The Never Ending Legacy of Tattoos

Nowadays, getting a tattoo across various parts of your body is the latest trend. Well, saying that it is a new trend will not be fair. It has been done from centuries. Both men and women seem to be fond of this body art. Let’s find out what make people fall for them even today.

When it comes to body art, it is important to understand that it is a very broad term. From the minor ear piercing to those huge funky tattoos, painting, etc. it includes several aspects. As far as tattoos are considered, these were previously common among the tribal people. However, now these have evolved as one of the most popular form of body art. The rapidly increasing craze of tattoo art is dominating the fashion industry and both, women and men love to have tattoo designed on different parts of their body.
If you are among those who don’t have a tattoo yet, and still in the dilemma of getting it or not, here are some reasons to get it done right now. Have a look:

1. Celebrities:
The biggest reason of people going crazy for tattoo designs is that their favorite stars are having tattoos. In the recent years a huge number of high-profile celebrities like Angelina Jolie, David Beckham, Christina Aguilera, Penelope Cruz, and Brad Pitt have got tattoo job done on their body, and yes, they love to show them off in public. Hence, their fans are opting for the same, which has resulted in a bit of a fashion craze for tattoos.



2. Artistic: For this, one should thanks technology and the creative minds of the tattoo artists these days. Tattoos are no more simple or tribal form. There are numerous highly skilled tattoo artists around the globe who are proficient in creating stunning and exclusive designs. People are often drawn by the fact that they get incredible tattoo designs, which get them the voguish and artistic look.


3. Pain free action: In the earlier days, the process of tattooing was really painful. Nowadays there are more designs and better quality work is possible. Obviously, it is painful even today as when the ink is injected inside your skin, it causes pain. However, the good news is that now there are number of ways to reduce the pain. For example, the numbing solutions like Dr. Numb. It simply causes numbing sensation on the applied area and you can get the design done easily. Isn’t that wonderful!

4. Heritage: 
As stated earlier, it is nothing new to the world. It is going on from centuries and even the today’s generation seems to be more interested in the ancestry designs. They take it as a pride to adorn those traditional designs over their body, reminding them about their family history. These prominent tattoos proudly display their family roots.

5. A Symbol Of Love: 

 If you are also planning to do something special for your love, tattoos can be a great idea. Both male and female love to display names of their love of their partner on different parts of body and proudly demonstrates their love for them. Because tattoos are permanent it is a great way of displaying your eternal love for your partner.


6. Religion:
Though, it is not a common reason yet, tattoos are popular among different religious groups. For example, Christians love to adorn the cross tattoo and it is an extremely popular choice of design these days. Hence, people use these tattoos as a way to visually convey their religious beliefs and values.


             In the end, remember that each tattoo is unique and comes with different reasoning.  While you prepare yourself for getting one, make sure you choose the perfect design. The reason being, tattoos are a great way to make you stand apart from the crowd. It is an art. Hence, get it done by an artist whose work you love the most. So, it is the right time to get on the board with it and stopped being so judgmental! 

The American Who Become Scotland’s Premier Tattoo Artist

PAUL Slifer decided to take a voyage to the world after leaving Massachusetts 19 years ago, however, he quickly fell in love with Edinburgh and opened Red, Hot and Blue Tattoo. Cover his entire journey with us!

“I firmly believe tattooing is a craft and not art. It takes a certain level of skill to produce a tattoo that has the hallmarks of a well-executed tattoo; these being clean, sharp lines, smooth shading, and solid, saturated color. I'm not putting any ideas of my own into the work. I'm not trying to convey a part of my soul into the tattoo! I think that's the difference between art and craft. The crafts person works with their hands and head while the artist works with their hands, head and try's to communicate a personal message to the viewer. Tattooing doesn't work like that. Someone comes into my shop, says they want a dragon for example, and I give them the dragon they want, in the colors they want. I'm not going to tattoo an expression of the refuge crisis in Syria on them because I've decided I'm an artist!” says Paul Slifer - one of the most successful American Tattoo Artist working in Scotland.
You might be wondering, how an American can be a tattoo artist in Scotland? Here’s his story.

The Making Of A Tattoo Legend

PAUL Slifer runs his tattoo business in a shop called Red, Hot and Blue Tattoo on Brougham Place, Edinburgh. He is originally from Massachusetts in the U.S.A.
Slifer was an evolving tattoo artist who worked in Providence, Rhode Island in 1997. At this time, he decided to travel to the UK with the purpose of working for three months and then heading back to the Continent to experience more countries.
Hence, he started his journey in Scotland – Edinburgh. It was also the place where he met his future wife not long after arriving and he never left. About the meeting, Slifer that the in the beginning h felt like it was a fateful meeting to put an end to the idea that he would be a rambling tattooist traveling the globe. However, soon he realized that he has landed where he belongs.

Slifer and a number of other tattooists have been working at Red, Hot and Blue Tattoo, at their trade and building on a reputation for quality craftsmanship and beautiful work. Slifer has recently written a children’s book entitled “A is for Anchor” which teaches the Alphabet in letters using the tattooist style to demonstrate it.
Married to Clare and father of two beautiful daughters, an architect and a part-time teacher at Edinburgh University and Napier University, Scotland today caught up Paul at his home in Edinburgh.

When asked about how the changes have taken place since settling in Scotland 19 years ago, Slifer says,

“When I first arrived here 18 years ago, I (in my ignorance) viewed Scotland as more of a province of the UK rather than its own country. I know people from elsewhere in the United Kingdom have those sentiments as well, but as my time here went on my idea of Scotland changed. It's a country with its own language, customs and shared values. I can't forget to mention food and drink as well. I am now an avid porridge eater, (cooked in water and salt only!) and have been known to appreciate a single-malt on occasion.
Coming from the States, one of the things that I really like about Scotland is this idea that we're all in this together. I heard a saying when I first moved here "that we're all Jock Tamson's bairns". I love that and it's probably the thing I like most about Scottish people. 
I think that Massachusetts, where I am from, and the USA could do well to embrace some of those values.”