Ten of the best: Simpsons Tattoos

Everyone loves the Simpsons. Well, up to season 10 anyway.

The show is the longest running animated series in history, and having started 30 years ago, even people pushing 50 consider it a part of their childhood.

This might be why Simpsons tattoos are so popular, and add to that over 3000 characters who have appeared on the show, as well as different versions of the regular characters, and you’ve got plenty of ammo to work with.

We’ve scoured the internet to find you some of the best Simpsons tattoos, some of which you might not understand unless you’re a big fan of the show.

Let’s start with sexy Ned, who feels like he’s wearing nothing at all. Nothing at all… nothing at all…

The Simpsons were one of the first TV shows to satirise other TV shows and movies, so it’s fitting that Itchy & Scratchy recreate this iconic moment from Reservoir dogs.

This brilliant minimalist tattoo might just seem like a random design to many people, but we know better.

Who’s gay for Moleman?

Hundreds of celebrities have made an appearance in the Simpsons, with the legendary Johnny Cash turning up as this imaginary coyote.

Is it Milpool or Thrillhouse?

Grandpa Simpson was a tough son of a bitch back in his army days, and his regimental tattoo proves it!

The nicest thing anyone can ever say to you is “You’re the Lenny to my Carl”.

This isn’t what it looks like. It’s actually German for “The Bart, the.

Now this one really is for the die-hard fans. If you get it, then congratulations. If you’ve not idea what’s going on, go watch the first 10 seasons again!

95 percent of new police recruits tattooed

Tattoos have traditionally been frowned upon by most Western Societies, with some cultures (like Japan), turning it up to 11 and associating them with the criminal underworld.

There was a time, and there still is in many countries, that having a tattoo barred you from joining the police or army, but New Zealand has always been different.

As well as the traditional Maori tattoos we have here, the idea of getting inked isn’t as frowned upon in our culture.

As the NZ Herald reported this week, up to 95% of new police recruits have tattoos, and the organisation has launched a recruitment campaign around skin art in a bid to encourage more people to join the force.

The campaign officially launches this weekend and shares the personal stories of seven officers and their ink.

Arrested by… Batman?

One of the officers fronting the campaign is Constable Dion Nelson-Screen, who has a detailed portrait of Batman adorning his right forearm.

"I got this as firstly I am a massive fan but it also symbolises the police in a way to me," he said.

"I like how Batman stands for justice and how the bat symbol is a symbol of hope and justice - just like the police symbol.

"Batman is just a regular human who wants to stand for more and save people."

Nelson-Screen has a number of other inkings including the Japanese symbol for strength and the Green Arrow character from the television series, which he says has similar meaning to him as Batman.

"Plus, I love comic book characters," he added.

"I also have my mum and brother's name on my shoulder along with a Kiwi fern which is half a fern and half a Māori tā moko - which symbolises both parts of my ethnic background."

This article was originally published in the New Zealand Herald by Anna Leask, a senior crime and justice reporter. All credits to her and the Herald.

Sunset Studio is now an official distributor of Ironlak spray paint!

Art is art, and tattoo artists and street artists are brothers from another mother.

That’s why we are so stoked to announce we are now official distributors of the world-famous Ironlak spray paint, simply the best for street artists everywhere.

Ironlak – the artists weapon of choice

The Ironlak dream began across the Ditch 2002, when a young graffiti writer from Sydney wanted to offer Australian writers a premium spray paint brand at an affordable price.

After a couple of years of research and development the very first Ironlak prototypes rolled onto shelves in 2004, opening up a whole new world of possibilities for Australian artists.

Made by artists for artists

Ironlak is the first Australian spray paint brand that was developed specifically for aerosol art.

Owned and operated by graffiti writers, Ironlak was founded on principles of quality and value. It’s now available worldwide, and known for high-coverage, bright colours and crisp control.

Manufactured from the highest quality raw materials available, Ironlak is intended for indoor and outdoor applications on almost any surface.

It is also one of the most environmentally friendly sprays available, rejecting the usual suspects like Toluene, Xylene, Benzene, CFCs or lead.

Ironlak uses DME; a propellant that is better for the environment than hydrocarbon, contributing to a paint formulation that boasts less volatile organic compounds than other leading brands.

Why Ironlak is special

Ironlak is a solvent-based acrylic paint which offers strength, flexibility, fast-drying ability, colour retention, low VOC levels and ease of application.

Our resin-blend offers weather-resistant qualities and superior adhesion, and is unlikely to flake or peel and is built to perform in extreme temperatures.

Our acrylic resin forms a one-way barrier when applied to a wet surface, forcing moisture to the other side of the resin, adhering even if the surface is wet during application.

Built from the ground up and through trial and error, Ironlak’s Quality Control procedures are extremely stringent delivering the most reliable product available on the market today.

Ironlak's specially developed dual pressure valve system allows for high and low pressure, and variation is possible according to the choice of nozzle and the user's control, with different nozzles used to achieve each desired result.

Come join us at our 5th birthday flash day party!

Sunset Tattoo Studio has just turned five, and to celebrate our meteoric rise to success in 5 short years, we’re throwing a party!

On November 16th we’re having another one of famous Flash Days, and this one promises to be the biggest Flash Day Party of 2019.

We have an unrivalled guest list of international artists coming on the day, plus all of Sunsets residents here to celebrate with us.

Doors open at 10am til late, and as usual with Flash Days, it’s first come, first serve!

Keep your eyes on our social media pages, including Facebook and Instagram, or email the shop info@sunsettattoo.co.nz for more updates and announcements.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts

We’ve come a long way in 5 years and wish to convey our thanks to everyone who has helped us on our amazing journey.

Tom and Misery opened Sunset in 2014, and from just the two of them, the studio has now grown into some really special.

We have curated a team of New Zealand’s most talented and experienced artists, we are known as New Zealand’s leading  Japanese tattoo studio, and have Australasia’s only resident Japanese traditional tebori artist.

We have experienced experts across all styles including Maori Ta Moko, Fine line, Western traditional, Blackwork, dot work, geometric work.

From our loyal and incredible clients to our world-class tattoo artists, we couldn’t ask for a better team.

Thank you.

Only 6 weeks until the NZ Tattoo & Art Festival!

The Southern Hemisphere’s biggest tattoo event is back in only 6 weeks!

Featuring over 300 of the world’s best artists, the NZ Tattoo & Art Festival, will be held in New Plymouth in November, with Live music from Deadbeat & Bleeders, FMX & BMX shows, live performances, art & much more. 

This year’s festival will be held on the weekend of 23rd-24th November 2019 at the TSB Stadium.

Sunset will be there!

We will all be heading down to New Plymouth again this year to join in the fun.

If you would like to get in with one of our artists or special guests you can contact us or message them directly! Check them out on instagram: @habbytattoo @adrian_hing_tattoo @capillitupou @manawa_tapu @luckyfelixtattoo @milky.tattoo @rogermoore_tattoo

You can get tattooed at the festival by either pre-booking an appointment via email/message or get a walk-up booking.

Appointments are to be booked directly with the artists, make sure you include plenty of information in your email/message about what you want tattooed, size of tattoo, where on the body etc.

A large number of artists will be doing walk up tattoo appointments all weekend long. Tickets will go on sale soon and can be purchased from www.ticketek.co.nz or at the Ticketek box at the gate during the festival weekend.

And remember, the NZ Tattoo & Art Festival is a family friendly event, so bring the kids along! Alongside tattooing there is FMX & BMX shows plus a dedicated kid zone area. Kids 14 & under get in free when accompanied by a paying adult.

This is the 9th year of the Festival, and it’s only getting bigger each year! Come along for the fun and maybe grab yourself a tattoo while you’re there!