Be Aggressive


Anders, who’s been featured on ModBlog several million times, checks in with these very nicely executed swallow scarifications. I say it often, but watching the vast, constant improvements in scarification is one of the great joys of being so immersed in this community. I think many of us were probably too young to witness the same sort of growth in the tattoo community, but scarification seems like the next frontier in a lot of ways.

A few more procedural shots, after the jump.

(Scarification by Anders Allinger at Flesh Impressions in Broadbeach, Gold Coast, Australia.)

See more in Scarification by Anders mini portfolio (Scarification)

Count Every Beautiful Thing We Can See


We’ve featured this beautiful Chris Dingwell backpiece before in a more unfinished state and hot holy damn, it is looking tremendous. The cloud effect, which was discussed at length in the previous post, is much clearer now, the classical-style nudes are a great touch, and the birds on her shoulder are a lovely addition as well. Hopefully we’re kept in the loop if this goes any further!

(Tattoo by Chris Dingwell at Sanctuary Tattoo in Portland, Maine.)

See more in Wildlife and Nature Tattoos (Tattoos)

From Calm to Ill


Let’s call it a weekend, ModBlog. Koka1ne (of Santa Cruz, Bolivia) up there has the right idea, I think. Or, do what I do: Slip into your coziest cardigan, curl up by the fire with a bucket of Original Recipe and slip off into dreamland. See? ModBlog is improving lives every day. See you in the morning, good people.

See more in Oriental-style Tattoos (Tattoos)

A Sadness Bowl


Kentucky Pride! I have to say, I’m really enjoying the “rising sun” motif with ol’ Colonel Sanders over top, there. I’m still waiting for the cagematch tattoo featuring Wilford Brimley, the Quaker Oats man and the aforementioned Colonel fighting it out to the bloody death. Don’t let me down, America.

After the jump, just for fun, two of the finest bits of KFC-related comedy you’ll probably see all day.

See more in Political and Patriotic Tattoos (Tattoos)

Some Assembly Required


Well, who is this finely dressed chap? Oh, it’s Grundstuck, who took some time out of his busy schedule to send in this photo from what looks like the 1950s. Cardigan? Rotary phone? It’s either the inter-war period or modern-day Williamsburg. Or, you know, Italy, where he lives. Probably that last one.

See more in Scalpelled and other large gauge lip procedures (Lip Piercing)

When I Taste Life


So, the wonderful Jason Stephan has been dabbling in the black arts, apparently, because there he goes, cribbing from my nightmares again for tattoo ideas! At least he included the serene, vegetarian elephant to mitigate the bloodthirsty jackalope on the left.

After years as the owner and operator of Electric Eye Tattoo Studio, Stephan’s happily given up the business aspect of the industry and is focusing on tattooing full-time at King Street Body Gallery in Orlando, Florida. If he’s going to produce work like this, I don’t think anybody’s going to have a problem with that.

See more in New Skool tattoos (Tattoos)

This Week in BME


Hey, Matt Suder‘s got the right idea! Raise a glass, ModBlog (or whatever it is you prefer). You’ve earned it.

(Tattoo by Andy at Tattoo Marks in Souderton, Pennsylvania.)

And so goes the week. This time around:

Ron and the boys checked in from some ancient phallic garden, as is their wont.

A young child killed us all.

Our old friend Nihilist showed off his new, umm…man-eater.

Hammock Suspension ’09 started campaigning.

April Fools! Also, thank you to all the enemies of fun who had to pipe in immediately about how it was obviously a fake.

Roo posted this excellent video of Sailor Sid, courtesy of Shawn Porter.

You’re a kitty!

And that’s the ballgame, friends. We’ll be here over the weekend, popping in to say hello, and then it’s back to the grind, Monday morning. We should have fascinating and hilarious interview early next week with some excellent photography by Phil, the hardest-working man in showbiz. Until then, ModBloggers, have some fun this weekend, stay safe, and, as always, thank you for your continued support of BME.

At a Glance


This backpiece comes to us—surprise, surprise—from Marc at Swastika Freakshop in Radolfzell, Germany. It’s not just Marc’s technical skills as a tattooist that impress me (although they’re off the charts), but his aesthetic: The designs he comes up with seem so bizarre sometimes, but what they really indicate is a thorough understanding of the human form, and it’s a style that, ultimately, is equal parts complementary and jarring. All of which is to say, Marc pisses excellence, plain and simple. He wakes up in the morning and pisses excellence.

See more in Tribal and Blackwork Tattoos (Tattoos)