People have likely been decorating themselves since the dawn of mankind. You can see different techniques all around the world today. I've seen with my own eyes the meaningful scarification of Ethiopian tribes, the gentle sago patterns stick-poked into the Mentawai in Indonesia, and the intricate neck tattoos of some Coptic Christians. Needless to say, when someone get's my own work on them forever... It feels good.
The first is a pretty good one. A loyal Protest the Hero fan got my bloodied and bruised portrait of Rody. “No, I swear… the tattoo has fully healed.”
Then, of course, there’s the inevitable Twilight tattoos. I’m sure there’s more around the globe than these two…
And most shocking… The Real Joey Lawrence tattoo. Yup- my face on this guys leg. When he scratches his leg I can feel it on my own face, kind of like a voodoo doll. Should I be flattered or terrified? It’s a portrait of me when I was a young tot in Kashmir, India, by the amazing fine artist and painter Les Goodman.
And finally, I’ll share something on myself. (I wouldn’t want any of the above tattoos on me…). My arm looks just my portrait of Biwa Bermo of the Karo tribe in Ethiopia… (You’ll meet Biwa soon in a upcoming documentary)
Black and white photo is by Ingetje Tadros
Thanks to Robert Hernandez in Madrid, Spain. I traveled all the way to Spain just to get tattooed by him, and it was worth the journey for one of the world’s greatest tattoo artists.
JL
ADD A COMMENT (25)
zachbreaux // July 14, 2010 22:16
That's Stan's Leg!
sandi // July 14, 2010 22:35
The Biwa tat is amazing! Damn!
Rob Hammer // July 14, 2010 23:27
That's more then a little crazy. You might want to get an extra deadbolt.
Tim M. // July 15, 2010 05:24
That's craziness man! Excited to see that new documentary
peter hearl // July 15, 2010 06:59
What a great looking tattoo.
Tom Snell // July 15, 2010 09:14
Amazing job. Out of interest, do you know if he used white ink for the highlights or plain skin?Check out Piotrek Taton for portraits (http://www.tatontattoo.com/) as well if you're still in London..
Joey L // July 15, 2010 10:58
Hey Tom- Yes he used some white ink for the highlights but the plain skin tone is just grey faded into my skin tone.
Pim Hendriksen // July 15, 2010 13:58
OMG. That tattoo of a portrait of you......priceless! Who has Joe McNally on his legg? Anyone? haha
P // July 15, 2010 18:02
That's it. I'm getting Zack Arias inked on my leg. ha!
Michael Schmidt // July 15, 2010 21:00
Joey your tattoo is freaking awesome. Well worth the travel to Spain. Honestly if i were you i would travel back to Ethiopia to show this guy that he is a part of you now and how much he had an impact on your life. You are forever inspiring me Joey, keep up the fantastic work you love.
Jenna Julianne // July 15, 2010 21:11
Frickin Sick!! Joey your tattoo has the most perfect detail... the "painting" is so beautiful! I've never gotten a tattoo...but at least you got a meaningful one, and not a picture of a dumb wolf ha! and to have your face on someone's leg? holla! but its way creepy at the same time-unless it was your mum? nope still creepy... but awesome! chow! :) anyone want obama? didnt think so.
Geoff // July 15, 2010 23:12
Haha...wow...no words...
Stan Jones // July 16, 2010 05:14
Pretty sure your face got touched up a couple months ago... bet you had a good time with that one. I feel like a huge creeper now, hahahahahha.
Elena Hernandez // July 17, 2010 06:14
You know...my family comes from Spain...I am wondering if Robert is related to me...then again Hernandez is like smith in this country...LOLReally amazing Tattoo of your art joey...Biwa is going to be honored you think so well of him to tattoo your body with his image...
Sean // July 17, 2010 06:42
Wow! Thank you, Joey, for the incredible images. I deeply admire your personal work and I envy your talent to create images that will educate generations to come of disappearing or lost civilizations.
Sander van der Veen // July 19, 2010 08:36
Looks really cool, except for the loose skin :P
Rozzy // July 26, 2010 00:19
Joey, its fantastic!!! Congratulations, your artist was brilliant!! Nice to see something else meaningful captured forever on you.. hows the other big one coming?
Danie Nel // July 28, 2010 06:54
Bra, I'm not sure if I'd be comfortable with that. Eish. Can't imagine someone tattooing one of my packshots on their legs! :)
derek // July 29, 2010 23:57
Ha how funny Robert hernandez is next on my list! He tours some times in the U.S
Jon // August 04, 2010 15:14
Some of those tattoos are really spooky, had to look twice to make sure that it wasn't a photo. I'm not sure that I'd have the cap out of Twilight tattooed on my body though - what happens if his career goes wrong! The bottom tattoo is really good though, something unique and stylish.
Pathompong(Patrick) // August 10, 2010 11:03
Hi,joey this is my first time looking at your web site.It's very very nice image.I'm thai guy. I just wanna say"I love your image."
Troy Grover Photographers // August 12, 2010 04:23
That's crazy! Wow
Kegan Sant // September 02, 2010 01:42
That Protest The Hero photo/tattoo is such a throwback! Good shoot man.
John Godwin // September 08, 2010 17:34
I'm getting a Mcnally tat; you'll all have them one day.
Lauren // November 24, 2010 02:51
I love Biwa soooo much! He is my favorite. If I were not such a chicken I would totally get a tattoo of him too. The artist who did that tattoo is amazing. I would have a hard enough time painting or drawing that on a piece of paper let alone on someones arm. Oh by the way, not only are you on someones leg but we had a nice long talk about you in Photography class.
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