Tattooing By Joe Kennedy

Tattoo Connection
205 Route 23
Wantage, N.J. 07461

All work you see on this blog has been done by Joe Kennedy.
Tattooing since 1989.
I love working with a customer's ideas and help to get those ideas translated into the skin.
From the simple, to elaborate custom work.
As you will see, throughout this blog, that I do all kinds of work and work in many tattoo styles.

http://www.tattooconnection.com/


Email
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Tuesday

Polynesian Style

More Polynesian styled tattooing going on at Rose City Tattoos! This one is the beginning of a complete sleeve tattoo. Not to steal actual Polynesian or Hawaiian tattoos I like to create something new while being inspired by the organic tattooing style from the Pacific Islands.


Definitely Not Your Typical Tattoo

Polynesian tattoo designs are far more than a mere piece of decorative body artwork. Tribal artwork tattoo designs, as usually  as they're replicated in flash designs, have been as soon as seen as a link between man and the gods in Polynesian culture. As legend has it, the Gods taught men the artwork of tattooing. By being marked by way of a trial of ache and blood, because the  elders claimed, initiates might develop a nearer relationship with the non secular  world.

Take the Maori and Samoan tribes for example, Polynesian tattoo designs have been a Tapu, or sacred artwork kind . Thus the revered tattoo artists in these societies, have been held within the  identical esteemed regard because the  larger echelon virtuosos of at the moment. But the group the place I lived, noticed all tattooing, together with  tribal artwork tattoos, as an indication of a degenerate, or at finest 'an eccentric' - and eccentric is, in many methods, one other phrase for contemptible. "Yeah, thanks for the positive assist Dad!"

Paying Reverence To Islanders' Heritage

The islanders' history means that  the Polynesian conflation of soul with body, and the perception that one might achieve special benefits within the  afterlife, by way of tribal tattoo designs, was removed from limited to their culture. ("Special benefits within the  afterlife? Properly ink me up then!"). Similar beliefs might be found in ancient European and Asian cultures, which have been accountable for the prevalence of tribal artwork designs among the natives of North Africa and Papua, New Guinea.

The acute proficiency of Polynesian design creation, has grow to be renowned amid the good and significant artwork kinds the world over. In any case, when persons are willing to spend their entire lives within the  presence of such articulated artwork, and be judged by everybody that sees it, is actually a mark of admiration for such a specialized technique. They are such placing , intriguing and alluring types of expression, I knew I needed to have one, or two, or three...I used to be fearful about running out of skin area!

Polynesian tattoo designs, as one of many final surviving sacred types of body artwork, have been the pure locus for my studies. Indeed, the phrase 'tattoo' emerged from their language, (originating from the Tahitian term - 'Tatu', that means  - "to mark"). Moreover, within the  absence of any written language, these cultures created a form of articulation, dialogue and communication from their tribal tattoo designs. Numerous components of the body which displayed the jet-black patterns, symbolized certain facets of their lives, experiences and beliefs respectively.



Immersed In Each The Culture And The Art-Form

Having lived for two years within the  Marquesas islands, witnessing the artwork from descendants of tribal masters, I've discovered that Polynesian tattoo designs, for the unique islanders, both offered a way of belonging (by way of the sharing of an expertise), and a way of individuality. The designs, and their positioning on the body, have been usually decided by one's family history, societal rating, succession of maturity and personal achievements.

I discovered first-hand how the Polynesians used symbols, intricate patterns, plus swirling and linear motifs, to typify storytelling among other representations, when composing tribal tattoo designs. Watching the rituals carried out with such primitive, yet effective tools equivalent to bird-bones for needles and burnt gum from indigenous bushes as ink. At occasions, they even used burnt vegetable caterpillars to kind  a black soot-like pigment to faucet  into the body using a mallet.

The definitions and history of what they symbolize, dates again generations, more so than any other tattoo artwork designs that I can immediately recall. Different societies across the oceans, have proven quite a lot of respect and reverence to these island cultures, who took this form of expression far beyond what we as westerners might usually  ever imagine. Plus the actual fact, they really do stand out from other tribal tattoo artwork, attributable to their incredibly distinctive  and distinct look . Similar to consuming peanuts or potato chips...it is extraordinarily difficult to simply have one!

Choosing Polynesian tattoo designs are very easy once you get to know information that makes it in style. Selecting the best artist and the proper design can go a long way. Check out a full range of Polynesian Tattoo Designs Dallas at Maximo's Tattoo Designs.

Monday

Astro Boy

Tattoos like this are a real challenge, unlike the standard cartoon style, this was done to reproduce the oil painting of Ashley Wood.
As a kid the first Japanese cartoon I remember watching was Astro Boy. This iconic cartoon was the beginning of Manga.

Leprechaun and his gold.

When you are 100% Irish this is the tattoo for you. A Leprechaun and his gold should bring you some luck.

Sunday

The Art of the cover up

 The art of the cover up revisited. Seems like it is every other day that I am doing a tattoo cover up or fixing up poorly done tattoo. The skull and dagger tattoo was a choice of a young man and with time there became a need to rework into a more up dated tattoo.


Thursday

Flower tattoo celebrating spring.



For me, it is always fun tattooing flowers. The free flowing lines can lead anywhere you want. This tattoo started with the lily and butterfly, they needed to be more connected and brightened up. Adding the blue flowers creates a contrast to the orange of the lily.

Tuesday

Minotaur of Mythology

The Minotaur classic Greek mythology of a half bull and half man warrior. This tattoo was taken from the small statue of a Minotaur, check out the details.
Classical Mythology . a monster, the offspring of PasiphaĆ« and the Cretan bull, that had the head of a bull on the body of a man: housed in the Cretan Labyrinth, it was fed on human flesh until Theseus, helped by Ariadne, killed it.

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Monday

Old school eagle tattoo across the chest.


Old school tattoo are going strong in Jersey! Bold lines and solid colors make for a long lasting tattoo and has helped in the growing popularity of this tattoo style. 

Cherry Blossoms

Cherry blossom show up on all parts of the body, sometimes as stand alone tattoos or incorporated into much larger tattoos. Here are a couple examples of stand alone branches. Often part of a Japanese theme tattoo and found in classic old school American style tattoos.

Saturday

Tattoos Mistakes, Think before you ink!

 Sorry to disappoint Mike, but your name won't be there forever like you may have thought. Tattoo that seemed like a great idea at the moment may need some rethinking in the future and a cover up may be the only solution. Think before you ink!
 With some creativity and vision a design is thought up and sketched and soon the old tattoo is transformed. 


The finished cover up tattoo. Now flowers definitely look better than some large tag. Think before you ink!

Wednesday

Skulls ripping through ribs tattoo. Updated


 As many of you know I like doing skulls tattoos or at the very least I do a lot of them. After more than thirty years of getting tattooed my client is getting to his sides and filling the rib cage with creepy skulls ripping from the body. Doing other side in a couple of weeks. I will keep you posted.

Same day update: Part two of the skulls ripping through the ribs was just finished. A rainy day with no set appointments , I ended up starting a sleeve of skulls and flame and did the right side skulls ripping through the ribs. Check it out.

Tattoo Designs