I'm at a strange point in my life... you see. I'm now 30. I suppose this was to be expected, after all I was 29 and this is a natural progression. But the weird thing is, I don't feel it. I don't have a husband, or children... and no real desire to have either right away. I'm busy with my life and working on my art and... now I'm 30. I guess I expected to be somewhere else right now, more settled, mature, more like my parents (the ultra conservative looking folks that they are). But then, as I keep re-discovering life never really turns out the way you plan it, no matter how dedicated you may be to the outcome you aim for.
At A Glance Author Sara Contact Sara@bme.anon IAM postmodgirl When A month ago Artist Giovanni Studio Stained Skin Location Columbus, Ohio So I wake up, and I'm 30. I go take a bath, and I'm still 30. I didn't have any particular plans that day, for most everyone I knew was working or otherwise occupied, and then it occurred to me that yes I'll just go and get tattooed.
I have two so far, the first being Celtic dogs at my inner right ankle, and the black work Mayan fire serpent on my left shoulder. I intend to add on to both, and had been rolling around ideas for my next tattoo for years and years. Personal finances and other obligations kept me from being inked again, sad to say. But a recent influx of cash made it possible, I just needed to decide on what I wanted.
Like I said, I'm an artist (check my IAM page for images and links). A few years back I was playing around with tattoo flash, and modifying my own interpretations of the more popular designs. A few of which were a series of birds modeled after the classic blue bird you see so often, but different species, like robins, wrens, and other small birds. My favorite of which was a mourning dove, which had a nice curve to it. After my bath I dug around in my computer for my archives and looked at a few of my drawings and settled on the dove. I don't want to design all my tattoos, but I figure with the rest of the ink I intend to get; at least one of the designs should be my own. I've been living with the image for years and so I knew I could put up with it for a very long period of time. Plus the meaning that birds have for me won't change or become something I suddenly will dislike (I associate birds with my mom, who has been an avid bird watcher for as long as I can remember). So design, and color samples in hand (images of real mourning doves) off to the parlor I went.
Only to find out that they were unable to take me that day. Ah well, I am usually one for making appointments, so I did so.
I should mention that I went to Stained Skin in Columbus. I've been inked at the studio before, and I know that the owner has high standards in the artists he employs. Boys and girls, should you be thinking of getting inked always research your studios, make sure that they are clean and use autoclaves, plus be sure they can draw. Even if you bring in your own design, if they can't draw they won't be able to reproduce it as well as one who can. [/ end disclaimer ]
So I was on in a few days, and let me tell you I hate waiting.
But the day came as days do. I spent most of the morning roaming Columbus being tense, and harassing my friends who worked in shops downtown till my time had come.
I return to the studio, and met the artist who was to ink me. Giovanni was his name, and I was pleased to note that he had won a few awards at past tattoo conventions. I should say that part of this was an experiment and a leap of faith. While I had done the original design, the drawing I gave him was just line work. I was leaving the color and shading up to him. I wanted this tattoo to be a spur of the moment kind of thing. Surrendering control, and a kind of collaboration between me at the tattoo artist. Even the spot for me was a bit of a risk, I chose the 'upside' of my left fore arm, near the bend at the elbow. A bit of a public space and harder to hide than my other tattoos. But since I want to be partially sleeved, I figure that this would be a good way to commit myself and give the finger to my conservative upbringing. And, well I guess this tattoo was about many things.
The actual tattooing at first was not as bad as I remembered it, but as the needle moved to the inside of my arm and on the outside near the elbow it did sting more. The whole process was over briefly, and I had to admit to a bit of parental anxiety as I watched him ink the lines and the color (especially the color), because of the whole surrendering of control. But he did a good job, I was content with the final design.
What I didn't expect was the bruising. For about 5 days afterwards there was a slight bruising around the tattoo, in some places extending out several inches from the tattoo itself. It was just a darker yellow, never an ugly purple, and sore, sore as all fucking hell. The worst part for me is never getting the ink, that's over soon. It's the healing, and the scabbing. Keeping it dry and protected but at the same time wondering what will be revealed after the scabs are gone. This time around I tried the 'do nothing' method, which means keep the bastard clean, wash it once a day and do nothing else (self explanatory eh?). My skin got really tight, and it went through two peelings before it settled down. But all in all this one healed better than my other two, and won't need a touch up.
That was a month ago, and I'm still getting used to seeing the bird on my arm. I like to call tattoos 'optional birthmarks', because once there in, they're in. I couldn't have this one removed even if I wanted to (the laser technique to remove tattoos won't work on white ink as I understand it, and this one has a good amount of that. It definitely needs to be added on to, for it seems very separated from the tattoo on my shoulder. Ah but that's a plan for next time, and I think since Giovanni did such a good job I might go back to him and discuss designs and such. Or perhaps I'll go visit another tattoo artist I've heard so much about. After all, tattooing is a collaborative effort, and as a collector I want to commune with many talents.