Poll: Do you have a tattoo?

[Medusa]

I think I posted in this thread years ago but I have new additions!

I have several tattoos and all of them are easily covered by everyday clothing. I work in a white collar environment and don't see that changing any time soon so it's important to me that I can wear regular dresses and skirts and tops without too much fuss.

I DID get two large feathers (one on each upper arm) 2 years ago and those were a big deal for me because they are the first tattoos I've gotten that I can look down and see. Still, I can wear tops with a half sleeve and they are covered.

My work is actually quite liberal when it comes to tattoos, piercings, hair color, etc. but only for the programmers or engineers who never see clients. I regularly meet with clients and attorneys so I definitely have to cover up my arms on those days.

If you count the cover ups I have, I have a total of 8 tattoos:

1 on each upper arm
1 tiny tat on my right shoulder
1 large back piece that covers 2 old tattoos
1 lower back piece (not quite a tramp stamp because it's a little higher)
and 1 in a private place that only my lover needs to know about

All of my ink means something to me. Even the pieces I got when I was very young. Luckily, I was smart enough not to get anything I regret like a Wylie Coyote holding a liquor bottle or a Confederate flag or something that would make me want to gouge my eyes out.

By far, my feathers on my arms are my most spiritual pieces. I got them at a time in my life when I had lost an enormous amount of weight, my beloved Gracie had died, and there were some serious shifts in significant relationships going on. I was re-evaluating everything. Putting a tourniquet on my bleeding wounds and slicing off the barnacles of old tumors dragging me down.

I guess it's not a huge deal to some but i knew that ink on my arms would change me in significant ways. It was like my way of saying to myself "I give you permission to be visible. All of your struggles. All of your hope. And yes, even all of your desires."

I have one more tattoo in mind but the time is not right. It will cover up the very first tattoo I ever got, both as a symbol of a new chapter in my life and as my final piece of ink and final resting place with myself. That one will also forever bind me to the most significant person in my life so I guess you could say I want it to be absolutely perfect.

Loving all the ink talk!

[Lyte]

No... and I'm having some difficulty finding an experienced artist to do my first.

[JDeere]

Originally Posted by Lyte

No... and I'm having some difficulty finding an experienced artist to do my first.

You should do a ton of research on an artist, do they have portfolios,etc??

[MsTinkerbelly]

None.......

[Lyte]

You're right! I admit I'm being a lil impatient. I need to search more and put out more feelers.

I did approach two who's work and portfolios are amazing! Both politely declined. I'm guessing either the piece that I'd like is too small and/or they're well past dealing with tattoo virgins. Iol Understandable.

Originally Posted by JDeere

You should do a ton of research on an artist, do they have portfolios,etc??

[JDeere]

Originally Posted by Lyte

You're right! I admit I'm being a lil impatient. I need to search more and put out more feelers.

I did approach two who's work and portfolios are amazing! Both politely declined. I'm guessing either the piece that I'd like is too small and/or they're well past dealing with tattoo virgins. Iol Understandable.

Yes possibly the tattoo virgin might be the problem they are having issues with.

[cutegrrl]

I don't have a tattoo yet but I am always pondering the thought of if I did what would I get and where....that always is the struggle.

[homoe]

Nope, no tatts here.

[JDeere]

Originally Posted by cutegrrl

I don't have a tattoo yet but I am always pondering the thought of if I did what would I get and where....that always is the struggle.

Do tons of research on what you want and the tat artist as well. Look at portfolios and their years of experience if you want a big piece.