February 10th, 2009 by Vanessa Ruiz
People have been sending me quite a lot of anatomy tattoos over the past few months and I finally finished putting together a showcase of all the anatomical ink. Where possible I’ve tried to include the person’s story/explanation of their tattoos.
I also started another group on Flickr called Anatomy Tattoos to expand the collection and have a place for people to submit their own anatomical tattoos. Definitely worth a look!
Anatomical heart tattoo submitted by David Cundy. It looks like the tattoo artist just effortlessly sketched the tattoo directly on his chest.
The significance behind the tattoo is similar to others on the site in that following a scary hospital stay, which can make one think deeply on life, death and the transient body I found an unexpected inspiration to tattoo the heart as the central physical life force, symbol of love, housing of the soul and blood pump. Of course the heart is also a long running theme in stylised form in tattoos so I liked the idea of un-stylising it and going for an anatomically correct version. The Tattoo was done by Mantas http://www.mantas-tattoo.com/ in Brighton U.K. and I have to say this man is an expert he completed it in fine detail in about an hour and a half – I’m tempted to have lungs next but maybe less is more!
Anatomical heart tattoo on foot submitted by Kate Blaharski.
Here’s the tattoo that I got on my honeymoon last April. I’m normally pretty straight-laced and I decided that I wanted to do one “wild” thing in my life and get a tattoo. So I figured that it should be chosen from a subject matter that I’m passionate about –anatomy. This tattoo was done at Starlight Tattoo in the Mandalay Bay casino in Las Vegas by Joey. I love the fascinated reaction that most people have towards my tattoo.
Heart grenade submitted by Nate. Very interesting concept, I wish I knew the story behind this one!
Skeleton with girl submitted by Caroline.
That design is my best friend Kelly’s artwork, her little brother Brent is a tattoo artist so he did it for me for free!
The design was originally a print that Kelly did back when we were in college at ECU. When it was time for her class to critique the peice, everyone thought it was creepy and morbid — but that wasn’t her intention with the piece at all, she thought it was sweet.
To me, this design makes me think of not being afraid of death (that wasn’t kellys intention) but that’s what it makes me think of and why i loved it so much.
Check out more of Kelly’s artwork here.
Zipper tattoo by Matthew Amey of Independent Tattoo in Selbyville, DE. See more of Matthew’s amazing tattoos here.
Anatomical calf muscle tattoo submitted by Johnny Middlefinger. Done by Taylor Mills of Wizard’s World of Tattoo, Exeter, PA
Heart tattoos done and submitted by Leah Neuhauser.
Hello, my name is Leah Neuhauser, I am a tattoo artist/piercer and shop owner in PA… these are two anatomy tattoo’s I did. I just ran across your page searching for anatomy and tattoos… I actual went to college for scientific illustration, so its pretty awesome to combine my two loves…
Very unique anatomical heart surgery tattoo. Spotted by Luis.
January 26th, 2009 by Vanessa Ruiz
My Totem
The Rescue
My Divinity Lights Your Eyes
There was Nothing to Fear
There seems to be quite a trend right now of putting anatomical art on skateboards and snowboards and I love it. But I have never seen any boards quite as beautiful as these made by Robyn Roth. Her portfolio site, Nomadical, is full of gorgeous paintings that often contain an anatomical heart as the focus point. I was intrigued by Robyn’s use of the heart so I asked her what influences her to place anatomy into her art. Here’s what she had to say,
I wanted to create art that portrayed the lost relationship that humanity has with the wilderness. I had spent years having an interest in indigenous tribes from all over the world and read many books and watched documentaries on their lives. I believe that indigenous people are the last remaining humans who still have that unique bond with nature. They respect that life and death are intertwined and do not look at the idea of dying as a completely negative thing. Sure death is sad, but it is necessary for the process of life. It’s the same view that I believe non-human species share as well. Every plant and animal are the same and coexist knowing that life and death are a part of being on earth.
So, my portrait of humanity is the anatomical heart. I had to find a way to express the human element, but without using a specific individual, race, or nationality. I wanted the human element to be universal and what better to do this then by using the heart. The heart being known for a symbol for love and compassion was also a big help.
I wanted the heart to be exposed to the dark and creepy-crawly things of life, because that is what living is. It’s not all beautiful and peaceful. We humans now live in a very protective world and don’t take to kindly to such things. I don’t want people to forget that we are animals and we are bound to earth. Life and death will always happen and humans will never have any control over it. It’s time to respect and coexist.
Another fantastic tidbit about Robyn is that she is also a tattoo artist. Here are two of her anatomically themed productions found on her Flickr site.
January 22nd, 2009 by Luis
In normal light.
In both lights.
All black light.
This is awesome! It’s like having x-ray vision, and for sure the craziest thing I’ve seen in a while! See more here.
Black light tattoos use a UV-reactive tattoo ink that can be seen under a black light but are invisible or only partially visible in normal light.
Given its extensive testing for FDA approval, with absolutely no adverse reactions to it in over ten years, it is all in the proof, this ink is most likely the safest ink on the market.
[via TattooArtists.org]
January 8th, 2009 by Vanessa Ruiz
The Bather (2007) 100 x 160cm
Gorgeous spine tattoo photographed by multidisciplinary artist Stéphane Lallemand.
[spotted by the wonderful Heather]
December 28th, 2008 by Vanessa Ruiz
Submitted by Kevin, who tries to record significant life events with art. He planned this heart tattoo while in the ICU recovering from surgery.
This is 4 months post surgery, a septal myectomy to deal with (HCM) hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Muscle arm tattoo submitted by Dillon.
I asked Dillon why he got an anatomical tattoo and here’s what he said,
Only two reasons really..1 because its different and I’ve only seen a few of them on the net and none in person…and 2 it just looks cool.
Simple and too the point.
This intricate tattoo was submitted by Heather Whiteside.
The tattoo was done from an original design, based on research of Anatomical Venus type Wax Anatomy Models—thanks to your blog as a starting place. It was reworked a bit and inked by Greg Ross at Blue Rose Tattoo in Huntsville, Alabama.Oh, I got the two artists in the shop, Greg and Laura, to witness my signature on the Body Donor form. I’m ready now to actually send it off and register with the University of Alabama- Birmingham’s anatomical gift program.I wonder what the furture medical students or researchers will make of the tattoos on my body?
See more incredible anatomical tattoos in the Anatomy Tattoo Gallery!
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