Designer Review: Slinked Tattoos by Edward Palace
November 15th, 2007 at 08:12pm Ryan Darragh
The tattoos I wear tend to be rather discreet and on the small side, but there’s some really beautiful work being done by a variety of artists in larger sleeve, vest, and full-body styles. I’m a big fan of Zabitan Assia’s “Henkei” tattoo series, and Truth Hawks has some beautiful designs in his store as well. Edward Palace and his shop Slinked Tattoos were new to me, though, so when he recently invited me to check out his tattoo designs, I put a visit to his shop on my schedule. I think it was well worth my time, and I hope you agree.
The “Aztec Half Sleeves” tattoo (L$200) shown here is drawn in deep black, with a repeating motif of round designs reminiscent of depictions of the Aztec calendar. The detailed sleeves connect smoothly to the chest/back yoke, which rises high enough at the neck to form a collar.
“Carpe Diem Half Sleeves” (L$200) is another sleeve/yoke design, but done in a more subtle style. The tattoo is inked in shades of grey rather than bold black. An elaborate floral design curves above the pecs and shoulder blades and extends down the arms to the elbow. Horace’s words of encouragement appear in heavy black calligraphic script across the lower back.
“Attitude” (L$300) is a neck-to-ankle tattoo made up of interlocking abstract designs in black with subtle shading. Look closely and you may see a nautilus shell, a bird’s eye, or a lightning storm–the interpretation is yours to make. Upper- and lower-body sections of the tattoo can be worn together or separately.
“Polynesian Vest” (L$150) might just be my personal favorite from the Slinked collection. The simple, strong imagery seems almost a delicate filigree in front compared to its riotous repetition in back with additional boldly drawn elements. The overall effect subtly suggests plates of armor, worn ritually or for actual protection against an enemy.
The “Skull and Vines Sleeves” tattoo (L$250) features a detailed illustration of a naked skull surrounded by vines and flowers…”in the midst of life, we are in death.” This design makes use of an asymmetrical half-yoke, while the full-length sleeves extend to the wrist. You’ll find this tattoo included in both black and dark, foresty green.
All tattoos are provided on undershirt, shirt and jacket layers for wearing and layering flexibility. “Attitude” also includes lower-body sections on the underwear and pants layers.
Permission are Copy / Modify / No Transfer.
These are only a few of Edward Palace’s ink designs. The collection features a variety of tattoos in different styles for men and women, most in basic black, some with colored inks.
All available at Slinked Tattoos (Athena 177, 236, 605).
Disclosure: Seen in World: Yes | Review Copy: Some | Friends List: No
Notes: On Ryan: "Antonio" skin by Funk Schnook (FNKY!). "Aeron" hair by Aemelia Case (Philotic Energy). Washed Look Jeans by Tsubasa Ferraris (Endeavor). Boudoir Boxer Briefs by Shai Delacroix (Casa Del Shai). Stacked Rings in Gold by Mhaijik Guillaume (Mhaijik Things).
Entry Filed under: Designer Reviews, Slinked Tattoos, Tattoos
10 Comments
1. Anon | November 15th, 2007 at 9:04 pm
So does this mean he’s no longer stealing the designs of more popular tattoo artists? Good to know
2. Tymmerie Thorne | November 15th, 2007 at 9:46 pm
Bleh - that tattoo is too dark. It looks drawn on with a black sharpie - not the look usually sought from tattoos. Yuck.
3. Sweetangie | November 15th, 2007 at 11:07 pm
I have a few of Ed’s tattoos and they are awesome…none of the women’s ones are being shown here but everyone should go and check them out. The ones for guys are really cool looking as well. Have a wonderful day everyone!!
4. Alla | November 16th, 2007 at 2:15 pm
No it means the designer dropped some samples onto Ryan and Ryan blogged them.
Secondman has not even blogged some of the popular tattoo artists that SLinked had stolen designs from, so it’s not like they’d know.
5. Mike | November 19th, 2007 at 3:57 pm
I for one am not interested in what happens to be popular. There are already too many ’sheep’ in game who follow others ideas of what’s what. I am glad there are great vendors like this offering up quality product. The likelihood of someone wearing the same thing I might be is greatly reduced which makes it more of a unique personal expression and, at least in my mind, that’s what a tattoo should be.
6. Anon | November 19th, 2007 at 7:11 pm
It’s not about popularity Mike. The comments were about thievery. But if you want to talk popularity, because he’s “unknown,” perhaps he thought he could get away with stealing from bigger names. Whatever his reasoning, I have lost all respect for him from the moment I saw the stolen work and was surprised to see him, a theif, being blogged. That was the basis of my first comment, I can only assume that he’s no longer stealing other’s work….. Which is “good to know” but he’s still shamed.
7. Mike | November 20th, 2007 at 1:23 am
You’re walkin’ blind if you think every single one of them hasn’t stolen images to create their product. That constitutes real world copyright infringement which is a real world crime. There are no laws governing intellectual property in Second Life. One is a real crime, the other, while morally questionable, is no crime at all. They’re all thieves, get over it.
Don’t believe it? Check out agaricgreywolf’s gallery on DeviantArt and see for yourself where your so called ‘bigger’ names have stolen from.
8. Anon | November 20th, 2007 at 5:19 am
Mike, not every designer in SL is a thief that steals from the web. I have no doubt some people are, but don’t assume that’s what everyone is doing.
I did go here http://agaricgreywolf.deviantart.com/gallery/ and you’re right, I see some familiar polynesian print designs, but what’s to say the SL’er did not get permission from this person? Many people on deviant are beyond willing to sell their designs, I myself have bought designs from young people who hold deviantart accounts.
If you think this is truly theft perhaps you should notify the real creator. Seems like the right thing to do.
But when it comes down to it, theft is theft, Edward has stolen, and if the person he stole from has stolen too, then they are BOTH at fault. It would not make it ok for Edward to steal because that person stole; it just makes them both guilty of thievery.
9. Mike | November 20th, 2007 at 11:37 am
Ah ok, I see now.
You have supposedly sought permission from artists whose work you have used in game. Clearly you yourself are a vendor of tattoos. You’re motivation in calling out Edward in an open public forum couldn’t possibly be rooted in your own selfish interests. Not at all. Knock you’re competitors and you indirectly promote yourself, is that it? Try and prevent someone else from eating your lunch? Good for the readers to know those business tactics also. Those are rooted in morality to be certain
“..Let he who is without sin cast the first stone..”
John 8:7
Henning Jörgensen is a world famous tattoo artist from Denmark. His work has appeared in numerous tattoo magazines around the world including Prick Magazine and Tattoo Life. He also appears at tattoo conventions around the world. Here is one of his designs, currently being profited from by a self-pronounced ‘big name’ vendor in the game …
http://www.tattooeliteinternational.com/default.asp?artist=jorgensen&view=f&whatyear=2000
and we are to believe that Henning has given his blessing to you, err uh, “someone” rather, profiting his copywritten work, right? Not a young person posting random art on a web site, but someone who earns his living at creating such art work? riiight.
At least your motivation is transparent now. You’re methods are cowardly at best.
Ah aAAh aaAAAh aaaaAAAAh AITUI!! *bless you
10. Ryan Darragh | November 20th, 2007 at 6:29 pm
I can’t and certainly don’t claim knowledge of all tattoo artists in SL, but I did check around several of what might be called the “bigger” or “more popular” tattoo shops and I’ve seen nothing that looks like it was copied by this designer. I think this is a valid discussion topic, and I’m more than sympathetic to the concern that lies behind it, but I’m not sure our comments section is the best forum or that anonymous statements of any kind are the best approach.