Tattoo Elite International

Some of us from the shop have our new flash sets for sale on TattooEliteInternational. Scotts new set is not for sale on the site yet but im sure it will be on there soon, its nice.

Tim Lehi's Flash...

Jeff Rassier's Flash...

Nick Rodin's Flash...

Scott Sylvia's Flash...

Cool Little Rassier Tattoo

New Original Flash for Sale

painted by Nick Rodin. 11x14. on board. no prints made. email for prices.... nrodin@gmail.com

Tattoo cover-Change is the name of the game

If you are satisfied with the number of tattoos you have on your body, but still want something new, then you should opt for tattoo cover.

Any tattoo on your body which is not scarred or is just solid black in color can be covered up by tattoo cover. Covering up normally comprises giving new, sharp outlines to the existing design. If you want to just change the color combination, then the artist will use compatible combination to make your old tattoo look fresh again.

If you want to experiment with the design then that too can be done by the artist by working around the tattoo and coming up with a thematic design that suits the existing work on your body.

Tag : tattoo cover up, tattoo cover ups

Oriental dragon tattoo-Get it and be a part of the Legend

Oriental tattoo designs date back to before Christ times. Originally thought to be originated from the Asian subcontinent, Oriental dragon tattoo designs have long held people around the world in awe and admiration.

Taken from folklore, these designs are a rage today. The scales, horns, large nails, huge wingspans, fire emanating from the mouth, this Oriental dragon tattoo designs symbolize power, wisdom, freedom etc. These tattoos add a shroud of mystery to the whole personality just like dragons have to the folklore.

Whether you make it coming from the depths of the seas or from the heavens above, these designs look good in all variations. You can place them on arms, shoulder, back portion, chest or even legs.

Tag : tribal dragon tattoos,black dragon tattoos,pictures of dragon tattoos,miami ink dragon tattoos

Angel tattoos-your road to becoming cherubic

Angel tattoos are particularly a rage in women. But even men have been flaunting angel tattoos in recent times. For women the angel themed tattoos are used to depict the purity, patience or the divinity within.

On the other hand angel tattoos in men portray the purity and commitment in love and also respect for the feminine gender. Mostly when people get angel tattoos done, they want others to see it, so they choose a location which is convenient for the same.

The various types of angel tattoos that one can choose from are Archangels, cherubs, fallen angels, guardian angels.

Tag : baby angel tattoos,dark angel tattoos,pictures of angel tattoos,religious angel tattoos,tribal angel tattoos

The Beauty of Floral Tattoos

Tattoos can represent various symbols and have been recognized as an art form. Both Men and women like to imprint tattoos on their bodies to follow the latest fashion. Women in particular, are more fascinated with floral tattoos. What is it about floral tattoos that cause women to prefer them over other symbols? Clearly, floral tattoos convey femininity.

 Floral Tattoos

Many tattoos are currently available in floral designs which can be modified to suit individual preference. Women can choose the ones that match their character and personality. The internet is a very good place to search and find many designs for floral tattoos.

Historically, it has been noted that body art has been used as a most influential and powerful form of self expression. Relative to other symbols and aesthetics, floral tattoos often have perfect symmetry that satisfies a woman's desire for beauty and fashion. Symbolically, flowers are perceived to induce purity, fragility, femininity, and seductiveness. Nevertheless, different ethnic customs attribute many different meanings to each type of flower.

  Floral Tattoos

There are a number symbols that are represented within more famous tattoos. Normally, flowers such as roses, hibiscus, orchids, lilies, and lotus are chosen as a basis for floral tattoos. They are often worn to represent a person who is close to the owner of the tattoo. Such symbols express an array of qualities and emotions such as passion, grace, nobility, love, refinement, perseverance, and majesty. Once merged with the other elements, these floral tattoos take on a variety of meanings that completely transform the final outcome.

 Floral Tattoos

Tribal elements are often encountered in traditional tattoos and instantly instill more captivating effect. Traditional tattoos can be more flexible and allow greater potential for self expression. Tribal elements encompass a mystifying appeal that enhances the sexiness of a tattoo. Tribal elements are often chosen by women considering a dramatic design for a whole body tattoo; they can however also be used to create a much smaller artistic tattoo that appears more complex and attractive.

 Floral Tattoos

 

Floral tattoos can be imprinted on the different body parts according to personal preference and ideals. Many women select body areas like rib cage, shoulder blade, or lower back. Nevertheless, it is not rare too to see women sporting tattoos on their arms and ankles.

 Floral Tattoos

Tattoo coloration is also a vital aspect to be considered. Any decision on tattoo coloration can significantly affect the final outcome and should be considered as part of the overall design. So, as you customize the final design of your tattoo, ensure you have properly considered and evaluated the colors as well as the meanings.

Article by: Wendy Gorman 

Dragon Japanese Tattoo Style

Dragon Japanese Tattoo Style

Dragon Japanese Tattoo Style

Dragon Japanese Tattoo Style

Dragon Japanese Tattoo Style

Dragon Japanese Tattoo Style

Phoenix Japanese Tattoo Style

Phoenix Japanese Tattoo Style

Phoenix Japanese Tattoo Style

Phoenix Japanese Tattoo Style

Phoenix Japanese Tattoo Style

Dragon Tattoo Design from Tattoo Software

Dragon Tattoo Design from Tattoo Software

Dragon Tattoo Design from Tattoo Software

Dragon Tattoo Design from Tattoo Software

Dragon Tattoo Design from Tattoo Software

Dragon Tattoo Design from Tattoo Software

Phoenix Tattoo Design

If there was one majestic bird that captivated thousands of audience members of the Harry Potter books and movies; it was that of Professor Dumbledore's magnificent pet - the Phoenix. This bird, which is represented in many different cultures, can also be found in abundance of the backs of tattoo aficionados. Why on the back, I am not too sure, but it seems like the proper place for such an exuberant, mythical creature!

Phoenix Tattoo Design

The phoenix of Egyptian mythology speaks of an ancient bird that cry was so soulful and beautiful that it could captivate humans in a purely magical way. The creature is said to have lived in the desert for 500 years before it would consume itself in a blaze of fire. Then, from its own ashes, it would be reborn to live another 500 years! As it flew through the skies above, it could leave a trail of fire, thus alerting all to its presence.

Phoenix Tattoo Design

The phoenix of Chinese origin was composed much like other Chinese creatures - out of parts of other (more widely known and recognized) animals. It was said to have the head of a pheasant, a comb on top of its head (the red, floppy part of a rooster), the beak of a bird (specifically a swallow), the neck of a tortoise, and flame-like appendages (those appendages were similar to that of a common bird). It was an imaginary animal considered a bird of good luck and longevity. (Really, is there anything Chinese that is not considered THAT?!) The phoenix of China was meant to have several different colors of feathers. They were red, yellow, black, blue, and white. All colors contained the hidden virtues. Red stands for a long life and good luck; yellow is for protection against evil; black is for self-cultivation; blue is for knowledge; white is for peace and purity.

Phoenix Tattoo Design

Many people tend to do what I feel I have done, as far as the Chinese culture is concerned. Lost in our own mutt-like heritages, we grasp for the beauty and intense values that revolve around both the language and the life that is its ancient culture. In the unending search to belong to something greater (that is, if religion is not much of an option that you are interested in), the Chinese proverbs and drops of wisdom that encompass many of the mythical creatures (phoenix, dragons, etc.) is truly appealing when trying to fill that void. Sorry about that - I seemed to have dropped into an abyss of deep thoughts!

Phoenix Tattoo Design

For whatever the rhyme or reason that lurks behind this beast, the phoenix has become a symbol that many have decided truly "speaks" for them. The wiles of a tattoo tend to surface, and, lo and behold, a phoenix spreads its painted wings on the backs of others, for all to see. It makes me wonder if all of the virtues that the colors hold to, can somehow seep into me . . . perhaps a new tattoo in my future? Let me consult my fortune cookie.

Article By: Michael Mantis

Dragon Tattoo

The most well known and most popular mythical creature depicted in tattoos is the Japanese dragon. It is more popular than any of the other mythical creatures, such as the phoenix, mermaid or gryphon. This may be due to its shape because the long and flexible dragon that descends from Japanese tattoo traditions practically fits on every part of the body - covering full backs, winding himself around arms or coiling up on the chest of the carrier.

Dragon Tattoo

The Japanese dragon is usually depicted as a wingless, heavily scaled snake-like creature with small, clawed legs and a camel shaped head with horns. It is associated with sea, clouds or the heavens. It has whiskers and a beard, and it is deaf. In the West we think of dragons as terrifying beasts, but in Japan the dragon symbolises wealth, good fortune, good luck, kindness, power and freedom.

The good luck stems from the fact that the Japanese dragon is a "water symbol", living either in the clouds, climbing down during thunderstorms, or in rivers and lakes. Water is an element of enormous importance for the cultivation of rice in both China and Japan so, because of its ability to bring down the rain, it was revered. Thus dragons are highly respected and admired in both China and Japan. In the Western Culture however, because of the association with the snake, the dragon symbolises evil and they were routinely hunted down, fought and killed.

Dragon Tattoo

It is important to keep the dragon happy because, after all, it could easily cause a seaquake or thunderstorm if annoyed. One of the most famous and most tattooed dragon legends, apart from the display of the Buddhist gods of wind and thunder (Fu-jin and Rai-jin) who are riding the dragons, is the Tamatori Hime. According to legend, Japanese dragons are believed to take up the shape of humans and are even considered capable of mating with humans. The age-old enemy of the dragon is the phoenix and sometimes a bird-man creature called Karura.

Dragon Tattoo

At birth to around five hundred years (or so) of the dragon's life, they are a "water snake". They are not dragons in the sense that we think them to be. From five hundred (or so) to around one thousand (or so) they become Chiao, or scaled creatures. They are said to begin as a fish, and, at a considerably old age, turn into a scaled dragon.

Dragon Tattoo

After the Chiao stage, from about one thousand years to one thousand five hundred years old, the dragon grows rapidly. This is when the dragon becomes a Lung dragon. This takes place over the five hundred year period. Unlike some dragons, they are hornless and symbolize the scholar. These dragons can gain horns, but only after about five hundred years.

When the dragon is between the ages of one thousand five hundred and two thousand, he or she will become a Horned Dragon. They will gain horns and thus look much wiser in the process. After the dragon is two thousand years old, they become a Ying-Lung. They are winged dragons that are also scale-less. They gain wings only after they have been around for about one thousand years, and they never have scales.

Dragon Tattoo

The Japanese dragon (referred to as Ryugu in Japanese mythology) has three toes whereas the Korean has four and the Chinese five. It is said in Chinese Mythology that all dragons originated from China and the ones that left lost their toes, but the Japanese Culture believes that all dragons came from Japan and when they left Japan they gained toes. The farther the dragons went, the more toes they gained (or lost). The Koreans believe that all eastern dragons originated from Korea so that when the dragons leave Korea and go towards China they gain toes and when they go towards Japan they lose toes.

Dragon Tattoo

Another difference is that Japanese dragons tend to be much more slender and fly less frequently than their Chinese counterparts which suggests they either lose or gain weight depending on where they originate from. In Japanese society (as in Chinese society) dragons are depicted in paintings on temple walls and carvings. Most of the temples with dragon carvings usually belong to the Zen Buddhism religion. The Japanese dragon had originally come into existence as a guardian creature that was in charge of guarding all the four cosmic regions. Traditionally the dragon is identified with the season of spring throughout Asia.

Dragon Tattoo

The Dragon King is really four dragons, and these dragons keep watch over the four main seas. They are believed to live underwater in the Ryuku islands area in Okinawa. Japanese dragons are of various types: there are the Tatsu dragons that are a representation of spirituality and imperial power and tend to live in lakes or springs. The Sui-Riu dragons are held responsible for bringing rains into the islands of Japan. The Han-Riu dragon is the tallest of the dragons measuring up to almost 40 feet in length and can reach the heavens. The Ri-Riu dragon is most popular for its unusual eye-sight which is believed to be the best. The Ka-Riu dragon which is the smallest possesses a frightening red color. The Fuku Riu is the dragon which brings luck to people. The Hai-riyo dragon is actually a dragon which possesses a bird-like shape and is the most evolved of all the dragons.

Dragon Tattoo

Other interesting things to note are the differences between the dragons in pictures. For example, males usually have clubs in their tails while females hold fans. These dragons can also be depicted as descending from the sky or inside clouds. Male horns are thinner near the base of the head and thicker and stronger towards the outside. Females have "nicer" manes, they are rounder, and thus are seen as more balanced than the rigid mane of the males. The females' noses are usually straighter, their scales thinner, and have a thicker tail.

Dragon Tattoo

Modern Japanese tattoo artists have taken the art of the Japanese dragon to amazing new levels. Whether you want a full back or a half sleeve design, you will find an incredible gallery of amazing tattoo designs to choose from. They can be in colour, or black and white. The Japanese dragon tattoo may appear with sea waves, clouds or pearls. Sometimes the dragon holds an enormous magical pearl in its claw, which has the power to multiply whatever it touches, the "pearl" symbolized the most precious treasure: Wisdom (hence "pearls of wisdom"). Ancient Dragon lore and illustrations have inspired many of us to select a Japanese dragon tattoo because that design represents how we feel about ourselves -- strength, wisdom and freedom...

Dragon Tattoo

Japanese dragon tattoos can wrap around the body and flatter the contours of the body. Full body and full back dragon tattoos are very common in Japan, but the most popular location is half sleeve, the body of the dragon wraps around the upper arm and the dragon's head extends across the chest just above the heart. Because of the long shape of the dragon, it is also well suited for inking on arms and legs.

Article By: Alan Watt