On the Cover: Gina Lerman
Cover art: Gina Lerman, @lermworm IN THIS ISSUE
Maritime Tattoos: A short history and present significance
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 […]
Four Roosters
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. […]
The Art of Removal: The PVD professionals behind tattoo removal
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 […]
Motif’s 2024 RI Tattoo Awards: Recap and interviews with the winners
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 […]
From Sketch to Skin: How a tattoo comes alive
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 […]
Iconoclastic Ink: Behind the pearly gates of Angels Collective
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 […]
On the Cover: May 2023
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 […]
RI Tattoo Awards Recap
It is a Tuesday night, and the bar is crowded with a mix of event goers and after-workers. Outside, the sun begins to sink low in India Park, the wind whips white across the water; joggers and dog-walkers race home underneath the dark streetlights and the fading pink sky. A car thumping heavy bass music […]
2023 RI Tattoo Awards
And the winners are … See our event recap and profiles of these winners now! Joey Moreira-Typography, Favorite Skull & Overall Winner Rachel WS-Overall Cover Amie Connors-Line Work/Black Work Tara D’Agostino-Overall Black and Grey Corey Creamer-Black and Grey w/Color, Judges Pick Traditional Gabriel De Jesus-Geometric Alyssa Cavallo-Traditional Jay Blackburn-Character, Anime Rodney St. Onge-Animal Kristen Lanctot-Cover […]