Sunday, August 9, 2015

Every Tattoo Tells a Story

   There are usually two responses when it comes to tattoos. People either love them or hate them. I fall into the first category. Getting a tattoo is a very personal experience since it is something that you will most likely have for the rest of your life. It is not something that you should do on a whim. You should seek a professional tattoo artist and see their quality of work before you offer them your skin. The last thing that you want is a bad tattoo. I’m sure that you have seen examples of misspelled words and bad artwork. I would also be very careful about getting a tattoo in another language. One misplaced mark in a Chinese word can change its entire meaning. Think about where you are placing the tattoo and what it will look like when you are old. What looks like a beautiful swan might turn into an ugly duckling when your skin sags or wrinkles. It is important to think about the message your ink is sending to others. If you are young and think a scary scene is cool, remember that you might have children one day that will be terrified of your skull with blood dripping from it. The same goes for curse words or suggestive sayings. You will have to explain it to your kids!
Paw in hand

  I got my first tattoo three years ago. It is on my right wrist and says, “Serenity, Courage, Wisdom” to represent the Serenity Prayer. This is a prayer that serves as my mantra and keeps me grounded. Since getting the first one, I wanted to have one added on my left wrist. This one would be special as I wanted it to honor Bentley and the changes he has brought to my life. You can read more about what makes him my “soul dog” on the Bentley’s Story tab. I spent months scouring dog designs until I had narrowed it down to three.
   The young man that does my work is a former student at the high school where I worked. He was one of my favorite students and I have complete confidence in his work. John B. has been a tattoo artist for a number of years and did my children’s ink as well as many other people that I know. He is incredibly talented, professional, and an all-around super person. I sent him my choices and asked if he could somehow combine them into a nice design. It was important that the number 7 was incorporated to represent Bentley’s #7. The photos that I sent him were the infinity symbol, a ribbon heart, and a dog’s paw. When I arrived at the shop, he had designed my tattoo and it was perfect.
"Tattoos are stories in your heart,
written on your skin." ~ Charles DeLint
   The first thing that happens after signing waivers is a thorough cleaning of the area to be inked. All of the equipment is clean and a new needle is used. The design was transferred onto my wrist and after my approval, John began. I can only speak from my experience, but it is not really painful. The pain level depends on where you get your tattoo. The entire process took about an hour. 
Collage of getting tattoo
  Once he was through, he cleaned it off and wrapped it with clear plastic wrap. I was given instructions for aftercare and headed home with my new wrist art. It is important to keep your new ink clean and covered for a couple of days. I use Aquaphor® healing ointment on it and cover it at night with plastic wrap. It will need to be cleaned and dried throughout the next week to resist infections and make certain that it heals properly. Always follow your care instructions.
   I could not be happier with my tattoos. While they may not be for everyone, mine are very special to me. I think that is how all art should affect its owner. Do you have any tattoos and if so, what are they?


31 comments :

  1. I got my first one just over a week ago,I'm sure you have seen it on my facebook page.its exactly what i want delicate and pretty with leaf scroll work ,lily's and butterflies on my waist,very happy with it,xx Rachel

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  2. Those are some nice tattoos! My momma is too much of a control freak to get one, she gets nervous about going to a new hairdresser to get her hair dyed or cut, so she couldn't handle someone doin somefin permanent. She just doesn't trust udder people dat much, BOL. But she can appreciate nice tattoos. :)

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    1. I second that. I enjoy the beauty of a good tattoo, have seen entirely too many BAD tattoos and doubt I'll ever get one myself. And my guilty pleasure is watching Ink master and Tattoo Nightmares on Tuesday nights.

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  3. It looks very nice on you Melissa.

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  4. Your tattoos look awesome on you. We love them!

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  5. I love your tattoos! I have some myself. They are addicting. :) Mine have all been drawn for me. :)

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  6. Love love LOVE it! I have two (a rose and a sun) but I have really been wanting one to represent Cello And Hooch ... Haven't decided on any yet.

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  7. many thanks for such a great post, it was great to read what happens when we want art what stays furever. My momma would like to have a tattoo, butt she is a cow-ard an she ran away as she saw the ink-guy with the needles...the whole staff and customers of that ink-crib laughed at her, butt by now she never returned for another try...

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  8. I don't mind tattoos - on other people- and I often think I would of made a great tattoo artist as a lot of my artwork has that tattoo feel to it - but it is not something I would ever want myself.

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  9. We had cat in Germany with tattooed ears, but that is our own experience. Bailie has her own natural paw print tattoo on the side of her belly too.

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  10. Well thought out tattoos can be very special. Love 'em!

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  11. Mom wants one of us
    Snorts
    Lily & Edward

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  12. I just love how original your ink is!!! Very nice!

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  13. My husband has tons. We are getting ring tattoos soon.

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  14. I just noticed the comment above and I would love ring tattoos, but the hubby wouldn't.

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  15. You know my thoughts on tattoos! LOL! I am a little bit covered hahaha!!! I absolutely LOVE your newest one!!!
    ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!

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  16. Looks great!! No tattoos here but I have a lot of ideas! :)

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  17. I almost got a tattoo for my 50th birthday, but I chickened out. I wanted something with a heart and a pawprint...that's why I just love yours so much! I wish I could get up the nerve one day! I have friends who have a lot so I know they could direct me towards someone trustworthy, which does seem like the most important thing. Do you think you will be getting any more? I always wanted one on my ankle.
    Jan, Wag 'n Woof Pets

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  18. None here but I think your student did a great job incorporating those design elements you wanted!

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  19. I love your tattoos! I have some myself. They are addicting. :) Mine have all been drawn for me. :)

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  20. I love your tattoos! I have some myself. They are addicting. :) Mine have all been drawn for me. :)

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  21. So cool! I love tattoos, but don't yet have any.

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  22. No, we don't have any tattoos at our house. Mom keeps threatening to get some paws though.

    Your Pals,

    Murphy & Stanley

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  23. I love your ink..i have three tattoos..two i did myself as a crazed teen .yikes!! luckily they are tiny and on the inside of my ankles so barely visible..the other is a pro job..i have been trying to find a design for a armband..i know what i want but am still researching..hubby and the three boys have them as does my daughter..so all inked here..oh and the cats and dogs do too..of course because they are spayed or neutered :) loves Bev xxx

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  24. Great Tattoos! I love to hear the stories behind the tattoos people get. I have a couple but my stories aren't that good. Both are from earlier military days.

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  25. I don't have a tattoo but I see we do have something else in common, besides the love of animals. . My former students fix my car, cut my hair and fixes my plumbing. My life is full of my former students.

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  26. I loved reading this post! I love tattoos...mine, and those of others, and I love hearing the stories behind them. I have four, myself. A primrose on each wrist with my two children's names (their birth month flower, which means "I can't live without you"), a bee on the inside of one of my elbows to represent my step son (we call him B, for short, and a queen bee treats all other bees in the hive the same, even if they aren't her own), and a sugar skull on the inside of my upper arm (MAJOR PAIN in that area) surrounded by flowers to represent my mother who passed when I was a child and the women who helped raise me in her absence. All of my tattoos are on the inside of my arms, and I intend to keep using that real estate as I get more. I like that they can't be readily seen at first glance.

    Thanks for sharing your tattoos, and thanks for allowing me to share mine!

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  27. This was a fantastic post! I am a tattoo junkie too, I just love them and have many of them that have very special meaning to me. Funny you should talk about Chinese symbols and mistakes and meaning something else as I got a "messed" up one on me. I had a guy put strength in chinese on my chest and he put one of the letters upside down so it probably means kiss my butt or something. I would of never knew it was wrong but I decided to post up a photo on a tattoo FB page and someone messaged me that it was upside down. After sending the picture to a gal that taught in china yup it was wrong. Oh well one of my mistakes that I hopefully won't make again.

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  28. Love yours. I have the symbol for brotherhood on my left ankle (my sister has a matching one) and the Japanese character for strength on my right wrist. I they make me happy.

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