The History of the Modern Tattoo

In the 21st century there are many forms of artistic expression. Some people use music, painting, theatre and dance. Others use their bodies to show their creativity. Tattooing is one of the most common forms of artistic expression in our modern society.

The earliest form of tattooing began in the early 19th century, when sailors discovered Native Americans that were tattooed and became intrigued with the art. Sailors began to experiment with tattoos, and soon tattoo shops were located right on the docks. Sailors were getting tattoos of images that were inspired by the spirit of the times. Society image of tattooing began to change and become more popular. Tattoos changed from anchors and crucifix to portraits of famous Hollywood stars. This led to celebrities publicly displaying tattoos, and helped to popularize the art in the media’s eyes.

Tattoos have experienced a growth trend due to a greater number of tattoo ink colors and fine artists entering the field. High profile celebrities in music, sports, and entertainment continue to get tattoos making it more socially acceptable. Television is helping to expand this trend even more through the creation of reality shows such as, Miami Ink, LA Ink, and London Ink. One of the most famous tattoo artists from LA Ink is Kat Von D, who is known for her distinctive style. She was also seen in the hit E! series It's Complicated tattooing Denise Richards.

Tattooing has expanded to people of all walks of life, its everyday people like you and me. The art of tattooing has blown up; it’s not just a simple choice. The design possibilities are endless. Let your imagination run wild!