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| Tuesday, January 23 2007 12:17 PM |
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Subject: Base Weblog |
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my next tattoo |
My next tattoo
It's been nearly a year since my last tattoo and it's driving me insane that I haven't had any work done in such a long time. The last time I went to the tattooist was very important for me as it was the first time I'd had any work done that everyone can see and I can't cover up. Even though I've got both arms done and now most of my chest, I'm instinctively quite shy about my tattoos and it's an instinct I try my best to fight. I was really worried that I'd be really uncomfortable with tattoos on my hand or neck, and maybe regret it, but I've been wanting them for so long I couldn't wait any longer. So the last time I had a large piece of work done on my chest and stomach (which apart from the discomfort) didn't bother me too much, but I was most excited about having a silly little swallow on my hand. When I had it done I felt like I'd been liberated. I'm actually far less shy about my tattoos now I've 'come out'. People are always complimentary about it, thanks to a very talented tattooist, it's actually a very nice piece of work that I'm really happy with. It's sort of a traditional swallow but it's really beautifully drawn and is a little art deco-ish and it looks just right where it is - the tail and wing curve really nicely up towards my arm. I remember watching as it was being done and for the first time it wasn't hurting. I'm a real coward with tattoos - they hurt like hell and I want to cry most of the time. Watching the swallow come to life on my hand was joy.
I fell in love with it straight away, and the tattooist was obviously very proud of it too. He'd done a similar design before but it was part of a larger piece on somebody's back or stomach. He hadn't done this on anybody's hand before. He said he was a bit worried that he'd have to do loads more and I noticed on his website that he has since done a much bigger one on somebody else's hand. I kind of wish I'd had something a little bigger now, though I think it's actually well proportioned and fits well with the size of my hand.
As he was finishing off and I'd got a big smile on my face, there were two thoughts going through my head - what will my partner and friends say, and shall I have another one on the other hand right now. Stupidly I decided to wait before having the other hand done to see how I got on with this one. Well my boyfriend was not amused, and he made me promise I wouldn't have one on my neck (he can obviously read my mind). I think he's used to it now, he's very tolerant, even though he has no interest in tattoos. My friends have all been polite or just ignored it all together.
Now my tattooist has a 6 month waiting list and I just can't book that far in advance, as I travel a lot. I desperately want something, maybe a little larger, on my right hand, but it's something I don't want to mess up. The previous tattooist I used (and the only other one I'd trust) Buggs, has moved to LA and that's a bit far for me. I suppose I'll have to keep looking to find somebody whose work I really love. Anyway, having something on my other hand is a given but I'm still plucking up courage to have something on my neck - moral support would be a great help! It has to be fantastic tattoo and I don't want something tiny that you can hardly see, and that I will be able to hide without thinking about it. My plan is to have have one on either side of my neck, maybe a couple of inches square and maybe something that works its way down to join up with one of the tattoos on my shoulders.
I'm also starting to think about having tattoos on my fingers too. I've never really thought about having a great many tattoos on my hands but I like what I've got so much that I'm starting to want more. Obviously I have to worry about work and I'm worried about how it will affect my career - not that I have much of one at the moment. I work freelance right now so it's not that big a deal if I have tattoos for the world to see, but who knows where I'll be in 10 years time? Having said that, it's not a huge concern to me. It's far more about my own lack of nerve and worrying about what friends will make of it. Still, you've gotta do what ya gotta do! |
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nzingha
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 Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2007 21:19 |
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Oh boy do I relate!!!!
My friends and family don't understand why I'm tatooed either. They went from being tolerant of it to now giving me compliments on how nice they look, but they still make a point of telling me that IT IS ENOUGH NOW! But I also contemplate the idea of having one sleeve and my wrist too....
Like you said i'd be nice to have the support but it's still OUR life and as long as everybody understands that, things will be ok.
The career issue shouldn't stop you. I work in social and political field and I make sure to be smart about it. Work is work and my life is my life. You should NEVER let your work (even less your coworkers!) define who you are, you have to draw a line somewhere.
cheers! |
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tim1
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| Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2007 02:49 |
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I can entirely empathize with your feelings when you got the work on your hand.. I'd always dreamed of having full sleeves, but was a bit shy about displaying the work I already had on my upper arms.
Lots of people here in Israel have small tattoos, but very few have extensive work on view. That was another impediment.
Eventually I found a studio and artist I felt really comfortable with, and chatting with him seem to free the mental block I had.
Being cautious by nature, I asked my boss if sleeves would present any problems, as I had a lot of customer-facing work. He didn't care, and so I went ahead.
As you no doubt know, it's a little weird at first when you look down at your arms. Anyway. the sky didn't fall in. I'm still the same me, although probably more self-confident now.
The bird on your hand really is a beautiful tattoo. I don't think I'm ready for a hand piece just yet - that's another mental block entirely :) - one day I'd love to go for it though. My wife complains that I have too many tattoos (how do you measure "too many"?), but at the end of the day she's pretty tolerant.
Look forward to seeing more pics as you progress.
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htattooedbear
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| Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2007 16:16 |
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thankyou for your blog entry. Your story is my story. Up to now, all my tattooing is hidden when i wear a T-shirt, a pair of jeans and sandals.
I look forward to getting my ankles and feet and lower arms done soon and then my hands and neck?
I want it so bad.
Geoff |
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