I've been keeping a secret. After much introspection, I am finally able to write about it. The trauma that I experienced from what happened actually surprises me. My reaction was completely opposite from what I thought it would be. I should've been excited. Instead, I was filled with dread.
Two weeks ago I got a cover up tattoo. It has been something I've been desiring to do for years, but haven't been able to afford it. Circumstances changed and my first impulse was to finally make the tattoo come to fruition. If there is one thing I've learned from this episode is that I do have a tendency to behave rashly. I think that's why I had the adverse reaction that I did.
I remember as a teenager declaring to my father that I wanted a tattoo. My father wasn't thrilled. Regardless, the thought of a tattoo had always been alluring to me. I was never intimidated about it being permanent. When I left home at the age of 24, I decided to commemorate the event. My new found freedom reminded me of the freedom of a butterfly. Eureka! The idea for my first and likely only tattoo emerged. That was about 15 years ago. Much to my dismay, my butterfly didn't age very well. The purple and red ink turned into a black blob.
Last year when I accompanied my friend to a local parlor, I had my butterfly evaluated. One of the artists suggested that the logical solution would be to have it covered up with another tattoo. She recommended a peony flower not only for the abundance of petals it posesses, but because of the size of the petals. I was instantly convinced. That evening I didn't have the money to spend, but promised I would be back. Time elapsed and the funds to committ to my cover up tattoo continued to evade me. In the interim, I grew attached to the vision of the peony flower. When my plans to go on vacation this July got cancelled, I had an epiphany. This was it. I was going to get my new tattoo.
Two weeks ago tonight, my BFF and I made our way to Color Creations in East Providence. With my pictures firmly in grasp, I enter the shop. Dan, the artist who will be doing my tattoo, is running late. This gives me some time to peruse their design catalog. I don't know if you've ever been to a tatoo parlor but the designs are kept in these large metal frames that hang from the ceiling and wall. Like the displays that posters are for sale in. I happen upon this gorgeous design of a magenta and orange peony riding a black wave. I love the peony but not the black wave. I give it to the shop assistant who traces it for the artist, minus the wave. Then I wait, and wait. I will wait all night if I have to because this is going to be excrutiatingly painful. I am afraid I will lose the nerve if this doesn't happen tonight. Finally, an hour and 15 minutes later, Dan emerges from his studio. By this point I am very eager. He walks around the shop, has a cigarette, socializes at the desk, then finally comes over with the design in hand. Wait a minute, this isn't my design, it is another peony design. I interject with "that is the wrong design" and he retorts "that one isn't going to work". I explain that there is something about the curves in the original design that is appealing to me. He begins to fiddle with my design. Try as he does, he just can't make it work. I yield to his reasoning and settle on the second design. In hindsight I probably should've just had him do the original design with the black wave. Nevertheless, after staring at a black butterfly for all these years, I am less than smitten by the color black.
The three of us settle into his studio and Dan gets to work. Much to my dismay, with as much exapseration as he can muster, suddenly Dan declares "this one isn't going to work either". Now I'm totally stymmied. Again, in hindsight, at this point I probably should've just made the decision to leave. I didn't. Sitting there in the chair, I spout my theory that he is the tattoo expert. If anyone is going to be able to visualize a design that will work to cover up that black blob of butterfly he is. I've read my share of articles where the author reminds the reader to "think before you ink". That evening my only thought was, if I don't do this tonight, I'll never do it. So Dan and I literally design the tattoo while he's inking me. I know... some of you may be thinking-are you crazy? My answer is yes! I was taking a big chance and instilling alot of faith in this artist. We talk about my intersts and I tell him I'm into nature, the earth, and the elements. He draws his inspiration from that.
to be continued.....
Two weeks ago I got a cover up tattoo. It has been something I've been desiring to do for years, but haven't been able to afford it. Circumstances changed and my first impulse was to finally make the tattoo come to fruition. If there is one thing I've learned from this episode is that I do have a tendency to behave rashly. I think that's why I had the adverse reaction that I did.
I remember as a teenager declaring to my father that I wanted a tattoo. My father wasn't thrilled. Regardless, the thought of a tattoo had always been alluring to me. I was never intimidated about it being permanent. When I left home at the age of 24, I decided to commemorate the event. My new found freedom reminded me of the freedom of a butterfly. Eureka! The idea for my first and likely only tattoo emerged. That was about 15 years ago. Much to my dismay, my butterfly didn't age very well. The purple and red ink turned into a black blob.
Last year when I accompanied my friend to a local parlor, I had my butterfly evaluated. One of the artists suggested that the logical solution would be to have it covered up with another tattoo. She recommended a peony flower not only for the abundance of petals it posesses, but because of the size of the petals. I was instantly convinced. That evening I didn't have the money to spend, but promised I would be back. Time elapsed and the funds to committ to my cover up tattoo continued to evade me. In the interim, I grew attached to the vision of the peony flower. When my plans to go on vacation this July got cancelled, I had an epiphany. This was it. I was going to get my new tattoo.
Two weeks ago tonight, my BFF and I made our way to Color Creations in East Providence. With my pictures firmly in grasp, I enter the shop. Dan, the artist who will be doing my tattoo, is running late. This gives me some time to peruse their design catalog. I don't know if you've ever been to a tatoo parlor but the designs are kept in these large metal frames that hang from the ceiling and wall. Like the displays that posters are for sale in. I happen upon this gorgeous design of a magenta and orange peony riding a black wave. I love the peony but not the black wave. I give it to the shop assistant who traces it for the artist, minus the wave. Then I wait, and wait. I will wait all night if I have to because this is going to be excrutiatingly painful. I am afraid I will lose the nerve if this doesn't happen tonight. Finally, an hour and 15 minutes later, Dan emerges from his studio. By this point I am very eager. He walks around the shop, has a cigarette, socializes at the desk, then finally comes over with the design in hand. Wait a minute, this isn't my design, it is another peony design. I interject with "that is the wrong design" and he retorts "that one isn't going to work". I explain that there is something about the curves in the original design that is appealing to me. He begins to fiddle with my design. Try as he does, he just can't make it work. I yield to his reasoning and settle on the second design. In hindsight I probably should've just had him do the original design with the black wave. Nevertheless, after staring at a black butterfly for all these years, I am less than smitten by the color black.
The three of us settle into his studio and Dan gets to work. Much to my dismay, with as much exapseration as he can muster, suddenly Dan declares "this one isn't going to work either". Now I'm totally stymmied. Again, in hindsight, at this point I probably should've just made the decision to leave. I didn't. Sitting there in the chair, I spout my theory that he is the tattoo expert. If anyone is going to be able to visualize a design that will work to cover up that black blob of butterfly he is. I've read my share of articles where the author reminds the reader to "think before you ink". That evening my only thought was, if I don't do this tonight, I'll never do it. So Dan and I literally design the tattoo while he's inking me. I know... some of you may be thinking-are you crazy? My answer is yes! I was taking a big chance and instilling alot of faith in this artist. We talk about my intersts and I tell him I'm into nature, the earth, and the elements. He draws his inspiration from that.
to be continued.....
1 comment:
I want to see!! lol
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