History of Hip: A Brief History of Tattooing

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History of Hip: A Brief History of Tattooing

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

Hold the date! History of Hip, 1/11/11

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Art With a Point joins the Minnesota History Center for “History of Hip“

“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.

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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

Keepin’ in Touch

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The studio is officially LinkedIn.  And thanks to those of you who have made the request!

Find me there at http://www.linkedin.com/in/artwithapoint

www.facebook.com/artwithapoint

or

www.myspace.com/artwithapoint

or

www.twitter.com/artwithapoint

or hey… RIGHT HERE!

Thanks for stopping by!  ~Awen

Tattoo Trivia Monday

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Tattoo Trivia to get your Monday off to a good start… What inspired the Macy’s red star logo? Hmmm….http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/homegarden/86759367.html?elr=KArksUUUoDEy3LGDiO7aiU

Macy's Red Star Logo

Best of the Twin Cities 2010

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City Pages Best of the Twin Cities online voting is open through 4/5.

Log on and vote for Art With a Point for Best Tattoo Studio (#20) !

Then *Share* this with your friends to spread the word!


And THANKS for your support!

City Pages Best of the Twin Cities 2010

Best of the Twin Cities 2010

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City Pages Best of the Twin Cities online voting is open through 4/5.

Log on and vote for Art With a Point for Best Tattoo Studio (#20) !

Then *Share* this with your friends to spread the word!

And THANKS for your support!


City Pages Best of the Twin Cities

Rock on, Minnesota Olympians!

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Winter Olympics 2010

Winter Olympics 2010

The Winter Olympics 2010 begin today in Vancouver and Minnesota is sending twenty two athletes, more than any other state.  Rock on, Minnesota Olympians!

I came across the Olympic Creed this morning which reads: “The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle.  The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well.”

I’m liking that perspective – big time.  And in that light it’s a given that many Olympic athletes mark themselves to honor the struggle to reach that pinnacle moment of participating in the Olympic Games.  Vince Hemingson’s “Vanishing Tattoo” has a nice link to Olympic imagery as well as links to photos of Olympic athletes and their ink.

Art With a Point is joining a handful of shops across the country in honoring our Olympic athletes by offering free Olympic tattoos for medal winners.  In fact, in the spirit of the Olympic Creed I’m broadening the offer to all twenty one of Minnesota’s Olympians who are participating.  So, if you’re one of Minnesota’s twenty two Olympians, come on down for your tattoo after Vancouver.  And, if you medal be sure to bring your medal with you.  (I’ve always wanted to see one.)  In the meantime, lets cheer on and congratulate all the participating athletes on a road well traveled.

Saving on Your New Ink

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Tattooed folks appreciate choosing a new tattoo over an awesomacious trip, tickets to a sweeeet concert or the newest electronic doo dad.  Tattoos last forever and serve as a grounding reminder of what’s important to us.Victorian Goodness


The fact remains that lots of people are feeling the financial pinch right now.  The current economic situation is challenging, causing us to reconsider spending on ourselves.  And yet, treating yourself provides a well earned respite from the daily grind of life… like a cheer up turbo.  It’s true that tattoos can be expensive, however there are ways you can save on your new ink:

Timing

Winter months tend to be the slowest in tattoo studios.  While it’s not proper to haggle with the artist over the cost for their time and expertise, keep a close watch on Blogs, Social Networking and eZine mailings announcing specials offered through the colder months.  Art With a Point has a special offer coming up next week – watch for it!

Preparation

Creating the tattoo is an artistic process – one that begins with your ideas.  The more clear you are about what you want, the easier your idea is to bring to life.  Collect images or items that can help you to describe your ideas.  Google Images is a smokin’ free resource!

From Concept to CompletionMake use of the Consultation

Art With a Point is unique in that it’s one of the only studios providing you the opportunity to speak directly with your artist prior to your tattoo.  I offer complimentary consultations, so hey – why not take advantage of them!  Get your questions answered and collaborate with me to hone in on the details of your design so that you can rest easy knowing your tattoo is an authentic reflection of your ideas.

Take it in steps

Patience is a virtue… blah blah blah.  Hey, I hear you.  It’s hard to be patient waiting for new ink.  And while small tattoos are easily completed in one sitting, when it comes to budgeting there’s something to be said for working on a medium or larger sized tattoo in a couple of (or more) sittings.  This shortens each appointment time, spreading out the cost.  And hey, in the meantime your new ink is tangibly with you rather than but a mere concept.

So, when the craving for new ink keeps you awake at night Google your ideas and email me the goods that you find.  Schedule a complimentary basic consultation to get the ball rolling.  From there we’ll create a plan to bring your tattoo to life in a way that works for you.



The Ambitious Professional

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Tattooing has traveled a long way from its sacred origins in Indigenous communities around the world to its’ out of context arrival in North American seaports and military bases.  And has continued to evolved further from crude art form to a fine art medium.  Tattooing has in fact consistently evolved more rapidly than our society’s understanding of the medium and the people who choose to be tattooed.

This NY Times article (1.26.10) reports an estimate from the Food and Drug Administration that an estimated 45 million people have tattoos.  The author also states “that it is unlikely that the ambitious professional… will ever have… a full chest or back ‘panel’ or a tattooed arm or leg.”  Now, of an estimated 45 million Americans that have tattoos, I’m gonna bet that number includes ambitious professionals.  In fact, a majority of my clients are ambitious professionals with tattooed arms and legs, and yes… even pack pieces.

Throughout the documented 5300 year history of tattooing, tattoos have been used to reflect changes in life status.  This remains exactly why so many people continue to choose to wear tattoos.  They are acknowledgements.  Bookmarks.   And while the media may continue to reinforce old stereotypes about tattoos and the people who wear them, assumptions about individuals cannot reasonably be made.  Really – we have no idea what mind blowing tattoo sleeve is under that suit coat or what captivating back piece is under that dress.  (Okay, sometimes I do because I put it there…but you know what I mean.)

And while its feasible that an estimated 17% of tattooed Americans “regrets it”, I find that statistic vague.  What in life doesn’t change?  The person we are at 40 will be (hopefully) different than the person we were at 18.  Life changes and we change with it.  And your tattoos can change with you as well.

Here’s a photo of a cover up I completed yesterday on (you guessed it) an ambitious professional.  There’s an old saying that goes, ” The only difference between tattooed people and non-tattooed people is that tattooed people don’t care if you don’t have a tattoo”.

Cover Up: Running Horse