Toy art collectors and tattoo enthusiasts share some common ground. Both enjoy art forms that exist at the fringes of mainstream art culture, both are willing to put their paychecks into their passion, and both the pursuit of designer toys and the process of tattooing offer a fleeting rush of endorphins that many consider to be addictive. After seeing Ron Hollatz’s toy art tattoo sleeves by the extremely talented Hannah Aitchison, I became fascinated with people who have decided to make their collections mobile by getting tattoos inspired by art and toys. Your flesh is the new canvas.
Richie Farina is a sous chef for Moto Restaurant in Chicago. He’s also a big fan of popular toy artist, Joe Ledbetter. “I’ve been lucky: tattoos are a common thing in the culinary world, and they’re well-accepted,” he explains. “Everyone I meet says that my tattoos are sick.” Farina spent just over a year and seven sessions with Jason Vaughn at Deluxe Tattoo in Chicago to achieve the Ledbetter tattoo sleeve shown above. The sleeve combines five of Ledbetter’s paintings, and is populated by characters released over the years as vinyl toys (which Farina also collects). It cost Farina $2,500 and was “worth ever penny.” An original piece of JLED toy art might run you $1,500 and sit on a shelf at home. On the other hand (or arm), if you save up another $1K, you could have a full-bleed canvas of inspiring character design that’s always with you. “I would have to say that getting tattoos is more addicting; most of my body is covered in ink,” he says. “There is just something about hearing the sound of a tattoo gun that is very addicting, it’s really hard to explain.”
Joe Ledbetter was one of a handful of toy artists whose work showed up frequently in my tattoo searches. Jeff Tucker, who owns one of the most impressive collections of Ledbetter’s toys I’ve ever seen, also sports a few tattoos. Tucker collects Ledbetter’s paintings, and, like Farina, his tattoo is inspired by art.
I found another Jeff adding toy art tattoos to his body on Flickr. This Jeff began with a Dia de los Muertos theme in 2008, working with Will the Tattoo Guy at Randy Adams Tattoo Studio in Fort Worth, TX. His flesh features tattoos inspired by art from KAWS, Martin Ontiveros, Jeremy Fish, Dalek, Joe Ledbetter, Buff Monster and Veggiesomething.
Amy Greenwood writes a blog devoted to the art and toys of the Circus Posterus collective. It should come as no surprise that she has decided to cover both of her arms with the art of CP’s founders, Kathie Olivas and Brandt Peters. She’s been at it for about two years to the tune of about $2K with Julian Tapia at Body & Soul Tattoo in Toronto, Canada. Greenwood sees toys and tattoos as a “marriage of two passions”:
I feel that they’re two halves of the same whole. I’m as passionate about my toy collection as I am about using the body as a tool of self-expression. I collect because the art speaks to me. I pierce myself, tattoo my skin and dye my hair because it’s how I speak. Their art is the yin to my yang. Surviving through a long sitting and seeing a beautiful new piece on your body is just as elating as finally scoring your ‘grail’ of toys.
Greenwood has full sleeves mapped out and will continue to work on them as finances allow. She said she’s never had trouble with her tattoos in a workplace, but job-hunting can be discouraging. However, she’s let go of that and won’t be settling anytime soon: “I realized I’ve always been happiest at places that accept me for who I am.”
Speaking of tattoos in the workplace, this is something you don’t see everyday. I happened to catch a re-tweet from Junko Mizuno that linked to dredlocked model Alloy Ash‘s Junko Mizuno character sleeve. Ash, who is based in Detroit, is also a state champion welder and artist. You can hire her for photo shoots if you’ve got skills and aren’t pervy. Here’s her ModelMayhem page. And here are 24 other people who have Junko Mizuno tattoos.
Finally, before we move on to 100 tattoos inspired by toy art, here’s one more notable full sleeve. For those who aren’t familiar, tokidoki is sort of Italy’s answer to Hello Kitty. The super-cute characters appear as toys, clothes, gadgets, jewelry and really everything else in a worldwide craze popular with, though not limited to, teenage girls. Well, since 2007, tokidoki has maintained an archive of their fan ink (example above). One thing becomes readily apparent: tokidoki tattoos appeal to more than just teenagers and not only girls.
Without further ado, click through to view 100 tattoos paired with the toys that inspired them. If you have additional information on the tattoo artists responsible for this work, please get in touch through the social icons in the upper right hand corner.
Dissected Companion by KAWS. Tattoo by Wil @ Randy Adams Tattoo Studio (Ft. Worth, Texas). Flesh canvas by Jeff.
Possessed by Luke Chueh. Far right tattoo by Matthew Hays @ Tat-Nice Tattoos (Huntington, WV). Flesh canvas by Flesh canvas by Dan.
Mr. Bunny by Joe Ledbetter. Tattoo by Hannah Aitchison (Chicago). Flesh canvas by Ron.
MC Supersize by Ron English.
Fatima by Sam Flores.
Sketchup Dunny by Sket One.
Cactus Pup by tokidoki
Fortune Cat by RealxHead. Tattoo by Ali @ Jinx Proof (NJ). Flesh canvas by Jeff.
Chika by Junko Mizuno.
Terrarium Keeper by Jeff Soto.
Dissected Hello Kitty by Jason Freeny. Tattoo by Josh Fallon @ Big Top Tattoo (Utica, MI). Flesh canvas by Jessica.
Skullheads by Huck Gee.
O-No Sushi by Andrew Bell. Tattoo by Hannah Aitchison (Chicago). Flesh canvas by Ron.
Munko by David Choe.
Travela by Doze Green.
Bud by Jamungo. Flesh canvas by Friends w/ the Toy.
Mongolion by Lamour Supreme. Tattoo by Randall Muntz. Skin of Sean-Franc.
Benny and Red Bird by Kathie Olivas. Flesh canvas by Amy the Vinyl Goddess.
Fortune Cats by RealxHead. Flesh canvas by Amy of Lulubell Toy Bodega.
Wage by Uglydolls. Flesh canvas by weeg3.
Cactus Friends by tokidoki
Labbits by Frank Kozik. Flesh canvases by Kevin and his wife.
Stella by Tara McPherson. Tattoo by Anthony Filo @ Guru Tattoo (San Diego). Flesh canvas by Jon.
Custom Ninja by Shawnimals. Tattoo by Hannah Aitchison (Chicago). Flesh canvas by Ron.
Luno by Sergey Safonov. Flesh canvas also by Sergey Safonov.
Mummy Boy by Brian Flynn. Flesh canvas by Connell.
Mad*l by Jeremy Madl. Tattoo by Pon (NYC). Flesh canvas by Jeremy.
Characters by Joe Ledbetter and Tara McPherson.
Redrum Labbit by Frank Kozik. Tattoo by Wil @ Randy Adams Tattoo Studio (Ft. Worth, Texas). Flesh canvas by Jeff.
Monkey by Ken Keirns. Tattoo by Hannah Aitchison (Chicago). Flesh canvas by Ron.
Pinocchio by KAWS.
Butasan by Junko Mizuno.
Characters by Jon Burgerman. Flesh canvas by Kid Marmite.
The Bride by Joe Capobianco. Tattoo by Joe Capobianco. Flesh canvas by Nichole.
Space Monkey by Dalek & Ringo by Joe Ledbetter. Tattoo by Wil @ Randy Adams Tattoo Studio (Ft. Worth, Texas). Flesh canvas by Jeff.
Cutter by Joe Ledbetter.
Frank by Jim Woodring.
Dunny by Jester. Tattoo by Shawn Edwards (Tracy, CA). Flesh canvas by Nicole.
Bunnyskull by Jeremy Fish.
Dissected My Little Pony by Jason Freeny.
Skullhead by Huck Gee. King Ken by James Jarvis. Knucklebear by Touma.
Bigfoot by Bigfoot. Flesh canvas by Thinkitem.
Buff Monster by Buff Monster. Tattoo by Wil @ Randy Adams Tattoo Studio (Ft. Worth, Texas). Flesh canvas by Jeff.
Slap Happy by Brandt Peters. Flesh canvas by Amy the Vinyl Goddess.
Wrecks and Dazey by Joe Ledbetter.
Mozzarella and Milk by tokidoki
Flying Bunny by Tara McPherson. Tattoo by Marco Lari. Flesh canvas by Dario.
Scarygirl by Nathan Jurevicius. Tattoo by Hannah Aitchison. Flesh canvas by Ron.
Hope Obama by Shepard Fairey (and also Jailbreak Toys).
Monster Family by Kathie Olivas & Brandt Peters, Josh Herbolsheimer, Le Merde, Bwana Spoons and Itokin Park. Flesh canvas by Connell.
Black in White by Luke Chueh.
Ojo Rojo by Martin Ontiveros. Tattoo by Wil @ Randy Adams Tattoo Studio (Ft. Worth, Texas). Flesh canvas by Jeff.
Bunnyfish by Kozyndan.
Hate Dunny by Frank Kozik. Flesh canvas by Jeff.
Chum by KAWS.
Benny and Red Bird by Kathie Olivas. Tattoo by Jose Soto @ Inkstop Tattoo (NYC). Flesh canvas by Victor.
Mishka Bootleg by Lamour Supreme & Drawing by Nicholas Gazin. Foot by WeKillYou! Flesh canvas by Steven.
Target by Luke Chueh.
Redrum Dunny by Frank Kozik. Tattoo by Dave Melendez.
Fumi by Junko Mizuno.
Terrarium Keeper by Jeff Soto.
Dissected Dunny by Jason Freeny.
House of Liu by Veggiesomething. Tattoo by Wil @ Randy Adams Tattoo Studio (Ft. Worth, Texas). Flesh canvas by Jeff.
Buff Monster by Buff Monster.
Wedge by Uglydolls. Flesh canvas by Mange.
Fortune Cat by RealxHead. Flesh canvas by Kirkland.
Sancho by Angels and Gringos. Tattoo by Wil @ Randy Adams Tattoo Studio (Ft. Worth, Texas). Flesh canvas by Jeff.
Jaguar Warrior Dunny by Jesse Hernandez. Flesh canvas by Vik.
Kaori the Nurse by Junko Mizuno.
Bunnyfish by Kozyndan.
Dunny by Tara Mcpherson. Flesh canvas(es) by Kevin and his wife. Awwwww!
Dunny by Tara McPherson. Flesh canvas by Melanie.
Rebel Ink by Usugrow.
Ringo by Joe Ledbetter. Tattoo by Arthur (A.J.) Zitzka. Flesh canvas by Jordan.
El Diablo by McBoingBoing. Flesh canvas by Munk20.
Kid Hunter by Bounty Hunter.
Kidrobot mascot by Kidrobot.
Labbit by Frank Kozik. Tattoo by Michael Vasquez. Flesh canvas by Melanie.
Ryusei Nnja Ichibanboshi by Secret Base. Flesh canvas by Frankie.
Dunny by Kidrobot. Flesh canvas by Jason.
Firecat by Joe Ledbetter. Tattoo by Arthur (A.J.) Zitzka. Flesh canvas by Jordan.
Circus Punks by various artists. Flesh canvas by Munk20.
Misfits Bagman by Balzac. Flesh canvas by Frankie.
KAWS Companion by Pushead.
Mr. Spray by Shepard Fairey. Flesh canvas by George.
Stephan LePodd by Doktor A. Skin canvas by Joey.
Munny and Dunny by Kidrobot. Flesh canvas by Nasty Neil.
Sours by Brendan Monroe. Flesh canvas by George.
Bubble Dunny by Tilt.
Skelve by Brandt Peters. Tattoo by Hannah Aitchison (Chicago). Flesh canvas by Ron.
Companion by KAWS.
Helpercentaurephunt by Tim Biskup & Amanda Visell. Tattoo by Hannah Aitchison (Chicago). Flesh canvas by Ron.
Misery Children by Kathie Olivas. Tattoo by Jose Soto at Inkstop Tattoo (NYC). Flesh canvas by Victor.
Zliks by Andrew Bell. Tattoo by Wil @ Randy Adams Tattoo Studio (Ft. Worth, Texas). Flesh canvas by Jeff.
Monsterism by Pete Fowler. Flesh canvas by Mikey.
Adios by tokidoki.
Tara McPherson shows off her toys and tattoos (photo by Skin Ink).
Amazing how many toy art tattoos there are.. and amazing how many bad toy art tattoos there are. But I commend you on such a exhaustive collection Jeremy! Thanks for peeping my ink too!
Really great post! Dawn read this on her own (you’ve got a new fan!) a few days ago and suggested I get one, too. Can you imagine? Perhaps a butt cheek covered in Uamou of all different colors and, well, colors I guess since otherwise they’re all the same. Anyway write-up was a long time coming and it turned out really well. Not something I’d see on any other “toy” blog, so for expanding your readership’s purview, I thank you sir!
Thank you so much for including my mizuno junko sleeve in this post, it’s great to see it posted with so many other great tattoos honoring these skilled artist!
Alloy Ash
The Ken King reference is really Mad L not James Jarvis. Also I saw a Kaws in there too!
Precisely! Great post, by the way!
Amazing how many toy art tattoos there are.. and amazing how many bad toy art tattoos there are. But I commend you on such a exhaustive collection Jeremy! Thanks for peeping my ink too!
Really great post! Dawn read this on her own (you’ve got a new fan!) a few days ago and suggested I get one, too. Can you imagine? Perhaps a butt cheek covered in Uamou of all different colors and, well, colors I guess since otherwise they’re all the same. Anyway write-up was a long time coming and it turned out really well. Not something I’d see on any other “toy” blog, so for expanding your readership’s purview, I thank you sir!
Thank you so much for including my mizuno junko sleeve in this post, it’s great to see it posted with so many other great tattoos honoring these skilled artist!
Alloy Ash
Most of these were really good. except Munko by David Choe, to me that seems like it was a bad choice
i should upload my ledbetter