12 More Tattoo Artists You Need to Follow on Instagram

After this long movie season year, we are long overdue for a movie-break! I've taken a hiatus from talking about story and cinematography and film tropes to indulge in another one of my passions: Tattoos. The last few years have been full of sessions to expand my own collection (I'll be posting something about my newest piece as soon as I can get some decent pictures!), but more than anything, finding new artists with styles to drool over take up much of my leisure, online surfing time.

I've shared some personal favorites on Through the Reels before (check out a list of 15 Artists here and 10 More Artists here if you haven't seen them), and there are so many more that have consumed me with need—particularly a need to save up enough money to get tattoos from them all! My current obsession is blackwork pieces; you'll see plenty of incredible ones below!

So once again, here are my very personal recommendations for ink-tastic artists to liven up your Instagram feeds, with 12 More Tattoo Artists You Need to Follow on Instagram:

(NOTE: all images via each artist's Instagram pages, I do not claim ownership of these)

1. Bicem Sinik

Located: private studio (Istanbul, Turkey)

Why I Love Her: Described once by Bored Panda as the Turkish Dr. Woo (who hasn't been featured on these lists simply because he's so popular), Bicem creates intricate designs with the finest of needles. Her work is whimsical, and her dot and line work give me a longing feeling in the pit of my gut. I knew I always wanted to pay a visit to Istanbul.

10 More Tattoo Artists You Need to Follow on Instagram

It was less than 6 months ago that I posted a list of the 15 Tattoo Artists You Need to Follow on Instagram, and you guys devoured it! It quickly became my most viewed post, and continues to get hits every day. So I would be remiss if I didn't share my newest ink-master finds with you all, since I know you're as obsessed with looking at stunning tattoo portfolios as I am!

Like last time, I can't help but share with you as many of the best female tattoo artists gracing my social media feeds that I can find, and this time, they make up 80% of the list! Without further delay, here are 10 More Tattoo Artists You Need to Follow on Instagram:

(NOTE: all images via each artist's Instagram pages, I do not claim ownership of these)

1. Katie Shocrylas

Located: Rain City Tattoo (Vancouver, BC)

Why I Love Her: My my my... to describe Katie's tattoos would never do them justice. They are vivid, complex, and bursting with a kaleidoscope of color. While I've seen richly colored tattoos before, I've never seen anything this vibrant. The variety alone is enough to drop my jaw, but add on top of that her affinity for geometric animal portraits or wildlife, and it's settled: she's my new favorite artist. And I'm not alone! Recently she's been spending time tattooing with the gorgeous ladies at Megan Massacre's shop, Grit'n'Glory in NYC, which is sure to garner her plenty of attention, making her one of the hottest tattoo-tickets in the country. I'm trying to get on her waiting list already...
Official Website

15 Tattoo Artists You Need to Follow on Instagram

I may have sworn myself off of tattoos for at least a year (okay, I've adjusted my thinking... make that until at least June), but that doesn't mean that I don't spend my nights—and mornings, lunch and bathroom breaks!—drooling over incredible pieces of art from an array of remarkable tattoo artists out there.

So that means that, for the time being, I thought it befitting to share a few of my favorite tattoo artists with you. In a world where Instagram must be a total game-changer for artists (what a great way to distribute your online portfolio!), it is also a life-changer for anyone interested in getting a tattoo, but have no idea where to begin finding someone to do it. Even if you just delight in flipping through your Instagram every day, here are a few tattooers who will surely brighten your feed!

(NOTE: all images via each artist's Instagram pages)

1. Rachel Hauer

Located: East River Tattoo (Brooklyn)

Why I Love Her: Aside from the fact that she's, well... a woman (over half of the artists on this list are!), no one does black and gray flowers quite like her. Her art is detailed to a dizzying degree, and I obsess over each picture she posts. My favorite on this list. If you live in Brooklyn, I envy your proximity.

Outline of a Tattooed Lady

This past weekend feels like kismet. On Friday, I was at work in Los Angeles, and by Saturday at lunch, I was sitting down for an exhilarating tattoo session in the suburbs of San Francisco. It was a blur.

Two weeks ago, my sister shot me a message, instructing me to check out this tattoo artist, Marie Scherping. I spent hours scouring her Instagram... her original drawings, her line work, the coloring—I was floored. Immediately, I sent her a rambling email with all my dream specs, and was resigned to not hearing back for months. By the next morning, I woke up not only to a response, but to an initial sketch!

A week later, I made my appointment with her shop in Castro Valley, CA (my hometown!), Fura Body Works. I was accompanied by Stacy and my mom (who was adorably fascinated by the whole process—"It's so sanitary!" she whispered.) Stacy photographed everything, from start to finish. Now, two weeks after reaching out for a consultation, I'm typing this update, happily distracted my the new ink on my arm.

I'm grateful for Marie's professionalism and expertise in helping create this art with me. I can't recommend her enough as an artist and tattooer, and I'm proud to have had a lovely woman like her design and gift me with something that I'll carry forever.

It's only been three days, and I'm already hearing what I'm sure I'll hear for the rest of my life: "Who is she?" The answer is, she doesn't represent any one person; she just embodies what I love: 1940s glamour and women with a soft, but sexy, presence. The bedroom eyes are also a personal favorite. Partially inspired by the late Lauren Bacall, she is honestly my vision of the perfect woman.

Here are some pictures from my session, getting the full black outline. Color and shading session is scheduled for next month, so I'm going to enjoy it like this while it lasts.

{design & tattoo by Marie Scherping @ Fura Body Works; top and bottom images property of Through the Reels; other images courtesy of The Sleepy Peach}

Paint Me a Lady

Lately, one thing that has been endlessly on my mind is tattoos. Beautiful and fine-lined.

I got my first one back in winter 2011. It's small, just black lines on my left wrist, that form my sister's name: Stacy (she has my name on her right wrist, fyi—go twins!)

Since then, I've been obsessing over what my next piece would be: the bust of a classic, 40's-style woman; flowing hair, colorful flowers, and a sultry, bedroom-eye gaze. I could see it so clearly... yet still had no idea what she would really look like.

I love classic pin-up tattoos, and always wanted my own take on one. There is something so stunning about a lady in full glam, and considering my vision, I knew I couldn't just walk into any parlor, pick any artist, and sit down in their chair expecting perfection. It's taken almost 3 years, but my wait is finally over. With the help of my sister, I found an artist that speaks to everything I could have ever imagined, and then some.

This weekend, I make a quick trek back up north to the Bay, where I will finally—finally—make my vision a reality.

For a second tattoo, I'm nervous about how big it will be. But I have no hesitation. In fact, I can't barely contain myself! Next week, I hope to share with you more details about the who, what, and where of it all. Until then, wish me luck!

Have a wonderful weekend, all! xx

{vintage image of 50's tattoo enthusiast, Pam Nash, adding to her extensive body art - via The Daily Mail}

Låt den Rätte Komma In (Let the Right One In)

"Viva Hate" by Jeffrey Everett | finally gracing my wall

Herb & veggie plants aren't the only thing we got this weekend.  Gallery 1988 West finally called to inform me that my long-awaited purchase of Jeffrey Everett's "Viva Hate" print was ready for pick up!  This piece, which I talked at length about before, is an 18x24 black & white screenprint, #31 of 100 limited prints. Inspired by the novel, Let the Right One In.

And now, it hangs above our entertainment area (you can see the reflection of my gallery wall on the opposite side of the room).  More specifically, above the record player & collection, which - considering the image - couldn't be more perfect.  This collection just keeps growing and growing.

Blue Storm Afternoon

Muse - Blue Storm Afternoon

I finally started the process of decorating our master bedroom.  It's been 2 months exactly since we moved in, and I hadn't hung a thing on the walls in there. Which, as you may know, is really rare for me.  

I also, admittedly, caved and purchased a gorgeous and sexy piece of art from Rockets Are Red - something I stated previously that I was going to try not to do.  Just couldn't help it. She's just so beautiful, isn't she?

Titled Muse - Blue Storm Afternoon, it really is a combination of so many things that I love.  Books, music, tattoos, and beautiful ladies. Lounging around lazily is also a favorite.  She now resides right next to my side of the bed, and I'm elated that she's the first piece in our room.  

But she wasn't the only thing that came in the package.  As a special promotion - unbeknownst to me at the time of purchase - Rockets Are Red was including a bonus 8x10 original art print with every order.  For free!

Artist Jeffrey Everett is now going to be all over my apartment.  I'm still waiting on the Let the Right One In print from Gallery 1988, which will go over the entertainment center once I get the go-ahead to pick it up from the gallery.

Boy, I might just be running out of wall space!


So... where do you think this little beauty should go?

Unnamed 8x10 print | via

Latte Work

via

Happy Friday, everyone!  It's the kind of beautiful morning in Los Angeles where you want to play hooky from work, stroll through the nearby coffee shop, and watch the passersby. 

I hope you're all having a wonderful day too, whether you're inside or out.

xx

Pop Art Pop Up: "Viva Hate" by Jeffrey Everett

"Viva Hate", inspired by Let the Right One In | via

I recently found the above print from the "Required Reading" show at Gallery 1988 (they have a 'West' and 'East' location on Melrose), which ran back in December.  The show focused on art inspired by famous novels -- this one is a great take on a scene from John Ajvide Lindqvist's Let The Right One In, entitled "Viva Hate."  I absolutely adore it.  Notice the blood?  And curious young Oskar?  Beautiful.  

I love Gallery 1988's spaces, and the shows they put on always feature the best in the world of pop culture-centric art.  Their annual Crazy 4 Cult shows are my personal favorite.  The original works on display tend to be significantly out of my price range -- but they are always selling cheaper, limited edition prints from their back room.  I have several from previous exhibits, and just yesterday, I bought "Viva Hate" for my gallery wall at home.

Hopefully you'll enjoy this lovely piece by Jeffrey Everett (co-founder of artistic duo Rockets Are Red) as much as I have, and if you feel so inclined, he has other art for sale here.  I'm doing everything in my power to keep from buying this one, too.  Only time will tell if I can manage that.

xx

Just nail it in.

My living room gallery wall

I have had an obsession with filling my walls with art, floor to ceiling, door to window to door, since I was a little kid.  My childhood bedroom was wallpapered with a rotating array of photoshoot cutouts, movie posters, and magazine covers, all featuring my favorite things.  Mostly Angelina Jolie.  And David Duchovny.

Now I'm 28, and nothing has changed.  Maybe it was an aversion to bare white walls, which always made the room feels like a prison cell.  Artwork was the #1 thing that mattered in my living space, and even before I move my bed into a new apartment, I start hammering in nails.

Over the years, I've managed to filter out all of the excess movie posters and cutouts and have, in turn, collected a lot of amazing pieces.  Some pop art, some original works from close friends (like the construction paper rendering of me with my kitties from my friend Heather, an amazing illustrator); even calligraphy by my own hand.  All things that mean the world to me.

This past move in June, however, my sister, Stacy, advised me to take it slow.  Don't rush it.  Don't put it all up at once.  Give it time, and the right pieces would find their home on the walls.

So that's what I did.  I took my time, and added one picture, at random, on the wall above my couch, every day.  A spot check here and there, but I didn't plan it (a totally foreign concept for me!)  At the end of two weeks, it was finished.  And I think it worked out pretty well!

And of course, now I'm itching to add more (and wrap it around every room of my apartment!)  What do you guys like having on your walls?  Personal photos?  Art and posters?  Or do you like to keep them clean and bare?  I'd love to know!