I need therapy. I got my latest tattoo this past Saturday. For a few days, I was satisfied with that... but not anymore. I am ALREADY thinking about what I'm going to get next. Why do I do this? Why can't I just be satisfied and think about shoes or something?
When I went last May to get my first tattoo, I was convinced it would be my only one. I obsessed over it for months. I spent endless hours looking at pictures of the flowers and the ivy to make sure I found exactly what I wanted. I had my sister help me make a mock-up of it in photoshop so I could envision what it would look like. I looked for hours at pictures of other tattoos so I would know exactly what I wanted. I decided on a non-linear tattoo so it would have no outline and look painted on, rather than one with a thick, black outline. I looked and looked to find an artist in the area who seemed to have the ability to do the type of tattoo I wanted. We made the appointments and had to wait several weeks and I still researched constantly to make sure it was what I really wanted. This was going to be it. My first and only tattoo and it had to be a great one.
Now, one year and three tattoos later, I already want another one. I'm trying to think of what I obsessed about before tattoos, but nothing comes to mind. I read this quote the other day and I think it is really true:
"A tattoo is a true poetic creation, and is always more than meets the eye. As a tattoo is grounded on living skin, so its essence emotes a poignancy unique to the mortal human condition." -V. Vale and Andrea Juno
There is something about having a great tattoo that goes so much deeper than a picture on your skin. It's like purchasing a piece of art that you love, and being able to carry it around with you all the time. You don't have to leave it at home when you go to work or go out for the night. And, provided you are still living (and barring some horrific bodily injury), it can't be lost, stolen, or repossessed.
I think what I love the most is that it belongs to you more than just about anything in life created by another person can belong to you. You may never see the artist again, but owning their art so completely is such a unique transaction. There is something very fascinating about this to me.
When I went last May to get my first tattoo, I was convinced it would be my only one. I obsessed over it for months. I spent endless hours looking at pictures of the flowers and the ivy to make sure I found exactly what I wanted. I had my sister help me make a mock-up of it in photoshop so I could envision what it would look like. I looked for hours at pictures of other tattoos so I would know exactly what I wanted. I decided on a non-linear tattoo so it would have no outline and look painted on, rather than one with a thick, black outline. I looked and looked to find an artist in the area who seemed to have the ability to do the type of tattoo I wanted. We made the appointments and had to wait several weeks and I still researched constantly to make sure it was what I really wanted. This was going to be it. My first and only tattoo and it had to be a great one.
Now, one year and three tattoos later, I already want another one. I'm trying to think of what I obsessed about before tattoos, but nothing comes to mind. I read this quote the other day and I think it is really true:
"A tattoo is a true poetic creation, and is always more than meets the eye. As a tattoo is grounded on living skin, so its essence emotes a poignancy unique to the mortal human condition." -V. Vale and Andrea Juno
There is something about having a great tattoo that goes so much deeper than a picture on your skin. It's like purchasing a piece of art that you love, and being able to carry it around with you all the time. You don't have to leave it at home when you go to work or go out for the night. And, provided you are still living (and barring some horrific bodily injury), it can't be lost, stolen, or repossessed.
I think what I love the most is that it belongs to you more than just about anything in life created by another person can belong to you. You may never see the artist again, but owning their art so completely is such a unique transaction. There is something very fascinating about this to me.
It's yours, certainly, but it's also theirs.
I think I've just convinced myself that it's okay for me to obsess about my next tattoo. There are so many aspects about tattoos that I like. At some point, I will stop getting tattoos, but I will always like the ones I have. And I'll never regret having some of my favorite art with me all the time.
"When the designs are chosen with care,
tattoos have a power and magic all their own.
They decorate the body but they also enhance the soul."
-Michelle Delio
well if you weren't obsessing what else would we talk about during the day? I just wish this obsession..er hobby (?) wasn't so darn expensive. I think it's really cool though how the tattoo ideas come about. Like you said, how you go from having no idea to finding something that you need to have inked permanently ASAP.
ReplyDelete"I decided on a non-linear tattoo so it would have no outline and look painted on, rather than one with a thick, black outline. "
ReplyDeleteGood choice. I hate seeing tattoos that look like they came out of a Cracker Jack box.
The tattoo on your side looks similar to work that a friend of mine does. He does custom work, specializing in art that looks like water color. If you're ever looking for a tattoo artist in Pennsylvania, he's the guy for you.
--K-with-a-new-pen-name
Sara - Yes... we both have issues, but it's fun!
ReplyDeleteIrena - I do need an excuse to come to PA.....
I love this post, Trischa!
ReplyDeleteIt's so funny- I did the exact same thing for so long. Over thought, over analyzed, and almost never committed. I'm so glad I did, because I feel like you do, that a tattoo is a piece of art that is deeply person, and can't be taken away. It transcend just the skin. Thanks for sending me the link to this post. I really enjoyed it!
~Jessica