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Tattoos. I love 'em. My thoughts on tattoos, the process,
and pictures of mine.
 | Does it hurt? - Yes. It hurts. The closer to the bone and
the more tender the area of flesh, the more it hurts. Also, the longer
it takes the more it hurts. |
| How long does it take? - Awhile. Plan to get comfy. Don't
hurry your artist. |
| How much does it cost? - Depends. They are not cheap. If
your artist works cheap, find another artist. Standard rate is $50 per
half hour. And remember to tip well! About half of the cost goes to
the shop and half to the artist. Tipping is important. |
| So... What do you have? - I have 2. I have a fairy on my
left thigh and the Eye of Ra in vines on my lower back. |
| Can I see? - Sure. |
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Yes, it hurts.
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Finished product, take 1.
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Finished product, take 1, close up.
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Fairy take 2. This is day 2 of the healing process.
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| Tell me the story behind each.
I had the fairy drawn up by an artist friend of mine when I was 18.
For the reason on why a fairy see this
webpage. I brought him fantasy art by Vallejo and copies of
Playboy magazine. We spent about 3 hours sketching it up. The sketch
was 13" x 9" at completion. I held the drawing for almost 4 years
until I was sure I wanted it, where I wanted it, and what size it
should be. I found a good artist
who had done my best friend's tattoo. I took the design to him and
left a deposit. He said come back in 3 weeks, he was booked solid, and
he needed to play with the design. I didn't want him to change the
design. I wanted my design, and I didn't want to wait 3 weeks. I went
back, took my design and deposit, and went to someone who was open.
Bad bad bad! I said to myself "anyone can trace, right?" No! Bad bad
bad. I got it done and was unhappy. I was less happy as time wore on.
5 years later (last weekend) I got it redone by an artist I know and
trust. I'm quite happy with it now.
I wanted a tattoo on my lower back but wasn't sure what I wanted. I
thought about it for a long time and decided I wanted something kind
of tribal, but with a lot of nature to it and symmetrical. My best
friend suggested the Eye of Ra, the Egyptian sun god. This symbolizes
power, the sun sign (Leo), and a base of energy. I took my idea to an
artist who was the boyfriend of a coworker and had done an amazing
piece on her back. He sketched up a design that was more impressive
than my original idea and was amazing. The Eye of Ra is in cracked
stone and there are vines around it and through it in a symmetrical
tribal pattern. Its beautiful. I went back to the same artist to have
the fairy redone. |
| Any more coming? - I was thinking of adding one
more, the kanji (Japanese characters) for Goddess on the back of my
neck. But after the pain and prolonged session of this last piece,
maybe not. I won't think about getting another tattoo for at least
another year. That will give me plenty of time to think about it
anyhow. |
| Any words of wisdom to impart? - Yes. Find an artist whose
work you have seen in person, not in a book of photos. If there's
background to your design or a face, or lots of fine detailing, make
sure you see that they can do what you want by seeing it on someone's
body that they have done. Be sure of your design. Remember that you'll
have it when you're 80. If its a passing fancy, get a Christmas
ornament of it or frame a picture and hang it up. If after a year
you're sick of looking at it, you won't want it on your body. Don't
get a name on you. This should be obvious. Don't get flash. (Flash is
the stuff on the wall, premade.) Be original and have something
designed. Go in sober. When you drink, your blood flows faster and
that's bad when you're having someone make you bleed. Drugs should not
mix with tattooing for various reasons. Think ahead. Can you cover it
for work if you need to? What if you have to go to a black-tie affair
some day? Have fun with it. Your body is your canvas. Be expressive. |
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