mainstream ink design comp

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PRESIDENT/CEODennis Clark

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANTTracey Adams

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Kate rice

CLIENT SERVICESJoel rodgers

SUPPORT STAFFSarah nutting

CONTRIBUTORSDominic Holmes, Big Brain Studio

omaha, nebraska

EDITORIAL OFFICES: mainstream ink llC

800 774 [email protected]

mainstreamink.comFacebook.com/mainstreamink

© 2011 mainstream ink. All rights reserved.Po BoX 541145

omaha, nebraska 68154

FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION:Visit www.MainstreamInk.com,

call 800 774 3056 or email [email protected]

for more information. We have excellent and cost-effecitve marketing solutions .

mainstream ink magazine is a publication of mainstream ink llC. All content ©2011 mainstream ink. All rights reserved. reproduction, either in whole or in part, is forbidden without written permission from the publisher. The pages within this publication are just a sample of design only. This publication is not designed to be reproduced or distributed for profit.

real you. real ink.

MainstreaM teaM

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Fan photos

FaMoUsFaCes

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Many people just decide on a whim

that they want to get a tattoo, and enter the nearest studio without

much thought about what they are doing. Some get lucky and

walk away with a great tattoo, and some don’t.

Here are some things to help you along in

making your decision, and to make sure that

you get a tattoo you are going to be proud of.


take Your timeI know that getting a new tattoo is exciting, and when you finally decide this is what you want, it is hard to wait. But this is not something to be rushed into. If you really want a tattoo that you are going to be happy with, its going to take some time. So, relax, and don’t be in a rush to get inked.

Visit several studiosShop around! I’m sure if you were about to make a major purchase, like a car, you wouldn’t buy one from the first dealership you went to. Check out examples of the artists’ work, ask around, and take the time to just stay for a while and watch if you can. Ask the artists questions, and see if they are friendly and willing to talk to you. If you wander around the shop for half an hour, and no one even asks if they can help you, they don’t take much pride in their work.

scrutinizeThe Work You don’t have to be an artist to be able to tell quality artistry from a bad job. Whether you get a chance to view pictures in an artist’s portfolio, or see a live example, really look closely at the work. It’s easy to be swayed by pretty pictures. Don’t get caught up in this trap! Look closely at the lines. They should be smooth, not jumpy or jagged or shaky. Colors should be bold and filled in completely with no blank areas. Circles should look like circles, not ovals. Be objective!

Listen to Your FriendsYour friends can be a great resource to you. If they have had a good experience, they will probably recommend their artist. And if they’ve had a bad experience, I’m sure they’ll warn you not to make the same mistake! Ask around. If you’re outgoing, and you see someone walking down the street with a great tattoo, don’t be afraid to ask them where they got it! Most of us love to talk about our tattoos.

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Where willyou place

your ink?Are you thinking of

getting a tattoo for the first time?

You’re not alone. In this day and age, body art is much more socially acceptable

than in decades past; so the thoughts of your art being

accepted by your peers should be one of the last things on your mind. However, since

you are new to body art, you probably have a lot of questions.

Let’s start with where you will place your ink.


One of the first of many questions you probably have is where you will put the new tattoo. You will most likely boggle around different ideas about where it can be seen or where it will look ‘cool’. Chances are you will step back and take a good look at your body for the ‘not so appealing’ spots that you would never want anybody to see with the exception of, your doctor or a close friend or relative. You know, the pesky bus driver arm flab or that unsightly cellulite on different parts of your leg. No blemishes? No uncomfortable, shaming places on your body? Well then you are lucky and should have a little bit of an easier time with the location you choose. Those that need to find a more visibly pleasant area may need to think outside the box. Designs are showing up in a wide variety of areas on men and women.

Another thought that should cross your mind, when looking for a spot to put the tattoo, is finding a place where it will be most accessible so

you can take care of it. This is very important especially if you have no one to help you care for it.

The ideal situation is to get the tattoo in a spot where you can perform the aftercare and maintenance yourself. The way you handle the aftercare process can affect the color, clarity, and overall look of the tattoo. Positioning the tattoo in this way also gives you the luxury of being able to enjoy the art yourself.

The last suggestion for making a good decision on placing a tattoo is to simply ask the artist. The artist in the shop where you are

getting the tattoo done should have a very trustworthy opinion. Chances are the artist has many years of experience. They should be able to assess from your body shape and size where a tattoo would fit well or accent your physical features. Remember that the tattoo artist is there for your every need concerning this decision. If you decide to make the choice yourself keep in mind that this is a decision that should not be made lightly. This is permanent and it will be on you for the rest of your life. Hopefully you make good decisions so that you can enjoy your new ink for years to come.

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Fan photos


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Creating your own body art design might require loads of creativity. However, you can solve your dilemma if you go for these inspiring and fabulous portrait tattoos that managed to immortalize the face of various famous people. Those who have a fave movie or music icon will have the chance to go for similar exquisite tattoo models.

Do you recognize all the famous faces chosen by these people to decorate their body? The music

demi-gods and other prominent figures are used by tattoo fans as the best means to transmit a message to their entourage. The only condition to achieve the wow effect is indeed to select the most impressive image or portrait of these celebs.

The fabulous portrait tattoos presented above will attract immediate attention, thanks to their plausible impression.

Those who decide to try their

hand at a similar design will have the chance to choose from the myriad of portraits of various musicians, actors and actresses together with other socialites.The decision is yours, therefore, make sure you have the necessary motivation to wear the face of these persons on your body throughout the years.

Floral and other impressive body art designs dominate this industry. However, there are body art fans who think


that wearing the image of your idol on your skin is one of the greatest tributes you can pay to their talent and career. As a consequence, they decide to have a fabulous portrait of them in the shape of a high street tattoo. Similar accessories are admired by millions due to their extremely realistic visual effect. Decorate your skin with a similar image if you’re ready to swim in the admiring glimpses and you’re not afraid of showing

that you’re a great fan of this famous personality. Celebs or freedom fighters as well as other prominent individuals inspire the body art fan armada to create these stylish and meaningful tattoos. Join their party if you would like to make a real style statement with a similar skin ‘jewelry’.

Whether you choose someone from the past or would like to stick to the present, your portrait tattoo will be equally

mesmerizing. Justin Bieber, Oprah or Bob Marley are only some of the most beloved images you can opt for. However, you can go for the classics too, as Elvis, Kurt Cobain or Marilyn Monroe. Everyone will have the chance to find the most flattering and revealing tattoo designs. From girly and more colorful styles to classy black and white models, all are available in the galleries offered by the most prominent body art salons.

FaMoUsFaCes

“…wearing the image of your idol

on your skin is one of the greatest

tributes you can pay to their

talent and career.”


Born and raised in Omaha, I have always been an artist. My mom says when I was

2½ years old I did my first drawing; it was Kermit the Frog and

I have been drawing ever since.

I had no idea what I was going to do with my life but I knew it was going to

include art. At the age of 19, I was already working two jobs and I was

sick of it. I walked into American Tattoo and asked if they did apprenticeships.

Three weeks later I got a call. I studied under Ira Handlon. It was an

“old school” style apprenticeship. I continued working there for 9 years.

I am now here at Big Brain and loving it. I feel fortunate to have worked

with such a diverse group of people. Some of my main influences include

Filip Leu, Joe Capobianco, Corey Kruger, Kore Flatmo, and Grime

but there are still so many good tattooers that no one knows.


featured artist:DoMiniC hoLMesBIG BRAIN STUDIOS OMAHA, NEBRASKA

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Love your ink?


Submit your photoSfor a chance to [email protected]/Mainstreamink

hoW to Win: Just like our page at on Facebook at

Facebook.com/mainstreamink, then post your photos. The grand prize

winner(s) will win a prize of $1200 to be split 50/50 between

the artist and person with the tattoo. The winner will be chosen by the

mainstream ink staff based off originality and ink quality. The grand

prize winner will also be photographed and displayed in our premiere edition

of mainstream ink magazine.

The person with the post that has the most “likes” by September 15, 2011 will be photographed and displayed in the

premiere edition of mainstream ink magazine and win $100 cash.

By submitting your photo, you grant mainstream ink permission to republish and distribute your photo.

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