Tattoos

Published on July 19, 2006 By foreverserenity In Misc

I’ve always thought that tattooing the body was not something good to do for me. I’ve seen it on a few people, some were really interesting, and some made me wonder what the person was thinking!

I didn’t realize that people who got tattoos do it for a particular reason. I’ve always just thought some people were following a trend. I’ve come to learn that some do it because it’s an expression of something they believe, have gone through, are going through or as a testament to someone they love or have loved.

Once upon a time I would never let my children even wear those fake stencils that are out there. I’ve always had the mindset that doing that would be wrong. That tattooing the body was a sin, dishonoring the body which should be a temple, so to speak.

I began to think differently when I came to realize that tattooing was just another form of exploration – it was exploring art in a sense. It was also an avenue or an outlet for people to redefine who they were.

Watching Miami Ink and Hart & Huntington on TLC and A&E respectively, cemented in my mind my acceptance of this art form. That, and getting to know personally a few people who get this done to themselves often.

Both programs showed regular people and some not so regular people who came in to the shops to get tattooed. It also showed the individuals telling about their lives in their own words and why they were getting a tattoo.

The shows also focused on the tattoo artists themselves, who they were, what their mindset was (their way of thinking) and why they do what they did. I find them all to be very interesting people. It’s always interesting to look into the lifestyle of others who are different from you. They were really great people who cared about what they do and they did their work with such love and detail.

Now when my kids want to put temporary tattoos on I let them. Because it’s another way of letting them express themselves. It’s always interesting to see the choices each makes, just like those people featured on the television programs they choose art that represents what they love.

I’ve even tried some myself. The other day I had two designs on my wrist and one on my chest above my left breast. I found it to be very liberating and really reminded me of another side of my personality that I don’t let out too often anymore. There is that wild child in me, the one that is funky and loves to live life and have fun. Not just being the grown up who gets caught up on daily survival.

I enjoyed seeing Mark’s (Maso) new tattoo and also seeing the ones he already have, he showed them in one of his recent blogs.Link

I don’t have any tattoos on my body but I am thinking about getting one or two done. The only thing that’s stopping me is my threshold for pain. Although it’s strong, I don’t know if I can handle feeling a thousand ‘pin pricks’ without crying like a baby!LOL! I also know that getting a tattoo is not cheap too so I would definitely have to budget for such an expenditure.

Do you guys have any tattoos? If so what are they and why did you get them? I have an idea of a few people around here that might have one, I may be wrong of course but if you do, let me know and I’ll see if I’m right. No I’m not going to say who I think just in case I’m wrong. I just thought that given some personalities that I’ve come to know and love around here, perhaps they have a tattoo or two!

Here’s a pic of my temp tattoo, it’s gone now but I wanted to keep it in memory..hopefully this link works!

Link

Comments

josie0201

on Jul 19, 2006

Hey I used to think the same think beacuse in my family the idea of a tatto a piercing was an abomination but I have been always the rebellious one and I decided to get three star really cute... why stars? because nobody cant touch them and everybody wants them

now I fell so unique for having one that makes me feel proud of having it. It is one of the better things that had hapenned in my life

InBloom

on Jul 19, 2006

Personally, I'd never get a tattoo...it's not really something I'm interested in doing.

However, I do see how it's a form of art, and a form of expression. My sister has a few cute ones (she had one of a fairy done recently), and three of my brothers have some inked on as well.

The tv programs you mentioned help show that people from ALL walks of life get inked...it's not just a rebellious or bad boy/bad girl thing.

stutefish

on Jul 19, 2006

It's not as painful as you might think.

It's more of mild stinging, buzzing sensation. If your pain threshold is high, once you relax and get over the initial jolt of an unfamiliar sensation, it can actually be kind of pleasant.

Also, the process produces a "body high" or "rush" that can last for a few hours afterwards. It's more pleasant than a sugar rush, but not as intense as the high you get from most recreational drugs.

I have a tattoo on my right shoulder blade that I'm very proud of.

Texas Wahine

on Jul 19, 2006

I agree with stutefish's description. It's like a pleasantly intense scratching sensation.

I think tattoos can be very beautiful or they can be very tacky. They're definitely not something to be undertaken on a whim because removal is expensive and not guaranteed to work.

I have one tattoo and I think I will get another after the baby is born and weaned.

This was an enjoyable blog to read, FS.

foreverserenity

on Jul 19, 2006

one and I decided to get three star really cute... why stars? because nobody cant touch them and everybody wants them

Stars are very popular for one reason or the other.

it's not just a rebellious or bad boy/bad girl thing.

Exactly! I wonder how those people who are really 'die hard' at that type of living, rock, grunge etc., how they feel about that?

It's more of mild stinging, buzzing sensation. If your pain threshold is high, once you relax and get over the initial jolt of an unfamiliar sensation, it can actually be kind of pleasant.

Also, the process produces a "body high" or "rush" that can last for a few hours afterwards. It's more pleasant than a sugar rush, but not as intense as the high you get from most recreational drugs.

Aaaahhh...Thanks for letting me know!

I have a tattoo on my right shoulder blade that I'm very proud of.

Nice! What is it...if you don't mind saying.

I think tattoos can be very beautiful or they can be very tacky. They're definitely not something to be undertaken on a whim because removal is expensive and not guaranteed to work.

That's true. I've heard of some people trying to undo some they've gotten, especially those celebraties!

have one tattoo and I think I will get another after the baby is born and weaned.

Nice. I thought you had one!

This was an enjoyable blog to read, FS.

Thx Tex!

island_gurl12

on Jul 19, 2006

I dont have a tatoo, like you i'm afraid of the pain, even after people try to reassure me... LOL, i'm such a wuss...

Maybe i dont want to ruin my skin, not that its perfect, far from it, but i dont want to make things worse. Especially knowing that one day i'll be old and wrinkled a tatoo will just be ugly, lol!

But the temporary ones are fine with me, hehe!

Locamama

on Jul 19, 2006

I have one a little lizard on the top of my foot. It was more of a social thing, one of my friends was moving and we wanted to do something fun and memorable on her last night in town and that was it. I have to say it hurt really, really bad. I didn't cry. I'm not that wussy. I wasn't going to let them color it in but they convinced me that the coloring in didn't hurt as bad as the outline. I guess the top of the foot is one of the more painful areas because it's basically skin on the bone. There isn't a whole lot of padding there.

My husband did not want me to get it but I did anyway. He's my husband not my daddy. He said I could get one on the bottom of my foot and that my kids didn't want a mom with a tattoo. Of course, he's in the military and I think he's used to the Navy woman with tattoo's on their calves and he hates them and thinks they are trashy. So I compromised, I got it on the top of my foot.

I have occassionally had second thoughts about it. I do love tattoos though. Especially the old fashioned, rockabilly tattoo's the sacred hearts, swallows, nautical stars, pinups. I just have always thought that they were really neat but I don't know that I will get anymore.

Locamama

on Jul 19, 2006

Plus you can always pick up guys by asking them if they want to see your tattoo. It's usually a disappointment when you only have to take off your shoe to show them. ha ha.

foreverserenity

on Jul 20, 2006

, i'm such a wuss...

Hehe, me too!

one day i'll be old and wrinkled a tatoo will just be ugly, lol!

At that point you can go get it redone!

! that's if you really want to!

But the temporary ones are fine with me, hehe!

Yeah, these I do like and they last for a couple of days!

have one a little lizard on the top of my foot. It was more of a social thing, one of my friends was moving and we wanted to do something fun and memorable on her last night in town and that was it. I have to say it hurt really, really bad. I didn't cry. I'm not that wussy. I wasn't going to let them color it in but they convinced me that the coloring in didn't hurt as bad as the outline. I guess the top of the foot is one of the more painful areas because it's basically skin on the bone. There isn't a whole lot of padding there.

Aaahhh, that's nice! What color did you do?

have occassionally had second thoughts about it. I do love tattoos though. Especially the old fashioned, rockabilly tattoo's the sacred hearts, swallows, nautical stars, pinups. I just have always thought that they were really neat but I don't know that I will get anymore.

Yes, these sound good. Thanks for sharing Tonya.

Plus you can always pick up guys by asking them if they want to see your tattoo. It's usually a disappointment when you only have to take off your shoe to show them. ha ha.

! You're so funny!

dharmagrl

on Jul 20, 2006

I have 5 tattoos. Flowers on my ankle, an infinity symbol and a oroborous on my upper deltoids, a celtic knot on my upper back and another knot with a sunburst in it on my lower back. I have plans for more: my husband and I both want to get matching arm bands, mine around my wrist and his just below his elbow.

I love mine. They're all representations of inner thoughts or philosophies, they all mean something to me.

uDigItTheMost

on Jul 21, 2006

All my brothers have multiple tattoos. I love all their tattoos. I, myself, haven't gotten one yet. I'm have such a hard time deciding what I want. I know I want something original. My brothers and I are going to get all the same tattoo. Something celebrating our heritage, our parents and our brotherly bond.

I hope when you do get your tattoo you go to a great tattoo artist. Remember when it comes to tattooing you ususally get what you pay for. I don't know how many times people I know have bragged about how little they paid for their tattoos then when you see it, it looks like shit. Find a great artist !

Also you might want to ask the artist to draw what you want. Don't pick anything out of their book or catalog. You don't want to see your tattoo on anybody else. Any good artist will draw a few interpretations of what you want ( and please let it be what YOU want ) and after he completes his work on your body tell him to destroy the drawing. Like I said you don't want to see your tattoo on somebody else.

Good luck, and I hope you get exactly what you want. And I hope you show it to us, too.

foreverserenity

on Jul 21, 2006

Wow, these sound really cool Dharma, you should do a show and tell!

. Something celebrating our heritage, our parents and our brotherly bond.

This is beautiful! You guys really should do it!

I hope when you do get your tattoo you go to a great tattoo artist. Remember when it comes to tattooing you ususally get what you pay for.

Oh absolutely! Maybe I'll time it for when I do visit Las Vegas and go visit those boys at Hart and Huntington! Or I might just drive to Miami!

Also you might want to ask the artist to draw what you want. Don't pick anything out of their book or catalog. You don't want to see your tattoo on anybody else. Any good artist will draw a few interpretations of what you want ( and please let it be what YOU want ) and after he completes his work on your body tell him to destroy the drawing. Like I said you don't want to see your tattoo on somebody else.Good luck, and I hope you get exactly what you want. And I hope you show it to us, too.

Thx for the tips Chris, most appreciative!

dynamaso

on Jul 24, 2006

I'm really pleased you wrote this. There are so many people who hold unreasonable prejudices against those who have tattoos, it is refreshing to read this and see you stretching youself beyond your own doubts. As you say, tattoos are an art form and do help the individual define who they are and mark special relationships and occasions in their lives.

You know what I think about tattoos, Donna. I love 'em. As a few have said, the process isn't really painful, except when it is close to bone. Then it can hurt a little more. But I think the pain is worth it as is marks the occasion and gives it special significance (at least, it does to me anyway). I sort of see tattoos as an analogy for living; there can be lots of pricks trying to get under your skin and sometimes, if you take the pain and let it happen, the most beautiful art can be created.

Thanks for the mention and the link. I appreciate it. Oh yeah, and when you go and get one, make sure you get a photo to share with us all here.

foreverserenity

on Jul 24, 2006

Reply By: dynamasoPosted: Monday, July 24, 2006I'm really pleased you wrote this.

Thank you!

There are so many people who hold unreasonable prejudices against those who have tattoos

You know I didn't realise that I had some subconcious objections to it and the people who wear it. Not that I thought bad things about them, just that I thought doing it was not for me at all. Especially as I said in line with thinking that it was a sin to do that to my body. Somewhere as a child I learned that, probably from one of those churches I used to attend. My parents would not have instil that in me at all, plus as a child in Jamaica, I don't remember seeing anyone with tattoos so I doubt they even knew about such things. Anyway, as you say, going beyond my doubts, and seeing it for what it really is, and the people behind them opened my eyes.

I sort of see tattoos as an analogy for living; there can be lots of pricks trying to get under your skin and sometimes, if you take the pain and let it happen, the most beautiful art can be created.

This is a great analogy! (no pun intended!) (especially, "...tattoos as an analogy for living...", well said!)

Thanks for the mention and the link. I appreciate it. Oh yeah, and when you go and get one, make sure you get a photo to share with us all here.

Oh you're welcome! You inspired me ya know! I didn't even realised I did the same title as yours! And I definately will!

dynamaso

on Jul 24, 2006

I've heard people say ridiculous things about people with tattoos, piercings and even coloured hair. Most times, if the commentator is making judgements based only on physical appearances, then I tend to dismiss them as being shallow and vacuous. Sometimes, though, people deserve to be called on some of the things they say because often times, it is merely programming from an early age (read parents or church) talking and not really the individual's own opinion.

a great analogy

Thanks for saying so...

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