Tattoo Advice

[naxalite0906]

I have searched and I saw a few other threads with questions about tattoo's, but I wanted to start this one as I didn't want to hijack another.. lol..


I have always wanted to get a tattoo... Nothing major, but one somewhere on my body that would be kind of hidden (because of work) in a place that isnt effected by my ever fluctuating weight! lol. My problem is, I cannot decide on anything I would want for the rest of my life, something that means a lot to me and will continue to do so. Maybe some of you will say this is a reason not to get one, but maybe I have not looked hard enough yet.

My question is, how did you decide on tattoo's and their design, and what made you want to get one in the first place. Plus, since getting one, are there any regrets you have about the design of it, or the location of it. Plus, any other advice you have to offer about the subject, I would love to hear it

 

[Luna_Wolf72]

I have 3 with plans for 2 more within the next few weeks.

I based 2 of my tats on things that I wanted...a physical representation of what I want..a pink rose (for love and beauty) a butterfly for transformation. The third one was for my children's father. The places i chose: left thigh for the rose, solar plexus for the butterfly, my bum for him...all correlated with what i could hide and meant something to me as well.

My next 2: a scorpion and 2 pisces fish on my left arm..represent my children's father and I. The 2nd one is a pink triangle (for my sexuality) with the kenji symbols for woman and man, one on either side..and that will be located between my shoulder blades.

Basically, if you want a tat...figure out what you like and then work with a reputable artist to get a design you absolutely love....

 

[SweetGigi]

http://s7d2.scene7.com/is/image/MusicToday/DMAS31?$shadow1$&$100$&bgc=ffffff

As you can see, I have a firedancer on my lower back. Years ago, I found a lost parable of Jesus Christ where a woman was so devoted to God she would dance around the flames of her tribe's fire in honour of Him and His glory. All the tribe openly mocked her for her 'stupidity', knowing one day she would be burned for dancing too close. Eventually, she stepped into the flames while dancing for God and was consumed by the glory of God only to pass through them unmarked an unburned. This is supposedly from where the term 'on fire for God' comes. The moral is that no matter the risk, no matter the fear, God will lead you were you need to be, even into the flames of this world- and protect you all the while. All we have to do is trust and obey. This story hits home for me in ways that I cannot express here and one day, while listening to one of my favourite bands, Dave Matthews, I remembered seeing a symbol of a fire dancer that caught my soul and eye. The rest is history.

I have no regrets at all for my choice and I wear my ink with pride. I hope one day to be marked with my Master's mark, but until then I will not mark my body again. The only thing I hate about things is the term 'tramp stamp'. Honest to goodness, people who use this term need their skin flayed. It is extremely offensive to me and I resent it each time I hear it. I picked my lower back because it is a location that is easily concealed since my tattoo is personal and very intimate for me. I got my tattoo over 10 years ago and when that term came into use afterwards, I couldn't believe my ears. So be warned, don't even joke about this with me. You will get flamed.

 

[Stegral]

I have 2..

Both show life choices.

first one was my belief.
it is STEGRAL done in the wiccan letters of old.
it is on my left upper arm.

my second you can see n my AV.
my son drew it for me (he is an awesome artist)
the tattooer spiced it up slightly, but I liked the changes.

I have 2 regrets about the second..
I wanted it smaller (the outline looked about right)
it is pointed the wrong way, it tilts down.. I wanted it level or going up.
I think while I was twisting & moving to see it on my shoulder it seemed ok.

My advice is if you are getting one out of your immediate sight BRING A FRIEND that you have talked to & explained how you want it to look. I did this for a friend & pointed out things on hers so she discussed it with the artist BEORE he inked her & she was very happy with the final result.

My first one faded alot due to them NOT explaining the aftercare that was nessecary to cure the ink properly. When I had the second one I found I did almost every "don't do" on the list with the first one because I didn't know any better.

It also took me going to 4 different shops before I felt comfy.
2 of the 4 I found out later had bad reputations.
For the most part good tattoist's are well inked I have found.
Most will talk to you & do the best they can with questions & concerns.
if you don't like the shop's attitude find another.

 

[naxalite0906]

http://s7d2.scene7.com/is/image/MusicToday/DMAS31?$shadow1$&$100$&bgc=ffffff

As you can see, I have a firedancer on my lower back. Years ago, I found a lost parable of Jesus Christ where a woman was so devoted to God she would dance around the flames of her tribe's fire in honour of Him and His glory. All the tribe openly mocked her for her 'stupidity', knowing one day she would be burned for dancing too close. Eventually, she stepped into the flames while dancing for God and was consumed by the glory of God only to pass through them unmarked an unburned. This is supposedly from where the term 'on fire for God' comes. The moral is that no matter the risk, no matter the fear, God will lead you were you need to be, even into the flames of this world- and protect you all the while. All we have to do is trust and obey. This story hits home for me in ways that I cannot express here and one day, while listening to one of my favourite bands, Dave Matthews, I remembered seeing a symbol of a fire dancer that caught my soul and eye. The rest is history.

I have no regrets at all for my choice and I wear my ink with pride. I hope one day to be marked with my Master's mark, but until then I will not mark my body again. The only thing I hate about things is the term 'tramp stamp'. Honest to goodness, people use this term need their skin flayed. It is extremely offensive to me and I resent it each time I hear it. I picked my lower back because it is a location that is easily concealed since my tattoo is personal and very intimate for me. I got my tattoo over 10 years ago and when that term came into use I couldn't believe my ears. So be warned, don't even joke about this with me. You will get flamed.

That is a wonderful post, thank you gigi... I would never joke about anything like that, don't worry

After reading that, that kind of adds to my point that I could never find something that means that much to me.. Maybe I am just not thinking enough, or inspired enough.

 

[naxalite0906]

I have 3 with plans for 2 more within the next few weeks.

I based 2 of my tats on things that I wanted...a physical representation of what I want..a pink rose (for love and beauty) a butterfly for transformation. The third one was for my children's father. The places i chose: left thigh for the rose, solar plexus for the butterfly, my bum for him...all correlated with what i could hide and meant something to me as well.

My next 2: a scorpion and 2 pisces fish on my left arm..represent my children's father and I. The 2nd one is a pink triangle (for my sexuality) with the kenji symbols for woman and man, one on either side..and that will be located between my shoulder blades.

Basically, if you want a tat...figure out what you like and then work with a reputable artist to get a design you absolutely love....

Thank you for contributing

 

[naxalite0906]

My advice is if you are getting one out of your immediate sight BRING A FRIEND that you have talked to & explained how you want it to look. I did this for a friend & pointed out things on hers so she discussed it with the artist BEORE he inked her & she was very happy with the final result.

My first one faded alot due to them NOT explaining the aftercare that was nessecary to cure the ink properly. When I had the second one I found I did almost every "don't do" on the list with the first one because I didn't know any better.

It also took me going to 4 different shops before I felt comfy.
2 of the 4 I found out later had bad reputations.
For the most part good tattoist's are well inked I have found.
Most will talk to you & do the best they can with questions & concerns.
if you don't like the shop's attitude find another.

Thank you, I will remember this.

 

[serijules]

Gigi, I hate the "tramp stamp" thing too...it makes no sense at all, as that is a very nice place to put a tattoo versus some people that just seem to use the "test if the spaghetti is done by throwing it at the wall and seeing if it sticks" version of placement.

Anyhow...I have many tattoos and an appointment on the 17th for my....6th or whatever number I'm on.

My first was a little yellow duckie on my ankle. It symbolized my friendship with my (now ex) husband. We are still very good friends. The only thing I regret about that tattoo is the placement on my inner right ankle. I now wish I had put it elsewhere as I have other things I would have liked to do now with that ankle.

Second was my phoenix/bird of paradise backpiece. I do wish I had chosen my colours a bit better but I love the tattoo. If I did it over again, I would make it a bit bigger, but now I've found another way to add to the tattoo that makes me glad of the size, so it's all good. People comment a lot on it because they recognize the flash and berate me for using flash, but I have a connection to that image from childhood as I got a fake tattoo somewhere that had this same bird on it and I loved in from the time I was little. Sometimes flash can have a lot more emotional connection than people realize. Besides the love of the image for so long, it represented my embracing my sexuality.

I later added background to that tattoo and have plans to add two more similar birds on other side of my back shoulder in different colour schemes with the tails wrapping over my shoulder.

3rd tattoo....I may be out of order here, heh...was a simple line drawing of two Great Danes, one cropped and one not, one black and one grey, to represent the 3 danes I've owned/own in my life. One was a cropped merle, one an uncropped black and the one I have no is an uncropped merle. At the time I figured the grey one could represent both Duke my first merle dane and Bella my current merle dane because of the grey, even though Bella was uncropped...but now I'm considering adding another uncropped grey one to the collage to represent her on her own. I later added an orange outline of my corgi. That is on my chest and I love it.

Ma'am and I got matching tattoos to symbolize our relationship. The tattoos are the same, but the placement is different. Mine is an ankle band, hers is across her back. It is vines and a garnet jewel, as she has called me her garnet since before I belonged to her. I love the placement and everything about this tattoo although I wanted a little lock to "connect" the vines in the back and Ma'am didn't like that idea for some reason. I still want it! lol

I got chinese lettering for "Her jewel" (her precious stone is how it translates) down the side of my leg. I love the placement of this one, it's a great area. The colouring was done in variegated reds to dark almost black red (garnet). Later we decided to add cherry blossoms to mark our anniversary each year. There are three loose petals to symbolize the 3rd of the month, and a new full blossom is added every year. I will be getting the 4th on the 17th of April. Usually I get it on the 3rd of May but my tattooist has no openings then. Eventually the blossoms will wind all the way up my leg and we may add more lettering someday.

The tattoo I'm getting in a few weeks in a quilt block called Spice Island Compass or Mariners Compass. It's a really elaborate star type thing. I'm doing it in my familys birthstone colours...me, Ma'am, my brother, my parents and my grandparents. I'm thinking of doing a half sleeve cap with this, with black and grey shading/burnout around it in a kind of swirl pattern. I'm having trouble with finding good examples of this so still researching it. Not sold on the placement either, but I have a stencil and will try out a few places.

My advice? Don't make an appointment and walk in with what you want. Go talk to your chosen artist a few times before you even make the appointment, have them help you refine the design, ask for a stencil so you can place it on a few places on your body and get a feel for if you like the size, the placement. In the excitement and nervousness of getting the actual tattoo, you tend not to pay as much attention to these details and have more regrets later on.

Choose something that has meaning to you that is lasting meaning. People who get cartoon characters or band logos or stuff like that almost always eventually regret it unless there is a solid emotional connection to the idea that lasts.

 

[Etoile]

I have four with plans for one or two more. My biggest word of advice is: don't go to the place that charges least. Two of mine are identical, I got one and then a couple of months later got the other right next to it. The first one cost $250 and the second cost about $80 - and you can see the price difference. IOW, don't choose a studio/artist based on how much they charge. Choose someone who does quality work, and pay what they ask.

 

[serijules]

I have four with plans for one or two more. My biggest word of advice is: don't go to the place that charges least. Two of mine are identical, I got one and then a couple of months later got the other right next to it. The first one cost $250 and the second cost about $80 - and you can see the price difference. IOW, don't choose a studio/artist based on how much they charge. Choose someone who does quality work, and pay what they ask.

Good advice, although I still think the first shop overcharged you! My anklet was done at a very established and well known shop in PA and it only cost $130 and it was a lot more time consuming than what you got. It must be the geographic area or something cuz that really is very very high.

Etoile is right though, picking a shop is the absolutely number one most important thing in getting a tattoo. You don't choose by how soon you can get in or how cheap it is. Reputable shops are clean, rarely take walk-ins, require deposits before appointments, and have artists that will advise and help you refine your design BEFORE the appointment. They will also be more expensive and more than worth the extra price. They will check your ID, give a hard copy of the aftercare instructions, and stand by their work (free touchups , etc).

 

[YourCaptor]

I have always wanted to get a tattoo... My question is, how did you decide on tattoo's and their design, and what made you want to get one in the first place. Plus, since getting one, are there any regrets you have about the design of it, or the location of it. Plus, any other advice you have to offer about the subject, I would love to hear it

If I had the cash I would already be covered in color as much as possible. Aside from money (because I don’t want tiny tattoos) the only thing that’s stopping me is my perfectionist nature, which in this case has me on the search for the perfect artist, as well as trying to come up with a basic concepts for the tattoo that gives the artist enough control to make it look good with details and trait secrets and all that good stuff, while still getting something specific. I don’t have any reservation about getting my whole torso done, or even a suit. My skin’s already so torn up there really is nothing to preserve. As far as I’m concerned, scars and tattoos aren’t much different, however one is much prettier.

So when deciding on a tattoos I find a good rout to go is to think of them like scars, you don’t really chose them, they just happen with life. What has effected you, what has changed you, etc, and you don’t even need to have a representation thought out, ask your tattoo artist, I’m sure they are creative enough to think of something good.

As for advice checking out the artists portfolio to find a style you like, don’t expect them to copy a picture onto your skin, its all far more complicated then that and usually doesn’t look good. Make sure the tattoo works with your body type and location, if you plan on getting more added in to make one big interlocking piece make sure you mention that, and as has been said, don’t skimp on the cash.

PS. Anyone have experience with tattooing over damaged nerves?

Eventually, she stepped into the flames while dancing for God and was consumed by the glory of God only to pass through them unmarked an unburned. This is supposedly from where the term 'on fire for God' comes. The moral is that no matter the risk, no matter the fear, God will lead you were you need to be, even into the flames of this world- and protect you all the while. All we have to do is trust and obey. This story hits home for me in ways that I cannot express here

I thought you may like this

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thich_Quang_Duc

Not so much about protection, but the belief and trust is definitely in their

 

[Etoile]

PS. Anyone have experience with tattooing over damaged nerves?

Is tattooing on paralyzed parts the same thing? I've known SCI patients with tattoos on their legs and body parts below the cutoff of their sensation. They say it doesn't hurt, but I don't know if that's the same as what you're referring to.

 

[FurryFury]

I never wanted a tattoo when I was young because that was considered class-less and course by the people who raised me.

I don't want a tattoo now because I don't like to follow the crowd.

If I did get a tattoo it would be, to perhaps experience the high, that goes along with the pain of it. Likely that high would never hit me and I'd be all like, hey, it's the Chain Trick all over again and alls I have to show for it is a damn tattoo!

I'm sure I could think of a symbol I'd like though.

My daughter has a poster in her room of two dragons. The spaces between them create the face of a woman. That would be kewl. I'm rather partial to Eastern dragons.

 

[Squeaky37]

I have one tattoo at the moment. His name is Frederique and he is a small baby dragon on my right shoulder blade. When I move my arm, it can look like he's flying.

Even though I am no artist, I drew him and created him myself. For a tattoo to really mean something to me, it had to be unique, and personal with meaning. I knew I wanted a dragon, but after searching and never being able to click with an image I decided to work on my own. I am 100% happy with the design, even though I know any artist could do better, but it means more because I designed it.

My only regret (yes, unfortunately there is one) is that I can't see him all that well. A tattoo should be for you, not for anyone else, and the one thing I regret is that I can't enjoy the sight of my tattoo.

I do plan to get another. A phrase, either Shakespearean or written in elvish (or both) on my right wrist. I've known this is what I want for two years. However I am still unsure of the phrase, saying or quote I want, and until something really has an impact I won't commit to it.

Hope some of that helps!
xx

 

[Lilith]

I have a 4-5" thistle that begins at the very far right nearly to my arm pit and curves upwards fanning out across the front of my shoulder. It is not a very traditional placement but I'm curvy and it fit in with my frame. I was also looking to have it be seen in sleeveless or spagetti straps but not with a wide v neck. It has the spikes/choke shape with absolutely fabulous coloring and shading. The guy who did it usually does portraiture. He was glad to get to play with color for a change and did a fabulous job. I took in 4 pages of thistles I liked and ones I did not as well. I am not Scottish but a thistle represents me so well. Most men love silky, beautiful, delicate, flowers, only special people love the ones with spikes and thorns, that look dangerous. Only special people can see the beauty in a weed.

 

[YourCaptor]

Is tattooing on paralyzed parts the same thing? I've known SCI patients with tattoos on their legs and body parts below the cutoff of their sensation. They say it doesn't hurt, but I don't know if that's the same as what you're referring to.

No unfortunate this particular scar give me almost the opposite effect. When it is touched it feels like somebody is slowly dragging an ice-cold razor blade deeper and deeper into my chest, plus a general feeling of my stomach twisting and nausea.

Tattooing over it seems like a stretch, but I got a thing about letting weakness control me, especially if it’s mental weakness. Stupid and ironic, I know, but I suppose I have had to use that kind of thinking far too long to survive, so now I’m stuck with it.

 

[SweetGigi]

I thought you may like this

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thich_Quang_Duc

Not so much about protection, but the belief and trust is definitely in their

Yes, Thich Quang Duc was truly amazing in his dedication and faith. Such an inspiration.

 

[Evil_Geoff]

Meet Arigus...

Arigus has always been a vital part of my internal architecture, the part of me that was wise and good and powerful. A couple of months before my 40th birthday I said "Fuck it! I'm a grown man, almost 40 years old, my parents are dead and NO ONE can tell me not to get a tattoo anymore."

I found some people with ink I admired, asked where they got it done and 4 out of the 6 said "Immortal Images" by Steve Huntsberry... I went to the studio and felt very comfortable... But Steve was booked for a long time. Another artist had a portfolio on the table and I was really impressed with the work displayed. I spoke with the artist, Andrew "Bear" Trull, and described what I was seeing in my mind's eye... he had a rough sketch done in the 15 - 20 minutes that we talked that let me know I had found the right artist.

Arigus took 3 sessions totalling about 8 hours work to complete. The tail wraps completely around my arm. Andrew is in Chicago now though, so when it's time for the Phoenix that will go on my right arm, I'll have to hunt for another artist... And I'm glad I to have spent every dime of the $800 I paid (actual ink plus tips over 3 sessions) for him.

If/when you decide to get your ink done, do it because you KNOW it's what you want. Find the studio and artist that can get what you see in your mind to fit on your body. Take CARE of the damn thing for the first 2 - 3 weeks and it will look great for YEARS. Arigus is as vibrant now as he was then. A tattoo will be with you the rest of your life, be proud of the art you wear.

 

[LittleJade]

Both of mine were impulsive... as well as most of my piercings.

The first, I got with my ex-fiance, on something of a road trip. I have it below the small of my back. It's a butterfly that I designed when I was 15. I got the ink when I was 19.

The second, I got on my 22nd birthday. It's an alpha-omega combination. I woke up, craving ink, and while at work, that day, I designed the tattoo. I told myself that, if I wanted to get it, still, at the end of the day, I would get it. I did. It's below my neck, just above that spot between the shoulderblades.

I don't regret either of my tattoos, nor do I regret the impulsiveness of them. I have planned ink again and again, and chickened out... but the impulsive ones were things I designed, things I believed in, and things I wanted strongly enough to just march in there and do it.

 

[EmpressFi]

I have a Tigger on my lower right leg. It was my nickname on AOL when Malin and I met and is my favorite cartoon personality.

On my left shoulderblade is the Union Jack with a "3W" in black in the middle. 2 years ago, I went to England with my best friend. She and I and our other friend call ourselves Malin's 3 wives. So, to commemorate that trip, I designed that tattoo. I wanted it over my heart, but had my boobs... so I put it over my left shoulderblade, knowing it was over the other side of my heart..

 

[madetotakeit]

I never wanted a tattoo when I was young because that was considered class-less and course by the people who raised me.

I don't want a tattoo now because I don't like to follow the crowd.

If I did get a tattoo it would be, to perhaps experience the high, that goes along with the pain of it. Likely that high would never hit me and I'd be all like, hey, it's the Chain Trick all over again and alls I have to show for it is a damn tattoo!

I'm sure I could think of a symbol I'd like though.

My daughter has a poster in her room of two dragons. The spaces between them create the face of a woman. That would be kewl. I'm rather partial to Eastern dragons.

My parents have a similar view of tattoos as you describe. That went into my thinking of where to place mine when I got it. Where it is now, if my parents find out I have it I figure I have bigger things to worry about.

I think taking into consideration that this will need to be something you would want on your body for the rest of your life is the best reason to wait. I designed something that was very personal to me. It comes from my Native American heritage, combining my totem and that to which I attain. In size reduction I lost a lot of the detail, but I have not regretted it a moment since it was put on my body. I have considered getting another one for years and eventually I might. Getting the one I have marked a starting over point in my life. The next one would be for something equally notable.

*You just had to mention the Chain Trick didn't you Furry. *

 

[Essene]

I have searched and I saw a few other threads with questions about tattoo's, but I wanted to start this one as I didn't want to hijack another.. lol..


I have always wanted to get a tattoo... Nothing major, but one somewhere on my body that would be kind of hidden (because of work) in a place that isnt effected by my ever fluctuating weight! lol. My problem is, I cannot decide on anything I would want for the rest of my life, something that means a lot to me and will continue to do so. Maybe some of you will say this is a reason not to get one, but maybe I have not looked hard enough yet.

My question is, how did you decide on tattoo's and their design, and what made you want to get one in the first place. Plus, since getting one, are there any regrets you have about the design of it, or the location of it. Plus, any other advice you have to offer about the subject, I would love to hear it

Well I have one already. I got it on a school trip to Canada when I had just turned 18 and at the time tatoo parlours were illegal in my state. I snuck off the bus and got it done rather impulsively, but I do not regret it.

I was reading "House of Leaves" by Mark Z. Danielewski and a quote stuck out to me:

"Why did god create a dual universe?
So that he might say ' be not like me,
I am alone.' and it might be heard."

I have it centered on my upper back. Like an inch or two below where my shoulders and neck meet.

I would also like to get a tree...similar to the tree of life. I also really enjoyed "The Giving Tree" and so it would also symbolize motherhood. I might get my daughters name put on one of the branches. I'd have that put below the quote. Trees are rather symbolic...they also symbolize to me stability and being grounded.

As for what I suggest you get... Hmmm

I think you should get the likeness of my face tatooed to you inner thigh. Oh, wait you wanted to put it somewhere that wouldn't be affected by fluctuating weight. The back is a good spot, upper arms and shoulder blades.

Whaddya think?

 

[FurryFury]

My parents have a similar view of tattoos as you describe. That went into my thinking of where to place mine when I got it. Where it is now, if my parents find out I have it I figure I have bigger things to worry about.

I think taking into consideration that this will need to be something you would want on your body for the rest of your life is the best reason to wait. I designed something that was very personal to me. It comes from my Native American heritage, combining my totem and that to which I attain. In size reduction I lost a lot of the detail, but I have not regretted it a moment since it was put on my body. I have considered getting another one for years and eventually I might. Getting the one I have marked a starting over point in my life. The next one would be for something equally notable.

*You just had to mention the Chain Trick didn't you Furry. *

I totally get that.

And yes, I just had to mention the Chain Trick.

*chuckles mischievously*

 

[YourCaptor]

I designed something that was very personal to me. It comes from my Native American heritage, combining my totem and that to which I attain. In size reduction I lost a lot of the detail, but I have not regretted it a moment since it was put on my body. I have considered getting another one for years and eventually I might. Getting the one I have marked a starting over point in my life. The next one would be for something equally notable.

I have wanted to represent my German heritage in a tattoo, which due to German history is a tricky thing because I want it to show the people, not the politics. So in the interest of remove all nationalism from the tattoo I decided on Germanic tribal art, like they use to carve into wood and stone back in BC days. Its similar to Celtic art, in that it intertwines in and out of itself, however Germanic style is much more nature orientated, with serpents, tree branches, vines and animals forming the ribbon you would find in Celtic art. I think I want that kind of a design as the backdrop to tie everything else together all over my back, upper arms, and reaching around the front like claws or something. I cant decide on the colors though, don’t want it to look dull, but don’t want it to divert attention form the other art.

 

[naxalite0906]

As for what I suggest you get... Hmmm

I think you should get the likeness of my face tatooed to you inner thigh. Oh, wait you wanted to put it somewhere that wouldn't be affected by fluctuating weight. The back is a good spot, upper arms and shoulder blades.

Whaddya think?

PM... as always your advice is beyond crazy, and highly unlikely.

Forget the tree, your next one should be a banana....