Scorpions have been popular in tattooing for a long time, and have been tattooed in many different styles, including old school American traditional, black work, black and grey, realism, neo-traditional, and more.
Classic black work/old school scorpion done by Frank William at Smith Street Tattoo Parlour in New YorkCreepy one done by Dan Gagné at Mortem Tattoo in Montreal
Scorpions make for a popular design largely because of their tough look. The animal is deadly with a tough exterior, and can reflect this upon the tattoo wearer as well.
Perfectly placed black/old school one by Tony at Blue Arms TattooAn old school scorpion done by Jade Harper at House of the Rising Sun Tattoo in Winnipeg
Because it is a creature that can take care of itself, it can also represent strength and protection.
Scorpion and blood done by Reuben Todd at Kapala Tattoo in WinnipegA more neo-traditional scorpion with some eye popping colours done by Matt Andersson in Gothenburg
Another obvious reason for people to get a scorpion tattoo, is if their zodiac sign happens to be ‘scorpio.’ Scorpios (October 23rd-November 21st) are described as being calculating and striking; able to know what they want and do what it takes to get it.
A hyper realistic scorpion done by Gara at Lighthouse Tattoo in SeoulA cute scorpion with hearts done by Kara Noel at Folklore Trading Co
Which piece is your favourite?
Scorpions make great hand tattoos. Done by Richie J Howes at Electric Lounge Tattoo in South AfricaMatching buns by Darren Quinn at Sang Bleu Tattoo in London
Combining classic old school portraits of ladies and the wings of butterflies has long been a staple in old school tattooing. Flash from such legends as Bert Grimm, Ben Corday, and others from the 1800’s and 1900’s featured variations of the designs below, and more.
Back design done by Kasper_ftw in Seoul South KoreaBlack and grey chest piece done by Rich Hardy in the UK
Portraits of women are one of the most popular images in tattooing, as are butterflies. Combining the two beautiful designs makes sense, and can form an elegant tattoo that stands the test of time.
Black work back piece featuring a butterfly lady atop a skull, alongside two at the bottom done by Paul Dobleman at Black Heart Tattoo in CaliforniaButterfly lady head done on the hand by Reuben Todd at Kapala Tattoo in Winnipeg, Manitoba
One of the most popular ways for this design to be tattooed is a woman’s head with butterfly wings sprouting from behind, to the left and right.
Stomach butterfly lady head done by Francesco Ferrara in RomeButterfly lady atop a heart done by Blair Maxine Mckenna in Perth Australia
These butterfly ladies can also be seen more like fairies, with the bodies of women and butterfly wings.
Butterfly lady with a hidden face done by Capilli Tupou at Sunset Tattoo in Auckland New ZealandBlack work butterfly lady head done by Kim-Anh Nguyen-Dinh at Seven Seas in the Netherlands
Old school American traditional is the most common style for this design, but black work, black and grey, and Neo-traditional are also popular.
Black and grey butterfly woman done by Jade Harper at House of the Rising Sun Tattoo in WinnipegButterfly lady head on the chest done by naughtyjam_tattooer in Taipei, Taiwan
Frogs are a common subject in Japanese irezumi. These frogs are often seen holding leaves, instruments, food, or other household items. They are also often dressed as samurai; katana and all.
Frog with its own irezumi, wielding a meat cleaver. Done by Alex Henderson at Speakeasy Tattoo.Another frog by Alex Henderson, directly influenced by Kyôsai.A neo Japanese piece done by Henbohenning.Bright frog done by Kye Wolff at Black Tide Tattoo in Melbourne, Australia.Bright buddhist frog done by Pino Cafaro.
These frogs are largely based off of woodblock prints painted by Kawanabe Kyôsai. Kyôsai painted a number of frogs, but his most famous piece is called “Fashionable Battle of Frogs (Fûryû kaeru ôgassen no zu)”.
Fashionable Battle of Frogs (Fûryû kaeru ôgassen no zu)Cute frog munching on some ramen. Done by Amber Schade in Melbourne, Australia.Frog playing a Japanese shamisen done by Hide Ichibay at Three Tides Tattoo in Tokyo.Green frog done by Lance at Authentink Tattoo Studio, Sydney, Australia.Bold blackwork frog with its own chrysanthemum tattoo, done by Thomaz Fernando.Frog dumping out a jar filled with koi fish done by Tien Tien done in Taiwan.
These frogs are mainly done in a traditional Japanese style, though they can also be done as more American traditional, or neo traditional.
A brighter frog done by Buda tatuagens Araraquara in São Paulo, Brasil.
They are usually done with full colour, with a similar colour palette to the paintings.
Bold dancing frog with Japanese fan done by Caio Piñeiro, at Sang Bleu Tattoo in London.Angry looking samurai frog done by Horimatsu.Dark ninja frog done by Makoto in Fukuoka, Japan.
Some of these frogs even have their own irezumi. Usually flower designs that are simple for the artist to make small.
Frog ready to do battle, featuring its own hannya tattoo. Done by Fabio Platino in Naples.Dark monster-like frogs done by Ganji at Three Tides Tattoo in Tokyo.Kyôsai’s frog done by Jade Harper at Rebel Waltz Tattoo in Winnipeg, Manitoba.Samurai frog in full clothing done by Nick Maurypovich at Five Fathoms Tattoo in Vernon BC.Samurai frog head also done by Nick in BC.A third tall and gangly frog samurai done by Nick.
Jade Harper is a tattoo artist and owner of House of the Rising Sun in Winnipeg. Jade does mainly blackwork American traditional pieces, but has been doing more bold colourful works recently as well. She’s also very well known for her cowboy and cowboy girl pieces.
Bold bear and elegant script.Butterfly and laurel hand tattoo.
Due to the current pandemic (April 2020) Jade and other artists cannot tattoo temporarily, but she is still selling paintings. Check out her Instagram to do so, linked above.
Butterfly chest tattoo.Negative space traditional flower.
Jade has a large amount of her own tattoo flash to choose from, and she also takes ideas, and will make changes to her own flash to suit the client’s needs.
Healed cowboys in love.Bright and bold peacock.
Jade focuses on being inclusive in her shop, and is proud to be the owner of the (currently) only queer owned and operated shop in Winnipeg. She acknowledges that tattoo shops can be a (sometimes) intimidating place, particularly for those in the LGBTQ community, as well as people of colour, so she’s created the space to be a welcoming place for all.
Roquefort the mouse from Disney’s The Aristocats. My own “hang in there” noose from Jade.
Jade is a must-see artist in Winnipeg if you’re passing through, or a local looking for someone great!
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