For most people, getting tattooed is a personal and deep experience. They tend to want to capture moments or sentiments that are close to their heart. Other people love getting tattooed for the art of it all and as a way of self-expression. There are some people who take tattooing so seriously that they decide to get a piece that not only has significant meaning to them but also totally transforms their appearance...
Check out these beautiful transformative tattoos—you might be inspired...
Eye-Catching
This moth tattoo speaks volumes just because of how intricate and smart it is! When the leg is closed, the moth only really shows one eye. But when the leg opens, even more eyes pop out. The artist actually tattooed five different eyes on the piece, which you wouldn't have suspected from the first one!
Bouncing Forever
This is the only acceptable palm tattoo. The sole purpose of this tattoo is just to show that you can make a tattoo move! Let's hope this little guy is okay with jumping for eternity.
Classic Barber Razor
This client was a barber and wanted to make sure that everyone knew it! He got this razor tattooed on the side of his arm so it looks like it's opening and closing as he moves. This really is the perfect tattoo for a professional barber or anyone who appreciates the craft.
Vampire Lover
She wanted to take this classic vampire teeth tattoo and turn it up a notch! The area that she got this tattooed is called her "ditch" and it's where the bicep meets the forearm. Everytime she closes her arm, the vampire gets a chomp!
Fish or Portal?
This tattoo is pretty deceiving! You're left thinking that this tattoo is just a cute, fat little fish. But, no! It's actually a portal and the entrance is hidden in the back of the knee. Very smart!
Abstract Art
This piece is more abstract than the rest, but the point still gets across. Even if the person's arm is completely closed, the tattoo doesn't lose its shape or intention. There is still a solid line going from one side of the arm to the other, which was really smart on the tattoo artist's part!
Yes, It's Trendy
The beetle tattoo is very trendy, but every single one is unique! The artist hid all of the extra wings in the client's ditch, as usual, but put in an incredible amount of detail so that it looks very impressive when she opens up her arm. The stippling on the beetle is really nice, too.
Fly Away, Ladybug
The ditch is the perfect spot on your arm to tattoo an insect! She wanted a ladybug that could still fly, and her tattoo artist delivered. It's dainty and cute, just like a ladybug.
Death Moth
Something is hiding under the moths wings, and it ain't pretty! The artist succesffully tattooed a creepy, yet immersive, skull within the moths wings. That takes a lot of talent.
Inspired By Real Moths
This client decided to put their insect on the side of their knee. This piece is inspired by the moths in the wild that look like they have eyes on their wings, which is a method of protection that they use from predators. The tattoo artist took it up a notch to create the illusion in the photo on the left!
Chomp, Chomp
This makes for a pretty cute hand tattoo! It's also a way to bring this age-old dinosaur skull back to life. The tattoo artist intentionally put the tattoo right on the perfect spot of this client's hand so that whenever she uses her hand, the skull's jaw will move around.
More Coffee, Anyone?
Are you actually a coffee lover if you don't have a classic pour-over tattoo? A gooseneck kettle is perfect for a tattoo like this because no matter how the client is standing, the kettle will always realistically be pouring water! The intense blackwork also makes this piece pretty strong. Coffee lovers go hard!
Sneak Attack
This may look like a harmless creepy shark/shrimp monster, but it's actually much more! Located in the ditch of the clients arm is a small set of sharp teeth. As if this thing couldn't get any creepier.
Spread Your Wings and Fly!
Beetles are particularly popular for this type of tattoo. This is mainly because their wings are really intricate and delicate underneath the hard shell, making for a really cool tattoo! The stippling on the tattoo makes this even more interesting to look at as the client opens their arm.
We're Gonna Need a Bigger Boat
This tattoo is mighty scary for someone who hates sharks! The shark jaw moves as the client moves, opening and closing its massive mouth! This is a pretty unique way to decorate your elbow.
Bringing Dinos Back to Life
This dinosaur is coming back to life on this persons arm! The position of the dino's neck changes as the client moves their arm. This is how you do a tattoo!
Beetles, but Make it Extra
This is another take of the classic beetle tattoo, but even crazier. This artist added some insane colors and a devil face to bring this piece to life. Most people probably wouldn't be expecting a face to pop out from underneath the wings, that's for sure.
Getting Crafty
The client wanted a tattoo that was unique and also a bit unsettling. The artist aboslutely nailed it! The coolest part is that the eye is barely warped w hen the client is standing up tall, and neither are the ears. Everything looks spot on!
Open Wide
It's a bit hard to see at first, but once you do, it's terrifying! This is a tattoo is a terrifying animal with tons of eyes and teeth. When the client stands up, its huge mouth opens up. This type of tattoo, especially with its size, was definitely hard to pull off, but they absolutely did!
Illusions on Illusions
There's a lot to unpack with this creepy tattoo! It's a sun-moon-eye-portal combo, and the portal opens up when the client is standing. It's a super cool concept that was executed perfectly, it has just the right amount of creep factor.
Taking a Bite
This tattoo is a play on those fake Halloween vampire teeth that you get when you trick-or-treat. The teeth on this tattoo are a bit more realistic than the previous one, making the chomp even more satisfying. It's also in the ditch of the elbow, which seems like the perfect spot to get one of these moving tattoos.
Trapeze Artists Unite
Not only is this piece really inventice, it's done super well! The trapeze artists are constantly moving around as the client moves their body, which is exactly what trapeze artists already do. This one is really neat!
Just a Bee
This is just a little bumble bee! When the person's arm is bent, it looks like the giant bee is simply resting on her arm. Then, she opens it, and the bee takes off. The wings open up as if it was flying away!
Bowing Woman
Skin is crazy, isn't it? The tattoo was placed so that when the client sits down, it looks like the woman is bowing her head with absolutely no distortion to her body! That's such an incredible feat.
New Perspectives
The tattoo was placed on the client's arm so that the position of the tattoo changes, just like every other piece. This tattoo changes perspectives, which is really interesting! When the clients arm is closed, the tattoo is in more of a circle shape. When the arm is completely straightened out, the tattoo becomes long and tall.
Squeezing the Lime
Do you like margarita's? Then this is the tattoo for you! You can always remember those fun nights out with your friends by this squeezable lime right on your arm.
On the Move
This is a tattoo of a velociraptor, probably one of the scariest dinos in Jurassic Park. Whenever the client puts his arm up, it looks like the dino is about to break into a terrifyingly fast sprint. This is how you do a dino tattoo!
Abstract Yet Functional
This surreal tattoo is eye-catching. This particualr tattoo is on the clients knee. When it's bent, the tattoo showcases an eye with foliage all around it. When the person stands up, the eye is even bigger with more detail.
Realistic Ladybug
It looks like this tattoo artist took a different approach to this type of tattoo. The wings revealed are extremely realistic. The way the artist tattooed this butterfly was very dainty and sweet with no harsh lines, making it look like a painting.
Not-So-Normal
Thsi fish may look normal, but it's far from it! When the clients arm is extended, the eye of the fish takes on a very odd, surrealist form. It's very similiar to something Salvador Dalí would have done!
Back to Life
The tattoo artist successfully brought this brontesaurus back to life. This tattoo would have been even sweeter if they included some sort of tree for him to eat from! The tattoo itself is still pretty great.
Yummy Eye
The photos don't do it justice, but this tattoo is incredible! The simple premise is that it's a skull that's jaw moves when the client moves their arm, but with a twist. Hidden in the ditch of her elbow is an eye, so it looks like the skull is munching on an eye. Super smart!
Look Twice
This guy pretty much got two tattoos for the price of one! It all depends on how he's standing and how other people view him. The tattoo is either a scary looking skull or a quiant looking castle.
He's Hiding Something
This little frog is up to no good! When the arm is bent, the fat little frog looks somewhat innocent... but then, the arm opens, and it reveals all of the little tadpole eggs! What's the story here?
Unique Yet Dark
This is yet another take on the insect trend, but with an even cooler twist. The wings of the beetle resemble a woman's face. When the arm opens, so do the wings of the beetle, and a skull appears! This tattoo is definitely for people with more macabre tastes.
He Needs a Dentist
This is a tattoo of an anglerfish. It's one of the most recognizable deep sea creatures (thanks to Finding Nemo) and this person wanted to make a really cool tattoo out of it. They definitely did, look at all of those hidden teeth!
What's Inside?
This shark jaw tattoo takes on a whole new level with that secret tattoo hidden inside of this persons ditch! Just like every tattoo placed here, it moves with the clients arm. In this case, it looks like it's chomping on some fish bones.
Double Header
This one is pretty wild. The tattoo artist placed a devil head inside of this persons ditch, which suggests that the butterfly is turning into the devil. It's a new take on this type of tattoo and definitely cool!
Surreal Fish
This is how you do a leg tattoo. The fish looks pretty normal (but still really interesting and unique) when the client is crouching, but it's a totally jumbled piece of work when they stand up. Tattoos do not have to make sense, and this one sure doesn't... That's what makes it so unique.
I See You
This artist was able to accurately convey the illusion in both positions of the arm. A lot of people find octopi unsettling, but this one surely takes the cake. After all, it has way too many eyes for comfort!
Continuous Line
This one was not easy. Tattooing straight lines, in general, are difficult, but when you have to continue the line on different party parts is where it gets nearly impossible. This artist really nailed it!
Dedicated to the Job
Seems like this client is a handyman who loves his job. He got a pair of wire cutters tattooed on his leg that moves just as he does! Talk about bringing work home...
Rise from the Ashes
No, this is not Ben Affleck's phoenix tattoo. Honestly, it would have been a lot cooler if he did get this one done, though, because it looks like it's flying when the client simply shrugs his shoulders!
Pac-Man Chic
Some people are really just die-hard Pac-Man fans, and that's okay. How many times have you drawn Pac-Man on your hand like this as a kid? This person went and got it done permanently!
Half-Man, Half-Metal
Seems like this client really wanted to be part mech! This is a fantastic optical illusion that showcases metal inside of the clients arm. This will definitely make you do a double take!
Take Off!
Get a butterfly tattoo but make it extra! Not only is this super realistic, but the artist made it look like the butterfly is about to fly away because of the awesome shading that was done. If she moves her shoulders up and down, it'll look like it's about to take off!
Free Me
This tattoo is not really for the faint of heart. There must be a deeper meaning behind this... Maybe this guy thinks we're all aliens?
Bear Attack
Yet another super realistic and creative tattoo! The tattoo artist made it seem like this client was stepped on (or maybe attacked) by a bear, but left all of the gore out! Instead, the skin is supposed to resemble dirt.
Always Have It On Me
Tattoo life! This client is actually a tattoo artist and got her favorite client to do this piece on her leg. This piece gives off a Mr. and Mrs. Smith vibe, but tattoo-style!
Hyper-Realistic
This is hyper-realistic and a bit creepy! It's really bold for this person to have this piece on their hand... They'll always have those big, blue eyes staring at them.
Made Of... Maps?
This tattoo is similiar to the mechanical man, but with a different twist. Apparently, this guy is made of maps. Maybe he just love to travel?
Mech-Woman!
This really makes it seem like she is made up of gears and metal! The artist even managed to re-create her spin using gears. Yet another tattoo that will definitely make you look twice.
Chesire Cat Vibes
The Chesire Cat from Alice in Wonderland usually hides in trees... But, this works, too! This tattoo must have been absolutely painful to sit through.
Always Ready
Not sure why he felt the need to get a pen tattooed behind his ear was necessary, but it's pretty cool looking! The shadowing makes it actually look real... Lots of people have probably tried to snatch it from him only to realize it's a tattoo!
Amputee Humor
He had to get his arm amputated, but at least he got a cool tattoo out of it! Why not decorate the stub, right? He looks pretty proud of his new art piece, too.
Fancy Lines
This is another super cool geometric optical illusion! This tattoo actually makes her leg look much longer than it is. Imagine if someone got this design all over their body.
Don't Fall In!
This illusion tattoo makes you think this person has a weird hole in their arm. This would honestly trip anyone out, especially to have it on your arm. Super neat, still!
Iconic Art
What a wild idea for a back piece! Conveying perspective like this is really difficult. It's probably even crazier when this guy is walking or moving his body... It probably looks like the person in the tattoo is actually moving around.
Crack in the Skin
This girl took the nice and natural approach of the skin crack tattoo trend. Instead of gears or metal, it looks like he's made of the sky! The birds flying away really sweeten the tattoo and make it much prettier!
Does It Hurt?
Optical illusion tattoos are definitely some of the most superior tattoos out there. It looks like you could stick something straight through his arm!
What's Going On?
Got something crawling underneath your skin? Seems like this girl has a weird little demon under hers! Or, maybe it's another alien piece. Either way, it's terrifyingly realistic.
Gorgeous Corset
Some people get coreset backpieces, other people get skin-break bone pieces. This woman decided to go above and beyond and get both! This piece makes it seem like her skin is the corset and it's being held together on her back.
Feeling Empty?
The detail on this piece is almost unsettling. They made her leg look like it's wood and that it was carved out... And, it looks like she's completely hollow inside. Super creepy!