Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Tattoo Psychology: Art or Self Destruction? Modern-Day Social Branding

What does a tattoo say about the person sporting it? When you got your tattoos did you do so intentionally, to make a statement? Tattoos are a way to start conversations, and sometimes a way to initiate a relationship with a stranger. This article discusses the psychology of tattoos, why people get them, and the findings are very interesting.

Body art, body bling, self-graffiti, walking billboards, fashionable ink accessories... Each of these expressions depicts the physical nature of the tattoo. What's often NOT discussed, however, is the emotional side of tattoos.

I vividly remember the first time I saw a "tramp stamp." A woman was reaching for something in the front row of a large auditorium and a few rows of men and women witnessed her walking artistry. Everyone had a reaction. And once she left the room, we all talked about it. It was like group therapy.

The responses ranged from "She's definitely a party girl, probably drinks a lot, and has a lot of sex and a rough childhood, “to” She’s probably really creative, edgy, a leader and an independent thinker." Some liked her more, some liked her less and many guys were more interested in her because of the tattoo. Whatever the response, we were all intrigued, and each of us conjured up our own personal version of her story -- all from the sight of a well-placed tattoo.

In those days, tattoos were still controversial. Now, they're more accepted than ever. You could even call them "trendy." In the nightlife scene, tattoo artists are rapidly becoming a popular career choice. Sooner or later, we're going to see a leather-clad, tattoo-sleeved, multi-pierced guy named Rocko at our kid's career fair standing next to the "Be a DJ" booth. Although tattoos have been around for more than 5,000 years (Egyptians used tattoos to differentiate peasants from slaves and social branding has been around a long time), ink art has really exploded in the last 25 years.

Is it social branding?

Tattoos are a conversation starter. Either there's a story attached or a "skin"-showing session or an emotional response derived from the sight of ink art. And the emotional response from the sight of tattoos leads to a modern-day version of social branding.

"He must be tough."

"She's probably easy."

"He'll never get a corporate job."

"She just wants to drink vodka tonics and dance on a speaker."

Of course there are variables. In my opinion, the older you are, the less chance you'll be forgiving of tattoos. Neck and face tattoos are usually not as well-received as other locations no matter what your age (sorry, Big Mike). Where you put the tattoo, how may tattoos you have, what the tattoos is and the size of the tattoos all help shape the emotional response of the viewer. And that observer could be anyone from a potential boss, a family member or a date.

psychology-of-tattoos_b_2017530.html

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Call Inflicting Ink at 401-683-5680 to schedule a free consultation to learn about laser tattoo removal for yourself, or to learn about adding the Quanta USA laser to your tattoo studio.
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Inflicting Ink is a Rhode Island Tattoo Studio that embodies quality, consistency and pride, and offers a sterile, safe, comfortable, artistic environment to its customers. Nominated multiple times for the Best Tattoo Parlor in Rhode Island and Best Tattoo Artist in RI.

You may contact them for an appointment for a tattoo at (401) 683-5680 and of course walk-ins are always welcome.For more information, please visit our home page at www.inflictinginktattoo.com

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About Our Tattoo Studio and Artists

Welcome to Inflicting Ink Tattoo. If you're looking for quality tattoo's from experienced artists in a clean, relaxed and professional environment then you have found the right place.

Our staff are professionally trained and come from diverse backgrounds, and they love to be challenged. At Inflicting Ink a tattoo is a special mark for each individual and is given its due respect. If you're in a hurry, you're in the wrong studio.

Inflicting Ink is located in Portsmouth, Rhode Island.
We are open 7 days a week:
Mon-Sat noon to 10
Sun noon to 8

Stop in for a visit or make an appointment by calling 401.683.5680

And check out our state-of-the-art, fully functional and self-contained traveling tattoo truck at: http://inflictinginktravelingtattoo.com/

We also specialize in LASER TATTOO REMOVAL!

Jeff Goyette Bio

Jeff Goyette was born and raised in Massachusetts where tattooing was illegal, and to this day is only allowed on a per community basis, with each community deciding for themselves whether to allow it or not. Jeff still wanted to be a tattoo artist, and so learned his trade and took it on the road with the tattoo tour where he continued his tattoo education through coursework and tour experience.

In 1993 Jeff opened Inflicting Ink Tattoo Studio in Portsmouth RI as a way to get out of touring and establish some roots in the community. He has been in this location for 17 years. After a few years in the shop however, he wanted to use his traveling experience to be able to bring tattooing to people who might not have the chance to get to a brick-and-mortar shop.

So he built the Inflicting Ink Traveling Tattoo truck, over 73 feet of truck housing a state of the art, sterile, mobile tattoo facility ~ there is nothing else like it on the planet, literally, as the Guiness Book of World Records has named it the largest tattoo facility in the world, but simply has no category to place it in.

The truck travels to fairs, events, concerts, and even does private parties, drawing large crowds and those who do not have access to a local tattoo studio for their body art. Jeff loves when he can give back to a community, and often simply brings the truck to draw in numbers at charity events whenever possible, whether any tattooing will be done or not.

He and his artists model their work on the belief that a customer should always feel that they have received a quality piece of art, that the work is consistent, and that they can be proud of their tattoo as well as where it came from.