With 2019 just about with us, we take a look at some of the tattoo highlights that marked the end of 2018:

Ariana Grande unveils a new tattoo in the closing days of 2018

It’s been a difficult year for Ariana Grande, with the death of her ex-boyfriend Mac Miller last September and the break-up of her relationship with Pete Davidson bringing considerable sadness and heartache. Despite her career going from strength to strength in the past 12-months, it’s really little surprise that Ariana tweeted to her fans on New Year’s Eve, ““Farewell 2018, you f***. I hope this new year brings you all much laughter, clarity and healing.”

Her new tattoo features a series of Japanese characters which translate as, “Let’s sing.” Designed by artist Mira Mariah, who also created some of Ariana’s other tattoos, this latest one provides a positive touch that will hopefully mark the start of brighter days ahead for the singer. https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/a25713535/ariana-grande-lets-sing-tattoo/

Tennis players catching on to the tattoo trend

Although tennis players have not traditionally opted for visible ink, a new survey reveals that this is changing, with around 9% of players now sporting a visible tattoo. Karger.com, who conducted the research, was interested in assessing the number of tattooed tennis players, in particular to see how the percentage with tattoos compared with the percentage of inked individuals in other sports.

Although the number of tattooed tennis players is still relatively small (around a third of professional footballers sport a visible tattoo), the number of players opting for skin art is increasing. Socio-economic factors and the culture of tennis are thought to play a large part in why so few players opt for visible tattoos. https://www.tennisworldusa.org/tennis/news/Editors_Thoughts/63963/tattoos-and-tennis-players-the-last-barrier-that-is-thinning/

American siblings opt for tattoos as a gesture of togetherness

Over in the US, an Erie family have all chosen tattoos of characters from the Japanese anime film “My neighbour Totoro”. The siblings, Ben, Isaac and Emily, chose to be tattooed together as a gesture of family togetherness. The film characters were chosen as they had all enjoyed watching that particular film with their parents. Although the brothers no longer live in Erie, assembling for a reunion over the festive period was the perfect opportunity to enjoy a session at Wayward Tattoo Studio, in the city. http://www.goerie.com/news/20190101/lake-erie-moment-tattoos-link-siblings

A rolling pin gets a novel use for bodybuilder’s intimate tattoo!

Ray Houghton, originally from Manchester, is a long-time fan of tattoos. A keen body-builder and body-mod enthusiast, Ray was eager that no part of his body escaped the needle! Already heavily tattooed, he decided to get his genitals tattooed during a four-hour private session at the gym he owns in Alicante. A rolling pin came in handy to wrap his penis around during the procedure, making the area more easily accessible to the artist.

Despite his testicles swelling to around four times their normal size during the tattooing, the fresh ink is now fully healed and Ray can’t wait to show off his new art work on the local nudist beach! http://www.goerie.com/news/20190101/lake-erie-moment-tattoos-link-siblings