Now that social stigmas about tattoos are slowly lifting (in some cultures), more and more people are getting tattooed. Which brings up the question of why?
Read moreHow do tattoos work?
Ever wonder how tattoos stay in your skin?
Read moreWhite Ink Tattoos
All about the process (and healing) of white ink tattoos.
Read moreWorld Mental Health Day - Oct 10, 2015
Liquid Amber Tattoo is proud to announce that we will be donating 100% of all tattoo profits to Canadian Mental Health Association- BC Division on Saturday October 10th, 2015 to contribute to an important cause and raise awareness for World Mental Health Day .
We would like to extend this invitation to everyone interested in celebrating their story through tattoos, which to many represent bringing to light stories of hope, recovery, tragedy and persistence that illustrate the effects of mental illness.
Why?
Did you know that mental illness is a leading cause of disability in Canada? According to a survey conducted in 2008, just 50% of Canadians would tell friends or co-workers that they have a family member with a mental illness, compared to 72% who would discuss a diagnosis of cancer and 68% who would talk about a family member having diabetes. It’s important to recognize that in 2008, 42% of Canadians were unsure whether they would socialize with a friend who has a mental illness.
Thankfully, things have changed for the better. According to a survey conducted earlier this year, 57% of Canadians believe that the stigma associated with mental illness has been reduced compared to 5 years ago, 81% are more aware of mental health issues compared to 5 years ago, 70% believe attitudes about mental health issues have changed for the better compared to 5 years ago. Though we’ve seen an increase of awareness, there’s still a long ways to go.
Stigma or discrimination attached to mental illnesses presents a serious barrier, not only to diagnosis and treatment but also to acceptance in the community. We wanted to outline Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW, October 5th-11th). In our community many of us have been directly affected by this illness, whether it be ourselves or close friends and family members. There’s nothing easy about mental illness and this broad term can carry many definitions. We believe that simply opening up this conversation to our readers and followers promotes knowledge and takes away from the mystery of mental health.
As we are a studio creating permanent art, Liquid Amber is constantly connecting with individuals who want to share and empower themselves through telling a story with tattoo, so to this we want to give back.
Unsure of how you would like to take action & get inspired? Check out the following...
Project Semicolon
"A semicolon represents a sentence the author could have ended, but chose not to. That author is you and the sentence is your life.” Although tattoos were not originally a part of this project, they have helped make this movement well known internationally across social media.
Get Involved with Canadian Mental Health Association:
Visit this page for information on how you can donate, volunteer & become a member. http://www.cmha.ca/get-involved/#.VhS-JLyMDVo (3 branches near Vancouver!)
“Promote acceptance and actively challenge social stereotypes. Through powerful words and actions, we will shift the social and systemic barriers for those living with mental health conditions and encourage acceptance and understanding.” Visit the following link to sign the pledge. http://www.nami.org/stigmafree
Need to talk? Check out Agora Cares, and options through Canadian Mental Health Assosiation in British Columbia
Sources :
www.cmha.ca
www.camh.ca
www.projectsemicolon.org
Cover-ups, laser removal and options on changing your tattoo’s appearance.
What are your options to change that old tattoo?
Read moreVegan Tattoos
What's the deal...are tattoos vegan?
Read moreBikers for Burns Ride 2015
If any of you motorcycle riders in the lower mainland are looking to support a good cause and go on a nice ride, check out the Bikers for Burns event held on Aug 29. All proceeds raised go to the BC Professional Fire Fighters Burn Fund. You also just might win a gift certificate for tattoo time! Check out their event for more details.
L.A.T. says farewell to Kylie Gibson
After 7 lovely years at Liquid Amber Tattoo, Kylie is moving on and out of Vancouver to Victoria, B.C. Stay tuned for Kylie's returning guest spots in the future, and in the meantime, we wish her all the best!
You can follow Kylie to see what shop she ends up at through her instagram: @kyliegibsontattoos
Did you know Milo also teaches Salsa dancing?
All of our artists are talented in multiple facets, but did you know that our lovely Milo is also a dance instructor? Next Wednesday he is co-teaching a Queer & Same-sex salsa class...for free! Check it out:
Now open on Mondays!
Starting March 1 we will be open on Mondays, this means we are open 7 days a week!
Tattoos. All day, everyday!
Welcome back, Milo!
Remember when Milo was here for a guest spot in November and December? Well, he liked it so much here that he is moving to Vancouver and going to be a resident LAT artist! Milo fit in so well with the LAT crew, we are thrilled to have him back. Feb 14 is his first day back in the shop. Happy Valentines Day to us!
Live music, anyone?
Our shop manager, Jessie, plays bass in a blues rock band called Miss Quincy and The Showdown and we have tickets for their next show on Feb 6 at the beautiful Imperial. You can get tickets at the shop during regular business hours for $18, or they are $23 at the door. Hope to see you at the show-down! :)
More info on the show can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1512052462396317/
Well thanks, Gastown Gazette!
The new and beautiful Gastown Gazette has named us as best tattoo studio! Check out this beautifully designed magazine that has really intriguing content to match. This is their first issue and we are honoured to be their favourite :)
On Feb 14 Milo is back...this time not just as a guest artist!
Milo joined us as a guest artist from Toronto in November/Decemeber of 2014 and liked it so much here that he is moving to Vancouver to join the L.A.T. family as a full-time artist! We are thrilled to have Milo back; his incredible talent and open-minded, gentle nature fits in perfectly with the dynamic of our shop. Welcome back, Milo!
Holiday Hours, 2014
This year we will be closing on Dec 24, 25, 26 and Jan 1.
Happy Holidays everyone!
L.A.T welcomes our newest artist, Shannon O'Shea!
We're thrilled to announce a new addition to the Liquid Amber family! Shannon O'Shea is a well-versed artist with a unique illustrative style that showcases fine detail and precise line-work. While she continues her secondary education at Emily Carr University of Art and Design she will be tattooing part time at L.A.T. until she graduates in April 2015 and joins us full-time. Check out her portfolio and give us a call to book your next tattoo with Shannon.
Sunday, Dec 7, 2014
PLEASE NOTE: On Sunday Dec 7 the shop will be closed for businness due to our 2nd Annual Art Show Fundraiser happeneding from 3-9pm. Please join us for a day of art, auctions, raffles and drinks!
Business hours will resume as usual on Tuesday, Dec 9.
2nd Annual Art Show Fundraiser!
This year's art show fundraiser is for North Shore Rescue, a volunteer search and rescue team in Vancouver. We have amazing local businesses donating goods and services to our silent auction and 7 local artists displaying original pieces of work. Along with raffle and door prizes, we'll have new merchandise designed by L.A.T artists and all sorts of fun things to check out. We hope you can come join us for the fun!
Portraits of the kids, for the kids...
Liquid Amber artist, Crystal Osaurus, is donating her drawing skills to B.C. Children's Hospital Foundation this holiday season. For more information please contact prettyinkslinger@gmail.com. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to BCCHF!
Guest artist Nov 11- Dec 6, Milo Marcelo...
Joining us from Toronto we have Milo Marcelo doing a guest spot between Nov 11 - Dec 6. Milo specializes in realistic black and grey as well as soft watercolour pieces. Check out his portfolio and get in touch if you'd like to book in with Milo while he is here.