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1.11.11 is now happening at the MN History Center

(check out the date… now that’s cool).

Yes. MN History Center. (No. Turf Club)

Yes. MN History Center… that’s where all the fun will be.

Seriously.

See you there.

Parking $5 – admission is free

Beer and wine will be available for purchase in the cafe

The museum exhibits are free Tuesday nights

Come early to look around!

www.minnesotahistorycenter.org/hip

History of Hip Facebook event page

History of Hip:  A Brief History of Tattooing

1.11.11 beginning at 7:30 pm

The Turf Club, 1601 University Ave. West, St. Paul, MN

Never just the domain of sailors and outlaws, tattoos have a rich and storied history. From Pacific Islanders to American hipsters, body art has long been a popular form of self expression with many layers of meaning. Dr. John Troyer gives an overview of the history of body art with tattoo artist Awen Briem.

$6/$5 MHS members. Age 21+ only.

Tickets and more info at www.minnesotahistorycenter.org/hip

History of Hip Facebook event page

“Never just the domain of sailors and outlaws, tattoos have a rich and storied history.  From Pacific Islanders to American Hipsters, body art has long been a popular form of self expression with many layers of meaning.  Dr. John Troyer gives an overview of the long history of body art with help from tattoo artist Awen Briem.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011 – 7:30 – 9:00 pm

The Turf Club 1601 University Avenue West

Saint Paul, MN 55104

Please note:  You gotta be 21.  It is the Turf Club.

Tickets:

MHS members: $5

non members: $6

The Tree of Life.

Hey – have fun celebrating today!  Have a safe and fun St. Pat’s Day!

The ancient pre-Celtic people are referred to as Picts, whose name was a derogatory reference meaning “Painted” used by the Romans for their tattooed enemies.  The Gaelic Celts used the term “Curithnii”, meaning “the People of the Designs”… and hey now – I’d say that’s more like it.  The Picts were not simply painted but indeed tattooed, using sharp iron tools and a natural plant-based blue ink called Woad.

While not much is definitively known about the Picts (who began to merge with the Gaelic people by the 10th Century), there are Roman accounts of fierce warriors with “wild hair” (apparently lime paste was used to stand hair straight on end) who were “painted blue”.  So, for some of us not much has changed I guess.

Here are a few images of how the Picts may have appeared, and a piece of Pictish stone art that I recently had the opportunity to render!

Here you go!