Pin Up

One of the most enduring images of the last century would have to be the pin up; from humble beginnings with the Gibson girl posters and works of Alphonse Mucha in Victorian and Art Nouveau, the pin up has proved to be here for the long stay.

She has become the world wide star of perhaps one of the longest running modern traditions in tattooing. She has decorated arms and backs through history from maritime sailors and soldiers, who carried many a buxom wench across the seven seas on their travels, to the ordinary man in the street. Bawdy mermaids and lady luck have all visited foreign ports of call as trade and empires spread.

The second world war first brought modern day pinups into sharp focus -  stars such as Bettie Gable adorning the lockers and arms of more than a few homesick GI's. The Fifties brought a Golden age for pin ups with artists like Gil Evgren creating amazing humorous and beautiful work. The alluring Bettie Page rose to considerable notoriety and she has cult status even to this day. The modern Suicide girls and Dita Von Teese are all inspired by Bettie and the fifties era.

I have tattooed many pin ups over the years from interesting request for fat ladies to classic fifties cheesecake and on to Gothic horror queens. They are always enjoyable and fun to make. Each request comes into the studio with a story to tell.

Modern tattoo pin ups are as diverse and individual as each persons taste. Rock and Roll Chicks, Oriental Geisha, portraits of girlfriends. All are now portrayed with the utmost care and skill by the best tattooists.

Demure, raunchy, coy and sexy, the Pin up remains all things to all men.....and women. As long as men admire and desire women, the pin up will never die out.

With a knowing wink and a ‘come hither’ look she continues to captivate and seduce, she might be a grand old lady but she is quite obviously here to stay.