There is definitely a time of adjustment needed when you get work below the sleeve level. Maybe I’m just too sensitive.
The other day I was at the library doing research on my next tattoo (because I’m obsessed like that) , and a little boy looked at my arms and asked;
“Are those going to be there forever”, as he looked me right in the eyes. I told him
“I guess, I woke up and they were just there one morning”
He laughed, I smiled, his father grimaced like his son just talked to Jeffrey Dahmer, and we all continued to wait in line.
I don’t mind the attention, it’s just most times I forget that I have art etched on my skin.
Sometimes I have to remind myself that the majority of the world is much, much more conservative than me or any of my friends.
Lets take the guys at my Kenpo School for instance, the whole place is filled with cops, federal guys, engineers and lawyers. When they see each new piece, they just have this “Gorilla is Crazy” look. Most of them are as square as square can be. That’s one of the things that I like about them. It keeps me grounded in what the silent majority really thinks.
To me getting tattooed is more than just having pretty pictures on my body. Its more akin to a conscious decision to tell a tale. (yea and I just complained about questions, no I’m never happy ), each piece says something about you. Even if the choice of art is frivolous, the pain of the coverage never is; and that tells me a lot. There is definitely something sexy about a woman who can sit through a whole back piece or a full sleeve.
I always think of this conversation I had with my first tattoo artist Pedro Beluga about the descicions that are made when someone chooses to etch marks on their skin in a visible place. You change the way people look at you for the rest of your life. Some take it for a fad but for others what they put on their bodies is a real testiment to what they are about. There were lots of things he wouldn't tattoo on people because he didn't think they knew what they were doing.
Its nice that the positive comments have been genuine. I need to take some decent pictures, I guess that will happen after the next piece.
