Tattoo You?

[qos]

According to This news article, 24 percent of Americans between 18 and 50 are tattooed.

The article goes on to state: "The survey also found that what your mother may have told you about who has tattoos is true: People who drink, do drugs, have been jailed or forgo religion are more likely to be tattooed. The same holds for piercings, though rates do not appear to vary with education, income or job category. In that sense, they appear to be 'different animals,' said Laumann, who has traditionally pierced ears but no tattoos.

I've considered a tattoo from time to time, with a dragon or a bear paw being at the top of my list. I don't know where I'd put a tattoo, except that I would want to be able to easily conceal it because I like to be able to pass as mundane. I've also thought that at such time as I get to my chosen weight I would pierce my navel and get a light chain to go around my waist, just to help remind me.

Anyone want to talk story about their body art? Or lack thereof?

Comments

[professor-mom.livejournal.com]

I used to really want a tattoo in the early 70's when the only people who had them were bikers. As soon as it became cool, I quit wanting one. I never got one because they seemed so...permenant. I did pierce my ears when I was 16, but I've never had a desire for any other piercing.

[blessed-harlot.livejournal.com]

I repeatedly tried to keep my ears pierced. They were too sensitive, and I finally stopped, somewhere around 22 or so. No piercings currently appeal to me.

My plans for a tattoo always came from some deep desire to commit to a spiritual discipline and mark it on my body. In a related thought, the tattoos I have are unfinished, and I intend to keep them that way. Seems only right, when I am an unfinished work. I contemplated getting one for years.

As my first year of seminary ended, I went on my birthday (in May) and threw my overly-intellectualized tattoo plans to the wind. I prayerfully and suddenly got a small green star on my inner ankle. My roommates came with me. I still believe I may be covered in stars one day.

As my last year of CPE ended, I took a much-needed vacation to South Padre Island in TX. As I left the place a few days later, I got a wavy/knotty shape around the same ankle... almost a complete band, except for the star and some space on either side. I was alone at the time.

I have some ideas of what may come next. A few people are surprised that I didn't mark my ordination with a tattoo. But it just doesn't feel like I'm supposed to. I only go get one when I hear the call.

[rhonan.livejournal.com]

I am ink-free myself, and didn't even get my one ear pierced until I was in my 30's. I've been tempted to do more several times. For a while, I was really tempted to get a StarTrek:TNG Command Communicator tattooed on in the proper spot. I've also thought of getting a bicycle chain-ring print on the inside of my right calf. These days, I'm tempted to get a tube-based radio schematic on my left shoulder. What can I say? I'm a big geek. I've also debated piercing as well. An industrial on my right ear is one possibility. One or both nipples is another possibility. And no, I had the ear pierced before I discovered I was a pirate.

[labelleizzy.livejournal.com]

I started with conventional ear-piercing. I think I was in college.
then I added a single additional hole on my left ear, for several years.
then, I noticed one of the PE teachers at the school where I was librarian, had triple piercings on each ear. It looked GREAT! I got the 3 more piercings to balance out my ears. myright ear hurt a good bit with two piercings at the same time, but I was happy.

nowadays, re: piercings, I often leave the upper two with the same earrings for weeks or even months at a time. simple studs or hoops, and then I just change the bottom holes if I'm thattaway inclined. (mostly lately I've been lazy and just do 3x hoops or 3x studs. Teaching credential and all, not terribly vain or creative re: jewelry)

When I turned 30 I initiated to the Hellenic group, accepted a marriage proposal (though I knew at the time it was not the right thing fo rme to do, i said yes b/c of the dynamics of the relationship and my own codependency and because SHIT! I was "30"!!! OMG, I'ma die unmarried!!!!11!! stupid codependent headspace, but I have a nice little tattoo on my left shoulder as commemmoration. (check my userpics for the one labeled "tattoo" if you want to see it.)

I have plans for a fairly large sun-pattern tatoo for the lower back for this year. I think I have finally found a reliable artist. Last year I turned 35. this year I turned 36 and have completed Hell Year Two (Second and final year of teaching credential) and I SOOOO deserve a tattoo for going thru the fire as I have... *grin* it will be a beautiful sun and will be centered over my 6th chakra with a mischievous smiling face at center. I can't wait till the school year is over and I can start making dates at the tattooist! I've been dreaming of this one for the last (almost) 3 years. (the icon here is of another Livejournalist who has a tattoo almost like what I really want.)

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

There are three reasons why I don't have tattoos

1. I have a thing about needles.

2. I get bored easily. There's no image I can think of that's going to keep me happy and amused for a lifetime.

3. I don't want anyone who's not up to David Hockney's standard doodling on my body.

[bookchick.livejournal.com]

I got my tattoo when I was 25. I chose the positioning based on very practical considerations - weight change and life change won't make the tattoo change its look. I got it because I wanted to, and didn't really think about covering it or not (although it's in a coverable area). But having worked in the areas I have, I've never felt that having a tattoo was 'out of the ordinary.'

Shaving my head received more comment.

However, I've recently thought about getting it removed - mostly because it's of an odd size/style to integrate into anything else, and David and I have discussed getting tattoos for our 5th or 10th wedding anniversary.

As for piercings - I used to have multiple piercings in my ears, but let them close up because I became lazy about switching earrings, etc. Now I only have 1 in each year. I've contemplated getting my navel pierced, but (a) I'm a severe inny; and (b) as I get older, my body shape changes in a way that suggests that type of piercing would, at best, disappear...

[rachel-y.livejournal.com]

I got my ears pierced at age 13, on a birthday outing with my mom that included that, some shopping, and a dinner at Sea Galley (high class for my 13yo self). That was as close as I got to any menarche ritual--it was meaningful to me, and I still look back on it fondly. Especially the dinner--it was the first time I remember talking to my mom without an overwhelming mom/kid dynamic.

I got my tattoo when I was 19. I probably could've researched the tattoo parlor better (I was new in town and just looked on up in the phone book). The place was as seedy was my middle-class dread-fantasy imagined, but the artist was competent (and for all its seedy look, it was clean--16 years have proven that). I got a pisces symbol that I designed--it's about the size of a quarter--in a place that is not 'all-access'. Choosing a location where the tat would not get surrealist with age was also a consideration. I brought along two college roommates for support (and their voyeuristic thrill, I suppose--they got to watch). I remember it hurting quite a bit (though now, having childbirth to compare it to, I'd probably just be reading a magazine and thinking "this is not so bad").

I have yet to regret it. The design still has significance to me (another consideration when I chose it). I've thought from time to time about getting another but haven't for several reasons, including inability to come up with a design that wouldn't make me look like some symbolist's scratch paper (while meeting my remaining significant and coverable requirements) and the seeming propensity for one tattoo acquisition increasing the likeliehood for another (my older brother is covered with 'em).

[princesca.livejournal.com]

I -love- my tattoo. I went to Sanctuary Tattoo in Portland, ME, and had mine done by Jennifer Moore, who is an amazing woman with reiki training, and tons of spiritual background. I felt she was a kindred spirit as soon as I saw her webpage, and consulting with her proved that out. She does only original work, and charges about $100 an hour, but did mine in an all-day session (with a free color touch-up a month or so later) for $450. I basically described the things that were important to me, and together we worked up an original design that pulls together my love of Art Nouveau, the sea, lapis lazuli, the moon, the Divine Feminine, lilacs, and honeysuckle. It's quite something to see. I love the work, and I -loved- the experience. Experiencing pain like that is, ironically, quite cathartic and relaxing for me. There are times that I could have fallen asleep, and the adrenaline high that I rode after it was blissful.

It was one of the best things I have ever done for myself. I got it for my 30th birthday, and I intend to get another one to mark each decade thereafter... perhaps not as elaborate as the first, since this one is about the size of a baseball.

[princesca.livejournal.com]

Oh, I wanted to add... -definitely- try to negotiate a free color touch up, always, if they don't offer it. Even as good as Jen's work was, some of the colors just don't take, vibrantly, the first go-round. It looked -worlds- better after the retouch.