The Tattooed Poets Project: Elliott D. Smith

I met Elliott D. Smith at the Union Square Barnes & Noble last month and took pictures of his tattoos for The Tattooed Poets Project. I also met his roommate Jared, whose work will appear here tomorrow.

Elliott has quite a bit of work, including a sleeve-in-progress, which is being constructed by the wonderfully talented Joy Rumore at Twelve 28 Tattoo in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

Check out this composite of Elliott's right arm:

This still-incomplete tattoo is part of a sleeve based on a mural at the Morgan Street stop on the L train in Brooklyn.

Photo by Elliott D. Smith

The sleeve has the Alice in Wonderland figure at its center, but a lot of other images, like the banana as well. Elliott pointed out in the photo above that the banana (lower right corner) is much smaller. For the purpose of the art of the tattoo sleeve, its scale has been increased significantly.

Elliott added that he visually enjoys the image of the mural, and his "own little Alice in Wonderland dream land" is slowly taking shape on his flesh.

Also on his right arm with the sleeve is this quote from "The Transformation of Silence into Language and Action," by Audre Lourde:

The quote is "I am not only a casualty, I am also a warrior."

There are times when a writer's words resonate so loudly in your ears, they shake you to your core. Elliott told me that he "read it [these lines] one day and the next day got the tattoo."

He offered up this interpretation of the line: "it's easy to think of yourself as victim," he said, but succeeding in life is about "surviving and fighting through victimhood".

Elliott also has these words on his outer wrists:

This is the third poet this month with "poet" inked on his or her flesh. However, the combination of "freedom poet" adds another dimension to the corporeal text.

This was a "spur of the moment" tattoo, Elliott told me, elaborating that aside from the obvious "poet," he is "holding freedom in his hand and facing out".

Finally, we don't get a lot of lower back tattoos here on Tattoosday, but when we do, they are extraordinary:

Elliott took a couple of photos into Joy and she crafted this design. The concept is a spin on the "power to the people" idea, but with an emphasis on urban people. "Most Americans live in cities," he explained, "but [they] don't have power". This is a spin on the frustration that many feel, that the values of the citizenry of the American cities are not represented by the government.

As for poetry, Elliott offered us this work:

EARNING STRIPES

I own thirteen striped shirts.

I have known the misfortune of wearing lines on skin,

stretch marks and self-hate carve flesh in convincing fashion.

No lover has ever asked me why

I have known the misfortune of wearing lines on skin,

razor blade reminders tattoo thighs with teenage dreams.

No lover has ever asked me why

it was so easy to steal from myself.

Razor blade reminders tattoo thighs with teenage dreams,

this belly, a thanksgiving turkey for carving--

it was so easy to steal from myself

when I didn’t believe I had anything to give.

This belly, a thanksgiving turkey for carving.

Sliced up white meat

when I didn’t believe I had anything to give.

Mother doesn’t know there’s blood on the stairs.

Sliced up white meat,

stretch marks and self-hate carve flesh in convincing fashion.

Mother doesn’t know there’s blood on the stairs.

I own thirteen striped shirts.

~ ~ ~

Elliott D. Smith reps Louisville, Cincinnati, and Brooklyn. When he's not  working with formerly incarcerated people or conducting research on masculinity, he drinks whiskey and talks too loudly. He believes in the power of tattoos, reference books, and matching music with the weather.

Thanks to Elliott for sharing his ink and his poetry here with us on Tattoosday!

This entry is ©2011 Tattoosday. The poem is reprinted here with the permission of the author.

If you are reading this on another web site other than Tattoosday, without attribution, please note that it has been copied without the author's permission and is in violation of copyright laws. Please feel free to visit http://tattoosday.blogspot.com and read our original content. Please let me know if you saw this elsewhere so I contact the webmaster of the offending site and advise them of this violation in their Terms of Use Agreement.

Lower Back Tattoos

Lower Back Tattoos project an expression of sexuality and will look stunning when placed correctly. Other areas to have tattoos that are popular with ladies are on the hip, navel, shoulder, chest and stomach. The current fashions in clothes allow lower back tattoos to be shown off at their best advantage. If you have a tattoo and you are wearing low cut jeans or a crop top, the tattoo can almost appear as if it is in a frame.

Many ladies are of the opinion that their tattoos should not be too visible with the emphasis being on it being smaller and somewhere more intimate, whereby men will opt for bigger bolder tattoos that run either down their legs, arms, back or across their chest.

Lady and the Tramp Stamp - Lower Back Tattoos Designs

The world of tattoo art and design has its own language and terminology as well as any company does. A more contemporary terms in business is the mark of a vagabond. "What are tramp stamps? Well, they have nothing to do with the U.S. mail or a picture on a postage stamp or even children of the classic Disney film Lady and the Tramp."

A tramp stamp is a term that was coined (Unknown Source) to describe a tattoo that is printed on the back of a woman or a girl. The lower back has become a popular place for women to get inked and combined with the tendency of low-rise jeans has led to an avalanche of tattoo studios. It has become fashionable for girls to show their bellies with belly rings and body piercings and tattoos lower back with body art.

The term tramp stamp is a derogatory tone, and should not be considered as relevant when deciding to get body art. Getting a tattoo is a personal decision that has nothing to do, as a note. Another popular trend is for women to get sexy foot and ankle tattoos. There is negative marking, or a reaction to these places, or even more sexually explicit Areas of the breasts and genitalia, although these are less places for tattoos - they are doing, however, have more sexual nature - and even lower back has gotten more attention.

The Advantages of Back Tattoo Designs

lower back tattoos are more common in women, but there are some men who like them, too. Soccer star David Beckham has a tattoo lower back if the name. In general, men do not lower back tattoos, because they are women. lower back tattoo Beckham "Brooklyn" has a meaning, and not women.

In most cases the oblong shapes best work in this area, because they fit the space perfectly. Many choose to go with a design that goes across the lower back. However, it is also popular to go with a small tattoo on each side of the lower back.

The lower back is one of the areas of the body is less likely to change with age. Some people do not see how your body will change as they age, but it is important to think about. You probably do not want a tattoo that now looks very good, but scary when you turn sixty.

Another advantage of the lower back tattoos, the ease with which they fall. There may be some cases where you want to keep the tattoo under wraps, and as a tattoo is easy to hide. Only a tattoo that covers the entire shirt.

Some of the general elections in the lumbar region includes fairies, butterflies and flowers or men, words or letters.

If you chose a lower back tattoo first tattoo, you can start something small that can be added in the future.

The top is also a common place for tattoos because of the large area available. That lends itself very complex and detailed designs. It can also be easily expanded. If you start with a little something, there is room to expand if you choose to do so in the future.

upper back tattoos are most often men, although women. When choosing a new top tattoo designs and there are several places to choose from. The leaves are a popular place to have wings tattooed. Some people like their guardian angel tattooed. It is also popular for animals or creatures with wings.

Another option for upper back tattoos are tribal. The amount of space on the upper back provides ample space for very detailed tribal designs.

Small Lower Back Tattoos Designs

If you are serious about getting a tattoo on her lower back? If so, I personally believe it would be great. However, before getting to the tattoo parlor and tell the Lord of ink to give a little art in the lower back, you have to know what you want. Note that these tattoos come in many varieties, designs and colors. However, we strongly recommend looking at some small lower back tattoos.

Art on the lower back seems to be something that has evolved over the years. Many people today are beginning to get a tattoo on his back. Your skin is a large canvas and is ideal for an artist. You might think that the lower body is a fan site for it, but it is considered normal. Personally, we think it is an ideal location.

Is is small, you can easily hide under the shirt you wear. Nobody knows what you've done unless you tell them.

Lower Back Name Tattoos Designs

First, because the name of lower back tattoos so popular? When you go to the public today, it seems you do not see any possibility of going to tattoo someone. Among the models, there is tribal, Celtic, folk tales, and even the names. Although these are thought of as sexy or so, there are others who disagree. However, we believe in myself, tattoos are truly a work of art. As we write this article, tells you some information on the name of the tattoos.

Maybe you did just because that's all part of pop culture, or perhaps the individual expresses the particular design sexually. However you stack, if you're interested in one of these, you should continue reading. Now take a look at the many styles of characters.

We first tattoo Bullseye. This term has been around for many years, and became even more popular in "The Wedding Crashers," as Vince Vaughn had one. How the California registration of design? There are a lot of them are in the State California, we are not sure why they are popular.

Lower Back Star Tattoos Designs

When was the last time I looked closely at the bottom of the back of another woman? If you're like most women, you may have noticed the appeal of this particular place in the body - but not noticed as often as it deserves. To flatter your figure, remember to choose lower back star tattoos.

Choosing a tattoo is an important decision and should be taken very seriously, because making a lifetime commitment. But if you choose the design carefully, never tire of the tattoo you choose. One of the best options for many women is a star.

The star is a classic shape, so as not to get in and out of style as fashion garments. But it is not boring by any stretch of imagination! You can customize the basic star design that fits your own style in many ways: color, design, size and posture.

Feminine Lower Back Tattoos Designs

Feminine tattoos are definitely back on the rise, women around the world have seen these at some point to choose the tattoo design itself. lower back tattoo has become very popular in 2007 was almost a "cult." What makes these women have a tattoo? They can be very artistic, colorful and easily hidden on business, but they can also put on a display in the summer at the beach.

Men love women lower back tattoos, a preview of its next by a loose or cut high-level men will look like a kid in a candy store. lower back tattoos promotes an air of mystery about the owner and the men and women do not want to see.

The choice of a female tattoo on lower back is much more difficult than choosing a normal tattoo, there are different shapes, styles and colors taken into account. Although lower back tribal tattoos traditional and religious significance were some of the modern versions are purely artistic design in order to revise the plan for you. Changing the design of your preference is always an option, you can see a design you like, but when you add a few branches in more or flowers can love, a professional tattooist can make changes for you.

Cute Lower Back Tattoos Designs

We began to see the back tattoos for about 20 years ago, when girls and women stumbled upon a new path way to show their femininity and express themselves. They are easy to make a statement and, indeed, otherwise empty, and a wide expanse of skin. It is not the end of the supply of lower back tattoos cute, you can choose whether you want a tat before.

Many celebrities use the tattoos to show the personalities of the world. lotus sport Brandy, Angelina Jolie is a Bengal tiger, Britney Spears wearing a fairy tattoo, and Aaliyah had a dove on her back. The list goes on and I'm sure you've probably seen the tattoos in this very place, when out and about. It is estimated that 20% of women who have lower back tattoos. They are a popular choice.

Tribal designs are generally suited to the natural flow of the female rear. Many are direct copies of which are actually used for members of the clan tattoo ritual of tradition, religious or superstitious reasons. Many tribal tattoos symbolize or function or a mythical creature or a god, and can be very rewarding on your own body.

Lower Back Tribal Tattoo Designs

Recently, many people especially young people prefer the tribal designs. When you select the ancient art for your tattoo, it is important to decide where in your body, you go to the ink, tattoo designs. The lower rear part of your body is a good place to stick a tribal design. Most girls prefer to ink their ancestors, based on its lower rear part of their body. Since it is very easy to hide or show tattoo by choosing the right costume. Once you've decided to break the father figure in the lower back if you have limited tribal tattoo design. Since all types of tattoo designs are not suitable for the lower back. However, there are many sketches, which are very popular and better with the lower rear part of the body.

lower back tribal designs are very difficult to locate. You will see many free tattoo galleries, as well as the net amount paid hundreds of stores in the lower back tribal designs. tribal theme is best suited for the lower back of a young woman. One of the advantages of choosing the lower back of the body burning an ancestral design is that you can hide or show your design very easily by selecting the type of dress.