What do tribal tattoos mean to you?

Some of you may recognize this image from the movie, Twilight; Eclipse. The main werewolf played by Taylor Lautner (my daughter's favorite) has this double wolf image tattooed on his arm if I remember correctly. Mind you, I haven't seen either of the movies nor have I read any of the books. But I digress.

If you look closely, you'll see that the young lady who got this tattoo changed a few small details to personalize the image for herself. The differences are minor and shouldn't be too difficult for you to find.

The image originally represents two wolves facing each other and are done in an Inuit or northwest coastal indian style. I'm sure you can say the dot surrounded by a circle between them could easily represent the full moon...this tattoo is on a werewolf after all.

You will also find, upon closer inspection, two zodiac symbols and a stylized veterinary caduceus are also between them. Including these symbols changes the ultimate meaning of the tattoo. While she certainly isn't a werewolf (not that I could tell), she does like wolves and obviously animals in general. She works in some capacity in the Veterinary business and is either a cancer or a gemini. Perhaps her significant other is one of these signs; perhaps she has two children and they are cancer and gemini. Things that make you say, "Hmmm..." If her children are represented by the zodiac signs why has she left no room for future children in her design?

Most interesting...

So, the design tells us something about the wearer; perhaps a little about her interests and her personal life. But it doesn't tell us everything. This is the beauty of tattoo...if you want to learn more you'll just have to ask her.

Cody's sleeve takes on a dark medevil turn with the addition of a fantasy dragon and mossy tree! Apparently, the images mean something to him as he had me add two skulls at the bottom...not some skulls but two skulls. Someone must have pissed our man off! Anyway, soon I will be adding more warriors and another dragon! Stay tuned to see more in the future.

morbid tale for a mortuary girl

Nicki (aka: Nicki-loo-hoo) is in the process of creating a lower leg piece that is themed to match her current interest in becoming a mortician! Apparently, she is a little creepy girl at heart!

She is currently in mortician's school and is loving it...and doing very well I might add...all while being a single mother and a full time employee! See, you can do anything you set your mind to! Your mother was right!

Anyway, Nicki has been a very loyal customer and has become a good friend. We wish her the very best in her endeavors and the best of luck with school (even though with her enthusiasm and love of the subject; she doesn't need it)!

Thanks, Nicki for choosing me and Greenbrier, Tennessee's first and best tattoo studio!

Fairy Pinup Angel

Today was Gaggle of Girls day at the shop! Genji was first up and this is the image she put together for her tattoo. She put it together from several sources including two different Vargas pinup girls. This piece is on her outer calf and took just a tad over two hours to do! She was a trooper and didn't complain at all; way to go Genji!

Let me tell ya; you've never tattooed until you've tattooed with a room full of giggling gals! What fun!

New tattoos and exercising

One of the questions I am often asked is, "How long should I wait to work out?" Typically, most exercise enthusiasts think they are going to have to forego their training for several days or maybe even a week! "Nnnoooooo!" they immediately think. Anything but that! Well my fellow weight lifting friends; fear not! You need not lose precious Globo Gym time due to your ink addiction!
Remember; there are some things you should be aware of and observe however. Here are a few...in no particular order and without regard for importance:
If you have a gym in your home feel free to work out anytime you wish after getting your tattoo. Take care doing any exercise that may place your new tattoo in contact with any abrasive surfaces. Word of warning: any surface that your fresh tattoo may rub against IS abrasive! Don't do it! In other words; if you have a new tattoo on your back you may not want to do the bench press for about a week. Back squats? Go right ahead. What's the difference? As long as the bar (when doing back squats) isn't touching your tattoo it can't abrade it. The bench when doing bench press may cause your tattoo to be squished and rubbed against the bench. This movement can cause the tattoo to bleed resulting in scabs and future loss of ink.
Well, what about movement? Can't that also cause your tattoo to ooze, weep or bleed? The answer is yes, it can. The difference here is that movement may squeeze some plasma out but it generally doesn't open the wound like sandpaper causing more damage to the skin (other than what the tattooists needles have already done)! Inner elbows and various creases of the body that are tattooed are exceptions to this rule; movement in these areas will likely cause the tattoo to weep excessively, dry, and crack open causing this cycle to repeat and therefore causing loss of ink.
This leads us to our next question: What if I don't have a gym in my home? What if I have to go to my local globo gym?
My first answer to that is, "I'm sorry."
My second is this; you may want to wait for two or more days before you work out again. Why? You want to give your skin time to pull itself together and stop weeping. Your body will be pushing blood through your newly opened skin and slowly trying to repair itself. Soon, the skin will pull itself together and blood cells will no longer be able to pass through the injured skin; but plasma will! And you will "weep" plasma for several hours after your tattoo is finished; sometimes it will continue overnight. So, what's the number one reason for not going to the globo gym for a day or two? Simple, people don't want to see you oozing pinkish/clear plasma down your arm or through your shirt at the gym! O00; that's gross!
Now for my word of warning about working out at your local gym directly after getting a fresh tattoo. Beware of the fungi and funk that people leave behind! Now, I know that we are all very careful and we wipe down the equipment we use with bleachy water and towels...don't we? Are you sure? What about Joe Blow who used that tricep arm/pull down thingy thirty minutes ago? Did he? What about Jane Ringworm who used that big ball sit up thingamadodger an hour ago?
That's right folks; not everyone is as careful as you are. Beware.
Now, as long as your tattoo doesn't come in contact with any of the equipment at the gym...you should be fine. Just be sure to wash your hands after you work out and before you apply any ointment to your tattoo.
Alright, let's recap. Working out will not hurt your tattoo as long as your new tattoo is not located on a part of your body that bends alot (inner and outer elbow or knee for example). Scraping your new tattoo between your body and a shirt and bench or other piece of equipment will damage your tattoo. Next, beware of funky equipment. Lastly, don't subject other people to your body fluids! If you are going to work out with a new tattoo please wait long enough for your skin to pull itself together and stop leaking!
My last piece of advice; stop working out at Globo Gyms! Find yourself a qualified CrossFit affiliate and get down to some real fun!
Peace Out!

Military, Law Enforcement, Emergency Personel Discounts

The hourly rate at Artistic Ink will be discounted 10% for active duty military, law enforcement, and emergency personel (ID required). This discount is offered and will be honored by Keith Groves; owner of Artistic Ink Tattoo Studio in thanks for all that you do to keep our country and our communities safe.
Once again; this is offered by Keith only and current ID is required. This discount is for a limited time and is subject to change at my whim. Please continue to check this site for updates, deletions and changes to this offer.
Artistic Ink; Greenbrier, Tennessee

Wind, fire and death

I added this on to Steve's tattoo today (Friday). My instructions were to fill the gap with "Wind, Fire and Death!" I'm not sure if I succeded in that regard; but, I sure do like the piece! I used a seven magnum for 98-99% of this tattoo. The only thing I used a liner on was the initial line work on the skull. After that I used the magnum only. I especially like the way the piece flows from wrist to elbow on the outside of his arm...perfect for when he's cruising down the road on that bike of his!

Cody's new beginning; warrior sleeve part I

My man Cody told me he wanted a warrior sleeve; so, here's the beginning! Soon there will be other warriors and misty landscape background and a tree with snake heads for branches! I don't know what it all means but I sure am looking forward to making it happen for him. This piece was fun to do and I can't wait to begin laying in the other pieces of this puzzle

Stay tuned fellow tattoo enthusiasts...more Viking carnage to come from Greenbrier's first and best tattoo studio.