Tattoo Tuesday V.70

Name // blog name: Donna from Deer Donna!
 
Age: 30

Occupation: Office Admin / Bookkeeping
 
Age of first tattoo: 19 or 20 I think..

Favorite tattoo: My new "nanna" tattoo and my anchor with a bow on it, which matches my boyfriend's tattoo!

Featured tattoo/location: A pin cushion heart with little heart pins in it, a sewing thread, a "nanna" banner and some flowers. In honour of my nanna of course!

Artist/shop/location of feature tattoo: Third Eye Tattoo in Brunswick, Melbourne, Australia....by the wonderful Zoe Dennis. It is located on my right forearm just near the elbow ditch.

1) Tell us about your featured tattoo- is there a background story or special meaning? Why did you choose this particular piece of art?

My nanna passed away just over a year ago, and I got a rose tattooed on my right shoulder blade in her honour, not long afterwards. But it wasn't enough! I wanted to do something special, with her name in it, as she was very special to me, and taught me how to knit and sew.... So I got a heart shaped pin cushion with little heart pins in it, and a sewing thread and needle, and some pretty flowers, with a "nanna" banner in the middle, to remind me of her daily! I love it so much. Zoe did such an amazing job, and I will be going back to her again soon to re-do my left sleeve!

2) Do you have any other tattoos?  If so, what do you have and where? 

I have about 13 pieces all up, but my left sleeve has been tattooed on over 7 times I think, by all different artists. It includes a rhino beetle with cogs and wheels inside him, two yellow sunflowers, a hummingbird moth, a butterfly, some birds, a fob watch and some blue ribbon. I am actually about to have it worked on, and completely changed, as I am not happy with how it looks in certain places and it is very unfinished. Zoe, who did my nanna tattoo, will rework it for me over the next few months and I will end up with two massive peacocks spanning my whole left arm.

I have a rose on my right shoulder blade.

An anchor with a bow on it, which matches one my boyfriend Christian has. He loves old school tattoos and we love getting tattooed together, he actually has a Tumblr dedicated to them... http://swifthungryswallow.tumblr.com/ 

We also have matching wrist tattoos, I got a love letter with roses, and Christian got a bird holding the same love letter.

I have a cuckoo clock with a deer head on it on my right upper arm, which isn't finished yet.

 

I have a spotty bow on my left thigh which I got done years ago, and a few other smaller pieces, including my very first tattoo which was a Smashing Pumpkins inspired tattoo of the word "Adore" - etched into my left hip when I was either 19 or 20.


I have another anchor on my right side of my stomach, just under my ribs, and I have two Gloomy Bears on my lower back on the right hand side, which are just outlines... never finished or coloured!

3) Do you plan on getting more?

Definitely! As mentioned, I am going to end up with my whole left arm covered in flowers and two peacocks, which will also symbolise my nanna and my family, as some peacocks used to fly into my nannas backyard all the time when our family was living with her growing up. It is already in the works with Zoe! I also want a flamingo on my right sleeve, and some more family tributes, including a blue diamond for my mum, a bunny for my sister, and two bluebirds for my twin brothers. I might get tributes to my two kitties Falkor and Sailor Jerry one day as well.

4) How do your family and friends feel about your tattoo(s)?  Have you run into any adversity or negativity because of them? Do you have a significant other? Does he/she have tattoos? 

Believe it or not, I hid my tattoos from many people for years. No one really saw them, and my workplaces have never known about them as I work in a Corporate environment. I recently decided I am going to be the true me, and even though I didn't like my left side sleeve for a long while after rushing into it, I showed my family what I have, and they were very accepting and wonderful about it. I had one laser session on my left sleeve, as I wanted to rework it, and the laser session was painful and didn't work the way I expected, so I am grateful to have a great artist in Zoe, who will help me achieve what I want my sleeve to look like!

It was exciting when I got my nanna tattoo, because I was able to send the sketch to my mum and sister to show them and get their approval beforehand, and then on the day, I was able to send pics to them and share the beautiful moment with them! I am so glad they love it, and are accepting of my others tattoos as well. Yay for my awesome family! I know they can see that this is a creative outlet for me, and that I just love tattoos and pretty things.

As for my significant other.. Christian, he LOVES tattoos. He is amazing. Because we are both very arty, and love the old school style, he has helped me so much in both new tattoos, and reworking old tattoos. He has lots of old school tattoos too, and we love spending time visiting the many amazing tattoo artists in Melbourne, getting walk ins, or planning bigger pieces. I love that we have matching tattoos too, and I am sure we will end up with more in the future. I know he loves my tattoos, and finds them attractive, and when we are old folks together, we will love looking at them and remembering this time in our life where we were collecting tattoos together.

5) Any advice for those interested in getting tattooed but haven't gotten one yet?

Really, really, really make sure you want what you are getting... FOREVER! I am a perfect example of someone who rushed into some tattoos, and even though I love tattoos, love most of mine, and have every intention of getting more, I wish I had've thought about the ones on my left sleeve more before jumping in. When I started that sleeve, I had 5 tiny birds, then I got a yellow flower, and after that, instead of thinking about my next tattoo, I really rushed, and before I knew it, I had a mess of bugs and flowers happening, which meant nothing to me. I then tried laser removal, and realised that is harder than it seems, and the colours on my ink were going to be very hard to remove... So now I am very lucky to have a tattoo artist who will rework my arm into something beautiful with more meaning to me  ie: the peacocks I have planned.

Another word of advice, make sure you are totally comfortable with your artist, and choose someone who suits your style. Before finding Zoe, and my more recent tattoo artists, I was going to artists who didn't specialise in old school tattoos, so it wasn't working out the way I have inititally planned. That is why sometimes in your mind you think "awesome, I am getting an old school fob watch" and then you end up with a new school clock, which isn't what you wanted, even if it is pretty.... So yeah, just plan, plan, plan! We spend heaps of time online looking for cool artists.

Ask people who did their work if you like it. Don't be shy, most people are pretty cool with it, as long as you aren't grabbing hold of their arm and touching them without permission, it's pretty cool to say "I really like your ink, do you mind me asking who did it?" It's happened to Christian, my boyfriend, before, and I have been told my tattoos are lovely by all kinds of people, including and old Italian man at the beach once! So cute!!

I guess one more thing is, have fun with it! Getting tattooed is awesome, and whether you get something because it is meaningful to you, or just because it is cute or pretty, make it fun, and take someone you love with you. I love getting tattooed with my man beside me. I still want to do it with my sister one day. I know it'll be awesome fun!

Thanks Danielle for letting me ramble on!

Love Deer Donna xoxox

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Tattoo Tuesday V.69

 Name and blog name: Beca / www.curiositiesandthelike.blogspot.com

Age: 25

Occupation: Pastry Chef / Part Time Drink Slinger / Junk Store Archeologist

Age of first tattoo: 21

Favorite tattoo: So very hard to choose, but I will always love the portrait of my boyfriend holding one of our Boston Terriers, Charlie by Isaiah Toothtaker of Staring Without Caring in Tucson Arizona.

Featured tattoo/location: Four kiddos balancing on a bicycle with a banner that reads "I Remember" on my left arm (from my shoulder to me elbow)

Artist/shop/location of featured tattoo: Isaiah Toothtaker of Staring Without Caring in Tucson, Arizona

1) Tell us about your featured tattoo- is there a background story or special meaning? Why did you choose this particular piece of art?

My Grandpa Jack loves to talk, and loves to tell stories and due to the unfortunate decay of memory caused by Alzheimer's Disease, stories are about all he has left to tell. Ever since I was very small, his favorite story is one from when he was a kid, maybe 8 years old. He and three friends broke a world record for bicycle endurance by riding one bike consecutively for weeks on end during one summer in Michigan. The whole town celebrated and he was given a new suit and toys and gifts for the feat. He even has an old newspaper clipping featuring the boys and their bicycle. The story brings me so much happiness. As my grandfather's disease progressed, I told Isaiah that I wanted to get something so that I would never forget the story and what it means to me. He drew up this fantastical acrobatic image and here is it. It is by far the tattoo I get asked about most often and I will always hold a special place in my heart for it.   

2) Do you have any other tattoos?  If so, what do you have and where?

I've lost track! Somewhere in the 30s. I love little tattoos, like tick marks on a timeline, each one has been a stamp as to what I like, what I am thinking about, what is important to me at that moment. Some I plan out, like the portrait of my boyfriend and our dog, or my parrot LeRoy on my shin, or the Lotaria heart (for Tucson) on my inner arm. Some have been really spontaneous, like the hot air balloon on my forearm, popeye and "Pain Hurts."  It's such a mixed bag, but each a total reflection of my personality. I Love Billie Holiday so two for her, I like Marc Gonzalez, so a drawing from his book, I love hearts so I have about 25 little ones. There are the star gazers from my Grandma Ruthie, the pterodactyl and the moray eel.  Honestly, I don't take my tattoos very seriously. I have skateboard monsters from a Michael Sieben series on my hands, "Bake Sale" on my knuckles, the rebel alliance from Star Wars on my forearm, and "Bless This Mess" on my chest! Please! How could that not make you laugh just a little bit? I believe strongly that even if your tattoos have meaning behind them and can be serious, you should still have fun with them. I will always have fun with mine.

 

 

3) Do you plan on getting more?

I'm sure I will, at some point, but since we have moved to San Diego, I probably won't get tattooed until we go back to Tucson for a visit. I have never really prioritized getting tattooed, it's always just happened when I had extra cash or if I really wanted to get something done. Tattoos are expensive but definitely addictive, so I'm sure I'll be back for more!

 

4) How do your family and friends feel about your tattoo(s)?  Have you run into any adversity or negativity because of them?

For the most part, everyone in my life has been really accepting. My mom hates my tattoos, but she seems to be the minority. My grandparents think it's funny, my dad is stoked because I got one for him. My boyfriend has as many as I do. And, of course, I have gotten a handful of negative comments from strangers. My favorite was "But you're so pretty, why would you let someone do that to you!" as though they had been forced upon me. When that happens, I smile and remind the person in front of me that I like them and I'm happy. I have had a lot of different jobs and even taught middle school for a year in a public school. The kids were OBSESSED with asking me about my tattoos and the staff and parents treated them as a novelty. I'm pretty immune to all the questions by now. Since it's impossible for me to completely cover my tattoos (my fingers, hands and throat are tattooed) I have definitely had to accept that people will always ask and ALWAYS share their opinion.

 

5) Any advice for those interested in getting tattooed but haven't gotten one yet?

It's your body! If you want to get tattooed and you feel totally comfortable with the fact that you will have it forever, go for it. Even though tattoos are becoming more socially acceptable, they might not always be, so if you're getting a visible tattoo, be totally sure you are willing to live with the fact that people are going to ask you a lot of questions, they might even touch you without asking permission, you may not get that job, and you may regret it. But really, when it comes down to it, it's your decision and nobody can make it for you. Oh yeah, don't forget to have fun with it, it's just skin. Your skin! Enjoy it!

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Tattoo Tuesday V.68

 

Name and blog name:  Morgan Powell // www.ofroses.com

Age: 21

Occupation:  Between a lot of things (unemployed). At the moment, just trying to figure out which of my dreams to really focus on.

Age of first tattoo: 18. It was just a simple outline of a star on my wrist (I know, so original), but I learned my most important tattoo lesson that day. As much as I truly appreciate the artist's opinion, I know better than to listen to them 100 percent. If you're convinced of what you want, don't let the artist sway you. He tried to get me to put the tattoo somewhere else (less conspicuous), assuming I'd regret the decision (I didn't), or at least in light blue or pink so that it wouldn't be so noticeable. I thought about his suggestions, but in the end decided against them. It's so easy (for me--I'm terribly indecisive) to second-guess my tattoo vision when someone is attempting to talk me out of it, but in the end I'm always happy with my decision. The same happened with my second tattoo, but again, I stuck with the plan, and wouldn't want it any other way.

Favorite tattoo:  The featured tattoo, a dead raven.

Featured tattoo/location: A dead raven on my left forearm.

Artist/shop/location of feature tattoo: Stranded in Savannah, Ga (best tattoo shop! James is so awesome, he basically freehanded the whole thing).

1) Tell us about your featured tattoo- is there a background story or special meaning? Why did you choose this particular piece of art?

This tattoo was pretty impulsive--I hadn't really intended on getting it until I went as moral support for a friend of mine who wanted to get his first. When he backed out of what he was going to get, I stepped up and presented an idea for something I'd been thinking about. While I do love Edgar Allen Poe and have a pretty healthy curiosity of death, this one doesn't have much special meaning or story. But I've found that not every tattoo has to have that, which is difficult for people who don't have any to understand.


2) Do you have any other tattoos?  If so, what do you have and where? 

There is one on my upper back that reads   "and night (climbs the air,"   the last line of my favorite e.e. cummings poem. e.e. cummings is also my favorite poet (besides Rainer Maria Rilke), and coincidentally happens to be the same poet my father read from when he was "wooing" my mom, back before I was even an idea in their heads. This is also the tattoo that causes the most confusion. The Native American woman on the right side of my back is an image I originally fell in love with the when I saw it in my sister's portfolio (not hers originally, but she did a fantastic job drawing it). Pretty much immediately, I decided that at some point I wanted it as a tattoo. One, because it reminds me of my sister, and two, because our great grandfather was a Cherokee Indian Chief and we've always loved that part of our heritage because it is so connected to the earth and to the cycle of life.  The other tattoo is just a simple lightning bolt on my foot (I used to say I would never get tattooed on my feet or legs!). It was an anniversary tattoo, and my boyfriend has a matching one on his foot (I also used to scoff at couples who got matching tattoos, but in the end, we've been best friends for over five years now, so no matter what it's a tattoo that commemorates us.)

3) Do you plan on getting more? 

Definitely! As soon as I have the extra cash, I already have my next two in mind.

4) How do your family and friends feel about your tattoo(s)?  Have you run into any adversity or negativity because of them? 

My dad took it the hardest, and I tried to hide it from him for the longest time but eventually, of course, he saw them. My mom just takes it for what it is--she tries not to dictate what my sister and I do for the most part--and my sister just thinks that I'm too impulsive (she's right). My friends have always been supportive (for the most part), and Brian has the matching lightning bolt, but that's about it. He's a big wimp when it comes to pain. As for adversity, I've definitely gotten some stares and a few nasty looks (mostly when it comes to my back), but I really don't get offended by that. In a way (and I think this is the Aries side of me rearing its ugly head) I enjoy causing a stir, and I love upsetting people's idea of what's "normal."

5) Any advice for those interested in getting tattooed but haven't gotten one yet?

If you really want it, get it. Don't let anyone try to talk you out of it. You don't know what will happen in a year, let alone fifty years, down the road--so do what you love and don't think so hard. If I was old and wrinkly and tattoo-less, I'm sure I would regret that more than being old and wrinkly and tattooed. You only live once. That being said, it's always good to make sure you love what you put in permanent ink on your body, and definitely find an artist that you feel a connection with. My biggest rule when picking an artist is being sure that I like their non-tattoo art in addition to their tattoo art. After all, a tattoo artist is an artist first. And if it's somewhere visible, it's important that you enjoy talking to strangers. Because there will always be someone to ask you about your tattoos.

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Tattoo Tuesday V.67

Name and blog name: Tenille Evans // http://www.eelsjewellery.blogspot.com

Age: 27

Occupation: Self employed jewelery designer and fulltime mama.

Age of first tattoo: I had it done for my 21st birthday. It was a pink diamond in my left armpit. The tattoo artist Zoe Windle was a little reluctant to do it, seeing as though it is quite a painful spot for a first tattoo! I figured I didn’t have anything to compare it to yet. I don’t remember it hurting too much but I’m sure that when I get around to getting the other armpit tattooed, I’ll be a much bigger wuss about it.

Favorite tattoo: An anchor on my right ankle. My only piece of flash, my almost-husband and I both got matching ones on a whim on our third date. It was a bit of a joke that went way too far! Lucky it worked out between us, or it would probably be my least favourite tattoo now!

Featured tattoo/location: Dead lady with pomegranate and peonies on my right upper arm.

Artist/shop/location of feature tattoo: Heath Nock. Custom Tattoos Sydney, Australia.

1) Tell us about your featured tattoo- is there a background story or special meaning? Why did
you choose this particular piece of art?

This is actually part of what will eventually become a full sleeve. It is a woman holding a pomegranate, inspired by a painting called Proserpine by Dante Gabriel Rossetti. She is surrounded by a wreath of yew berries and peonies.

It is based around imagery from a John Keats poem called Ode to Melancholy. To be honest, I am actually a bit of a nerd and really love poetry. This poem is about the transience of beauty and the inevitability of all things coming full circle. Without wanting to sound like a pessimist (because I’m not!), it’s really about the inevitability of death. It actually kind of makes sense as a tattoo metaphor. A tattoo is something “permanent” but really, in a larger sense, what does the concept of permanence really mean? In a way, getting tattooed is a way to remind myself of my mortality and be ok with it. Which I think is a lovely, humbling and truthful thing.

I was intended to have a line from the poem put into the banner. But never having got around to it, it’s been empty for 3 years and now I think I like it that way. Heath has also done a skull with a purple rose on my forearm. The two pieces will at some point be joined by some large death’s head moths and maybe some more flowers.

2) Do you have any other tattoos? If so, what do you have and where? 

A zombie Guadalupe-style nun on my left calf. This was done by Megan Oliver at Innervision Tattoo in Sydney. No story about it, I just dreamed that I already had it, so I thought there must be a reason, and had it inked!

Roses on my inner right arm. Done by Jeremiah Barba when he was working at Last Rites in NYC.

Two dead swallows on my stomach. Done by Carl Carlson from Diablo Art in Sydney. I had these
done before my pregnancy. They stretched out and have since gone back, completely normal.

Pink Diamond in my left armpit done by Zoe Windle when she was working at Innervision Tattoo in Sydney.

Anchor on my right ankle done by Ryan Ussher when he was at Skin Deep Tattoo in Sydney.

On the side of my right knee, I also have a heart with a banner saying ‘Cash’- my baby son’s name. Very badly done by me! I’ll go over it again at some point. Or maybe get a professional to do it!

3) Do you plan on getting more?

Yes! I would love to have more. The only thing that holds me back is money! Getting tattooed is an expensive hobby. I generally prefer to save up for quality custom work. And it isn’t cheap!

4) How do your family and friends feel about your tattoo(s)? Have you run into any adversity or negativity because of them? 

My immediate family love them. They are actually now all tattooed themselves! My mum got her first tattoo a few years ago with me in New York City. My dad and three sisters all have one or two each and always talk about getting more. My partner has a few tattoos but doesn’t have any really large pieces....yet! Like me, he’s very keen to get more.

As far as the general community goes, most of the responses I get from people are very positive. People think they look great and are genuinely interested. I do however, get responses and comments even when I haven’t asked for them. This happens often and although I’m pretty tolerant and generally don’t mind talking to people, it can get tiresome sometimes. “Did that hurt?” “Why did you do that?” “What does it mean?” “Did you think about....(whatever)...”

Whenever I’m feeling like I don’t feel want to talk to strangers and answer the same old silly questions, I just cover up. When I choose to do this, it’s just that, my own choice. I’m pretty lucky that I am self-employed and a work from home mama so I can look and dress however I like! In the past though, I have covered up for job interviews, for meetings and for my nanna.

I have had a couple of very negative experiences, the worst being when a man physically grabbed my leg and yelled obscenities at me! I have to shrug those off though, because people who are that offended by somebody else are obviously very unhappy people. Being angry about it only intensifies the negativity. It’s better to forget it and wish those people well.

5) Any advice for those interested in getting tattooed but haven't gotten one yet?

For me, the reason I got my first tattoo is very different to the reason I keep going back and getting more. These reasons are highly subjective and personal for me and your reason for getting tattooed should be as well. Even though Miami Ink would have us think otherwise, it really doesn’t matter WHY you get tattooed. You shouldn’t feel like you need to justify your choices to anyone but yourself. Every tattoo doesn’t need a story to be important.

On the other hand, you should definitely think hard about what you want to put on your skin and why. But, don’t think for too long. It’s just skin. As soon as you take the plunge, you’ll realise it’s not really as big of a deal as you first thought. Yes, it’s going to be on you forever but no one really knows how long that is. Saying that though, make sure whatever artwork you choose to put on your skin is meaningful and truthful to YOU, no one else. Then go for it!

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