BEHIND THE BODY ART
“ In 2020, I found out I had a brain tumor the size of a lemon, and I was one teaspoon of cerebral fluid away from dying. I underwent a fourteen-hour surgery to remove it. During my recovery, Fredd [ from 1001 Troubles Tattoo ], who did a tattoo on my leg, sent a message asking if I was OK. It clicked: I wanted to get a tattoo of my journey and he’ s the one to do it. I tell him the whole story and he says,‘ This is so surreal, like Alice in Wonderland. Can I go with that?’ Little did he know that was my favorite book in high school. He showed me the concept drawing and I almost cried. The lemon tree, the hair, the bunny, the clock— they all represented pieces of my journey. Even the portrait of the girl with her determined expression; she looks just like me as a child. It took fourteen hours to complete. All of my other tattoos I can hide, but I purposefully went out of my way so you cannot hide her. We are not defined by the things that happen to us, we are defined by how we react to them. She is strong and she is beautiful and so am I.”
— ELEANOR DOBSON, SIGN MAKER AND HISTORIAN AT HISTORICELLY, @ UNCREATIVELLIE. FOR MORE, CHECK OUT HER NEW PODCAST, I HAVE A BRAIN TUMOR, ON SPOTIFY.
TRADITIONAL Tribal / Indigenous Body Art Dates back thousands of years and relies on designs and techniques distinct to different Aboriginal communities, such as Polynesian, Maori or Celtic. THINK: Elaborate patterns that flow with the shape of the body or take after symbols specific to the respective cultures.
TRIED AND TRUE New School Despite the“ new” label, New School became popular in the late’ 80s / early’ 90s. The more experimental style is known for its animated aesthetic with heavy outlines and 3D elements. THINK: A cartoonish version of your cat or a person with exaggerated features.
Blackwork Exclusively uses black ink to fill up negative space. Relies on depth and contrast instead of shading. Often derives from tribal designs.
Realism Designs known for their photographic shading and accuracy. THINK: A celebrity portrait or a rendering of a beloved pet.
TRENDY Minimalist / Fine Line Minimalist tattoos follow a lessis-more approach, emphasizing simple designs with limited details. They are often paired with fine line tattoos( see below), which are characterized by delicate, thin and precise lines using singleneedle or fine-tipped machines. THINK: Pareddown zodiac signs, cityscape outlines and geometric shapes.
Watercolor A newer movement that mimics watercolor-style paintings, with whimsical subjects, vivid shades and soft, undefined edges. Many also use this style to add a splash of background color in an otherwise line-heavy tattoo. THINK: Purple splatters on swirling galaxies or Georgia O’ Keeffeinspired canvases.
TRADITIONAL, FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: ELTON DUARTE OF ONE WITH THE ARTS, @ OWTA ___; DANNY MENDEZ OF DANNY MENDEZ TATTOOING, @ OFFICIAL _ DMTATTOOS; NICK PELLEGRINO OF ABRACADABRA TATTOO, @ MODERN _ AMERICAN _ PRIMITIVE; NICK PELLEGRINO OF ABRACADABRA TATTOO, @ MODERN _ AMERICAN _ PRIMITIVE; MADDIE HOLLIS OF 1001 TROUBLES TATTOO, @ MADELINE. ILLU. TATTOO.
84 RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY I OCTOBER 2025