When I got my first tattoo in Caracas, at 18, it was the start of what would become a deeply personal and evolving relationship with body art. Today, at 45, I carry nine tattoos — each one representing a moment in time, an emotion, a transformation. One of those tattoos was created by Rhode Island […]
A well-decorated artist on the Rhode Island tattoo scene, Jessica Talbot is changing the way that Rhode Islanders think about their tattoo experience. Jess’ passion for the timeless art of American traditional tattooing, combined with her belief in “the power of storytelling through tattoos,” turns each client’s vision into a lasting work of art. As […]
Cover art: Gina Lerman, @lermworm IN THIS ISSUE
While the art of tattooing human skin dates back over 5,000 years, its rich history in maritime culture can be traced more definitively. The earliest reference of the word “tattoo” in western civilization comes from the writings of British captain James Cook aboard HM Bark Endeavor in 1769. While in Tahiti, he noted “both sexes […]
This is a story about tattoos, a grandfather, two of his grandsons, making art, a road trip, and mortality. I’m the grandfather. I’m an old guy. I’m in my 80th year, which is a pretentious way of saying I just turned 79. The two grandsons are Sammy and Simon, brothers — 24 and 21 respectively. […]
We may agree that the works displayed in the Louvre are classically respected pieces of art, but that doesn’t necessarily mean everyone enjoys them. These artworks may evoke feelings we don’t “vibe” with, their color schemes may not suit our tastes, their styles might not match our preferences, or perhaps (worst of all) we look […]
On a sunny April evening, the local New England tattoo community, as well as a Lycra-clad crew of runners, flocked to Narragansett Brewery in Providence, across from India Point Park. The former were there for Motif’s 2024 RI Tattoo Awards; the latter, for Gansett’s weekly running club. By the end of the night, participants from […]
Some things in life look better on screen or on paper — from job descriptions to clothing on Shein to that one person’s profile on Tinder. That experience is also a common one when it comes to getting a tattoo — what looked amazing on paper and sounded great in theory has somehow changed on […]
The flowers are blooming almost violently outside. The chaos of drivers impatiently beeping fills the air. I pass through a heavy red door off Broadway in Providence and walk up the stairs to Angels Collective tattoo studio. The chaotic beeping deadens once inside. Light filters in through a green-paned, stained glass window at the top […]
Cover artist Joey Moreira is now a two-time winner of Favorite overall tattoo artist and co-owns Cloud 9 Studios in Burrillville. In creating our cover, he chose a non-tattoo approach, using colored pencils and challenging himself with a different style of illustration. “I wanted to take on something that’s been weighing heavily on my mind […]