Scoot Blog: Tattoos...Yet another excuse to judge people

This is a great read. I’m not sure why all of the comments seem to be about Obama, but don’t let that take away from what the author has ta say.

We are living in a world that has turned judging others into an art form. On the whole, as a nation, we still judge skin color and perceived sexual orientation. Judging a person as ‘liberal’ or ‘conservative’ has been elevated to an actual putdown – rather than an American institution of political freedom. We judge people who make a decision to live in the city or those who choose to live in the suburbs.

It seems that we are actively looking for new excuses to judge others. And, today, the continued judgment of those with visible tattoos serves as yet another reminder that we are quick to make judgments based on outwardly signs, rather than the content of a person’s character.

Scoot Blog: Tattoos...Yet another excuse to judge people

Tattooist fined £300 for leaving hairdresser with botched inking of Marilyn Monroe 'that looked like a blow up doll'

This is why it is so important to carefully look at an artists portfolio before getting any work done by them. I think this is especially true for a portrait tattoo. While the average person might not immediately recognize poor shading or shaky lines on an abstract tattoo, a poorly done portrait is obvious even to people who know very little about the technical aspects of tattooing.

Tattooist fined £300 for leaving hairdresser with botched inking of Marilyn Monroe 'that looked like a blow up doll'

Twilight superfan, 52, spends £8,500 on movie tattoos

Twilight super-fan Cathy Ward has spent almost £8,500 covering her entire top half with tattoos linking to the hugely successful vampire novels.

But not only do the tattoos serve as a striking tribute, they also remind the 52-year-old of her incredible six stone weight loss.

Cathy, who works as a baker at her local Morrisons supermarket in Reading, began to pile on the pounds after the shock death of her mother in 1999.

Twilight superfan, 52, spends £8,500 on movie tattoos

Extinction empathy tattoos commemorate less charismatic species

This is a new theme for tattoos that I have not seen before.

Illustrator Samantha Dempsey wanted to bring attention to the un-charismatic creatures that have gone extinct. She created species empathy tattoos, which are temporary tattoos to honor animals that have disappeared. Her work combines the tradition of memorial tattoos with the exquisite detail one might find in an illustrated field guide.

Extinction empathy tattoos commemorate less charismatic species

Why do people go back for more and more tattoos?

Once a single tattoo was enough. Now a new breed of ink aficionados are returning again and again for multiple markings. What’s behind the rise of the serial tattooee?

Some people say that tattoos are an addiction. While I do get the urge for new ink on occasion, I’m not running to the nearest tattoo shop just to fill that urge. At this point in time I have no definite plans for new ink, but will most likely be getting more at some point in the future.

Why do people go back for more and more tattoos?

The changing face of female tattoos

In past decades, if a woman had a tattoo, it was likely to be discreet or hidden from public view. Multiple, prominent tattoos were more likely to be seen on men.

But now anecdotal evidence suggests the number of women getting large amounts of ink on their bodies is sharply on the rise.

BBC News spoke to artists and visitors at the International Tattoo Convention in London to find out about the latest trends in female body art.

The changing face of female tattoos

Pictures: Thousands at docks to see walking canvasses as tattoo convention hits

Last weekend saw some 20,000 tattoo enthusiasts and artists descend on London’s Docklands to revel in and share the art that has literally become a part of them.

The main attraction? The ninth International London Tattoo Convention, one of the most prestigious annual body art conventions in the world, held at Tobacco Dock, Shadwell, and run by organisers Tattoo Life Magazine.

Pictures: Thousands at docks to see walking canvasses as tattoo convention hits