Moon Cheon is a tattoo artist working out of Kodzunak in Seoul, South Korea. Cheon, tattoos traditional Korean motifs in various styles.
Beautiful traditional woman on the handFreehand river and flower sleeves
Most of Cheon’s work is done freehand in a more loose style that closely resembles an ancient Chinese style of painting called “Xieyi” or “写意.” This is mostly used for landscape paintings, and Cheon follows this style by applying this technique to land and waterscape tattoos, often including free flowing rivers and flowers.
Korean eagle as part of a sleeveBlack work freehand river
Cheon also does delicate black and grey tattoos of Korean and East Asian animals, mythical creatures, and Gods and Goddesses.
Freehand mountain landscape on the chestRooster on the stomach and onto the chest
While much of his work is delicate and beautiful, he also doesn’t shy away from blood, gore, and violence, in the form of severed heads, and Japanese ghosts and demons (yōkai and yūrei).
Healed namakubi (severed head)Freehand river and flower sleeve ending with the hand
If you live near Seoul or are passing through, Moon Cheon is a must-see artist.
A darker version of a craneFlowers right in the ditch as part of a sleeve
Rob Kelly is the owner of BLACKOUT Tattoo in Hong Kong. Rob has been tattooing since 2005, and has lived in Hong Kong since 1994. BLACKOUT Tattoo was founded in 2010 and features brilliant permanent artists as well as travelling guest artists.
Realistic black and grey tiger.Realistic black and grey lion head.American traditional lady head butterfly.Black and grey Japanese Kitsune.
Rob tattoos in many styles including American traditional, Neo traditional, black work, Japanese, Chinese, black and grey, line work, realism, tribal, and more.
American traditional butterfly.Water colour dragon.Tribal chest panel.
Rob has a book of flash you can choose from, or you can book a consultation with him and collaborate on something completely original for yourself.
Blackwork half goat, half mermaid.Classic mom tattoo with a heart and dagger.Japanese lucky cat, Neko!
The shop abides by all health regulations, including using new ink and needles, so no need to worry about infections.
Blackwork chrysanthemum.Chinese dragon in American traditional style.Bright red chrysanthemum.
Rob has incredible attention to detail and will make sure you leave the shop happy and with a badass tattoo! Check out his website and set up a consultation http://www.blackout-tattoo.com
American traditional cherub and skull.Black and grey Harry Potter piece. Expecto patronum!Legend of Zelda sword.
Sailor Moon is a popular Japanese Anime show based off the 52 manga chapters entitled Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon. The show premiered in Japan in 1992 and was popular there as well as overseas.
Brooch and crystals with colourful dotwork on the knee done by Alivia Foley at Artful Dodger Tattoo in Seattle.Dotwork mandala and brooch by Uls Metzger at Puro Tattoo in Italy.Photo realistic Sailor Moon portrait by Nikko Hurtado at Black Anchor Collective In L.A.
Sailor Moon is the heroine name of the main character, a young woman who fights evil. A cat named Luna gives Sailor Moon, or Usagi (Serena in English), a magical brooch that transforms her into Sailor Moon. Throughout the show Usagi/Serena meets other young women who are also given magical objects able to transform them. Together they form the Sailor Soldiers. Along with being able to transform, they have other items that help them to fight evil.
Bright purple one by Laura Anunnaki.Black dotwork piece by Charlotte Ann Harris at Castle Ink Studio in Birmingham, UK.Fight like a girl! By Eric Flannes.
The show is particularly popular with young woman as it is about strong, powerful women who fight evil and are portrayed as strong and capable, but also human, capable of having human breakdowns as well as strength.The show also has themes of love triumphing over hate.
In Japanese Sailor Moon is called Usagi which translated means bunny! Realistic piece done by Erick Holguin at Ink and Dagger in Roswell, GA.Brooch, dotwork mandala by Helena Darling in Halifax, Nova Scotia.Lotus and crystal thigh piece done by Kimberly Wall at Black Rabbit Tattoo in Richmond, VA.Neo traditional flowers, script, and brooch by Teresa Sharpe at Unkindness Art in Richmond, VA.
As a tattoo, many people get Sailor Moon or the other Sailor Soldiers, the cats Luna, Artemis, and Diana, the different magical items, and the crescent moon. These tattoos are often bright and colourful but can also be done in blackwork. Styles range from American traditional, neo traditional, realistic, new school, dotwork, blackwork, black and grey, and watercolour.
Luna by Kadee Spangler at Chroma Tattoo.Bright realistic/ neo traditional Artemis by Brando Chiesa on Florence, Italy.Neck Artemis with sceptre by Brando again.One more Artemis and creepy Sailor Moon by Brando once more.
Tiger’s make a fantastic design and can be done in many different styles including Japanese, Chinese, Korean, American traditional, neo traditional, black and grey, photo realism, dotwork, geometric style, and watercolor.
Neo traditional scalp tiger done by Adam Guy Hays at Red Rock Tattoo.
Tiger tattoos can also carry many different meanings. When done in an Asian style a tiger represents strength, courage, long life, and are also meant to ward off evil spirits, bad luck, and even disease. When done in a more Western style such as American traditional, black and grey, realism, etc.. the tiger is tattooed for its beauty, power, and intensity.
Watercolor space tiger done by Adrian Bascur in Chile.Huge neo traditional three-eyed tiger head by Alex Gotza done at Dirty Roses Tattoo Studio.Beautiful neo traditional tiger head by Brian Flores in Spain.Photo realistic tiger head with flowers done by Sandra Daukshta at Home of Tattoos in Latvia.American traditional tiger fighting a snake done by Mikey Holmes at coast to Coast Tattoo in Charlotte NC.Another American traditional tiger fighting a snake done by Stefan Johnsson at California Electric Tattoo Parlor in California.
Tigers are one of the biggest predators in the world, and are a solitary creature, so are often seen as symbols of strength and resilience. Tiger tattoos are often done just as a head, but can also be done as a full body. Generally tiger heads are done in a more Western design, with a full body tiger being done in an Asian style, though both can be done in any style.
Korean style blackwork tiger done by Apro Lee in Seoul South Korea.Japanese tiger done by Eli Ferguson at Ichi Tattoo in Tokyo.Unfinished Japanese backpiece done by Sean Cushnie at Kapala Tattoo in Winnipeg.Realistic black and grey tiger head by Jakob Holst Rasmussen done in Aarhus, Denmark.Geometric dotwork tiger head done by Mark Ostein at Wozen Studio in Lisbon.Realistic full back piece with skulls done by Matt Jordan at Ship Shape Tattoo in New Zealand.
Studio Ghibli is often called the Disney of Japan, and Hayao Miyazaki the Walt Disney of Japan. Studio Ghibli is the most well known Japanese film studio, having won many awards over the years.
Brilliant full sleeve of Ghibli characters from some of the most famous Ghibli movies. Done by Andy Kurth at Electric Chair Tattoo.
Studio Ghibli was officially founded in 1985 after the success of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, which came out in 1984. The character of Totoro from My Neighbor Totoro is the company’s mascot, but the company’s most popular film is Spirited Away, which has won multiple awards such as a Golden Bear, and an Academy Award.
Totoro done in watercolour style all by Anton YellowDog at Mad Fish Tattoo in Moscow.
The company is most associated with award winning director Hayao Miyazaki, but the company also has other talented directors such as Isao Takahata, Yoshifumi Kondo, Hiroyuki Morita, Gorō Miyazaki, and Hiromasa Yonebayashi.
Forest spirit from Princess Mononoke by Adam Machin at Three Kings Tattoo.Neo-traditional Princess Mononoke by Juan David Castro Ramos.
The film company has many amazing movies, with brilliant characters that have captured the hearts of fans all over the world. Fans around the world have immortalized Ghibli characters on their skin with the help of some amazing tattoo artists.
Sketch style Haku in dragon form by Caro at Utopian Tattoo Tribe in Ireland.Haku and No Face from Spirited Away by Russel Van Schaick in Florida.Realistic No Face from Spirited Away with background, by Jes-Tay at Keys on Kites Tattoo and Gallery.Dotwork No Face from Spirited Away by Goldie Bold in Istanbul.Howl’s Moving Castle and other characters by Athena Chan at Solo Tattoo in Hong Kong.Howl from Howl’s Moving Castle by Victoria Kurtz at Bananafish Tattoo Parlour.Giant guardian from Castle In The Sky, by Kalatu at Gristle Tattoo in NYC.Bright little Kiki from Kiki’s Delivery Service, by Tiggy Tuppence at Briar Rose Tattoo in London.Dotwork and blackwork designs from Grave of the Fireflies by Fabian Pedroza at Good Fortune Tattoo.
Dr. Who is a science fiction show that has been produced by the BBC since 1963. It is a cult favorite show around the world that features, aliens, robots, time travel, and space exploits.
The Doctor (various versions), the Tardis, space whales, Rose, and various villains are popular designs for Dr. Who tattoos. Dr. Who tattoos are often done in American traditional style, neo traditional, realism, black and grey, and watercolor.
Watercolor space whale by Carl Caracia at Orange Tattoo Co.Neo traditional Rose and wolf done by Pete Larkin at Kyklops Tattoo in Pittsburgh.Watercolor and script with Tardis and star dust by Tom Cutsinger at Eternal Tattoo in Columbus NE.The 10th Doctor and Tardis by Jay Joree in Dallas Tx.Traditional Tardis by Ernesto Visser.Brilliant realistic half sleeve of space and the Tardis by Neil England at Empire Tattoo in Boston.Tardis and angels by Nicole Auletto at Dollhouse Tattoo Parlour in Glendora NJ.Watercolor and blackwork piece by Peta Jamieson.Realistic half sleeve of Tardis with space background by Teresa Sharp in Richmond VA.Tardis in vincent Van Gogh style by Victoria Rose Lundberg at Wild Heart Tattoo in Brisbane.
Fans are extremely dedicated to the show, which is evident from their brilliant tattoos, conventions, pop up shops, cinema screenings, and even symphonic tours around the world.
Swallows are a staple of American traditional tattooing, and were first tattooed on sailors. They are as popular as ever to those who love travel and the sea, and are now done in other styles such as black and grey, realism, linework, dotwork, surrealism, and watercolor.
The meaning of a swallow tattoo was firstly to indicate that a sailor had sailed 5000 miles. They also mean a return home, as swallows would migrate, returning to their homes. A metaphorical return also meant that if a sailor died at sea, the swallow would carry their souls to heaven.
Traditional swallow and rose by Josh Stutterby in Melbourne, Australia.Black and grey matching hand swallows by Ryan Jessiman at Old Habits tattoo in London.Surrealist starry sky swallow by Adrian Bascur in Viña del Mar.Linework swallow by Diana Katsko in Russia.Watercolor matching foot swallows by Simona Blanar at Black Bull tattoo in Prague.Simple traditional swallow by Harry Harvey at Vagabond tattoo in London, England.Traditional swallow by Hugh Sheldon at Cloak and Dagger in London, England.Dotwork and linework hand Swallow by Dr. Woo at shamrock Social Club in Los Angeles.
Hot air balloon tattoos usually symbolize a need for adventure and or travel. They are often done in traditional style, new school, neo traditional, black and grey, or water colour.
Brilliant hot air balloon carrying a castle in the sky, done by Uncle Allan in Berlin, Germany.Colourful little balloon done by Sasha Unisex.American traditional hot air balloon done by Mikael Harrstedt done in Skövde, Sweden.Creative American traditional take on a hot air balloon by Ivan Antonyshev done at Mainstay Tattoo in Austin, Texas.Water colour hot air balloon done by Iiona Kochetkova, a travelling tattooist based at Good Sign Tattoo.Traditional double exposure hot air balloon by Dima Naumov at WitchWood tattoo in Kyiv, Ukraine.Black and grey Tim Burton inspired hot air balloon done by David Boggins at American Crow tattoo in Columbus Ohio.Water colour, experimental hot air balloon done by Cüneyt Kolata done at Golden Arrow tattoo.Black and grey hot air balloon done by Clay McCay at Anonymous tattoo in Savannah, Georgia.
Moth tattoos are the darker version of a butterfly tattoo. They often stand for searching for a light in the dark. They are also often associated with moonlight, searching for this light with little to no regard for their own safety. This makes it a vulnerable, spontaneous, but determined creature.
Creepy, super realistic moth done by Duncan Whitfield, in Southampton, UK.
Moth tattoos can be done in most styles, but are most popular in black and grey, dotwork, realism, and old school. They are also often done in neo traditional.
Traditional death moth and moon pairing done by Cory Craft in Lakeland FL, Black Swan Tattoo.
Death moth tattoos are also an extremely popular design. Deaths-Head Hawkmoth get their name from a species of moth that gets it’s name from the skull-like mark on its thorax. It has often been seen as a bad omen in history.In 1840, entomologist Moses Harris wrote that “It is regarded not as the creation of a benevolent being, but the device of evil spirits—spirits enemies to man—conceived and fabricated in the dark, and the very shining of its eyes is thought to represent the fiery element whence it is supposed to have proceeded. Flying into their apartments in the evening at times it extinguishes the light; foretelling war, pestilence, hunger, death to man and beast.” It is no wonder then that it is a popular tattoo design for lovers of the darker side of life.
Death moth done on the back of the head by Alex Bage, done at Fat Panda tattoo in the UK.Neo traditional hand moth done by Ela Berger, a neo trad artist from Germany.Black and grey sternum piece by James Armstrong done at Holy Mountain tattoo in Scunthorpe UK.A rare watercolor moth and coverup tattoo done by Jay Van Gerven working out of Titan Tattoos in Hobart Tasmania.Small colorful elbow piece by Justin Dion at Sovereign Tattoo in Portland Oregon.An amazing black and dotwork back tattoo done by Kamil Mokot at AKA Berlin tattoo in Germany.Beautiful blackwork moth once again paired with a moon, done by Levi Hatch.An amazing macabre neo traditional moth and moon pairing done by Lipa Andrzej. See her work and where she will be tattooing at https://www.instagram.com/_lipa_/Amazingly detailed Dotwork tattoo done by Uls Metzger tattooing out of the Black Lodge, in Poland.Old school death moth tattoo by Virginia Elwood working out of Saved Tattoo in Brooklyn, New York.One last traditional death moth tattoo done by Zach Bowden working out of St. Petersburg, Florida.
Do you have your own moth tattoo? Let’s see it in the comments!
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