Leviticus...SO strict! NO fun! What EV.
After getting my nose pierced in 2012, I realized how many years I'd wasted, sans body mod, due to fear of the unknown. I'd wanted to pierce my nose and get at tattoo since my early 20's, but the years slipped on by with just an occasional question asked about the ins and outs pain, healing, cost, etc. Putting it off and putting it off....
Finally, thanks to the Google Gods and the YouTube, I got me edumacated on all things nose piercing, gathered up my balls and made an appointment. MANY years of wussiness extinguished with the one quick pinch to my nostril. I loved my nose piercing! Eventually I got my tragus pierced and love that, too! (Long healing time, though). Then it was time for a tat. I've designed many tats for myself over the years ....this being the first (circa '93):
Thank GAWD time - and fear- faded my attraction to this pretentious tribal....thingy...I came up with. At some point I added an earth there in the middle with a Susan Seddon Boulet wolf head floating around the top. Shit. My visual amalgam of wolf-love and saving the earth, punctuated with a trendy something-that-meant-nothing to me graphic. I still really dig wolves and our planet.... Just not permanently displayed on the back of my calf.
Over the years I've thought that if I where to get a tattoo, it should have to be a symbol of something that defines "me" and/or is FOREVER dear to my heart and soul. And something that would never loose it's visual appeal. Now, we can't really predict what designs might loose their appeal over time- I just imagine all the "awesome" designs I can up with in the past....but something permanent on THIS body had to rise above hearts and unicorns and serpents.... I needed symbols and archetypes that have remained a part of me over the years....AND it needed to be created by ME.
When I think of FOREVER, I think of love, and my children, and my husband...
So, for my first tat I incorporated my kids names into an infinity symbol.
Got this one inked out in the valley (Palmer, Alaska)by an artist who had done some gorgeous intricate lettering on a client of mine. She copied my design to the T. A little too perfect because she included all the little imperfections that I was hoping she'd "clean up". Like that thin line in the middle. I plan on going back for touch ups soon.
For my second tat, I went out and bought a calligraphy pen and drew my very simple "Miles" tattoo. This one for my husband...with the bonus double meaning-I love running after all. I've run many miles and there will be many more to come. And none enjoyed more than the ones I run with my sweet man.
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| Still a bit scabby here |
I'd held on to that peace of paper for almost a year! Since it would be going on my foot, I had the hardest time figuring out WHEN would be a good time to get it done. Since I would have to go barefoot as much as possible for a week or 2, let alone not run, ski or work out. It never seemed the right time! I finally said NOW last week and headed in to Eagle River Tattoo. A shop run by the Yarians, parents of one of Dylan's former grade school classmates. What a cool place! Very welcoming and open, which I really appreciate. Friendly folks all. The place is clean with a very classy arty décor. Retro tat compilations framed on the walls along with a collection of cool masks Matt, the eldest Yarian, did a GREAT job on my tat. Quick, precise, and with interesting conversation revolving around the possible seceding of Venice and the Veneto from Italy. This tat hurt like a nagging bitch in a couple spots. At one point I had to stop talking so I could grit my teeth and say "Oowwwwwww.......". But it was over so fast. No biggie. Shit, I gave birth to a 10 pounder, what am I complaining about?
Miles has never been into tats but he was very touched when I surprised him with it. I'm so happy that it brings him happiness and pride whenever he looks at it! Forever......
What's next? I want to create something special for the back of my neck. Dylan and I got these henna sun tattoos on our necks at the Jersey Shore a couple years ago and I LOVED mine!
Symbols I feel represent me are:
The sun- healing and a source of life
The spiral-evolving, birthing, female energy, spiritual and physical journey
Various Celtic knots-my heritage, many of the a fore mentioned attributes
The lotus-creation, enlightenment, health.
I'd like to design a tat with a combination of 2 or 3 of these.....but it needs to be smallish and fairly simple. We'll see what I come up with !
