Category: Th’ink art

February 12, 2013

Issue 2 – The Face Issue with Cassandra Frances. Things&Ink magazine

So it’s time to reveal all. Our issue 2 cover star is Cassandra Frances who works at End Times in Leeds. She is one of my faves, my sister and I got tattooed by her last year – blog post here.

Issue 2 Things and Ink COVER starring Cassandra Frances

I first met Cassandra in 2012 and I instantly fell in love with her warm nature and dedicated work ethic. She put me at ease while she tattooed me, chatting about life, music and magazines. We were like old friends, talking away, of course the conversation always returning to ink.

When the decision was made to make issue 2 ‘The Face Issue’ I knew I wanted Cassie on the cover. With her fiery red hair and delicate porcelain skin, you almost don’t notice that she has facial tattoos. Her tattoos are so pretty and feminine and will certainly make people think twice about their preconceptions about women with facial tattoos. The image on the cover is powerful, beautiful and innocent. I really hope you like it. You can read a full interview with Cassandra in the magazine, find out about her tattoos and how she felt about being on the cover.

Order your copy now from Newsstand.

Photo: Samuel Butt
Make-up: Keely Reichardt
Retouching: Lydia Rayner

September 27, 2012

Things and Ink – the launch issue cover

Claudia de Sabe as Artoria Gibbons

Launch Issue – Claudia De Sabe as Artoria Gibbons

Making the cover.
The cover for the launch issue of Things and Ink encapsulates everything that the magazine stands for. Things and Ink is a magazine that celebrates female tattoo culture, both current and historical. And female tattoo artist of the moment, Claudia De Sabe, is posing as Artoria Gibbons, one of the original tattooed ladies.

Artoria the tattooed girl worked in circus side shows in the 1920s.

Let the Things and Ink family know what you think of the cover by tweeting @thingsandink or commenting on Facebook.

Photographer: Kristy Nobel
Makeup: Miss Honey Bare
Hair: Lucie Luella
Dress: Night Feather Headdress: B Millinery
Design: Oliver Campbell and Antonella Bordone
Behind the scenes footage coming soon from Papercut Pictures

August 15, 2012

Some more girly art and tattoos from CFB Tattooist

As you all know I love the artwork of CFB Tattooist (aka Cassandra Frances) who works at End Times in Leeds.

My sister and I got tattooed by her (blog post here) and I have blogged about her on numerous occasions…but her artwork just keeps getting better. So I couldn’t resist doing a quick post with a couple of her recent painting and tattoos.

Photos all taken from Cassandra’s Facebook page

August 6, 2012

Olympic illustrations by Clare Corfield Carr

Clare Corfield Carr

Since the Olympics began, I have been scouring the world wide web for athletes with amazing tattoos – there’s a lot of bad ones out there and I didn’t want to just blog those athletes who now wear the Olympic rings.

So, as Needles and Sins blog has already uncovered the Top Ten Olympic Tattoos, which I am not sure I can beat, I have instead discovered the talent of illustrator Clare Corfield Carr. She has a certain tattoo style about her illustrations and I love her recent Olympic-inspired pieces…

London Olympics 2012

Olympic cyclist sketch

Olympic cycling – Sir Chris Hoy

Olympic swimmer sketch

Olympic swimming

You can purchase Clare’s illustrations from society6.com, or follow her news on Twitter.

July 15, 2012

Thomas Hooper’s tattooed twins – Jordan and Caleb

Jordan and Caleb

I love matching tattoos – and I adore these identical twins (Jordan and Caleb Kilby) who have been tattooed by Thomas Hooper.

Tattoos: Thomas Hooper
Photos: Richard Ballard, Damon Allen Davison

I discovered these tattooed twins because of an article by Dr Matt Lodder Tattoo you and me? Body art can be good to share.

July 7, 2012

Love at first sight – Cris Cleen

I fell in love with Cris Cleen’s work the moment I first saw it.

Cris Cleen – artist and tattooer

His work encompasses everything I love in art and tattoos, he has a very traditional and antique style that also has a softness and femininity about it. He has created a world of ladies, flowers and butterflies that instantly drew me in when I saw his documentary short on Vimeo last year.

In this documentary, Cleen talks about the history of tattooing and how the old guys impact the way he looks and what he surrounds himself with. For Cleen, tattooing is about the whole experience, the way you look and act make a big difference and he is dedicated to giving people unique tattoos. His work and his style are almost of another era, but at the same time they are timeless and romantic, even erotic.

I have recently emailed Cris Cleen about booking an appointment with him when I go to New York next year. And luckily for me, he said he would happily tattoo me. Now all I have to do is save my pennies… (luckily I have this – New York ink fund).

Cris Cleen works at Saved Tattoo in Brooklyn.

Photos: criscleen.com and Saved Tattoo

May 29, 2012

Hot tattoo and jewellery coupling for Diamond Jubilee

Diamond Jubilee Collection

Independent craftswoman Pip Jolley and tattoo artist Tracy Demetriou have joined creative forces to create a timeless tribute to her Majesty for the Diamond Jubilee.

“One of Tracy’s flash pieces was of the Queen and it just hit me that we needed to do something for the Jubilee. We wanted to make a piece that was beautiful and reflected both of our work,” says Pip.

Relocating from South Africa to the United Kingdom, London-based tattooist Tracy Demetriou has worked as a receptionist at at the Family Business studio, and then honed her craft at Haunted Tattoos and King’s Cross Tattoo Parlour. “I love the idea of the Queen,” she says. “It seems so exotic to me, coming to a country with a monarch where there is so much history and still having a Queen in this day and age.”

For Tracy the project, which will be released in two sets, a high-end diamond detailed gold collection (£400-£500) and a more moderately-priced silver and gold plate collection (£50-£100), also took on a personal quality: “I have just become a British citizen so it’s a little celebration for me too! Pip and I met up in January and brainstormed what type of jewellery we wanted to do and, of course, with it being the Diamond Jubilee it seemed appropriate to use diamonds so we decided to create a fine gold jewellery project as opposed to a cheaper, costume jewellery option.”

necklace tattoo curled — Tattoo necklace, £390

Pip’s delicate accessories marry perfectly with Tracy’s bold take on traditional tattoo flash, presented in red velvet boxes with accompanying limited edition art prints, serving as the perfect luxurious celebration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

On sale until the end of the Jubilee year and the duo are currently in talks with stockists at major department stores. Visit Pip’s website for more info, pipjolley.com.

(I already know which piece I have my eye on…)

May 21, 2012

Topshop and tattoos – my TV tattoo interview

Blogged – my TV debut

Alice on TV — Here is me talking tattoos on the tele

A few weeks ago I received an intriguing email from a lovely young lady named Helena Poole, from the Community Channel.

She told me about Arts360, which is a programme to encourage young people in and around London to embrace art and culture and participate in debate. Part of the show would feature tattooing as an artform and she wanted to interview me about how I felt about tattoos and their value as art. I told her I would love to be involved…

So here it is. My TV debut, talking about art and tattoos. Alongside the infamous Alex Binnie, who it actually looks like I am arguing with…

This extract just shows the tattoo section, to the view the whole programme, click here.

Tattoos aren’t fashion, they’re art. I don’t pick a tattoo in the same way I go to Topshop and pick a top.

Although I am honoured I was asked to participate in the show, I am slightly disappointed with the tattoo segment. It appears to be lots shorter than the other artforms (opera, graffiti) in the show, so therefore not as much in-depth discussion about it. I also feel the focus wasn’t so much on why tattoos are art, but more whether or not a young person should get tattooed. Some of the more arty stuff from my 15-minute interview didn’t get used, and that is slightly disappointing.

I understand why it is important for young people to think about tattoos before they get them, but I think that using this programme to explore the beauty of tattoos as art objects would make young people more aware of the amazing artists out there who they can get tattooed by. Opening people’s eyes to the the beauty of well done tattoos would do far more than telling a young person not to rush into getting tattooed (I know those are the exact words that came from my mouth, but I guess that’s TV and the wonders of editing!).

However I would love to be involved in more projects like this in the future, I thought it was a thoroughly enjoyable experience. And seeing myself on screen wasn’t quite as painful as I thought it would be – although, is that what I really sound like?

May 18, 2012

Kokoro – The Art of Horiyoshi III

Kokoro means heart in Japanese – the feeling or the inner meaning that underpins the Japanese approach, not only to art, but to life as a whole.

Horiyoshi III is a tattoo artist and champion of traditional Japanese culture. He is the essence of kokoro. His artwork is now on display at Somerset House, until 1 July 2012.

Jigoku Dayu (mineral pigments on silk) – this was my favourite piece in the exhibition. I love the detail in the clothing.

Namakubi (mineral pigment on silk) – I find this picture very deceptive. The colours are soft and feminine, and it is only when you look a little closer that you see the violence and horror.

April 27, 2012

Sailor Jerry London venue – Hotel Street

“Good work ain’t cheap. Cheap work ain’t good.” – Norman ‘Sailor Jerry’ Collins - The father of old-school tattooing

The new Sailor Jerry venue in London is now open. Hotel Street is named after the infamous Hotel Street district in Honolulu, where Norman Collins aka Sailor Jerry made his name.

By night Hotel Street is a lot of fun, and I would highly recommend it for tattoo and music fans alike – or those who just want to have some fun in a cool new London venue and drinks lots of lovely Sailor Jerry cocktails…

I suggest trying out an aptly named Hotel Hooch…

Sailor Jerry cocktails - one mint collins and two daiquiri Hawaiian coffees. Very tasty

On 25 April – I danced the night away to Dirty Beaches and Chapter 24. And generally had far too much fun for a Wednesday evening….

And if that type of deborturous mid-week behaviour doesn’t take your fancy, this multi-functional venue turns into a rather arty affair by day….

Hotel Street by day is home to a gallery of original Sailor Jerry flash and artwork. His work is stunning in real life. And each bit of meaningful flash is described in detail – for example the swallow was to commemorate 5,000 miles travelled at sea and swallows are also deeply rooted in the symbolism of returning.

By night, all the artwork is hidden away from drunken revellers, so I suggest making at least two trips to the venue.

Oh and if none of that entices you, they also ply you with lots of free popcorn!

I know I’ll definitely be going back – most probably to see Joe Gideon & the Shark on 1 May and also Bass Drum of Death on 8 May. Maybe see some of you there?

Hotel Street is on 121-125 Charing Cross Road.