This is a post I have been meaning to write for quite a sometime before I forget all the details...
My first tattoo story...
I've mentioned on my blog before about getting a tattoo. First it was
here when I first mentioned it, then
here - when I was just 10 days out from going to get it done. I'd thought about getting this tattoo for SO long and something that I didn't go into lightly.
I found a great tattoo place here in Geelong, and one of my friends had her tattoo done by Paulie (my tattoo artist) and recommended him for his friendly nature and talent in tattooing fine, detailed tattoos.
I had made my booking about 2 months prior and had time to really think about and plan what I wanted. I found numerous images and even checked out Danielle (of
Sometimes Sweet) weekly tattoo tuesday blog posts, and contacted one of her featured people, Cristie to
draw a tattoo for me!
In the week leading up to getting my tattoo I went through stages of nervousness, and almost pulling out because I fully hadn't seen a 'finished' image of my tattoo... But by the time Saturday came around I got up early, went to Bootcamp then rushed home, showered and went into the tattoo place to get it done! No time to get nervous that morning!
The previous week I had taken in two images to Paulie,
The first, this drawing I drew based on
Cristie's sketch .... Which I loved because of the similar shape to the Elm tree in my parents backyard and two because of it's simplicity. The thing I didn't like were the roots and the "harsh" look of it...
I also found this tree image online (a stamp). I loved its delicate look, the leaves and subtle roots...
So I asked him to combine the images freehand as he went, and he did a great job!
But first, what my tattoo experience was like...
The time I spent in the tattoo studio was around 2 hours and 10 minutes. He first arranged the positioning the outline picture on my left ribcage (right near my heart), and we decided on a position.
The outline was of course the first part, the pain for those who want to know is kind of like a 'cutting' pain. I was surprised at how well I could handle the pain, all while laying on my side. After I'd been to Bootcamp that morning, I was quite relaxed and sleepy.
We took a break, I took a drink of water and ate some starburst rattlesnakes to up my sugar levels!
Next up, Paulie went onto working on the shading of the tree trunk and branches - and this pain was more substantial - this was a more burning pain as the needle went over the same stretch of skin over and over. The worst parts were down towards my hip, and the very tips of the branches on my ribs and non-fleshy bits!
We took another break and I drank and ate more and had another peek in the mirror! :)
And then, the leaves added last - and these hurt the most! As he went over my ribs I winced a few times and was biting so hard on my knuckle, I asked him how much longer and was almost considering another break but he said, "Only 10 minutes to go darl, you're doing great!" That made me smile so I powered through the pain.
After he cleaned up, I took a look and boy was I happy! Here's a picture about an hour or two after it was done:
And here's what it looks like today, it's faded back a bit and I'm so happy with it! Paulie did a great job working with what I wanted and what I envisaged - it's perfect! I told him I wanted something 'delicate' - so he worked with the images I gave him and gave me a black/grey tattoo that I absolutely love!
Q. Do you have a tattoo? Do you want a tattoo? Do you hate them? I'd love the know your thoughts!
