My Magical First Tattoo: London called
It’s my first time in London all by myself. My first time ever, I had my family and friends with me, but now it’s different. I want to mark my […]
Events:
The Flower, The Labor, and The Sea
September 27, 2025 - June 28, 2026
Celebrate Becoming a Mom with Some Beautiful Maternity Henna
It’s hard to picture celebrating a pregnancy with a temporary tattoo, especially given all the risks that come with carrying a little one. In some cultures however, henna, also known […]
Apprenticeship: Sacred Tattoo Traditions
Any sort of body modification is considered surgery and requires precision, care, and expertise. Even the most prestigious surgeons need to start somewhere, and it is important to learn the […]
MAKING POINTS WITH THE MOTTS
Once upon a time, if you wanted a tattoo, one of the things you could do was traipse to Newport from any of the four corners of the world and […]
ON THE COVER: Mish
The tattoo artist who goes by Mish, of Fall River, MA, created this month’s cover. “I got the nickname when I was younger, and it just kinda stuck,” she says. […]
2026 RI Tattoo Awards
“May your tattoo ink never run dry,” as the ancient Portlandian blessing goes, has rarely been more applicable. Motif is proud to partner again with Narragansett Brewery to bring you […]
Motif’s 2025 RI Tattoo Awards Winners and Interviews!
Our Tattoo Awards took place the night of May 13th, and what a night it was! Narragansett Brewery was packed with tattooers, tattoo-bearers, and folks who just rolled in to […]
Like Dots In A Line: Angels Collective highlights the community aspect of tattooing
From pin-up girls and anchors, to clocks and lions; fine-line infinity signs and finger mustaches, to cyber-sigil and patchwork, tattooing is an art that is in constant flux and conversation […]
More Than A Prompt: Human hands in a digital age – AI might generate, but artists create
When I got my first tattoo in Caracas, at 18, it was the start of what would become a deeply personal and evolving relationship with body art. Today, at 45, […]
Inking Her Name in The Name Tattoo Industry: Interview with Jessica Talbot at Scarlet Rose Tattoo Parlor
A well-decorated artist on the Rhode Island tattoo scene, Jessica Talbot is changing the way that Rhode Islanders think about their tattoo experience. Jess’ passion for the timeless art of […]