inspiriting body art
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fuckyeahtattoos: This is my 10th tattoo, a harlequin girl art piece on my thigh artwork by Dan Chase, tattoo done by the amazing Nick Malasto in Cincinnati, OH. This took about 6.5 hours. I absolutely love it. It couldnt look more like that actual art piece itself. 
yellowasian: Cyril Giustiniani
fuckyeahtattoos: quote from neutral milk hotel’s “in the aeroplane over the sea.”  i’ve loved the band for years, as well as the sentiment behind this lyric. done by ryan macgibbon at new york abstract tattoo in brooklyn, ny.
fuckyeahtattoos: I choose an enso because of the meaning it holds for me. While trying to come to terms with the death of my mother I’ve been spending a lot of time by myself. I used to rely on her to give me guidance in every decision I made, and suddenly I was faced with everything alone. I’m turning eighteen soon, and realize that there will be no one who can tell me how to lead my life; it has to come from myself, and that is when I started looking for guidance and found this symbol.Enso is the Japanese word for circle. It represents enlightenment, strength, elegance, and simplicity. These circles are drawn in sumi ink in one fluid movement as a spiritual exercise. Sumi is a style of painting that is considered to be good if the artist used as few brush strokes as possible. There is no need to modify it once the ink is laid down because it shows the expressive movement of the spirit at the time. I respect the idea that nothing can be taken back; that even a mistake contributes to the overall bigger picture; that everything is meant to be. Visually, the tattoo is a brush stroke and I love that part because art will be a part of me forever. I wanted it in black to stay true to the art form.The enso can be drawn closed or open. A closed circle represents the totality of experience and life, which I have only scraped the surface of. I chose an open circle because it shows that imperfection is an essential and inherent aspect of existence, and that instead of searching for perfection I should allow the universe to be as it is. It also symbolizes that the enso, or self, is not separate, but is part of something greater, and opens up into infinity. I chose for it to start at the top because I think that’s how we all start out, we have everything, and even though we have to go through lows, the ultimate goal is to make it back up to the top again.There are many different forms enso can take. Some of them are: Mirror - a simple circle, free of inscription, leaving only personal reflection to the viewer; Moon - the full moon, clear and bright, silently illuminating all beings without discrimination, symbolizing enlightenment; Zero - time and space are “empty”, yet they give birth to the fullness of existence; Wheel - everything is subject to change, all life revolves in circles. The wheel is my personal favorite because when I’ve been searching for spirituality, I always keep coming back to nature. I believe in the miracle of life and a cycle that was here before us and will continue on after we are gone. As one of my favourite books states: “Things change. And friends leave. And life doesn’t stop for anybody.” Change is a necessary part of growth for all life.The way of Zen has been referred to as “A circle of vast space, lacking nothing, and nothing in excess.” I want to have faith that this world is giving me everything I need, and keeping from me the things that I’m better off without. I am not claiming to be any more “enlightened” than anyone else; the main point of this whole experience is to admit that I am flawed, and to always strive to do better as I move through life. To be in harmony with my surroundings, accept hardships as they come with grace and perseverance, and to have faith that everything will be okay, is all I can ask for. http://photoquoteography.tumblr.com/
yellowasian: Ray Testa | James N. [via]
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