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Living the (high) life: Rihanna flies her tattoo artists 1,500 miles to make her body ink ‘pretty’ (PHOTOS)

Rihanna wanted to add to the tribal hand tattoo she got in New Zealand, so she called up her American ink artists.

Only thing was their New York City shop was 1,500 miles away. Not a problem for the Diamonds singer – she just put them on an airplane to meet her in the Dominican Republic on Sunday, according to PageSix.

The designers said it took them 11 hours to make the traditional marks ‘pretty,’ no doubt offending the ancient tribes. She showed off the new work during her Puerto Rico concert on Monday.

More ink: While performing in Puerto Rico on Monday, Rihanna showed off her new henna-inspired tattoo on her right hand that covered up most of the traditional art work she got in New ZealandMore ink: While performing in Puerto Rico on Monday, Rihanna showed off her new henna-inspired tattoo on her right hand that covered up most of the traditional art work she got in New Zealand
Before and after: Tattoo artist Keith McCurdy says he thinks he made her tribal art work 'pretty'Before and after: Tattoo artist Keith McCurdy says he thinks he made her tribal art work ‘pretty’
She can't stop: It took 11 hours to add to her old designs, and she was left 'bruised,' according to her artistShe can’t stop: It took 11 hours to add to her old designs, and she was left ‘bruised,’ according to her artist

Her artists Keith McCurdy and Cally Jo – who have tatted up Rihanna’s pals Katy Perry and Justin Bieber – work out of Bang Bang Tattoo in New York City’s Lower East Side.

‘We designed something that plays over the knuckles and wrist, and just tried to incorporate it with what was done before,’ Keith told Page Six.

‘We blended what used to be there into a more decorative pattern. We tried to make it look like jewelry, a bit like a henna tattoo.’

Happy at last: Keith McCurdy said the Grammy winner 'loved' her new tattoosHappy at last: Keith McCurdy said the Grammy winner ‘loved’ her new tattoos
An obsession?: The Barbados beauty has several other designs on her body, like a gun on her sideAn obsession?: The Barbados beauty has several other designs on her body, like a gun on her side

 

Does she want more? The Chris Brown ex has about 20 tattoos alreadyDoes she want more? The Chris Brown ex has about 20 tattoos already

Keith added the 25-year-old was ‘bruised’ from the session on Sunday, but was ‘fine.’

‘We drew on her hand from 7 pm to midnight. We were drawing and changing things,’ Keith told E!

‘I’d take a break and Cally-Jo would draw, then I’d draw … The inspiration was henna art, we wanted something really decorative, feminine and sexy. We thought that was the closest in style where we could shift and make it look decorative.

‘She had something pre-existing on her hand. So it was a little bit of a cover up, but also making it look good, wanted to make sure it flowed. We needed to work with what she already had. [It was] difficult, because the stuff she already had was a pattern on skin. We were trying to fit the body with what she already had. Mend the two styles with a new style.’

Rihanna ‘flipped out! Absolutely loved it, loved it!’ the artist also told E!

He also commented on a before and after Instagram photo of the hand, ‘So proud we made it pretty??’

Hardcore! Rihanna had a traditional Maori tattoo inked onto her arm with a chisel and mallet during her trip to New Zealand this weekHardcore! She had a traditional Maori tattoo inked onto her arm with a chisel and mallet during her trip to New Zealand

Struggling: The intricate design featured lines and symbols going from the top of Rihanna's fingers down to the middle of her forearm

Struggling: The intricate design featured lines and symbols going from the top of Rihanna's fingers down to the middle of her forearm

Struggling: The intricate design featured lines and symbols going from the top of Rihanna’s fingers down to the middle of her forearm

Altering her traditional Ta Moko tattoo – which was done with the use a chisel, ink pigment and a mallet – could be considered an insult to the tribe.

Rihanna got the elaborate designs earlier this month. Lines and symbols from her fingernails down to the middle of her forearm were done by tattooist Inia Taylor at the Moko Ink studio in West Auckland.

A description for the studio on the Moko Ink website reads: ‘Moko Ink is the worlds first Maori Tattoo Studio specialising in the contemporary use and creation of traditional Maori and Polynesian Tatu.

‘We make one off body art keeping alive the language and traditions that are unique to the art form. All our art is custom designed for each person on a consultation basis.

‘The language of Ta Moko is used to design a unique piece of body art expressing aspects that relate to the wearer.’

In the video of the tattoo-ing, the singer is seen maintaining her composure but then she starts grimacing toward the end.

Wearing a grey hoodie, she appears to find it particularly difficult as Inia and local musician
Tiki Taane, who was helping him with the process, moved on to her knuckles – hitting the chisel with the mallet to place the pigment into her skin.

At one point, Inia is even seen asking the singer to wipe away the blood from her swollen hand so that he can see what he is doing to continue the design.

Rihanna has said of her love of tattoos: ‘I like hanging out in tattoo shops. I am so intrigued by tattoos. It’s an entire culture, and I study it. Sometimes I go with friends, or just by myself. I get bum-rushed, but I don’t care. I don’t take security.’

At least she can laugh about it! At one point, Rihanna managed to laugh, despite the clear pain she was inAt least she can laugh about it! At one point, Rihanna managed to laugh, despite the clear pain she was in

Read more: Daily Mail

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