In this issue

FACES OF THE FUTURE
The distance between the present and future in tattoo appears as though it is receding. Imagining the future today could easily become an antiquated idea tomorrow, and that’s what makes Faces of the Future a unique and bold attempt to document the boundaries of our imagination today.
Developed by tattoo artist, Hanumantra, and photographer, Kaja Gwinsca, we take a closer look.

THE ETERNAL RIVER
Through impact-laden encounters between ornamental and figural imagery, tattooist Aron Dubois has developed a self-sourced visual language that openly explores symbology, spirituality and surrealism in an effort to “drink from the eternal river” and return to what the Colorado-native defines as “the source”…

I'm A Celebrity. Get Me Some Ink.

AS AN ART AND COMMUNITY, WE HAVE COME A VERY LONG WAY IN THE ACCEPTANCE STAKES AND THIS PARTICULAR INSTANCE IS CRUCIAL

4 mins

Why Is That First Tattoo Encounter So Terrifying?

There is something about getting that very first tattoo that will always make you feel a little bit sick when you walk through the door

3 mins

Faces Of The Future

With the onslaught of social media these ground-breaking moments have become more frequent, occurring on an almost weekly basis—depending on the quality of your feed—yet, moments that break new ground have also become as ephemeral as a refresh button; just yesterday I was spellbound by Jaya Suartika’s innovative placement of an Indonesian batik keris design on (and it would seem also, in) Paul Stillen’s backside.

4 mins

Ask Here Part One

With the release of Tattooing Ask Here—a collection of original and traditional flash, interviews, stories and photographs detailing the tattoo history of Felix Leu—we took the spectacularly well-timed opportunity to speak to Loretta Leu about the book and her life with Felix:

10 mins

Rule Breaker

Esther Garcia plays by her own rules — she always has and always will. Even with two decades of experience, the Chicago-based artist still finds ways to push herself and innovate. Whether it’s juxtaposing two unexpected styles (she fuses blackout work with botanical imagery inspired by Dutch Masters beautifully) or offering a unique tattoo curation service in which she doesn’t actually tattoo, Garcia isn’t afraid to take risks. What else is up her sleeve? We tracked her down to find out.

7 mins

Japanese Whispers

He is one of the most gifted Japanese tattooers of his generation. From the region of Niigata in the North-East of Japan, he's spreading the beauty of Japanese tattoo culture. All tattoo lovers praise his complex and very detailed compositions which adorn the bodies of some very lucky collectors, but after 20 years, Tomo is ready to move on…

4 mins

Palm Reader

For centuries we have looked to our palms as a valuable source of information, a complex blueprint of one’s identity, both physical and spiritual. The latter has seen the palm as a bodily map for instigating premonitions, with its many criss-crossing lines foretelling either a joyful life or a foredooming resolution

10+ mins

The Eternal River

Through impact-laden encounters between ornamental and figural imagery, tattooist Aron Dubois has developed a self-sourced visual language that openly explores symbology, spirituality and surrealism in an effort to “drink from the eternal river” and return to what the Colorado-native defines as “the source”. Drawing much of his inspiration from esoteric literature, mythic archetypes and the natural world, Dubois has spent his decadelong relationship with the craft “digging for the grail of tattooing”. Here, Dubois demystifies his “optimistic escape attempt” from the addictive dangers of digital tools, and the answers he finds in nature when allowing the walls that stand between himself and the world to dissolve

9 mins

Read all stories from Skin Deep

Skin Deep Magazine Description:

Skin Deep has long been the UK’s best selling tattoo magazine - and just because we're having fun for 13 issues a year (that's once every 4 weeks) doesn't mean we're not taking it very seriously indeed.
Each issue we publish profiles, interviews and features with the leading tattooists and tattoo artists working in the world today together with exciting new talent. Alongside of this, we focus on the tattoo lifestyle and all it contains, coverage from the international convention scene, art features from those who embrace the tattoo ethic or find inspiration within it, reader profiles, news, reviews, competitions, letters and every issue also comes with a free supplement.