Jonesing for Ink

When people see my tattoo, the first thing they often say is, "Wow, it's big!".  The second thing is often, "Did it hurt?"  To which I reply, "Not a bit!  It was like a 6 hour massage!"  Ha.  It hurt like Hell.  It felt like someone poking me repeatedly - and often in the same spot - with needles.  And yet, as soon as my beautiful bird was completed, I was planning the next bit of ink to adorn my body.

I actually have at least four more tattoos planned.  If I won the lottery, I would have so much ink!!  Gabe and I are planning to get matching ink on our hips of the blue feather from the cover of the book Illusions - the Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah.  A talented illustrator on my Etsy street team has agreed to design an ankle bracelet tattoo for me of Rowan branches with berries intertwined with Indigo flowers to represent the girls.  I want a phoenix on my left hip and thigh.  But the one I am really jonesing for right now, is a large lotus blossom with a spiral root and wings behind in that will go between my shoulder blades.  Eventually I think it would be amazing to have my whole back covered.  I'm thinking about putting a harvest moon behind the raven.

So, I have been researching artists and styles and drooling over tattoos for the last couple of days.  I am seriously considering making the trek to Seattle so I can have my tattoo done by Madame Lazonga.  Her color work is just so incredibly lush and gorgeous.  She is quite famous in the tattoo world so I'm sure it would be expensive but I don't think permanent body art is really something one should bargain hunt for.

I was looking at tattoos on Flickr and found this utterly amazing piece.  It doesn't even look real!  I can only imagine the incredible amount of hours in the chair that went into this tattoo!  Stunning!

Photo by Max Dolberg

So, I am plotting and planning and saving images and money.  If not over Spring Break, then definitely this summer I will be further decorating my canvas.  Maybe we'll have to get our matching feathers soon just to tide me over.  Why is ink so addictive??

I am also seriously considering getting my nose pierced - a fact which completely appalls my children (and I'm sure my mother wouldn't be too excited about it either).  They're not all that thrilled about the future tattoos either but at least most of those aren't readily visible.  How did my kids get to be so conservative?  Ha!  Please tell me they aren't going to grow up and be nice little preppy Republicans just to drive me completely out of my mind!  And they'll be embarrassed to bring home their nice churchgoing, NRA cardcarrying boyfriends to meet their tattoo covered, piereced, Doc Marten wearing mom.  Oy vey!  Isn't this supposed to be the other way around??

Comments

[Mim]

I'm wanting more ink too! I'd set a weight loss goal for myself with the prize of new ink. I've reached the goal but don't have the cash for #8.

I say Go For It re: the nose piercing. I have mine for 6 years now and hardly anyone even bats an eye at it anymore.

A rather liberal co-worker has an ultra-conservative Republican son. She always jokes about it, but I know I'd be flummoxed if either of my kids turned out so different than me.

Take care :) Get the nose done ;)

[dharma]

My last tat was on the back of my neck, and that one did hurt, but it was awesome! I have always loved your bird. It is beautiful. I never believed that it would be so addicting, but now I have 4.

I say go for the nose. Are you thinking hoop or stud?

Luckily my son is 17 and seems to be going for girls that reflect my tastes! Is that a good or a bad thing? So far it seems to be good.

[Dionne Cunningham]

Don't do it_ Ahrhhh. My son- away from home and suffering from a brain flop decided to get a tattoo for his birthday. An amazingly large thing on his upper arm. "Oh, I'm just getting one Mom, JUST ONE"
He's now thinking of getting a 'sleeve'!!!!!!!??????????
It's the ink - it gets in there and makes everyone think- 'I am a canvas"
Maybe a tiny feather is not so bad but.......

[Laume]

I'm not a tattoo craver but my daughter is and she loves her tattoos and talks about them in the say way. As for your kids, I think it's true to a certain degree that they create their identities by doing something different. Maybe just until they've made their point, but still, it's wierd. I love me some long haired guys and my kids all wanted their hair buzzed. Well, 'cept William. Whew. My kids are more politically conservative than I am, and even more conservative in their dress - which is odd since they're all beautiful in their youth and could certainly show off more than their lumpy ol' mom. They're also more conservative in the childrearing. But I think they're mellowing, even now. They should be done "countering" their upbringing by their thirties. (I'm doing a really good job of subverting my DIL though. Haha!)

[Shirl]

Wow, glad I found your blog. Absolutely superb tattoo! Go for the nose piercing, I had one about 10 years ago and am thinking about having it done again ..... :0)

[Michelle]

Lovely tattoo.

Also, you've been TAGGED.
http://greenwoman.wordpress.com/2008/03/11/alas-cruel-fate/