One is a Celtic cross, all black line, on my left hip, which symbolizes “The Meeting of the Four Winds.” It is special to me because a close friend- whom I haven’t seen in a few years- has the same one on his arm. It is also special because I am of Irish heritage. It was done by another very good friend, who has since become a somewhat notable tattoo artist. (Cory Cudney of Inkoholics- check this out: http://inkaholics.com/) It was the 4th or 5th tattoo he ever did, and it came out great. It’s been touched up by him 2 times, just to keep it looking fresh.
The other is a very large fairy from Brian Froud’s “Good Fairy/Bad Fairy Book.” It takes up most of my back, from just below my bra strap to my butt. It is full-color and, IMHO, absolutely beautiful. It was done by yet another good friend, Mike Gutowski. (We all went to art school together.) He is with Renaissance Studios in Buffalo, NY. (Which used to be called Art-O-Ficial Life Tattoos and Art Gallery.) I have had it touched up and added to, again by Mike.
I love both of my tattoos. Both say something about who I am. I will probably get more work done on my fairy at some point and my cross could use another touch-up. (Black fades comparatively quickly.) As for whether or not other people approve, think it’s trendy, socially acceptable or whatever- I don’t care. I never asked for anyone’s opinion or permission. Since both are typically covered by clothing, no one is forced to see them. Besides- If it isn’t on your body, what do you care?
I may get another tattoo someday. I have promised my husband that I will only get one every five years or so. I think he’s afraid that I’ll end up as “the painted lady of NC.” Seriously though, he likes my tattoos.
Does it hurt? Hell, yes. How much, as others have pointed out, does seem to depend on location. I have noticed that any area over bone seems to hurt the most, and that the “fills” tend to hurt more than outlines. In any case, the pain isn’t excruciating.
My colleagues, I’m a chemical engineer, are usually surprised when they hear that I have one. I guess one on my neck would not be to my advantage but otherwise it’s not a negative thing to most people.
Mine is a version of the Henry Rollins sun that he has on his back although much smaller and placed on my shoulder. I went to the best tattoo place in Stockholm and said:
“I want it something like this but more …you know… kind of …uh…. different”
Aaron the tattooer replied:
“Great! Let me draw you some suggestions.”
He was extremely into drawing faces and somehow understood what I wanted. This was ten years ago and I have not regretted it once.
In fact, I find tattoos beautiful. Don’t even get me started on girls with tattoos. Hothothot. I want to get more but I have some problem with finding the right motive.
What I really want is a big one all over my back. Well, I got time to figure it out.
I know what I want in a tattoo, and I’ll get it before I leave Vancouver. It seems a touch silly, since it’s inspired by a Christmas ornament, but after several years of looking at this thing I still like it.
It’s a hummingbird, as carved by some anonymous Haida artist.
Wow, Worldeater…beautiful tat! And Ribeye, would love to see your Scottish one.
I have quite a few (especially for a girl, I guess). Short tour is:
Betty Boop over hotrod flames on my right upper arm
Big pink Japanese style peony on my belly and a kanji that says “flowers” opposite it (belly button in the middle)
Large and colorful lotus with flames, leaves, etc. on the upper right of my back, with red and pink cherry blossoms floating over my shoulder almost to my DD boobie and down my back a bit as well
My first tattoo was a heart-shaped tattoo on my right buttock.
I am in the process of having a hideous tat I had done in Amsterdam removed (which is a WHOLE nother thread, my friends) and am in the process of having a new tat for my left upper arm designed…
I think tattoos can be extremely beautiful, even to the degree of full length sleeves… for certain people.
I don’t have one myself, but I may some day. If I do, I’d want it to be something that has meaning to me, not just a picture I think is pretty. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that.)
I don’t think tattoos are particularly shocking or unacceptable in this day and age. I mean, my mother has a tattoo. Admittedly, it’s just a discreet lion rampant on her calf, but still.
well I have two one is a black panther another is a rose with thorns going through it, the black panther is inked like a tribal design on my love handle or hip or whatever you call that area on your side… and the rose is just below my color bone… I got them over 10 years ago… I dont even notice my tatoo anymore. I dont see it and I’m not worried that it will sag, because that wont happen. I would do it again, the second one was kind of like a quite addictive spur of the momment one, my first one was a firm decision to have one. And I am happy with them. I dont think I will be getting another one.
i think i’ve answered a post like thi before but here goes…i dont keep count, i think its lame. i’m currently working on both sleeves, one is 80% done the other is half way through…i started getting inked 13 years ago and to me it isnt a fad. its socially accepted, everyone(practically) has something, granted i get stares because i’m heavily tattooed. in all honesty i cover upas much as i can, with a couple grand in ink you dont want to let the sun destroy it just to get a few looks.
how many of you are fed up with the absolute dumbass questions like, does it hurt, why did you do it, how will it look when you are old, what were you thinking, does it hurt…blah blah blah…peopel assume because they have a silly ass tasmanian devil they can just approach you and start talking about the finer points of the trade…bullshit…i guess i’m jaded i just get tired of being approached and bothered over stupid things…in all honesty i’m sick of the tattoo trend and i’m so happy when peopel fuck up and get there current lovers names and we get to laugh at them beacuse they are celebrities that pay 100 bucks for the ink and 3 grand to get it off…there should be a mag devoted to the schmucks of the tat trend…all you suckers that get it to be cool and dont put an ounce of thought are the ones that will be sorry. i know i sound negative, but because others are unhappy with what they have done to themselves, the more sincere usually end up defending themselves over things they would never do…i dont know, in all honesty i think its too trendy, but sports stars and celebs did that, along with the industry pushing it…screw it, we all wake up in the morning and now why we did whatever we did…
badtz maru, i just read what you posted and i have to say i think you are straight up lying…i have sleeves and to say it doesnt hurt is shit. try sitting for six hours and say it compares to a light fingernail scratch and i will kiss your…well…you know. fat or not, its painful if you get a piece larger than a penny, i’m sorry…i have one on my neck, the smallest of what i have and it hurt bad enough for me to want it to be over…i dont know, i think you may have forgotten the sensation or you can just sit like a race horse…
I planned and mulled over my tattoo for 5 years…when I came up with what I wanted, I asked my mom (an incredible artist) to sketch it. I have sort of an outline of a turtle (my favorite animal), and his shell is a made of a love knot. It’s black and grey (no color to fade) and it’s a lil bit tribal-ish, but not trendy and the simplistic love knot is for my Irish streak without being obviously Celtic. And one is enough for me : )It makes me think of my mom and I’m grateful I’ll have it long after she’s gone.
I did get it way down at the small of my back (right above my ass crack) so it’s not all that noticeable–in a conservative bikini you can hardly see it.
It won’t work because your link is “pointing” to a location on your computer. You’d have to put the picture somewhere online, and then give us a URL to go to. Yahoo has a pretty good step by step setup if you want to put some pictures up. Good luck!
yes, it works. click on “my photos” and you will see a horribly blured pic of me. i know, you can hardly see my ink. i have very few pics of my work because i just dont show it off much. i promise to show more if i can find any pics, if not i’ll take some and post at a later date…
Must be a good picture. The prudity censors on my server won’t let me see it. Which is a means of saying, those of you at work might want to wait until you get home to take a look at Bindrah’s picture…
I think he’s afraid that I’ll end up as “the painted lady of NC.” Seriously though, he likes my tattoos.