Popular Tattoo Designs - Top 5 Most Popular Tattoos

Tattoos are the ultimate in self expression. They make a statement about who you are and what you are about. Different tattoo designs have different meanings. Adaptations of various designs can add your own stamp to the body art so you can make your own statement. If you are trying to decide what sort of tat design you want, here are the most popular ones last year with an overview of what they mean.

1. Tribal Tattoos

Symbolizes belonging. The Tribal designs were by far the most popular, coming in with approximately one third of requests. In the past, tribal body art identified different tribes and were very important to the identity of the tribe and the individual. Today, tribal body art is an appealing fashion statement, that allow people to show off their individuality combined with a bit of mystery. These tats use aggressive dark lines in jagged symmetrical shapes and are most common in black and skin tones but can also be infused with color to brighten the overall look.

2. Stars

A symbol of protection and guidance. They are popular because they can go anywhere on the body and can be any size you want. They are also popular because they are timeless. Compass and nautical stars were very popular amongst sailors as they relied on stars to guide them on their journeys, so they used the tattoos as luck. These days, the meaning of stars depends on the number of points it has. The most popular places for the star designs are around the shoulder, ankles and navel.

3. Angels

Symbol of devotion, spirituality and faith. Angels are popular because they are very symbolic, representing many values such as peace, spirituality, and protection. Some of the more popular tattoo designs relate to Religion and Spirituality (due to angels being seen as the link between heaven and earth), Love, and the Struggle between good and evil.

4. Crosses

Strong religious symbolism. Popular as a symbol of faith, belief and hope. Crosses are popular because they can be effectively combined with other designs. The cross tattoo is very versatile because they look good most places on the body and small or big.

5. Wings

Symbol of spirituality and freedom. Wings are associated with angels, representing protection and guidance from above. Wings are also associated with butterflies, birds, dragons, fairies and a host of other animals. Wings represent freedom for many people and rising above problems. Some wing designs spread right across the back, which look very impressive. A popular place for women to get a wing tattoo design is on the lower back.

Where to get good designs

So, these were the most popular tattoo designs last year. The next step is to look at some pictures or flash to get ideas to work from. The easiest, cheapest source to start is the internet. Get ideas here, but remember that most of these are low quality and lots of people also have access to these pictures, so they are not very unique. You don't want to see someone else with the same tat design as yours!

A cost effective option is to download a package of thousands of popular designs off the internet which are good quality and relatively unique. Then add your own touches to your favorite one for the artist to incorporate. That way you get top quality body art that is totally original for a fraction of the price it would cost for a tattoo design to be drawn up from scratch.

Fashion Illustrations by Stina Persson

All artwork by Stina Persson

Artopia 2011 | Behind the Scenes

The art vanguard gathered at Il Bacio Restaurant & Lounge last night for Artopia 2011, a stylish kaleidoscope of South Florida's culture and fashion scene. Outside on the lush courtyard, 12 MasterMinds finalists displayed their art, guests indulged on decadent crème brulée and sipped Zywiec beer and cucumber-infused Hendrick's Gin, and DJ Brett the Hitman provided the high-energy soundtrack that set the tone for the evening. Inside the Red Room, body-paint split artist Erin Barylski, as seen on America's Got Talent, flipped her paint-covered body onto a large floor spread that would become her rainbow-colored canvas. Meanwhile, chiseled Butlers in the Buff made their rounds through the crowd, offering guests an eyeful of their shirtless physiques as well as trays of hors d'œuvres from Prime and Il Bacio.

While all of this was going on, Gab was backstage and down the street at Naked Hair Salon, busily directing the festivities and assisting the models, who were having their hair styled with signature avant garde creations, bohemian waves, braids, and the evening's defining free-flowing texture. When showtime rolled around, the models were styled to perfection, taking to the runway in globally inspired Charli Girls fashions: collar bone-grazing feather earrings, flowing dresses, bikinis, and  tribal accessories.

Check out our behind-the-scenes photos from Artopia 2011, presented by The Gab Group and New Times Broward Palm Beach:

Special thanks to Artopia 2011 sponsors, Il Bacio Restaurant & Lounge, PRIME Delray, Naked Hair Salon, Charli Girls, The Electric Experience, and Zywiec Original Beer.

Incredible Tree House Community in Costa

Finca Bellavista is a self-sustaining community in the jungles of Costa Rica. So if you are fan of everything that is eco-friendly and like to merge with nature this can be what you need. Finca Bellavista encompasses 300 acres (1.2 km2) of rainforest.
The community features houses built right on top of the trees in the Costa Rican rain forest, connected by zip lines and sky bridges. These tree houses are accessible by stairs and ladders from the ground, reminds me of the Swiss Family Robinson.
The sustainable tree house community was founded by Americans Erica and Mathew Hogan not just as their own private escape from the crazy city life but as a community that attracts permanent residents and travellers from all over the world. New residents can purchase plots starting from $55,000 and build their dream tree-home; travelers can rent room for the short or long term.




And just because you’re in the rain forest doesn’t mean modern amenities aren’t available; limited solar powered electricity, hot showers, and even wireless internet can be accessed. But the whole point of this community is to get away from it all and get closer to nature. Two rivers run around the community with crystal clear water and plenty of waterfalls for taking a dive on a hot summer day. A small town is a few miles away and the ocean is a short hike away. Some of your neighbors will include monkeys, lizards and lots of bugs; Finca Bellavista is like living in an episode of Natural Geographic.

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