Best books about body art & tattoos according to redditors

Not a historian, technically speaking, but curious enough to find a few possible answers:

1. The Heart & "Mom" tattoo as an icon apparently (according to this article) originated with Norman Keith Collins, a.k.a. "Sailor Jerry" whom I learned about here. The official site for this guy is here, though I linked right to the page where they explain symbolism behind several tattoos you might recognize, including the heart.
   
   
2. From that same article I learned that "[t]here's also an age-old connection between country and mother—consider the very word motherland. So the mom image can sometimes symbolize not just affection, but work as a stand-in for the people and lifestyle the wearer wants to defend," according to the person who wrote this book.
   
   So that's why "mom" became a popular subject in tattoos; either you really did love your mother, or you were trying to convey the concept of stability, or you were using the concept of "mother" to represent everything you hold most dear.
   
   As for why they appeared on cartoon tough-guys, we can only speculate (without further, better historical evidence) that there were two reasons for that being so prevalent:
   
   
3. The tough guy was supposed to look like he had a soft spot - the whole tough-guy/momma's-boy juxtaposition, ha ha.
   
   
4. Sailors and military types in general were perceived to be very tough, and this particular tattoo was very popular among sailors and military types - which in turn were the biggest fans of tattoos outside of your run-of-the-mill thugs at the time cartoons for television or theaters were first being produced.
   
   That last bit I don't have sources for, but I hope my including it will inspire someone else better equipped to find some and back me up. I personally can't help but think of Popeye, but his tattoos were of anchors. Does anyone have examples of cartoons that actually show this tattoo?
   
   Edit: oops, put my "heart" in the wrong place.

I am Maoli, Native Hawaiian. I don't find it disrespectful at all when a non-polynesian person feels a powerful connection to my culture. I find it extremely respectful. There are certain kapus (taboos) about specific design not being allowed for certain people. I suggest doing your homework.

If you don't live in Hawai'i then I suggest reading one of the fantastic books published in the last few years about polynesian tattooing. The museum I work at in the UK has many fantastic books on the subject. My boss is actually and expert from the on the subject from the anthropological point of view.

Obviously each design, it's usage and placement mean something specific and are meant as a form of communication. Speaking solely for myself, if you like Travis Browne's tattoos for their aesthetic purpose, that's great (and i agree they are beautiful), but do some digging yourself to see if you can express yourself using my culture's imagery. That way when people ask you about them, or give you shit for not being of that culture, you can respond intelligently and with knowledge, proving that you're not just some fake person following a trend. I know lots of non-polynesians with polynesian tattoos. Almost all of them have done their homework. The ones that are most impressive can also speak the language (which seriously shuts up most haters bc most Hawaiian's can't even speak Hawaiian).

Edit: I would also like to add, if anyone is interested in acquiring one of the aforementioned books feel free to PM me. I don't know if any of them are available outside the UK. We also have some pretty rad books on broader aspects of Polynesian culture. Lots of amazing research and conservation is being done in the UK right now.

I love the dot-work! If anyone else is in to this style, I highly recommend this book (although it's pretty expensive).

https://www.amazon.com/Tattooed-Millionaire-Building-Tattoo-Empire-ebook/dp/B071SL511B/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1512083727&sr=8-1&keywords=sean+dowdell

You can also get the audio version on Audible, which Sean narrates and I greatly enjoyed.

Wow that deck looks pretty groovy! Might I ask if you're also into psychedelic experiences?

I actually got into tarot because the art in the [Ethereal Visions](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ethereal-Visions-Illuminated-Tarot-Deck/dp/1572819251
) deck is so beautiful.

I have also ordered but haven't yet received the Tattoo Tarot deck because American Traditional tattoo flash is one of my very favorite art styles.

Don't stop, keep at it. One little tip I'll give you is to focus on the overall shape of the components of your designs.

For example, the bulb of a traditional rose (often called 'cabbage roses') is usually egg shaped; that is, if you draw a loose line around the entire bulb it should be an even egg shape. Or for leaves, they should be the shape of a tear drop, whereas the one's here are more triangular.

A lot of this is malleable but it's good to have a familiarity with the basic mechanics of designs before making dramatic changes. Sailor Jerry flash is great for reference, a lot of his paintings can be found with a simple Google Image search, you can also buy books of his flash but they're steep (~200-300 USD). There are much cheaper books with his acetate stencils. The linked book was a huuuuge help when I was first working all this out.

Keep going, traditional tattooing is such a special thing and the excitement surrounding it nowadays is refreshing.

I bought this book a few months back and It has a lot of inspiration in it.

^^^^This. You might want to have your friend check out this book. Think before you ink. The Scottish Gaelic Tattoo Handbook: Authentic Words and Phrases in the Celtic Language of Scotland https://www.amazon.com/dp/0995099804/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_Nf3wxbWGG771C

I got the symbol of the 'strike and dip' on my foot and if you are looking for inspiration there is a book called 'science ink'. That can be a quick read or just flip through at photos.

https://www.amazon.com/Science-Ink-Tattoos-Obsessed/dp/1454912405

TATTOO ILLUSTRATIONS BY ZHANG XIAOBAI

Amazon book.

Oh I know mine isn't original either, but I am hipsterly proud that mine was done before the first famous one was printed in Science Ink.

Nice ink! :) I guess I feel famous?

If you'd like a IRL copy, the tattoo photo also got published in Carl Zimmer's Science Ink

Oh yes, sorry, how stupid of me.

Bodies of Inscription: a Cultural History of the Modern Tattoo Community and Inked: Tattoos and Body Art around the World, both by Margo DeMello.

I was thinking of getting a half sleeve space piece done, but I am indecisive and might do a geology piece...

I highly recommend though at least looking through this book- there are a lot of really cool ones.

If you're truly interested in Sak Yant i'd recommend getting a couple of books on the subject over the next year to help you plan. I have this one and also this

Both cover the beliefs and traditions of Sak Yant and feature a wide range of designs and profiles of various Ajahns (masters).

this is the one i have i like it, especially the really detailed ones!

In Russian prisons they put a spoon under your eyelids when they tattoo on them, just for safety... ಠ_ಠ

Source: My roommate owns this book

Probably the foundational text of anarcho-transhumanism (at least how I approach it) is Donna Haraway's A Cyborg Manifesto (PDF link). Through this lens the concept of 'innate anti-body politics' becomes notably blurred. In my view, 'transhumanity' is a condition that already exists; I base my views on my personal research into biomedical issues, trans issues (Sandy Stone was a student of Haraway's) the body as a philosophical object in art and medicine and the politics and sociology of body modification (A good place to start on the latter subject). Anarcho-transhumanism seeks to push forward towards the idea of 'morphological freedom', which is where I have just remembered I have read some Dale Carrico before; the essential critique of the 'superlativity' of techno-libertarian transhumanism is that like all utopian ideals it's ultimate goal is a static society which by its very nature must exclude all competing concepts. Anarcho-transhumanism, on the other hand, is heterotopic, radically queer, post-gender and so on. In the sphere of anarchist discourse, anarcho-transhumanism embraces the possibility of positively using technology in radical ways, in contrast to the strong strains of 'primitivist' and 'anti-civ' discourse with their worrying strains of biological essentialism and concomitant ableism, sexism, transphobia and so on. In more direct and immediate terms, with regards to pro-choice politics, anarcho-transhumanism would seek to, for example, demystify and push for unfettered access to reproductive technologies and remove medical barriers towards people seeking gender/sex reassignment therapies, as it repudiates completely the fetishisation of the 'natural' (which is always of course, in line with the dominating ideology of society). And of course, anarcho-transhumanism, like all correct forms of anarchism, firmly embraces the elimination of capitalism and private property, the abolition of heirarchical systems of social organisation and fully embraces discourses which seek to recognise, critique and ultimately dismantle systems of power and domination, leading to the emancipation of all people.

It already is. It's not NBA players specifically though, just all around ridiculous shit. My personal favorites are: Dolphin smoking a bong and blowing it out his blow hole. Some bald, fat white dude with "STUPID" tattooed on his forehead and "FUCK OFF" on the back of his head, and then "Jesus Fucking Christ" (little hint: there's a ball gag.).

Why not? You could always start and try! There's some bad tattoos out there and those people still do tattoos! Practice makes perfection! How about a book to help you? Or this one?

If you want to become one, then work yourself with the arts! :) Don't let the negativity of "I can't" hold you down. You "can't" if you never try! :)

There's a book on Danish tattoo culture. Amazon link. Dunno if you're situated in DK or abroad. But this should satisfy your needs. As for collecting old flash prints and stuff alike. Seek out conventions, parlors. They might be able to sell you a few flash papers if they have duplicates :)

If you like stuff like this then check out this book. Bought this for my gf a while back after she got her first. Fortunately hers fell well on the side of 'awesome' and away from insanity like this.

The deck: Tattoo Tarot: Ink & Intuition. Recently purchased from amazon (link: Tattoo Tarot: Ink & Intuition https://www.amazon.com/dp/1786272059/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_EK8wT7eaIQbsn). It’s a little big for my hands, but I love the artwork!

The Spread: Super basic past, present, future spread.

The Interpretation: Though the recent past has been plagued by a creative block, and the present is full of opportunities that can breed blind optimism, focusing on self growth to see through unrealistic ideals will lead to security and prosperity. Also, possibly, motherhood. I’d like to think that part’s a little off though.

Thanks again!

Carl recently published a book based off of this blog. It's kind of cool to be able to open an officially published book and see a picture of yourself.

http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Idiots-Guide-Getting-Tattoo/dp/1592577253

https://www.amazon.com/Science-Ink-Tattoos-Obsessed/dp/1454912405

Check out Science Ink for inspiration.
https://www.amazon.com/Science-Ink-Tattoos-Obsessed/dp/1454912405

Do you mean In The Flesh: The Cultural Politics of Body Modification? That's what Google gave me.

If you like this sort of thing, you may enjoy Science Ink:

https://www.amazon.com/Science-Ink-Tattoos-Obsessed/dp/1402783604/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1510764551&sr=8-1&keywords=science+ink

I was listening to Science Friday, and heard about a book called Science Ink. If I were to get a tattoo, I'd be something awesomely nerdy like that.

Joe Cummings has a great book on Thai tattoos, I'd recommend it

[Sacred Tattoos of Thailand: Exploring the Magic, Masters and Mystery of Sak Yan]
(http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/9814302546/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=justinmaccart-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=9814302546)