Tattoo of the Month Archives - Carl Hallowell (Horisho)

True Tattoo People: Who Are They?

Posted by Carl Hallowell
On June 22, 2018

Tattoo People Give Off An Energy Tattoo people, it struck me the other day, have that lust for life you just dont encounter in everyone you meet. Down at city hall, down there at the bank, in the halls of your school- they dont all have that energy, that hunger. Those wide eyes, looking for […]

Separating the Traditional Tattoos from the Impostors

Posted by Carl Hallowell
On January 23, 2018

The tattoo of the month column here on my site highlights some my favorite tattoos that I have recently had the pleasure of doing. In these columns, I delve deeper into the makeup of the tattoo, what it is that makes it great, andwhat it is that makes me love it so. All of these […]

Japanese Tattoo is an Art for All Seasons of Life

Posted by Carl Hallowell
On December 29, 2017

Brad wears the tattoo of the month this time around; a Japanese half sleeve tattoo that depicts a single Peony and its bud blowing in the wind and being tossed about by a wave. The Peony is one of the main flowers used in the Japanese tattoo, also known as Irezumi, or Horimono. The Peony […]

Posted by Carl Hallowell
On November 22, 2017

Promoting something like one of the best tattoos in Dallas is a pretty big deal. Lucky for me, I have had the opportunity to witness what I believe to be five of the best tattoos in the history of our fine city. These are purely based on my personal tattoo artistry style, here are my […]

Tattoo of the Month: The Passion of the Traditional Tattoo Artist

Posted by Carl Hallowell
On November 12, 2017

The tattoo of the month this time around is another traditional tattoo that I hope you have come to expect out of my work as a traditional tattoo artist. It was Mike Malone, the great tattooer who took over Sailor Jerry Collins’ shop after his passing, who said that is what the craft needs “consistent […]

Dallas Tattoo Artist with a Japanese Edge

Posted by Carl Hallowell
On September 13, 2017

Japanese tattooing; it is hard to imagine a more balanced artwork than this. Japanese tattoos are overflowing with brute strength, while also exemplifying subtle beauty. The art is straightforward in it’s approach and also speaks to the human experience itself. Saturated in black and grey, Japanese tattoos also pop with color. When approaching the thought […]

Posted by Carl Hallowell
On July 21, 2017

There is a triangle of interaction happening with Traditional American or Traditional Japanese tattooing, an alchemy that is greater than the sum of it’s parts, a music that dances with call and response, until a tattoo is born, like a reptile from an egg. Using the triangle and being part of it, we answer the […]

Creating A Classic American Tattoo Design

Posted by Carl Hallowell
On June 19, 2017

Brian came down to Dallas from Midland to get this traditional tattoo done in one sitting! We both made up our minds to throw ourselves wholeheartedly into this project, and knock it all out at once. By the end of the session, I felt I had created one of my favorite eagle tattoos I’ve ever […]

American Traditional Heart and Banner Tattoo

Posted by Carl Hallowell
On May 24, 2017

Alexis came to me knowing full well what she wanted, an American traditional tattoo that would pay homage to her family. Since the beginning of American tattooing, this is one of the main motivations for getting a tattoo. At first, we had the “Mom, Heart, and Banner.” Sometimes, you would also see Father, Brother, or […]

Freak Show Traditional Tattoo Theme

Posted by Carl Hallowell
On April 29, 2017

Big Jim, “That Old Guy”, takes the tattoo cake this month with this outrageous forearm tattoo inspired by the sideshow banners of the old carnival days, and by the freaks, geeks, and oddities that were depicted on them. I was excited to turn this into a traditional pin up girl tattoo with traditional tattoo lettering, […]