Features Archives - Page 75 of 154

March 14, 2016March 14, 2016

Fashion Pearls of Wisdom: Completion

Our guest blogger is Natalie McCreesh aka Pearl, a fashion lecturer, freelance writer and creator of Fashion Pearls of Wisdom. In this post she’ll be talking about her tattooed body being complete…

‘It’s the end of an era!’ My artist exclaimed as we completed the final session on my back piece. Over 18 months we had put in 30 hours to completely cover my back and thighs in ink. That’s a lot of blood, sweat and tears – literally and on numerous occasions. It didn’t feel like the end of anything though, months of eagerly awaiting to be finished and… And well nothing really.

I don’t feel any different. I don’t know if I expected to really? Perhaps I expected to feel more complete in some way. I am extremely happy it’s finished, it looks beautiful and I can’t wait for summer to show it off. The thing is it’s not really finished-finished. Next we will add sleeves, after that extend around my ribs. Will it be finished then? Is there ever a finite finishing point when we begin to get tattooed?

For me I don’t think there will be. There may come a time when I no longer feel like getting tattooed any more but I expect that to be because I’ve found something else to become obsessed with rather than ever feeling ‘finished’. I don’t have an idealised image of my tattooed body that I am on a mission to achieve. I do have a small list of artists I would like to tattoo me and an idea of what and where the tattoos would be.

I think the biggest question I have for myself is whether I want to achieve a full body suit or just continue with some more large pieces and keep those empty spaces. If I get one leg finished into a sleeve then I’ve really got to do the other, one Japanese style and one traditional, would that work? I feel a body suit, for myself at least, would need to have a coherent design – but then I look at where my two different styles meet and for some reason it just works. Perhaps it’s like fashion, how we string together old jeans and beaten up trainers, those well worn and much loved items that when combined are ‘just us’. For no other reason that that simply we like them and choose to live our lives in them.

March 12, 2016March 19, 2016

Interview with Paul Davies

We chatted to geometric tattoo artists 28-year-old Paul Davies who works out of Artium Ink in Kingsbridge, Devon about what inspired him to become a tattooist and how he recently found out that he is autistic…

Photo taken by Matthew Partington

I’ve been tattooing for roughly six years. I moved from Cardiff seven years ago to study fine art at Plymouth university. It was a really last minute decision so there was no available student housing. I moved in with some guys that worked in a tattoo studio, so hanging out with them everyday I started to think this was the path for me, rather than being a painter/illustrator which had been my original goal when moving. I’ve never been interested in doing anything other than being an artist. From the age of around five I really wanted to be an architect, but by the time I was old enough to do some work experience at an architectural practice, I realised it wasn’t as creative as I hoped it would be.

Once I started tattooing I was immediately drawn to patterns and geometry. But the style wasn’t really as popular then, so I just did anything to keep busy. Dabbled in all styles of tattooing and slowly convinced people instead of idea had, maybe it would look good to add some patterning to their tattoo. As time progressed the patterning took over. But I still really enjoyed all the other styles I used to do so I merged them to create something of my own.

I enjoy all the drawing I do but given the chance to design unrequested designs I tend to draw things that I have an almost obsessive interest in, like people with super human abilities, whether that’s a comic book character, Jedi knight or action hero that inexplicably can’t be killed.

I have a few guest spots and conventions around the UK lined up for this year but the one I’m most looking forward to is a guest spot I was invited to in Toronto. One of my favourite artists from Japan has been invited at the same time as me so looking forward to meeting him.

I hate most of my own tattoos as I did the majority that I can see myself to practice when I first started. I’m ambidextrous so I’ve done both of my forearms which as they are always on show, get most attention. I get embarrassed when I’m asked the artist that did them as its not a reflection of the work I do.
Recently I found out I’m autistic. On the spectrum it’s Aspergers but I’ve been told that’s not used anymore and it’s ASD (autism spectrum disorder). For my job it’s a massive benefit, I’m completely focused, never want to stop working and able to think about things a little differently to other people. Behind the scenes it really impacts my personal life. I’m currently writing this from a bar in Cheltenham as I’m heading back from Tattoo Tea Party in Manchester and I’ve freaked out that too many people got on the train in Birmingham and I can’t get back on until I’m drunk.

My wife would liken me to the character Spock from Star Trek, I’m not without emotion, I just don’t understand to show it properly. I think only logically about things and have little time struggle to include other people’s feelings in my actions. A few people over the years have mentioned I maybe autistic but I naively dismissed it as I thought only of the extreme form of the disorder.
Recently I posted a status about this and I’ve had a couple of artists message me saying they often feel a similar way, I wasn’t surprised to see they also specialise in patterns and geometry.

Being a social job I do struggle with it, it would be great if I could just be given an arm to take away and work on alone. Since finding this out I’ve realised I have a script that I say to each customer and that helps me feel in control. I have almost the same conversation every day and I really like it that way. Routine helps me function well, and sometimes I think I couldn’t have got to where I am without autism. However I am stuck in Cheltenham until I get over my anxiety attack and I’m drunk enough to get back on public transport so, swings and roundabouts.

March 10, 2016March 10, 2016

Fashion Pearls of Wisdom: Tattoo Tea Party

Last weekend saw Tattoo Tea Party return to Manchester for its fifth season and our columnist Natalie McCreesh aka Pearl, a fashion lecturer, freelance writer and creator of Fashion Pearls of Wisdom popped along to see what this year’s convention had to offer…

An action packed convention with an all the fun of the fair theme- dodgems, waltzer and side shows galore. Hosting over 350 artists over the sprawling Event City we wandered the maze catching up with old friends and discovering new. Tattoo styles were diverse with many artists choosing to offer walk-ups all weekend what better place to get your latest tattoo fix.

We chatted to Bex Lowe who was offering the most kawaii flash think smiley pizza, grinning tea cups with some old school gamer influences too, Hadoooooken anyone? Tacho Franch came armed with bold traditional Japanese flash peonies, neko, Noh masks and fat toads. Whilst we and many others gathered around to watch in fascination the hand tapped tattooing by Lawrence Ah Ching.
Tea Party is a vibrant, family friendly show which return next year 4th-5th March 2017

Let’s Talk About Tattoos: London Pop-Up Photo Booth

This Sunday 13 March, we’ll be teaming up with blog Women with Tattoos to stage a pop-up photo booth at the annual WOW! Women of the World Festival at London’s Southbank Centre.

Come see us and get your tattoos photographed by Eleni (the brains behind Women with Tattoos) and chat to Things&Ink editor Alice Snape about what your tattoos mean to you.

Where: Level 2, Royal Festival Hall, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX
When: Sunday 13 March, 11am – 6pm

Editor Alice Snape photographed by Eleni for the Women With Tattoos blog, check out her interview at: womenwithtattoos.co.uk

March 7, 2016

London Edge storms their 33rd show!

72 hours, 4,320 minutes, 259,200 seconds … running from 7th – 9th February 2016, LondonEdge delivered some excellent footfall figures for the 200+ collections on show. Buyers were treated to a bevvy of premium brand exhibitors, seminars and industry insights, mesmerising catwalk shows and an unforgettable after-show party alongside countless other extra-curricular activities.

Attracting trendsetting brands such as Motel, TUK and Iron Fist the list of exhibitors was in its best shape ever and confirmed Londonedge’s position at the epicentre of cutting edge fashion and contemporary alternative wear.

The show kicked off on Sunday with an exclusive blogger’s seminar which was hosted by Honey Pop, Sophie Hannah Richardson and international fashion blogger and vlogger Vintageena. Chatting about how bloggers work with brands, the best way to achieve quality, rewarding promotion for brands via blogging and social media, and the power of social influencers, especially in the contemporary alternative market. The seminar was an info filled session not to be missed! Social media went through the roof as the blogging world showed their love for this lifestyle fashion mecca.

Returning for a second season, LondonEdge also introduced seven other guest speakers as a part of their seminar programme. With a predictably colourful array of presenters, visitors were informed and educated on all aspects of the industry from social media to online retailing, from financial issues to trends and from image making and campaign creation to the history and origin of punk fashion. Delivered by the likes of Xanthe Hutchinson, Hannah Grunden, The Fashion Network, Kate Beavis, Phil Strongman and Perelandra Beedles, visitors enjoyed great industry insight in a range of subjects.

Designed to give attendees the full 360 ̊ experience, a trip to this trade show certainly gave visitors much more than a look into the future season’s collections.

So, how could this show get any better? With a legendary after show party of course, as LondonEdge threw a party that did not disappoint! Held at The Garden Bar in Notting Hill, just a stones throw from Olympia, the team showed the industry how to party LondonEdge style. Over 500 exhibitors, buyers, bloggers and industry guests piled into this stunning venue, the drinks were definitely flowing as they partied into the wee hours of the morning.

The party celebrated the quintessential bastion of the curious and creative – the true LondonEdge sideshow. With an array of performances never for the faint hearted, revellers enjoyed acts including contortionist Pixie Knot and the breath-taking Banbury Cross Burlesque. With complimentary drinks on arrival and throughout, there was no better way to spend a Sunday evening!

With an astounding opening show, happy exhibitors and a record number of orders taking place at LondonEdge, Managing Director Carole Hunter was very happy with show 33:
“We’re thrilled with the figures this season. We’ve seen a rise in footfall against both of the last two seasons and we’re delighted! Not only that but the natural consequence of this is that we had a huge number of brands rebook with us immediately for next seasons show. We’re looking forward to the next show at the Business Design Centre, Islington, London N1 running from the 4th – 6th September 2016.”

Register to visit LondonEdge at www.londonedge.com/visitors.
For more information on exhibiting please contact:
Jackie Farr – Event Director: jackie.farr@londonedge.com 01787 269841