My Tattoo Blog

The Mariana Chain; Keeper of the Deep

suzan — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 22:09:52 +0000

A recent contributor asked for a design of the Mariana Island Chain coupled with a latte stone. I am always ready for a challenge. The Mariana chain got me thinking about the Mariana Trench. A Google search showed me that they are right next door. At 36,198 feet, the Mariana Trench is the deepest place on earth. The next deepest trench is the Tonga trench at 35,702 feet. That means that the Mariana islands are the very tips of ocean mountains that are 36,000 plus feet tall; 7,000 feet taller than Mt. Everest!!! Now isn’t that amazing!! These giant ocean mountains are created as the giant, denser Pacific tectonic plate subducks beneath the lighter Mariana tectonic plate.

I made two designs; one with a mirror image of the Mariana Island chain and one with the Mariana Island chain super-imposed on the latte stone.

Enjoy the designs Suzan

Mariana Island Chain

Another Polynesian Design

suzan — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 15:49:09 +0000

Always amazed that the designs are building blocks for a larger design or story; what’s your story?

Enjoy the design Suzan

Polynesian Design

Polynesian Design or Constellation?

suzan — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 19:43:47 +0000

I have seen many variations of this design. Always reminds me of a celestial constellation. What do you think? When used in a graphic design; it creates a great place to place a smaller design. You can easily combine multiple designs or mirror images of designs together to create something new. The night sky is the limit.

Enjoy the design Suzan

Polynesian Design

The Amazing Heart

suzan — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 20:08:20 +0000

Did you ever wonder why the heart is so popular as an icon of art? Peter Max certainly has painted a few. In the 12th century physicians thought that the beating heart was the source of love. THUMP, THUMP It is not a surprise the heart became a common Valentine’s Day symbol. The arrow was added to impart vulnerability or the danger of rejection. The heart has even been compared to various curvy parts of the female anatomy. Use your imagination!

I know Valentine’s Day is a few weeks off; but it is never too early to think of hearts! THUMP ON!

Enjoy the design Suzan

Daisy Heart

Mayan Calendar Alert – Only Two More Years to 2012

suzan — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 18:27:53 +0000

Happy New Year! Only two years to go to find out what the Mayans really had on their minds. I believe we can create and profoundly affect what happens on our lovely blue planet. Maybe it is not too late to entertain some alternative explanations about the year 2012 in the Mayan Calendar. Try to turn the History Channel (which I love) off for 24 hours. Our obsession with gloom and doom is a bit boring and not the most healthy thing to obsess about.

A funny thing happened after I started blogging and posting my designs. A real academic, Dr. Mark Stone commented about one of my designs. Up until then I thought my designs were creative interpretations of Mayan designs; not much thought to accuracy or content. But what was so cool about Dr. Stone’s comment was that it brought me to his web site where he discusses the significance of the year 2012 and a lot of the associated myths. Take a peek, it is a good read.

Dr. Stone – The 2012 Myth

Meanwhile I will keep posting my whimsical Mayan designs. You can bet the Mayans were not very whimsical!

Enjoy the design Suzan

Mayan Happy Face

Holiday Time at Wardend

suzan — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 22:15:50 +0000

Oh it’s the holidays; the largest shopping holiday of the year. I have found that staying out of stores and random acts of charity usually will provide the necessary survival skills needed to get by another year!!! Hope you are all doing fine too. In keeping with the holiday spirit; my arm band design appears to be a series of doves. More peace in the world would bring lots of cheer. This cheer is for you.

PEACE

Until 2010, Suzan

Doves of Peace

Maya on My Mind

suzan — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 01:43:14 +0000

Some weekends I see Mayans everywhere I turn. First the History Channel chronicled chocolate, a modern marvel. And wouldn’t you know it…invented by the Maya. Then there is my husband watching Mel Gibson’s movie, Apocalypto on cable. The film takes some inspiration from the text, Popol Vuh (also called the Maya Bible). This ancient text, the oldest of its kind, written by missionaries from Spain describes mythology and history of the Mayan K’iche’ people who lived in the highlands of Guatemala 600 BC to 1500 AD. The movie is savage and wild, mixed with a sensitive family story of survival.

Well that’s enough inspiration for one weekend!

Enjoy the design, Suzan

Mayan Clip Art

Finally, the Essence of French Polynesia – Part XIII

suzan — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 04:06:21 +0000

NOTE: This is the final chapter of a thirteen part article. Enjoy!!!

Part XIII- Finally, the Essence of French Polynesia

Approach to Moorea

As I did the research for this article, the words “noble, naked and savage” came pretty close to describing the essence of French Polynesia. The nobility is seen in cultural pride. The rebirth of everything Polynesian has a modern freshness, an openness for discovery and the excitement that it is happening now. Tragically, many Polynesian traditions are lost forever. However the pervasive sentiment is not pity for things lost, it is enthusiasm about the future, re-discovering who they are in the 21st century. It is very likely that the “French” (the relationship with France) will disappear in the future.

Upscale tourism - French Polynesia

During my stay I did not witness any naked Polynesians; however I did see topless French tourists sunbathing at the beach! The real nakedness of Polynesia is evident in the unbridled, breath taking landscape. Everywhere you look, sheer beauty abounds. From the steep rugged volcanic islands, too vertical to support permanent hiking trails, to the crystal clear blue lagoons, teaming with aquatic life, Polynesia is one of the most remarkable places on Earth.

Upscale tourism - French Polynesia

Polynesia remains far from continents muddied with urban sprawl; far enough away to not be a common destination. The result is an environment not spoiled by overuse. The traveler senses the peace and tranquility that Polynesians have known for 1000 years. The tranquility is hypnotic and sensual, an earthiness that envelopes your skin. By definition, sensual experiences are not spiritual; however the outrageous environment communicates a higher power, a spirituality you cannot ignore.

Your hammock beckons you - French Polynesia

The savage Polynesian is gone forever. However, Polynesian pride is alive and well. Polynesians are confident; they respect themselves and their beautiful environment. Some cultural traits will remain forgotten, but nowhere is the essence of Polynesia more evident than in the arts. The almost forgotten tribal tattoo motif has made a voracious come back and is demonstrated in numerous art media as well as the classic skin tattoo. Tribal tattoo is a direct link to ancient culture. It is primitive and wise, a relentless reminder of the essence of Polynesia.

Hope you enjoyed the articles, almost as much as I enjoyed Polynesia!!!! Suzan

Anthropologists – Keepers of Culture – Part XII

suzan — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 16:56:16 +0000

NOTE: This is part twelve of a thirteen part article. Enjoy!!!

Part XII- Anthropologists – Keepers of Culture

Tattoo Detail - Moorea

Tricia Allen is a contemporary Anthropologist. She holds a masters degree in Anthropology from the University of Hawaii. She has chronicled the modern revival of Polynesian culture; its art and tattoo. Besides her academic expertise in Marquesan culture, she is an accomplished photographer, organizes tours to Polynesia, and is a tattoo artist in her own right.

Tattoo Application - Moorea

In 1991 she helped kick start modern interest in Marquesan tattoo design in Rapa Nui (Easter Island) by instructing locals about modern hygenic technique and providing copies of traditional Marquesan art. She discovered that the local population was denied access to tattoo motifs contained in historic literature at the local library.

Tattoo Application - Moorea

In an interview with Steve Gilbert, author of Tattoo History, a Source Book; Tricia Allen describes how tattooing came back to French Polynesia….

Tattoo Application - Moorea

In 1980, a Hawaiian nightclub owner from Waikiki traveled to Samoa where he received a set of tattoos. The tattooist then accompanied him to Tahiti during the month long Bastille Day celebration. Tattoos were demonstrated and the art form was reborn. The tattoo technique was not modern and relied upon traditional tools. In ancient Polynesia where disease did not exist, tattoos could be safely applied with tools that were not sterilized. Not so in modern times. The French government banned tattooing in 1986 due to health concerns. Tattooing emerged again, this time with hygenic technique and modern equipment.

More to follow…… the last installment, Part XIII is on its way. Suzan

Go to Part XIII…….

Anthropologists – Keepers of Culture – Part XI

suzan — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 16:48:36 +0000

NOTE: This is part eleven of a thirteen part article. Enjoy!!!

Part XI- Anthropologists – Keepers of Culture

Polynesian Dance - Tourist Mode

Contemporary Polynesia is experiencing a dramatic rebirth of culture. Sadly, much detail about ancient Polynesian life will be lost forever. However, thanks to the work of a few anthropologists from the last two centuries, cultural restoration is in full swing. James Cook and the naturalist Joseph Banks should certainly be included in this group. However Cook visited Polynesia at a time when the degradation from European visitors was still minimal. What is unique about this later group is that they visited at a time when true Polynesian culture was disappearing and their search required in depth investigation and interviewing of many remote people to acquire the knowledge they so carefully recorded.

The Russian explorer Ivan Fedorovich Krusenstern visited Polynesia in 1804 during his round the world tour. He brought naturalist George Heinrich von Langsdorff. Langsdorff chronicled Polynesian culture in great detail including the process of acquiring a tribal tattoo. He recorded his findings in a book entitled Voyages and Travels in Various Parts of the World. This book inspired a young Herman Melville and may have helped shape the events he experienced in Polynesia.

The next visitor of note was Karl Von den Steinen, German physicist and scholar. Arriving nearly 50 years after the French took power, he made a serious attempt to capture what was left of Marquesan culture. In 1897 he interviewed surviving indigenous people, recorded their stories and culture. He spent 20 years writing 3 volumes of work that were published in 1928, the year of his death. Considered the classic record of Marquesan culture, Die Marqesaner un Ihre Kunst is a treasure trove of tribal tattoo motifs. Contemporary tattoo artists rely on this masterpiece. In Tahiti where only a handful of ancient tribal tattoo motifs survive, tattoo artists use Marquesan designs well described by Steinen.

In 1920, E.S.C. Handy and Willowdean Handy, American Anthropologists conducted studies in the Marquesas. Willowdean located 125 partially tattooed elderly Marquesans in remote areas. Even though tattooing was outlawed in1884 by the French, she was able to locate 3 totally covered individuals and one practicing artist. Willowdean recorded their stories as well as drawing many tattoo designs. Unfortunately, time had already erased the cultural significance of the designs she recorded.

More to follow, Part XII is on its way. Suzan

Go to Part XII……