www.mdtattoos.com -News

Mike DeVries : Animal Ink: Exploring the World's Wildlife Through Tattoo Art

01/05/12

I'm very excited to announce that Animal Ink: Exploring the World's Wildlife Through Tattoo Art is now Available! This high-quality 11" x 8.5" hardcover book is brought to you by Memento Publishing and features the work of an all-star list of Tattoo Artists.

Animal Ink: Exploring the World's Wildlife Through Tattoo Art, is a feast for the eyes and is brimming with inspiration. Featuring 304 full-color pages, this artistic beauty not only contains tattoo work from 160 talented tattoo artists, but in addition, includes 62 stories about specific animal tattoos with details, meanings, and inspiration from the collectors who wear the ink and the artists who inked them.

Animal designs have appeared throughout history in all facets of the art world, so it's no surprise that utilizing animals' beauty, strength, and grace has been a large focus within the genre of tattoo art. For those seeking animal tattoos, there is an endless array of styles, creativity, and artists to choose from and Animal Ink encompasses and celebrates these many different displays within its pages by featuring over 1,500 tattoos from creatures of the wild kingdom. Click here to order your copy today!

Mike DeVries : With The Light of Truth

10/03/11

With The Light Of Truth Straight Edge

When Dan Smith approached Memento to publish his pride and joy, we were thrilled. While I'm not Straight Edge by any means (though one of my Memento staff members is), his book (aka WTLOT) is fascinating to me; and it actually made my wife and I consider being Straight Edge for a minute.

While working on this project, there were many times that I wished I was Straight Edge, just so I could have been in this outstanding publication. The book itself is not trying to convert anyone, but all-in-all it has some amazing eye candy which comes in the form of top-notch tattoos, artwork, and messages. It is an impressive book and I really think that readers will enjoy delving into the pages.

The interview questions and profiles in this book are very uplifting and present a positive outlook on life, which can further be seen through each of the featured artisan's accomplishments. Each artist has their own profile, with interviews, a photo of themselves, and a page of artwork which was created specifically for this book. There is also a gallery of each participant's tattoos to follow their profile.

With The Light of Truth is published by Memento Publishing and was compiled by Dan Smith. 13 inches by 9 inches. 256 full-color pages. Hardcover, with a gorgeous front cover that features gold foil embossed on black saifu cloth; gold gilded edges; and a black ribbon bookmark. Each book comes shrink-wrapped. To top it all off, it's only 50 bucks!

Mike DeVries : Cranial Visions SoftCover Edition

07/27/11

Excited to announce that Cranial Visions: Exploring The Skull Through Artistic Interpretation, is now also available in a Softcover Edition!

Cranial Visions is a high quality, coffee table book published by Memento Publishing that is 8 inches wide by 12 inches tall, all 240 pages are printed in full color, featuring 258 artists with over 800 photos!!! Buy Now

The fascinating and grim history of the skull has been a forceful subject matter throughout the ages. Maintaining prominence in the scientific and medical fields, it is also commonly interpreted through artistic endeavors, tracing back as far as creative collections have been recorded. This book features an immense volume of work which highlights the skull in all sorts of mediums, bringing together artists and works from all walks of life. Readers are invited to explore the fascinating and macabre world of the cranium-cetered theme. A spellbinding journey told through chromatically brilliant photos and words; this book is sure to awaken the mind and senses...

Chapters Include: Tattoos, Paintings, Sketches & Drawings, Mixed Media, Digital Art, Graffiti, Photography, and Skullptures...

Mike DeVries : Tattoo Conventions

07/24/11

Updated my Tattoo Convention info page. Added a few new conventions I'll be attending and one seminar that I'll be putting on in 2012, more details on that will be posted soon. If your interested in getting tattooed at one of these events, please email me through the contact link...Thanks

Mike DeVries : Eye Lost LE Prints

07/15/11

Running low on these Limited Edition Prints."Eye Lost" Pick one up before there all gone. Limited run of only 60. Signed and numbered. 10 inches by 7 inches on canvas. 60 Bucks.

Mike DeVries : MD Tattoo Studio

07/03/11

MDTattooStudio.com got a facelift. Upgraded design and layout! Added some new features, easier to navigate, got the twitter feed on there for the Shop. Check it out! Home to Josh Duffy, Katelyn Crane, Jeff Johnson, London, Jamie Parker and myself.

Mike DeVries : Tattoo Video Downloads

07/01/11

www.TattooDVDs.com is now live! I'm excited to say that you can now download Get Real: Animal Style and Get Digital instantly. You can save some coin this way too! 10 dollars off Get Real:Animal Style and 5 dollars off Get Digital, plus you save on shipping costs. Hard copies are still available in the Store... The way the download process works is if you purchase Get Digital there will be 6 individual downloads that make up the DVD in-whole. Get Real: Animal Style has 8 individual downloads. Once you process the order you will have access to the links for the downloads. Even though it says instant downloads, please keep in mind it takes about 20-60 minutes to download each part, depending on how fast your computer is. Once you start watching the first part you can start downloading the second, and so on and so forth. So Instant means at the most about 1 hour or less...If you have any issues please let us know. These DVDs are not meant to teach someone how to tattoo, but rather give insight on what i do, giving a lot of tricks and tips to achieve the realistic look of my tattoos. You can take these tricks and tips and mesh them with your existing style and skill. I hope they help expand your visions when approaching your next tattoos....

Mike DeVries : Rest Stuff (Tattoo Arm Rest)

06/12/11

Introducing the lightest and most compact tattoo arm rest ever made. Brought to you by the makers of Stencil Stuff...Now even stronger and now back in Stock! Available at www.StencilStuff.net , Eternal Ink and Here

Mike DeVries : Introducing the 4 oz. bottle of Stencil Stuff

05/11/11

We are excited to announce the launch of our new mini bottles of Stencil Stuff. Same great Stuff! Half the size, half the price. Only $10.00 Perfect travel size and more affordable to try it out and see for yourself what the hype is all about. Thank you to everyone that uses Stencil Stuff and thanks for all the great feedback you have given us throughout the years. Available now in the online store and at www.Stencilstuff.net

Mike DeVries : Animal Ink and Tattoo Extremities

04/10/11

Dear Tattoo Artists,

This post is to let you know about two new book projects that Memento Publishing is working on in collaboration with Mike DeVries and Jinxi Caddel ...and we need your help and submissions to make it outstanding!

We have already received some amazing tattoo work and we are looking forward to collecting and viewing some more. Thank you to those that have already submitted your tattoos!

These new endeavors seek to further delve into the exquisite and acclaimed work of tattooists from around the world, with two areas of concentration.

1) Tattoo Extremities: Artistic Focus on the Head, Hands, and Feet

This book will focus on three specific tattoo art placements:

- Head
- Hands
- Feet

The project will include finished tattoo work that was completed on the aforementioned areas of the body and we are searching for beautiful photos to include in the book. We are looking for all different types of tattoo styles; in both color, or black and grey. No limitations, except for the location on the body. Submissions can be previously finished work or may include something specifically designed for this project.

- Head work can include neck tattoos if they are connected to the head design.
- Hand tattoos can include finger and knuckle tattoos.
- Tattoos on the feet can include ankle or toe work if the tattoo connects to the foot design.

The book will be approximately 240 pages in length, and be a hard-bound, high-quality, internationally-distributed, coffee table book.

2) Animal Ink: Exploring the World’s Wildlife Through Tattoo Art

This book will focus on animals in various forms, including: mammals, fish, reptiles, insects, amphibians, and birds.

We are looking for all types of animals from wild to domestic/pets (dogs, cats, birds, horses, etc.), sea creatures, farm animals, etc.

We are seeking completed tattoo accomplishments in many genres, such as: realistic, traditional, cartoon-style (New School), Japanese, bio-mech, abstract, full-color, black and grey, etc.

In Regards to Both Book Projects:

**Please note that NOT all images submitted will be used. We will be “collecting and selecting,” so submitting does not guarantee a spot in the book - but the only way to be considered is to send us what you’ve got. Present as many photos as you'd like. Each artist will be given credit in the published book with either their name near the picture or in the index.

**We would love to give every participant a free copy of the book, but due to the volume of submissions, we cannot guarantee this. After all of the images have been received, Mike and I will sit down and choose the top 30 artists (for each book) who will receive a free copy. This is in no way intended to be perceived as a contest and we wish there was a way to accommodate everyone. Many important factors will be reviewed during the book selection process, including: sending photos in a timely fashion, inclusion of accompanying release form, outstanding art, variety of images sent, etc.

Images can be submitted via email to:

books@jinxiboo.com

Or to send a disc through snail mail, please address to:

Memento Publishing
c/o Jinxi Caddel
12672 Limonite Avenue, Suite 3E #260
Corona, CA 92880

Please send high quality/high resolution images only.

Be sure to include the following information with your submission:

-Artist who completed the work
- Release Form - please print out, sign, and mail to Corona address c/o Jinxi Caddel listed directly above

*Link to download Release Form:
http://www.jinxiboo.com/forms/

**Submissions must be received by May 15th, 2011.

Thanks for reading!

Mike DeVries : Get Digital with Mike DeVries and Jamie Parker: Adobe* Photoshop* Techniques For Tattoo Artists of All Levels.

02/17/11

Get Digital with Mike DeVries and Jamie Parker is a two-disc instructional DVD full of tips, tricks, and techniques to help tattoo artists to utilize Adobe* Photoshop* and learn how its tools can enhance creativity and imagination. Beginning with familiarization of most of the tools used in Adobe* Photoshop* CS3*, the DVD explains what most tools are ideal for, covering shortcuts, saving options, and file organization.

Subjects such as: the importance of the dodge and burn tools, loading new brushes and fonts, colorization of black and grey photos, adding light sources to photos for striking enhancements , and changing backgrounds are explained. The instuction also delves into more advanced techniques,such as adding color to a pencil sketch and "zombifying" images; as well as guidance on how to make business cards, fliers, and banners. This excellent DVD set will help tattooists in an abundance of ways, making preparation for their creative projects more innovative and original than ever before.

*Though newer versions are available, Mike and Jamie prefer Photoshop* CS3 and have chosen to utilize it for instructional purposes.

Disc 1: Beginner & Intermediate...2 Hours......HD Digital Copy Included in Quicktime Format

Disc 2: Advanced...2 Hours......HD Digital Copy Included in Quicktime Format

Click Here to Order

We don't cover every tool in Photoshop*, we just go over what we think is important for tattoo artists!

Mike DeVries : Cover Ups vs Laser Tattoo Treatments

02/07/11

It happens so often, I get an email or a call from someone who is not only looking for a new tattoo to add to their body, but to also hide one at the same time. I constantly hear the story of the over eager collector, getting a tattoo and ending up with something they arent happy with, or a tattoo that is just old and doesn't look sharp anymore, or even it's just something that they feel no longer represents them as a person. Those unfortunate tattoos have the ability to stab at the self esteem, bring down morals, and sometimes, prevent them from moving on in life, whether it be in a personal relationship or a professional one. The idea and consequence of something being completely permanent on our bodies is hard to grasp before it's actually a reality, and sadly, regretful. They come to me with the hope that it could be covered up, 7 times out of ten, my response would be to get some laser treatments done on it first, not to be that guy that wants to send business to the local laser removal place, but because in the long run you will be happier with the results.

Tattoo laser removal was discovered possible in the 80s and has been developing ever since. It was a big step from sanding a tattoo off, or chemically burning it off, and left a lot less scarring. The word laser sounds so sci fi and almost intimidating, but I have never met someone who has regretted having it done. It takes time, which is one of the consequences of wanting permanence reversed, but in the end it's worth it because for one you get something you want over it, rather than something that will work to cover it, and 9 times out of ten, if there was no laser treatments done prior to the coverup, overtime the tattoo underneath the new one will show through.

For those who dont mind tattoos but are just over the one that they have, cover ups are a huge percentage of the appointments shops take on. Its always possible, but the gamble of ending up with something else you would regret is still there. Cover up tattoos require extra time and effort. The cover up design has limitations, requiring needs met to adequately replace the original tattoo, compromising design for functionality and can take a lot more "coats" to achieve full coverage and success. Even then they almost always show through the new tattoo over time. I, myself, have dealt a lot with both experiences on my own body as a collector. I started getting tattooed when I was young, and I'm working towards full coverage now. Ive got multiple cover ups on every limb of my body, four coverups just on my back. This was all before my consideration of laser removal. I've had laser treatments on my right arm, chest, several pieces lightened with the laser on my legs and a little laser work done on my back, I'm also in the process of getting my neck fully lasered, which has now been treated seven times and if i wanted to I could have it covered with ease and get anything i want. This would not have been the case if i didn't do any laser work on it. All the other spots on my body that I had laser treatments on have been covered and comparing all of my laser cover ups, compared to my regular traditional cover ups. The lasered areas with new tattoos look ten times better than the spots i had nothing lightened first.

Of course there are successful coverups that are being done everyday without laser treatments, but your design options will be limited, a more chaotic design works the best for coverups, for example: a bio-organic tattoo, one of the worst possible designs for a coverup is a pin-up, or portrait, especially in the skin zones, if there is a smooth area in the design that is trying to cover an old tattoo, it will not work! Maybe for that day or the first couple weeks, it might look successful but just wait, it will start to show thru. There is the option of going over it again once it is healed to hide the old tattoo better, this is usually mandatory for success. Just don't want to go to dark to where it creates a mess and make sure your artist is comfortable with coverups and has been successful at them in the past. I mentioned pinups and portraits being bad for coverups, but they can still be successful, but only if the coverup is within the shirt design or even better in the hair of the new portrait tattoo. This also makes the new tattoo to be large in order to work and this will also take the focal point off of the coverup area. Creating a new focal point and using the right colors are key! Theres alot of little tricks to doing coverups but for what i have seen with my experience of getting coverups and laser treated cover ups,and as an artist performing coverups. The ticket is getting some laser work done first. Whether you are coming to me for a coverup or another artist feel free to email me a photo of your existing tattoo and what your plans are for covering it and i will give you my opinion on whether you should have some laser treatments done.

What to expect from the laser...It hurts! It hurts worse than getting a tattoo, but it goes fast, they can laser my entire neck all the way around in 10 minutes or less. You will get hot, maybe even smell some burning hair, it feels like a rubber band is snapping you extremely hard over and over again,it kinda sounds like that too. But when i leave the laser place i feel like when i leave a tattoo studio and i just got a rad new tattoo, because i'm stoked its coming off. Most places have numbing agents that they can rub on prior to laser, it will still hurt, but takes the edge off. You usually wont see results after the first treatment, but after the second you should start to see results, if your planing to cover it up, you most likely will need to get it at the minimum hit 3 times and the maximum about 9 times. Anymore than that it could be a waste, again email or visit your artist to ask his/her opinion to see if its ready. Just minutes after you get your old tattoo treated its very possible you will get blisters,if you are removing color it will blister more than just black and grey. If you get huge blisters, don't pop them just keep it clean and possibly wrapped in gauze. You have to wait about 6 weeks in between treatments,and wait a good 6-8 weeks before getting it covered with your new tattoo after the last treatment. You can wait even longer and you will notice that the area that was lasered will continue to lighten up for a year to come. They also say that when you get your old treated tattoo covered up with a new one you could see your new tattoo lighten up in that area as well. If you do you will just need to get a touch up/fine tune session. In my experience and visiting about 4 different laser removal centers I have never gotten any scarring from it. The lasers are a lot better nowadays than they were when they first came out. As far as cost for laser tattoo removal, it could be as low as $50.00 per treatment up to $600.00 depending on size and how many times your going to get it hit.

If you are thinking about getting a tattoo removed and are in Southern California, I recommend Dr. Tattoff. I've always had a good experience there and they definately know what they are doing. You can check out their locations at www.Drtattoff.com. Another place that I have gone to, is in the mid west called Unique Ink. Jack Morton does the laser removal there and he has tons of experience with it too.You can visit his website at www.rethinkyourink.com

Hope this helps anyone that was curios about the process or if you were considering a cover up and whether or not laser is right for you or not.

Mike DeVries : Cranial Visions: Exploring the Skull Through Artistic Interpretation

02/07/11

Forming as an idea, progressing into a collection of efforts, and ending on the coffee table, Cranial Visions is finally finished. This book is not merely two covers, a binding, and 240 pages; it is a display of thousands of hours of work, in which artists have created a compilation devoted to one of the biggest inspirations in art since the beginning of self expression. The book itself is 8x12, hardback, and features a painting by Shawn Barber on the front cover. That painting is just a taste of all that you will find on the inside.

Skulls have been the subject of artistic studies all over the world, connecting artists who otherwise would have nothing in common. The book is divided into chapters based on different artistic mediums; starting with tattoos and followed by paintings, sketches & drawings, mixed media, digital art, graffiti, photography, and ending with “skullptures.” Each chapter is stuffed with images created by masters of their crafts. They play with the colors and composition, and give a different perspective of the subject in every image.

Putting this book together was an adventure all its own. We were humbled to receive images from some of our personal favorite artists, while appreciating the discoveries of new up-and-coming artists as well. Tattooing has joined the world of fine art, and this compilation has connected the bridge between all the mediums.

Artists like Shawn Barber, Jeff Gogue, Nick Baxter, Bugs, Nikko Hurtado, and Carlos Torres have translated their paintings into tattoos and vice-versa; opening the doors for the possibilities of each medium to grow. There are multi-media pieces by Simon Hayag, Dan Hazelton, and Cam De Leon that introduce us to the potentials of a new age, while keeping the traditional subject matter as something we can identify with.

There are drawings from the minds of Alex Grey, Chris Winterson and Andrey Barkov. The sculpture section is a masterpiece all its own. From mosaic-covered skulls by Stan Young and Crystal Thomas, to hand-built machines by Aaron Cain, these three- dimensional pieces demand attention and emotion from the viewer. There is outstanding photography by Jean Baptiste Carhaix, Russell Haig and Julius Motal, presenting the skull in its raw form; as well a portion of the photography section that features shots by Mike DeVries, as he captured skulls from his own collection, providing the reader with inspiration and reference from all angles.

All of the pieces in the book are meant for inspiration, and not for simply copying. Every artist has their own perspective, and each are valued for the unique eye they bring to the table. There are over 258 artists who have been included and over 800 pictures of work. It has been a long road and now it's time for you to see for yourself. The book is available for purchase now! Only $69.99. Click Here to order Cranial Visions.

Mike DeVries : www.ReflectedArt.com

02/07/11

Lately there has been so much going on in the art world to be excited about. I've gotten together with a long time friend and client John Pyles to start an online collection of books, DVDs and products of all art mediums and offer them online. www.reflectedart.com is a website built around the inspiration of artists and art collectors alike. All of the opportunities we have been given to travel in the name of art has introduced us to so many wonderful people and awe inspiring art that we, too, wanted to give people a place where they could find things of artistic inspiration and promote creative talent from artists both inside and outside the tattoo industry.

We've been able to round up some of the most inspirational books and DVDs, both instructional and collections of fine art, and put them within reach of anyone that wants to have them for their own. Keep in mind the tattoo education products will be for professional tattoo artists only.

We've gotten ahold of artists sketch books, educational reference, fine art collections, inspirational art books, tattoo art, photography books and DVDs. We are also branching out and adding products that aren't just in a book form, you can find clothing, prints, collectables and even original artworks by some of the best artists today. We will actively be adding new products weekly.

We will be adding event info and news about up and coming art exhibits, shows, conventions and release parties. Reflected Art also has a video section that has awesome videos from trailers to the DVD's we carry to artists sketchings to instructional figure drawings and portrait painting. Some serious inspiration in there!

We are also going to be sending out a monthly newsletter to keep everyone who's interested up to date on any new products or future developments relating to the site. I've got a link on the bottom of my website that will take you right to it and make it easier to find. I'm really excited to start a site that is truly a reflection on the passion that is invested on every one of our products.

Im really excited to spread the news and hope its something that will help inspire people to take the art world higher every day.

Mike DeVries : Get Real with Mike DeVries: Animal Style

02/07/11

I am happy to present my new two-disk DVD that really outdoes my previous instructional DVD. This one features: higher all-around quality, more camera angles, better music, and essentially real-time editing. The informative instruction covers topics such as: Photoshop techniques to apply to tattooing, placement, stenciling, set-up, machines, needles, my palette and ink choices, color mixing; and most importantly, up-to-date tattooing techniques that encompass what I do best.

In this DVD I explain each step as I am executing it, rather than providing voice- overs done at a later time. In my opinion, it is much more effective to explain things as I go, as I'm in the right frame of mind tattooing that specific piece, which makes it pertinent to that given piece of instruction. This time around I decided to use coil machines, which are a bit more timeless. I also thought more viewers might prefer seeing me use coils, even though I am currently using Stigma machines. Regardless of which machine I use though, I consistently tattoo the same way.

I chose to tattoo a full-color gorilla for this DVD, from start to finish, explaining new ideas and tricks throughout the process. Animals, portraits, and realism go hand-in-hand and you can apply many things I talk about in this DVD to what you already know. I hope that in the end you can personally create something new with fresh, imaginative ideas and take your tattooing skills to new levels.

I am very excited about releasing this and hope you enjoy it and gain some new insight. This DVD is for the professional tattooer or apprentice who is learning in a legitimate tattoo shop. It is meant to boost your already-existing skills and give you some new components to consider the next time you approach a realistic tattoo. When ordering this DVD please specify the shop that you work at, so it saves on time (to eliminate the need for us to either write you back or search your name on the Internet to verify that you work at a tattoo shop). Total running time: Disk 1: 3 hours 38 minutes; Disk 2: 3 hours 13 minutes. This new tattoo DVD is now in Stock!

Mike DeVries : Australia Tattoo Convention

02/07/11

Excited to be heading back down to Australia! This time I'll be attending the 3rd annual Sydney Tattoo & Body Art Expo. March 11-13th 2011. I'll also be holding a seminar that gives an inside to how I create the tattoos that I do. For more info and to sign up Click this link that takes you to the conventions website .Seminar is Sunday March 13th at 10am. See ya there! http://www.tattooexpo.com.au/site/seminars/mikedevries.html

Mike DeVries : Skin Deep Mag

01/23/11

The new February issue of the UK's Skin Deep Magazine just came out! It includes a feature of the whole crew here at MD Tattoo Studio! I'm really stoked to see the article, I'm Honored that Skin Deep decided to do its very first 2 part feature on our Studio. It includes a shop photo, interview about the dynamics between all of us, and showcases some of our work. I'm really proud of everyone here and look forward to seeing the second half!

Mike DeVries : Twitter

10/24/10

I recently have started to get more active in the world of Twitter. I've set up links on the upper left side of my website, you can click the Twitter Logo that goes directly to my Twitter page, or you can find me on there @MikeDevries_art I've been posting all sorts of things on there lately such as the progression of some of my tattoos, completed tattoos, news about different things, including different projects that are going on, and some daily life adventures, be sure to check it out!!

Mike DeVries : The Biggest Tattoo Show on Earth

09/07/10

One tattoo convention I have been looking forward to all year is the Mario Barth's tattoo convention in Vegas. It's right around the corner! October 1st-3rd. I'll be working the show with Katelyn Crane, Jeff Johnson and John Pyles from Reflected Art. I have a couple tattoos lined up that I'm excited about, one being a gorilla. The other one is on someone that is a big tattoo collector from Puerto Rico thats flying out to get tattooed, I'm not sure on the actual design yet but I have a couple ideas. Should be a fun and exciting weekend! Come on out and have a good time!

Mike DeVries : Stigma Machines "Round 2"

08/01/10

The first batch of Stigma Rotaries that I received have come and gone, but I'll be getting more towards the end of August. I will also be carrying along with the Stigma-Hyper V2, the Stigma Bizarre machine, I have been using the Bizarre lately and it is a great machine too,very similar to the way a Hyper machine runs, I almost can't tell the differences between the two other than looks. They both have all the same features, but the bizarre weighs slightly more. I'll post a news posting when the pre-orders start, pre-orders start once the machines are on there way to me. If you click on the store link, and it allows you to purchase the machine, they are in stock. If not, it will say "back in stock soon".