Asbury, Autonomy & Abstract

Asbury Tattoo Convention is this weekend! Get out to Ocean Place Resort and Spa and say, “Hi” to Caroline, Casey and Koryn! Casey’s MBMC tattoo event is Weds! So come out and support body autonomy for women with a MBMC tattoo! Read about abstract tattooing in the blog below.

Help Us Help Women

Lately, we’ve enjoyed giving back to the community. Radiant Energy Tattoo has been donating to worthwhile causes, and while all donations are important, none is more important than saving lives. As a woman owned business, with the majority of employees being women, women’s issues are , not only at the forefront of our thoughts, but our lives as well.

This is our 4th year participating in the My Body My Choice Tattoo Flash Event. So far, the first year was our best. In 2022, we tattooed 11 clients and donated $1732.  In 2023 & 2024, we tattooed less, donating $354 and $520 respectively. However, in 2023, we tattooed 2 clients in Jan. They took advantage of our year round MBMC policy. During the National Event in the summer, we donate all the proceeds from the tattoos, but the tattoos are available year round. So, if you get a MBMC tattoo at any other time during the year, we donate half the proceeds, our artists get paid for their work, but the shop donates it’s portion.

This year, we have 3 artists participating, that’s the most we’ve ever had for this event. Meaning, we can get more tattoos on more people than ever before! We are hoping to  donate more than our top amount of $1732. Help us help women. Stand with us in support of women’s rights, LGBTQIA+ rights, and human rights. If you’ve ever needed an excuse to get another tattoo, (or your first tattoo!) the excuses don’t get any better than this.

The Art of Abstract Tattooing: Breaking the Boundaries of Ink

In the ever-evolving world of tattooing, abstract tattoos have carved out a distinct space where personal meaning, visual experimentation, and artistic freedom collide. Unlike traditional tattoo styles that rely on recognizable imagery (skulls, roses, anchors), abstract tattoos focus on emotion, movement, symbolism, and form over literal representation. They challenge both artist and viewer to feel, rather than interpret.

What Is Abstract Tattooing?

Abstract tattooing is a style that draws influence from abstract art, where the focus is on shape, line, color, and composition rather than realistic depictions. These tattoos can range from bold, geometric designs to chaotic, painterly expressions. Some incorporate elements of modern art, like cubism or surrealism, while others echo natural textures like smoke, water, or galaxies.

This style often leaves room for interpretation. A sweeping black line might symbolize grief or momentum. A splash of watercolor-like pigment may represent joy, chaos, or a memory too complex to put into words. The beauty of abstract tattooing lies in its openness. It invites emotion rather than dictating narrative.

The Artist’s Perspective

For tattoo artists, abstract work is both freeing and demanding. It requires a strong understanding of composition, negative space, and how ink behaves in skin over time. Artists often approach these tattoos more like a painting or improvisational performance than a stencil-based application.

Creating balance without symmetry, movement without a subject, and meaning without a message. These are the core challenges of abstract tattooing. Each piece is often customized, blending the client’s personal story with the artist’s visual instincts.

Why People Choose Abstract Tattoos

People choose abstract tattoos for a variety of reasons, such as emotional expression or storytelling without words. Abstract tattoos can express emotions that are hard to define in words or images and allow people to carry deeply personal symbols that don’t need or have a definitive explanation behind them. Because these designs are often striking, modern, and unique, the aesthetic tends to appeal to those who are uninterested in popular motifs or trends. Abstract tattoos offer something deeply individual.

Techniques and Variations

Abstract tattoos aren't limited to one technique. They may include:

Brushstroke-style tattoos that mimic calligraphy or ink wash.

Watercolor effects with gradients and soft edges.

Line work and dotwork used in nonrepresentational patterns.

Geometric abstraction, incorporating sharp shapes and negative space.

Textural layers that suggest motion, decay, or energy.

Some artists combine abstract techniques with figurative elements, like placing a realistic face amid swirling color to create hybrid pieces that straddle styles.

Is Abstract Tattooing Right for You?

If you’re considering an abstract tattoo, ask yourself what you want the piece to feel like, rather than what you want it to look like. The best abstract tattoos are created through collaboration between client and artist. Sharing your emotional or conceptual inspiration allows the artist to translate it visually.

It’s also important to choose an artist who specializes in this style. Abstract tattooing requires a different set of sensibilities than traditional tattooing, and not all artists work in this mode.

 Abstract tattooing is more than just art on skin - it’s an emotional language, a visual experiment, and a testament to the idea that not all stories need clear outlines. In a world where tattoos have long told tales in recognizable symbols, abstract work invites us to feel first and define later.

Whether you’re looking to express the chaos of a transformative time, the calm of a lifelong truth, or simply want something beautiful that speaks in whispers instead of shouts, abstract tattooing offers a powerful, personal, and ever-evolving canvas.

The tattoos illustrating this article were done by Caroline or Koryn.