There’s nothing like using tattoos to celebrate & raise awareness about a variety of issues. Titties? Check. Manliness? Check. Shark week, Friday the 13th, and infinite other non-holidays? Check.

Apparently someone thought it was important to show love to a character both your 12-year-old niece and that super hot 21-year-old Myspace chick happen to adore. That’s right, today is Hello Kitty’s 35th birthday. You know what that means right? Cheap tattoos!

If you happen to be in or around Las Vegas I suggest you set up some time for your very own permanent $35 Hello Kitty commemorative tattoo over at Last Chance Tattoo.

Pictured: Achim

And for some extra giggles, here’s a little Hello Kitty video for your viewing pleasure. If you’re craving more HK tattoos to drool over (or mock, depending on your feelings on that adorable little feline) I suggest you check out Hello Kitty Hell.

With October being breast cancer awareness month, a number of shops have been featured in the press about various fund raisers they’re holding for cancer research. All of the fund raisers typically involve a ribbon tattoo of some sort, and the shop donating all of the proceeds to charity. It’s refreshing to see the media cover a truly inspiring event like this, and even more refreshing to see tattoo shops take the time to do such a commendable act. It’s a simple tattoo that probably means more to a number of people than any intricate fifty hour back piece.

Mark Duhan (featured before for his Billy Mays tattoo) and the Skin Deep Ink Tattoo were amongst the group that took the time to help. We caught up with Mark, and he was kind enough to answer a few questions for us.

Tattoo Snob: I know your shop did ribbon tattoos to benefit cancer for a short period of time. How did this come about?

Mark: Almost everyone I know has been effected by cancer in some way. Tattoos have always been a way for people to work through hardships. So, it seemed to make sense. We planned this for almost a year. We had other plans that just kept falling through do to town hall permits and regulations. So we decided to join forces with “Relay For Life”. It was also the best way to find the most deserving candidates for free tattoos.

TS: What was the general reaction from people? Who came in to get them tattooed?

Mark: We had a very positive reaction from everyone we spoke to about this event. For some it shined a new light on the tattoo industry. For many of the people that participated it was their first tattoo. They were pleasantly surprised of how the overall tattoo experience helps emotionally. Every client that week had such strong feelings due to the fact that they were celebrating either themselves or a loved one surviving cancer. Sadly, some were memorial pieces that they will carry with them.

TS: What were the size of the pieces, and how much did you charge?

Mark: I drew about two dozens designs for people to choose from. A few of them were different style cancer ribbons, and most had small embellishments such as flowers or wings. We wanted to benefit as many people as possible so, we had to put a three inch maximum size limit. We did appointment only and charged a minimum donation of $20.

TS: How much total did the shop raise?

Mark: During our week long event we were able to squeeze in 56 cancer ribbon tattoos between only two tattoo artists. We raised $1285 for The American Cancer Society.

TS: During this, I’m sure you heard some emotional stories. Did these stories make you or other artists think differently, or change something they do?

Mark: Personally I am truly amazed at how strong people are. Some of the people that were able to share their stories with me have battled this disease since childhood. Some have lost children or spouses. Each and every person had a profound effect at how I deal with what I used to call a “bad day”.

TS: Any plans to do this again in the future?

Mark: We will try to make it an annual fundraiser. We already have people asking about next year.

Remember Gabe from the Paradise Tattoo Gathering? Well, his shop, Off the Map Tattoo is looking for full time artists. Read below for details.

Off the Map Tattoo is reviewing portfolios in anticipation of hiring two full time artists to join our custom tattoo staff in the very near future. Seasoned vets who have been tattooing for years and young tattooers eager to learn are both encouraged to apply as we are looking for one of each! Off the Map Tattoo is an appointment based custom tattoo studio in Western Mass, and will be deliberate in finding the right artists. We have a very positive atmosphere and helpful staff hell bent on producing the best tattoos and experience for our clients. Off the Map Tattoo is honored to have an amazing guest artist roster which is booked well in advance. We also produce the Paradise Tattoo Gathering and house the offices for TattooNOW which powers over 85 tattoo industry websites.

Only professionals who leave all their baggage, drama, and headaches at home and bring only their A game to the studio need apply. If you are a very talented, self motivated, responsible, and hard working tattoo artist who wants to invest time building a clientele in New England and beyond, or you know someone else who may be interested, please contact us with your best portfolio and availability. Please understand that while we try our best to respond to everyone we cant guarantee it.

Even if you’re not a tattoo artist, take a moment to check out the site. You won’t be disappointed.

It’s always interesting looking through the news at stories that are related to the tattoo world.

I used to tattoo Hells Angels. Now, I tattoo soccer moms
Mike Dick has been tattooing for over twenty years in Victoria (British Columbia, Canada) and briefly speaks about the good ‘ole days of tattooing.  “People started accepting tattoos and the TV shows made it go nuts. The reality shows on tattoo shops — it’s real Hollywood and it’s real junk.”

Fasion statement: ‘a conservative tattoo shop’
In August, Pacific Ink Tattoo opened in the Laguna Mall. The way the article was written sounds like the shop consists of one tattoo artist, Patrick Demarco, who left a Colorado tattoo shop (in a mall) to open this one.

In the flesh
Adam Barton is featured in a well written short bio, which recaps his passion and career as a tattoo artist.

I picked these three articles about these different tattoo artists that all have a completely different definition of what the tattoo world means to them. Oh, and here’s portfolio links for two out of the three:

Mike Dick from Stark Raving Tattoo
Adam Barton from O’Reilly’s Tattoo

If you take a moment to look at each artist’s portfolio, you probably won’t be shocked. The shocking part about this is that each of these tattoo artists have their place in the tattoo industry as of right now. The tattoo industry is in a confusing time, and it’s going to be interesting to see where it goes next. How long is it going to be able to stay at this high? When/If it does crash, who’s going to stick around and show they really love the art?

The way I look at these articles above is the Mike Dick’s of fifteen years ago are now the Patrick DeMarco’s of today, but I’m thankful we still have the Adam Barton’s for us Tattoo Snobs.

Over the weekend I happened across an article from the Dallas Atheism Examiner about Brian “Head” Welsh. If that name doesn’t ring a bell, start thinking 90′s nu-metal groups. Deny it all you want, but I know you’re at least quasi-familiar with the band KoRn. Only a super-fan might be acquainted with the fact that Brian “Head” Welch left the band to handle his drug problem and get in touch with God a few years back. I could summarize the events that transpired, or you could watch this interview he did with CNN back in 2005.

Image via cbsnews.com

I have no problem with either of those things, for the record. What I do find interesting is his continued heavy use of guy-liner and his faith-related tattoos. I keep trying to find the words to appropriately express my thoughts on this quote:

“For example, the Jesus tattoo on my hand keeps me from masturbating and I haven’t been with a woman since my ex-wife left me almost five years ago. I go to those extremes to be like Christ and it works for me.”

Welch published his autobiography, Save Me from Myself: How I Found God, Quit Korn, Kicked Drugs, and Lived to Tell My Story, last year and is currently on a solo US tour.