Coming Up Rosey

...and the wonderful Marilyn portrait below is followed by possibly the best ever tattooist submission, which comes from Anabi Tattoo in Poland. Again, whoah.

Some Like It Hot!

This next tattoo could be the best reader submission I've ever recieved. Veronica's wonderful Marilyn Monroe portrait was done by Stefano Alcantara of Last Rites, NY. Whoah. It puts Megan Fox's arm into context, for sure.

Ooh Arrrrrr!

This wench comes from 'landpirate, done by Jamie Davies at Tattooz Ink, Redding, Ca.

Masi Attack

Tiffany sent in this nice Mike De Masi pinup.

Breast Cancer Ribbon Tattoos

Breast cancer ribbon tattoos have become a very popular way to show your support for those who have fought a cancer battle. While there are many different types of ribbons supporting many different causes, the pink ribbon is one that has taken on international significance representing breast cancer awareness.

With one in eight women and men fighting the breast cancer battle this year alone there is a good chance that you will know someone who has been diagnosed with breast cancer. As a tattoo enthusiast, I love seeing people who have chosen to honor and support someone with a breast cancer ribbon tattoo.

If you are thinking about getting a breast cancer tattoo for yourself that honors someone who is fighting this particular battle or someone whose has fought this battle and ultimately lost ~ then here are some tattoo tips that you will want to keep in mind.

* Choosing the Right Breast Cancer Ribbon Tattoo Design.

Take your time choosing the perfect breast cancer tattoo. Not only do you want the tattoo to be the right one for you, but you'll want it to properly symbolize your love and support for your friend or loved one. Looking through online designs is a good place to start. Having a stencil in hand of your chosen artwork when you go to your favorite tattoo artist can also save you some time and money.

* Location, Location, Location

Just as in real estate, the location of your tattoo is important, especially with this type of tattoo. Display it in a prominent location. After all... you want the world to see this beautiful work of art that shows your love and support for those with breast cancer.

* If This is Your First Tattoo?

If this is your first tattoo then you must Think... Think... and Re-Think Before You Ink! Take your time choosing a design. Take your time choosing the right placement location.

Don't get a tattoo while under pressure from someone else. Hopefully, you will be living with this tattoo for the rest of your life so choose wisely from the start. You will want to be happy not only today but for all the tomorrows to come.

* Consultation Please!

It is a very good idea to make an appointment for a consultation with the artist. Actually, you should consult with several artists before making a final decision on just which artist will ink your tattoo. Take all your ideas, sketches and stenciled artwork with you to your appointment so together you and the artist can come up with the best custom tattoo design that is just right for you.

Getting a tattoo is somewhat of an intimate experience so you will want to be comfortable with the person who is going to be making art with you.

* Don't Shop for Price Alone!

Tattooing is an art form and great tattoos can be expensive. If you decide to go smaller in order to save money, you may regret it later. Sometimes waiting until you can afford to get the right tattoo will be worth it in the long run. Your tattoo should be unique and special to you so don't scrimp on it.

Deciding to get a breast cancer ribbon tattoo is commendable and offers a special tribute to your loved one or friend. Take your time choosing the best design and the right application location. Only then will it truly show honor and respect for those who fight the breast cancer battle.

The Advantages of Back Tattoo Designs

Lower back tattoos are more common in women; however there are some men who prefer them also. The Soccer star David Beckham has a lower back tattoo if a name. Usually men do not get lower back tattoos because they are for women. Beckham's lower back tattoo of 'Brooklyn' has meaning and is not girly.

In most instances oblong shapes work best for this area, because they fit the space perfectly. Many choose to go with a design that goes across the entire lower back. However, it is also popular to go with a smaller tattoo on either side of the lower back.

The lower back is one areas of the body that is less likely to change as you age. Some people do not consider how their bodies will change as they age, but this is important to think about. You probably do not want to get a tattoo that looks great today, but scary when you turn sixty.

Another advantage of lower back tattoos is how easily they are covered. There may be some instances in which you want to keep your tattoo under wraps, and this type of tattoo is easy to hide. Just by having a shirt on will cover the entire tattoo.

Some common choices for the lower back include fairies, butterflies, and flowers or for men, words or letters.

If you are choosing a lower back tattoo as your first tattoo, you may wish to start with something small that can be added to in the future.

The upper back is also a common place for tattoos because of the large surface available. It lends itself well to very intricate and detailed designs. It is also easily expanded on. If you start with something small, there is room to expand it if you choose to do so in the future.

Upper back tattoos are found more commonly on men, although women do have them too. When choosing an upper back tattoo there are several places as well as designs to choose from. The shoulder blades are a popular place to have wings tattooed. Some like to have their guardian angel tattooed there. It is also popular for animals or creatures with wings.

Another option for the upper back is tribal tattoos. The amount of space on the upper back gives ample room for very detailed tribal designs.

There are a few things to consider when thinking about your back tattoo. The first would be placement and design. Tattoos are not necessarily forever, but the procedure to remove them is costly and time consuming. Make sure that you choose something you will be happy with.

The second thing to consider is cost. Large tattoos on the back can be very costly, so think about how much money you want to invest in your artwork.

Lastly consider how long it will take to actually get the tattoo. Many large tattoos have to be completed in more than one sitting. If you are just starting out with tattoos, you may want to have something small at first, and then add to it later on. Also there are places on the back that are more tender and painful, so having a large tattoo will mean that you will have to endure more pain for a longer period of time.

The Pro's and Con's of a Girl Back Tattoo

Getting a girl back tattoo involves deciding not only what design to choose, where to place it, but also how both of those elements combined can embrace ones own femaleness and personality. I'll focus here on the placement of a girl back tattoo.

Where to get a girl back tattoo? The most common placement for a girl back tattoo has been in the center lower back area, right above, or even in line with, the waist line. With low cut jeans being the latest fad, and tight tees that hike up above the belly button, the lower center area has been an ideal place to display your girl back tattoo.

Pro's of getting a "low-center" girl back tattoo:

-Displaying is ideal with todays clothing trend. The tattoo is both slightly subtle and yet very noticeable when one does see it. For instance many males have gotten "reverse forearm" tattoos in which their tattoo is placed on the underside of the forearm as opposed to the front, more noticeable area. This is both slightly subtle, as first glance you may not see it, but also its not hidden and very visible once one visually zero's in on it. A girl back tattoo placed in the low center area has the same advantages.

Con's of getting a "low-center" girl back tattoo:

-It's unoriginal. Unfortunately the ''lower center" girl back tattoo has been heavily played out. Many girls have followed the trend, and hence it has become more of a fad than an original idea for placement. Tattoos as a whole have become so common that it remains a struggle to find original angles to approach when it comes to both design and placement. Slang terms such as "tramp stamp" have begun to emerge for females donning a girl back tattoo in the low-center area. Some have said in 40 years that slang term will be replaced by "gramp stamp" playing on the notion that the plethora of elderly women who will still be donning the permanent girl back tattoo art in their later years. The popularity and common placement of lower center girl back tattoo lends itself to this type of slang creation.

-Another obvious disadvantage with a low center girl back tattoo is the fact that you are unable to visually see your tattoo, unless you look in a mirror. This is of course the case with all back tattoo's, and if one would like to view their body art frequently, without a mirror, they should consider placement elsewhere.

Possible alternatives:

-If one is absolutely dead set on the low center girl back tattoo, believes that area of permanent placement is right for them, and is content within themselves to rise above slang labels and such, then they should go for it. Other options could include a more unique lower back placement, such as off to one side, or even on the side of the body above the hips. This enables the individual to view their tattoo without the assistance of a mirror. Naturally five years from now a trend could emerge for side hip tattoos, but for now it remains a not very common placement area, and an alternative area for a typical girl back tattoo.

-Another option for the low center girl back tattoo, is to choose a design that is more mural-like, as opposed to a single object like a butterfly or rose. This somewhat lifts you out of the common trend of the single girl back tattoo placed low and center. And the potentiality exists for stretching the design across the back, instead of just centered in the middle.

Whatever you do choose as the placement for your girl back tattoo, it ultimately should be one you are able to be happy with both in the short term and the long term. No matter where you choose your placement area, a good, unique, design can make a huge difference and in any event it's always worth researching to find the right one for you. One that in your eyes would look good no matter where you decide to place it.