Tattoo Art In the Philipines - Dutdutan

Dutdutan: (doot-doot-ahn) - a Tagalog word meaning to continually insert or jab.

Now on it’s 11th year, Dutdutan is now synonymous with tattoo art in the Philippines. At least that’s how a lot of tattoo enthusiasts in the country would like to view it.

For the 15,000 or so who congregated at the World Trade Center in Manila on August 26 and 27, the biggest tattoo show this side of the earth is also a definition of the alternative lifestyle that they have chosen.

But according to the organizers, tattoo art was not always part of the alternative scene. Native Filipinos have a rich history of tattoo art dating back to pre-colonial dates. In fact, when the Spaniards first got here, they were greeted with a heavily tattooed Visayan tribe and they called the islands “La Isla De Los Pintados” meaning the “Island of the Painted Ones.”



Christianity and western culture eventually supplanted that practice and not until we fast forward to the 90s do we see the rebirth of skin art.

The man and talent behind that is Ricky Sta. Ana, who started the yearly gathering with a small group of tattoo artists and customers. Eleven years later and supported by a major alternative lifestyle brand, Tribal Gear, the show has now taken on a bigger vision.

It is now a convention, known in the skin art circle around the world and they are even able to bring in the best tattoo artists from around the world to prove that. Underlying this achievement is the organizers’ cause to eliminate the stigma of skin art as taboo, since it has always appealed to the rebel crowd and the unconventional.

Tattoo Artist & Painter Cris Cleen (Short Documentary/Bio)

Cris Cleen is an American tattoo artist who specializes in custom tattoos and paintings.

A short documentary on tattoo artist and painter Cris Cleen.

Cris Cleen Works from Cris Cleen on Vimeo.

View more of Cris’s work at criscleen.com

Tattoo Art by Jie Zi

Here's one the most amazing artists, incredible tattoo designs that comes with a signature style. Beijing based tattoo artist Jie Zi mind blowing designs is a rage everyone is talking about. Different, refreshing and unique, those are the words that can describe such creations.

Om Tattoo

Om or Aum is of paramount importance in Hinduism. This symbol is a sacred syllable representing Brahman, the impersonal Absolute of Hinduism — omnipotent, omnipresent, and the source of all manifest existence. Brahman, in itself, is incomprehensible; so a symbol becomes mandatory to help us realize the Unknowable. Om, therefore, represents both the unmanifest (nirguna) and manifest (saguna) aspects of God. That is why it is called pranava, to mean that it pervades life and runs through our prana or breath.

Om in Daily Life

Although Om symbolizes the most profound concepts of Hindu belief, it is in use daily. The Hindus begin their day or any work or a journey by uttering Om. The sacred symbol is often found at the head of letters, at the beginning of examination papers and so on. Many Hindus, as an expression of spiritual perfection, wear the sign of Om as a pendant. This symbol is enshrined in every Hindu temple premise or in some form or another on family shrines.

It is interesting to note that a newly born child is ushered into the world with this holy sign. After birth, the child is ritually cleansed and the sacred syllable Om is written on its tongue with honey. Thus right at the time of birth the syllable Om is initiated into the life of a Hindu and ever remains with him as the symbol of piety. Om is also a popular symbol used in contemporary body art and tattoos.

The Eternal Syllable

According to the Mandukya Upanishad, "Om is the one eternal syllable of which all that exists is but the development. The past, the present, and the future are all included in this one sound, and all that exists beyond the three forms of time is also implied in it".

The Music of Om

Om is not a word but rather an intonation, which, like music, transcends the barriers of age, race, culture and even species. It is made up of three Sanskrit letters, aa, au and ma which, when combined together, make the sound Aum or Om. It is believed to be the basic sound of the world and to contain all other sounds. It is a mantra or prayer in itself. If repeated with the correct intonation, it can resonate throughout the body so that the sound penetrates to the centre of one's being, the atman or soul.

There is harmony, peace and bliss in this simple but deeply philosophical sound. By vibrating the sacred syllable Om, the supreme combination of letters, if one thinks of the Ultimate Personality of Godhead and quits his body, he will certainly reach the highest state of "stateless" eternity, states the Bhagavad Gita.

The Vision of Om

Om provides a dualistic viewpoint. On one hand, it projects the mind beyond the immediate to what is abstract and inexpressible. On the other hand, it makes the absolute more tangible and comprehensive. It encompasses all potentialities and possibilities; it is everything that was, is, or can yet be. It is omnipotent and likewise remains undefined.

The Power of Om

During meditation, when we chant Om, we create within ourselves a vibration that attunes sympathy with the cosmic vibration and we start thinking universally. The momentary silence between each chant becomes palpable. Mind moves between the opposites of sound and silence until, at last, it ceases the sound. In the silence, the single thought—Om—is quenched; there is no thought. This is the state of trance, where the mind and the intellect are transcended as the individual self merges with the Infinite Self in the pious moment of realization. It is a moment when the petty worldly affairs are lost in the desire for the universal. Such is the immeasurable power of Om.

It's never too late to get Inked

Helen, 78, got her first tattoo at the age of 75 as a tribute to her late husband.

She got hooked and how has more than 50 tattoos.
Instead of lazy hours drinking tea at an over-60s drop-in centre, or knitting or baking, Helen loves nothing more than a visit to her local studio for another inking.

After the death of her husband Henry three years ago she set about transforming herself from a regular, if somewhat undistinguished, mature lady into someone who attracts attention everywhere she goes.

Tattoo Picture Marathon - Full Back - Front - Sleeves - Leg Tattoos

This posting shows there's no limits to imagination and artistic skills when doing or getting a Tattoo.

High quality work and reputable artists are the reason why this pieces of work came to life. Remember to do research first before getting Inked.

It can be a portrait, cartoon or a traditional, the important thing is to stay accurate and find the right artist, te one that can make your wish a reality and maybe go beyond your expectations.

With so much competition is kind of hard to find a true artist. Tattoos have gone mainstream and wanna be tattooers (fakers) are on the hunt for the next victim which they can simply practice on while making the customer believe their tattooing experience is old enough to make anyone feel confortable.

It don't matter what the tattoo artist can tell you, the main thing to do is to see their work first, they can be good but that does not mean you have to like their signature style.

Reputable artists can be found almost anywhere especially the big cities. There is also well known artists (brand names) in the industry who have developed a style of their own that people can simply recognize one they see the work and know right away who did it.

One thing I have mentioned in the past is the importance of quality. Sometimes people want something huge to cost cheap, most of the time they end up getting tattooed by someone just because they were told their work is good but you can tell a lot when you look at your dissapointed face thru a reflection.

Enjoy the rest of the photos.

Frankie Oneshot - Oneshot Ink

Oneshot Ink

Frankie started tattooing full-time in Nov. 2009 at a shop in Queens NY.

"I am pretty much self-taught, kinda just picked up machine and went
to work..." Frankie Oneshot

About Frankie

Frankie has had the confidence to be proud and open about his work.

Frankie: "A friend of mine gave me my first machine, I had it about 2 yrs before I went out and bought the rest of equipment to start tattooing. I started getting tattooed at age 15 when it was still underground and illegal in nyc, pretty much fell in love with the art at that point.

"I started getting heavily tattooed around the age of 17. I always enjoyed watching the process of getting tattooed and pretty much went from there. I have been drawing my whole life but since age of 12 I got into electrical work, after school and shit at first, and then full time."

By the age of 17 I was a foreman and by age of 21 I was a project manager. I was so spoiled at my company, got what I wanted when and how I wanted it... The money was crazy but I always felt something was missing. In 2008 I started tattooing myself and friends, like a whenever I had time kinda thing.

In November 2009 one of my best friends and owner of the electrical company I was working with passed away, and at that time we closed company. I had 100's of offers to go and do electrical work and just didnt wanna do it anymore, so I said fuck it and started tattooing full time. A friend of mine and tattoo artist at the time saw talent and allowed me work in his shop.

I worked there for about 7 months and left to go work at another shop.
Worked there about 2 months with the intention on moving to Florida and work at a tattoo shop. Then out of nowhere I was confronted with the opportunity to buy the shop I was working at, and here I am. Took over the shop in November 2010 and went crazy getting it to be what I wanted it to be..."

Frankie worked hard to rebuild the shop and show that finally quality work is being done at the location.

Frankie: "The shop before was putting out horrible work, so it was killa
trying to re-build location. But I did what I had to and now people are coming to really take to my work..." I have the satisfaction of seeing my work out there and proudly say I did that piece.

I have only worked 1 convention so far which was Inkfest Live in Charlotte, N.C. February of this year and will be doing another convention with them again in Washington D.C. in November later this year. This time I plan on entering a few pieces for contest and hopefully I will be able to walk away with my 1st trophy... We shall see..."

"As far as my nickname "Oneshot" it comes from when I was younger it was a nickname I was given from fighting and I just kept it... Now less then a year into this I own my own shop "Oneshot Ink" in Richmond hills, N.Y."

"I couldnt be happier with my decision to become a tattoo artist... It has definitely been a struggle, but im in it cause I fuckin love it..."

Frankie Oneshot

Frankie keeps it real by being open about the amount of time he has invested as a tattoo artist which in my opinion gives customers the confidence to trust him, not only because of his honesty but by looking at his awesome work as well.


Oneshot Ink is located at: 113-18 Atlantic Avenue, Richmond Hill, N.Y. 11419
Phone: 718.312.9399
Hours: Tuesday - Sunday 12:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Email: oneshot104@aol.com

Visit the website: www.OneshotINK.com