#103 He is an Artist

A little over a year ago, I got my first tattoo.  It was a strange and wonder filled occasion, which you can read about here.  Just for the record, I've never been one who dreamed of getting tattoos.  At the age that my younger brother was begging my parents for a tattoo (they said no), I was just begging to be allowed to listen to the Beatles (true story....my parents really made me hide under a rock during my mid-teens).  

I didn't make the plunge for my tattoo until I was 25 +1.  I had considered getting one before then, but never felt any pressing need to do it.  Something drastically changed once the needle stopped churning.  Suddenly, I had an empty canvas and thousands of thoughts for new tattoos and would have gladly hopped back onto the tattoo artist's chair if not for the sore spot I was currently nursing and the lack of cash in my pocket.

I wanted to somehow incorporate my love for writing into a tattoo, but I also wanted it to flow from what I had just gotten done.  I gave the project to Hubby because I didn't feel like thinking about it.  Hubby, despite what he claims, is a fantastic artist in a variety of different medium.  

Here are two examples from when we first started dating:

The amount of artistic creations I received from him when we were dating were not only numerous, but they were quality art for a teenager to be producing with simple materials as pencil, construction paper, etc.

A comma is something a writer uses, whether correctly or incorrectly, so I decided I wanted to tattoo the shape of a comma in a lacy print around my current tattoo.  Just like my first tattoo, it also holds a double meaning.  A comma is a pause between parts of a sentence.  Pausing is something I constantly have to remind myself to do when I get angry, upset, stressed, etc.  It's a good reminder for us all to put life on pause for a minute before we get worked up over anything.

Hubby was patient with me, as always.  He designed two or three different styles before we decided that the lace design would be an extremely large tattoo, one that I did not want to sit for.  After a little Googling, I discovered the watercolor tattoo style and fell in love.

While Hubby did not design my tattoo, he helped by sketching out the idea for how to incorporate the comma with watercolor splashes

Deciding on what tattoo to get was a culmination of many months of thought, design, rejection, and talking with Hubby.  But it was really my grandmother who pushed me to go ahead and get it.

When my brother and I got our first tattoos together, we kidded my grandmother about getting one.  My grandmother loves a challenge though, and soon the joke became a reality.

You'll remember from this post that Gram turned 80 this year.

But she was fearless.  She knew what she wanted, and exactly how she wanted it.

I kept checking on her the entire time and her worst complaint after it was all over was that she was uncomfortable with how she was sitting.  She couldn't have cared less about the needle rubbing across her skin, only that she was sitting in an awkward position the entire time.

I love her.

We switched seats, and then it was my turn!

I was a little more of a wimp.  The tattoo artist, Frank, who was awesome, had me laying down for the start of my tattoo.  I couldn't manage to find a comfortable position.  I kept flipping my head from left to right, then my arm started falling asleep, then it started shaking from the falling asleep, and I was an absolute complete mess.

We took a break half way through so I could switch into a sitting position.  That made the end a million times better.

I told Gram a butterfly is a typical girl tattoo, but hers is certainly much more classy than any I've seen so far.

She was pretty excited.

When I was taking pictures of Gram's tattoo, Jon wanted a picture with her so he twirled her around so that her tattoo was in the shot.

He's a cutie.

He tried to do the same with me, but Gram didn't know how to use my camera, so my tattoo got slighted.

Jonathan started laughing and I had to capture the moment.

Sorry.

I just love that face.

I asked Hubby at a pretty inopportune time later that night to take a picture so I could blog about it.  This is why we have a little glare going on.  This was the best picture where the glare wasn't in such an awkward spot and my neck didn't look so much like a giraffe's.

And that's what I get for wanting what I want when I want it.

  

#74 He Has Tattoos

While yes, my hubby does have tattoos, and yes, I find that properly placed tattoos on a man add an extra 10% hotness factor, this blog is not about my hubby's tattoos.  It's about mine.

How To Get Your First Tattoo

Getting a tattoo is a major choice in life.  Especially your first one.  First, before ever even considering getting a tattoo, comes the decision if you are okay with tattoos or not.  When you realize, "Hmm, I think I'm okay with tattoos," then comes the thought that perhaps you might actually want one someday.  This is followed by hesitation.  Little old you?  Get a tattoo?  You start to entertain the idea and then think, "What on earth would I get?".  This is when the advice of your friends and family who do not like tattoos comes in handy, or not. 

Among many thoughts to ponder, here are the most popular: 

"It's there for life"  

"It'll be there when you're old and wrinkly" 

"How will you get a job with that?" 

After all of that, if you're still thinking about getting a tattoo, you might just actually be ready.

First 

Have a friend who is really excited about getting one too.  When they decide that they are definitely going to get one, tell them you'll come along for moral support.

Second

Consider the possibility of also getting your tattoo at the same time as your friend.  When they say, "You should get one too", say, "I'll think about it."

Third

If you are really thinking about it, don't let the thought make you wimp out.  Instead, start really considering that butterfly tattoo that you thought you always wanted.  

Then think again about your second and third tattoo choices.

Fourth

When you finally arrive at the tattoo parlor, browse around the standard tattoo selections that they have, but commit yourself inside to wanting that one of a kind tattoo that's always been imprinted in your brain.  It's at that point that you'll feel a little safe and secure, thinking that the tattoo artist won't possibly have time to give both of you a tattoo today.

Fifth

While your friend is getting his/her tattoo you have to balance doing two things.  First, you have to be there for your friend.  If they want to squeeze your hand, let them.  But, second, you also have to make fun of your friend.  Their initial look of terror should be video recorded or at least a picture or two should be taken.  Continue kidding your friend about how much longer they have to go until their tattoo will be finished.

Sixth

When your friend's tattoo is finished, don't listen to a word he/she says about how it felt.  Tell the tattoo artist what you were thinking about getting, but warn him/her that you aren't positive that you are ready to go through with it. 

At this point, you'll probably become short of breath and have a mixture of worried and excited feelings.  

Seventh

Let the tattoo artist put the stencil on you and think about whether you love it or hate it.  If you love it, say yes, and get your first tattoo started.  If you hate it, walk out the door as quickly as possible.

Eighth

Don't let your friend who was just wincing while getting his/her tattoo make fun of you as you begin to get yours.  Take deep breaths and just pretend that there are bees stinging you over and over again in one concentrated area of your body.  If possible, close your eyes and try to take a nap.

Lastly

Realize when your tattoo is finished that it wasn't as big a deal as you originally thought.  Then, especially if you are a girl, go out and buy clothing that will flaunt your tattoo tastefully.

Bonus Tip

Try to make your tattoo have meaning that will carry with you through the ages.  As a violinist, I knew I wanted a treble clef, however, the deeper meaning is in the four notes.  My brother, Jonathan, has called me Gaga for his entire life.  Doesn't matter that he can pronounce Jessica now, he still calls me Gaga.  The four notes in my tattoo spell out my special name from Jonathan.