Embroidery is a timeless craft that transcends cultures and geography, having been found as early as the 30,000 BC in Russia, 3500 BC in China… Although it started as a way to tailor and mend clothing, techniques were developed and opened up the possibilities for decorative stitching. As time went on, tapestries became increasingly sophisticated […]
Author: Sara Barnes
Tattoos with Moments of Splendor by Matyas Halasz
Budapest-based artist Matyas Halasz finds moments of splendor in his colorful tattoos. Inspired by the cosmos, many of his works incorporate the galaxy fused with people and animals. His subjects contain multitudes of stars, signifying that they are more than what’s on their surface—their personalities and meanings are boundless. While Halasz’s tattoos often have a […]
Mysticism Etched on Skin by Phil Tworavens
Tattoo artist Phil Tworavens etches ink inspired by mysticism, philosophy, and esoteric beliefs. Using finely lined blackwork as a vessel, he expresses subjects and sentiments that are as rich as they are varied. Tworavens’ tattoos include scientific sketches as well as fusions between man and nature, heaven and earth. Ultimately, the tattoos prize knowledge that’s […]
Energetic Ink Drawings as Tattoos by Felipe Rodrigues
Combining vibrant bursts of color with energetic lines, tattoo artist Felipe Rodrigues captures the carefree fluidity of a pen-and-ink sketch. The Brazil-based creative is inspired by quotes and music, often pairing the two on his popular Instagram. As a result, his subjects and themes are diverse, from animals and nature to religion and death. No […]
Abstract Tattoos That Meander the Body by Chisato Chavo
Chisato Chavo creates abstract drawings on skin. The Japanese tattooer sketches minimalist scenes that meander across the body, with tiny characters and geometric shapes forming incomplete yet intriguing composition. Chavo is inspired by a myriad of artistic movements—Cubism and Dadaism make an appearance—as well as cartoons and comics. The subtle details are what makes Chavo’s […]
So PineNut’s Dark Retelling of Stories in the Bible
So PineNut is a Tokyo, Japan-based artist creating dramatic works entirely out of graphite. Inspired by the Bible, the works feature stories about Adam in the Garden of Eden, the animals of Noah’s Ark, and the famed city of Babel. PineNut’s emotionless figures engage in a dark and realistically-drawn retelling where cannibalism, sacrifice, and mutilation […]
10 Artists Using Dotwork to Create Meticulous Tattoos
The dotwork style of tattooing has a rich history that goes well beyond contemporary culture and is deeply embedded in ancient societies. There’s evidence that the Egyptians used simple stippling to adorn blue faience figurines known as “Brides of the Dead.” The tattooed objects featured geometric patterns that ran in horizontal bands across the figure’s […]
Phil Wilkinson Creates Dramatic Tattoos That Command Attention
Manchester-based artist Phil Wilkinson has a calligraphic flair in his expressive tattooing style. His animal subjects are crafted with chunky, angular marks, as if Wilkinson has chiseled them rather than etchings on the body. They create bold, deep lines that are dark and dramatic. It conveys a sense drama and urgency in his tattoos—the creatures command your attention […]
Subtly-Animated GIFs of Landscape Scenes by Nancy Liang
Sydney-based illustrator Nancy Liang uses dark, nearly abandoned landscapes to tell intriguing stories. Using textured papers and mixed media, she draws out social, cultural, and personal narratives. Each scene contains subtle movements like a flickering light, billowing chimney smoke, and even a floating van. These small animated details, shown in the moonlight, add a sense […]
Visceral Collaboration Depicts Organs From the Inside Out
Note: Contains nudity. Photographer Paola Rojas H. and illustrator David Pérez collaborated on “Visceral,” a series of portraits that depict the body from the inside out. Pérez has used two colors, red and blue, to create anatomical drawings of organs and then rendered them on models’ skin. The hues have symbolic meaning and represent instincts: […]