, peacock, doly and baraat pattern.  Custom dictates that the bride is not to leave the house at the completion of the Mehndi ritual until the wedding itself.  The darkness and deepness of the stains are said to signify the depth of love the bride’s in-laws will have for her.  The Mehndi artwork itself is said to embody the strength and power of love in the relationship, the longer the stains last, the more blessed will be the bride’s future.

Mehndi has really blossomed as part of Indian culture in the 20th century, but history shows references to Mehndi as early as 12th century AD, brought to India by the Mughals.  The henna plant is not only used in India, but is prevalent in skin decoration in Africa and among Native South Americans.  Henna and skin decoration was used ceremonially among the Ancient Egyptians over 5000 years ago.  As part of the mummification ritual, a pharoah’s fingers and toes would be painted with Henna, to ease their acceptance into the afterlife, to please the Gods and to ensure a pleasant trip.

References

http://www.weddingdetails.com/lore/hindu.cfm

http://www.mehendiworld.com/mehendi-history.htm

http://www.henna-tattoos-kits.com/henna-tattoo/history.htm

http://weddings.iloveindia.com/indian-weddings/pre-wedding-functions/mehendi-celebration.html

Picture taken from: http://www.today.colostate.edu/story.aspx?id=3596

Test Shots

Here is a test group of the art style we're considering for our subjects.  Let us know what you think!

Welcome to Our Project

Tattoos are fascinating.  The choice that someone makes when creating a permanent change to their body is not lightly taken.  These individuals make a decision that takes courage and commitment.

They are also making a choice on an identity that they present to the rest of society.  Is society changing, though?  Tattoos are becoming mainstream, in a sense.  Is body ink not only becoming accepted, but encouraged in American culture?

That's the question that this project seeks to answer.  Through photography, interviews, and research, we hope to present a snapshot of body ink and it's place in average American society.

This blog is a journal of our progress, on our way to publishing a photographic essay on tattoos and their place in our society.  We're glad to have you here, and hope you enjoy your stay.