Ink'd grrrls and tattooed femmes

[LaneyDoll]

My latest body mod is now viewable in my gallery here. I put it there so that if anyone here does not want to see it, it will stay out of this thread.

It is not a tattoo. It is a cutting. I prefer my body mods to be temporary so that I can do them over again

Oh, and thanks to Diva for making me feel that all forms of self expression regarding our skin is welcome

[starryeyes]

I have a lower back piece with a sun ad moon, lots of flowers, butterflies and the words "I Know I'm Gonna Shine".

I also have an ankle tattoo with a grateful dead bear, flowers, butterflies and the words "Nothing Left to do but Smile, Smile, Smile"

I was really into the Grateful Dead in my younger years and I do regret the impulse tattoo I got on my ankle when I was 18, but it's a part of my forever now

[femmsational]

I have 5!


One on the back of my neck. It is the stick figure of a man holding a canoe paddle over his head. It was the logo of my canoe club that I paddled for.


On my right upper arm I have a band that is tribal. It was designed for me by my friend who is a tattoo artist. It's pretty and femine but large. I love it.


On the inside of my right wrist I have the symbol for a rainbow. On the inside of my left wrist I have the symbol for woman. It was either that or have dyke tattooed on my forhead. When I first came out, nobody believed that I was gay. Cause I didn't "look" it. GRRRRR (whole other thread)


On my lower back I have "Daddy's Girl"


All of mine are black and tribal in origin. I grew up Hawaiian and the hawaiian style tattoos are what really appeal to me. I want more but I don't get anything that doesn't have major significance. Right now I guess I'm not pasionate enough about anything to come up with a new idea. I'll have to wait til something pops into my head and sticks before I can get more. Bummer :-)




I LOVE tattoos.


take care,
julie

[Fatale]

I have have only one tattoo. It is quite significant to me and I will not get another unless it is for reasons equally as potent. It is an ouroboros (a snake holding its tail in its mouth) between my shoulder blades, its diameter is about 6 inches, and it is black work. The image, or some permutation of the concept is likely as old as mankind. It speaks to all things cyclical, ever lasting, ever renewing. It appears in mythologies throughout the world and in alchemical circles. I commissioned it at a time of great upheaval in my life and it has become a touchstone of sorts for me. I need simply see it and it grounds me.

[thedivahrrrself]

Originally Posted by LaneyDoll

My latest body mod is now viewable in my gallery here. I put it there so that if anyone here does not want to see it, it will stay out of this thread.

It is not a tattoo. It is a cutting. I prefer my body mods to be temporary so that I can do them over again

Oh, and thanks to Diva for making me feel that all forms of self expression regarding our skin is welcome

Cute paw print. I'm not into cutting, as I did that for non-decorative reasons back in my teens, but for those who don't understand the art form, do you care to tell everyone a little about it?

[aishah]

i have five tattoos:
neda/eating disorder awareness & recovery symbol on my upper right thigh (in blue and red)
om in tibetan script on my right hip (green)
phoenix on my lower back (black/red/orange)
quote by jane goodall on my left forearm (black)
butterfly wings around my girly bits (the only one i got totally cause it was pretty - black, blue, and purple)

and i used to have two piercings (nipples and vertical hood) but i took them out.

i want a bunch more tattoos. one day. when i am more financially stable i really would love a full back tattoo of a tree but i'd probably have to cover up the phoenix for it to look right. so we'll see. i'm not sure if i'd ever get more permanent piercings but i'm fascinated by corset piercings and would love one.

I love giving 'girls' corset piercings. Much errrm fun all round...and one blissed out, happy girl to boot.

Not a fan of multiple tattoos on one canvas...Just my preference that's all.

I don't have any tattoos myself, although I am considering one in my 50th year - next year - that is representative of stuffs important to me. The basis will be a frog. I do have some piercings left in however...nipples, nose and a couple in m'left ear. Took all the others out.

I take pride in doing aesthetic cuttings, permanent and impermanent. In my estimation the best I did was ExMrs.D's 'birdy' piece that ran from her thigh up one side of her body to her shoulder. Most of it isn't very visible anymore but the 'birds' I worked on most are still there and will be forever a reminder of what we shared.

[LaneyDoll]

Originally Posted by thedivahrrrself

Cute paw print. I'm not into cutting, as I did that for non-decorative reasons back in my teens, but for those who don't understand the art form, do you care to tell everyone a little about it?

Artistic cutting is a form of body modification that involves using a scalpel to cut a design into the skin. This form of cutting is not the same as self-cutting. This is a form of edge play that is often practiced in the BDSM community.

Scarring may or may not be a desired result and it may or may not happen although technique and aftercare can help prevent/encourage scarring. The design I have pictured here is meant to be temporary as it was only done to teach a class on blood play.

Most people who do this are taught (inadvertently) by the medical community OR who learn at the hands of someone who possesses the skills to do it. Artistic cutting actually hurts less than tattooing-as per my personal opinion and the agreement of people I know who have had both.

Artistic cutting is often very intimate as most cutters will not cut people they do not have some type of a relationship with.

I just logged in before hitting the hay and have seen this. I shall be back on the morrow.


Hasta la vista and all that...

May I first apologise for being inconsiderate posting here in the first place. I didn't realise this is in the femme zone. Seeing as I'm here and we're talking aesthetic cutting I'll say my piece and bugger off

There are many myths and preconceptions about cutting and aesthetic cutting. Laney has kindly given you a good outline.

As Laney suggested many of us have learned to do this from folks who know better than we do. Those folks may be medical professionals or body mod professionals; I've learned from both.

Speaking only for me I can say categorically I won't cut someone who has a past of self harm. I learned to ask the questions the hard way. I made the mistake once and I hope never to repeat it. That woman wears my mark forever and I kinda wish she didn't. *shrugs* She got it by default, that's for her to live with.

The person I've worked on most is a masochist and an artist. Result!

Cuttings can be anything from very temporary surface scratches through varying depths and permanency, ending with a deeper v of skin cut out which hopefully will leave a raised keloid scar. I tend not to do the very, very deep stuff. I leave that to the folks who know more than I do.

I wish I could post a link to some of the parts of ex Mrs.D's piece but that would be unfair to her. The last time I posted a link to it the piece wasn't finished.

As Laney suggested it's a form of edge play that is taken quite seriously by it's practitioners. Sterile implements and hygiene are imperative...I like that I get to wear scrubs and wotnot too if I'm of a mind to too


Each to their own really. Just don't knock it til you understand it or try it.

...and with that...toodles you lovely lot

[*Anya*]

First of all, I judge no one. I strongly believe in to each his/her own.

I totally understand that there is a world of difference between cutting and aesthetic cutting.

As an RN that has worked in behavioral health most of my adult life and has dealt with non-aesthetic cutters, it just gives me such a visceral reaction that I am not able to appreciate the aesthetics of the art.

I so appreciate the thoughtfulness of Laney in posting in your gallery, not in the thread.

Love you my sisters!

[GreeneyedMe]

I have 4 so far....considering my next one...need to find another "strategic" place to put it as my work environment does not appreciate them showing...

I have the word HOT in rainbow on the back of my neck...it is on fire and the letters look like they are melting, and it has two female symbols hanging from it...that was done in an "eff" the world moment

I have my own design of an eagle/phoenix on my left upper arm...done many years ago when I was heavy into the biker scene. (my road name was Phoenix)

On my upper left breast is a heart made of red roses and vines....depicting my love for flowers and my slightly "twisted" ways

And the last one...soon to be covered...is a tiny heart in flames on my upper right breast. That was my first one and I was terrified....ended up discovering my "need" for ink. That will one day be turned onto a dragonfly in purples, greens, and blues....and it will be "landing" on a purple thistle plant.

I also want to do something on my hip, but haven't met the person who may help to inspire that one yet

[thedivahrrrself]

Originally Posted by *Anya*

First of all, I judge no one. I strongly believe in to each his/her own.

I totally understand that there is a world of difference between cutting and aesthetic cutting.

As an RN that has worked in behavioral health most of my adult life and has dealt with non-aesthetic cutters, it just gives me such a visceral reaction that I am not able to appreciate the aesthetics of the art.

I so appreciate the thoughtfulness of Laney in posting in your gallery, not in the thread.

Love you my sisters!

I don't mind seeing cuts, but having a (distant) past relationship with the blade, I couldn't ever venture into that form of self-expression. I am always scared of doing anything to trigger any feelings I had in those years, physically or emotionally.

Laney is right in that tattooing and cutting feel very different. Tattooing doesn't hurt much as long as it's over muscle, not bone or fat, and it doesn't hurt at all afterward. Whereas, from what I remember, cutting doesn't really hurt while you do it, but there is quite a sting once the air hits it. Different strokes for different folks, I guess.

People all deal with their emotions, their pain, and their art is different ways. What makes body mods interesting is not the finished results, but the stories behind each one. Mine are like a note to self - you're stronger than you think, never forget you're blessed, things like that. For others, there is a memory, a person, a place they never want to forget.

OK, now I gotta get my arm piece finished. LOL