Artist Spotlight! 2

        In today's artist spotlight we will be talking about Ami James. Born in Israel to a native Israeli mother and a Jewish converted American father, Ami was drawn to tattooing at a young age. It is said that because ADD was a big problem for him he needed something to get his mind away from it. Even though his father left when he was four year old Ami was still inspired by his fathers love of painting and the tattoos his father had. James moved to the United States at age 11 or 12, living with his father's parents before moving to Miami at the age of 12. He moved back to Israel in his teens and completed his military service in the Israel Defense Force as a sniper. At the age of 15 he got his first tattoo, an experience which made him determined to become a tattoo artist himself. In 1992, he started his apprenticeship with tattoo artist Lou at Tattoos By Lou. Later, after he left that tattoo shop, he started his own with his friend Chris Nunez. Located in Miami, Love Hate Tattoos became popular fast and his shop even became a TV series named Miami Ink. Around 2011-2012 Ami left Miami and went to New York to start a new shop and a new series called New York Ink which centered around his shop, Wooster Street Social Club. Recently it has been announced that Ami and some of his co-workers from Wooster Street Social Club and Love Hate Tattoos are moving to London, UK to film a new show centered around his new shop Love Hate Social Club.

 

        
         Honestly as much as Kat Von D was a hero to me when it came to tattoos, Ami was the first. I remember sitting in my bed watching Miami Ink with my parents and seeing this awesome guys do some kick butt tattoos. Its always been my dream to be apprenticed by him even though I know it will never happen.

The Invisible Tattoo

           Today we're going to be talking about blacklight tattoos. Blacklight tattoos or UV tattoos are tattoos made with a special ink that is visible under an ultraviolet light (blacklight). Depending on the ink, they can be nearly invisible in non-UV environments, therefore they are a popular consideration for people seeking a more hidden tattoo. These tattoos are especially popular in people such as ravers or clubbers.
Although the tattoos are sometimes considered invisible in normal light, scarring from the tattoo in the application process may remain, and might still show. A blacklight tattoo becomes visible under blacklight, when it glows in colors ranging from white to purple, depending on the ink chosen. Colored ink is also available, where the ink is visible in normal light (as with a regular tattoo) but the ink will glow vividly under UV light. However, some blacklight inks are not as bright under normal light as normal tattoo ink and are considered not as vibrant.
          As with anything put inside our bodies, blacklight ink can have some effects in people. If you have an allergy to a certain ingredient in the blacklight you may have to seek medical attention. There is also a chance that the ink may just have a bad reaction to the skin because of improper care or the sensativity of the skin.
         Other than that I think that blacklight tattoos are an excellent option if you are seeking body art but things such as your occupation or what you family might think of you holds you back. They also look super cool and are a great eye catcher to people who have never seen such a thing.