Tattoo Tuesday V.72

 

Name and blog name: Tacha // decoratedskin.tumblr.com

Age: 23

Occupation: shop manager at a bakery store, and mother ;)

Age of first tattoo: 15

Favorite tattoo: Difficult to answer as I love most of them very much! I'd say the newer ones are always the favorites so my legs!

Featured tattoo/location: Both shins, a papa deer on the right saying 'Father knows best', and a mama owl on left saying 'mother knows better'.

Artist/shop/location of feature tattoo: Guen Douglas, 25 to life tattoo at Rotterdam!

1) Tell us about your featured tattoo- is there a background story or special meaning? Why did you choose this particular piece of art?

To be honest I don't really believe that every single tattoo must have a grand meaning behind it! Most of my tattoos I pretty much get for the love of the art. I wanted a deer and an owl for a while, but wanted to make it different and fun. I love everything vintage and 'old' so they had to be very grandparent-y (that's not a real word I know). They sort of represent my mom and dad, but with a humorous twist! They are still in progress, finishing in august! I have the world's shortest and chubbiest legs, but these pieces of art on them make me love my little legs so much more! Getting your shins done isn't an easy thing though, easily the most painful tattoos I have. May I just use this opportunity to let the world know how great Guen Douglas is! Seriously worth a visit when you're in Holland!

 

2) Do you have any other tattoos?  If so, what do you have and where?

I'll list them chronologically:

- 'Dushi' on my loin, was a nickname when I was 15, done by a scratcher! Only tattoo I really regret, luckily it's tiny and never visible ;) On my list to get covered.
- Bows on my shoulders, no meaning to them, just love bows.
- 'Mama' on my left wrist, 'B*J' on the right one. I say B*J stands for Ben&Jerry's when people ask but they actually are the initials of my doggies!
- Cherry blossoms piece on my left side, no meaning,  just pretty. It got stretched out a bit during my pregnancy, need to retouch it and possibly add to it in the future.
- Old school upper back piece with 2 swallows and a heart in the middle (saying 'Nona' for my daughter).
- 'Full' left sleeve, all though some won't call it a sleeve as there is still some blank skin visible. Still not finished, there will be some more extra little things added in the future. It has a pin up girl, a pocket watch, heart locket & key, anchor, rose, gramophone, swan in a frame, a bow, and a little fan.
- Lady Like piece on my right lower arm.  It's a vintage tea-dress with awesome details <3
- My shin pieces.
credit: Left arm: Candy Cane/Eva Dekkers (Weert); Back and shoulders: Spitfire (Antwerp); Side piece: Tony Magic Cherry's (Eindhoven)

 

 

 

 

 

3) Do you plan on getting more? 

Yes ma'am! After my legs and left arm is done I'll start on my right arm. Then my feet, and so on. I plan to be quite covered, I'm still full of ideas! If I'd ever win the lottery I would also get my hands done, I love hand tattoos! But it's too hard to get a job so I can't right now..  Also still debating wether to go for a chest piece or not. I adore chest pieces, but they are always visible, and sometimes I like to cover my tattoos up when I don't feel like getting the attention. If I would ever get a chest piece it will probably be simple roses, maybe with a cameo in the middle :)

4) How do your family and friends feel about your tattoo(s)?  Have you run into any adversity or negativity because of them? 

My family is pretty much used to them, especially my brothers and sisters, they all have some tattoos and all want more :) My mom loves them but she does says she never ever thought I would get so many! My father doesn't like them and says I'll regret them. My partner has not a single tattoo yet! People often think that's weird, they sorta expect me to have a tough-looking fully tattooed hubbie ;) He does love them on me, and he's planning his first real soon!
So far I have not gotten any negative remarks from strangers, but boy do I get looks/stares! I work in a bakery store and luckily I don't need to cover them up, so when I'm wearing a dress (which is often) people see my tattoos. But no one has ever made a bad comment, I do get quite some questions about them: where I got them done, did they hurt, etc etc. When I'm walking on the street I get many, many stares. Some people even stop and turn around to look. I really need to get used to that attention, as I'm a shy person ;)
I guess most people still think tattooed ladies are all "bad girls", wearing biker clothes and looking mean, they are not used to a girl who's very lady like and has a lot of tattoos ;) I can't wait till Nona goes to school, it will be interesting seeing the looks on the other mom's faces when I drop her off!

 

5) Any advice for those interested in getting tattooed but haven't gotten one yet?

The basics I guess! Find a great artist, look around, don't just settle for the first one you find! Good tattoos aren't cheap and cheap tattoos aren't good! Think good about what you want, altough I think impulsive tattoos can be fun too (if done by a good artist)! I'm just saying there's no need to think about an idea for years and years (trust me, I know such people)  and to keep on talking about it but never getting it done.  You only live once!
Take good care of your tattoos, avoid sunshine if you can, I'm pale as a ghost but my tattoos are nice and bright! Don't worry too much about what it will look like when you're 70. I mean really, you will have other things on your mind by then ;). Be original! Do not copy someones custom design, it is really rude and disrespectful. I've had my lady like piece copied, and both the artist as myself were very offended by it. If a piece is custom made, it's usually personal and meaningful. You wouldn't copy someone's tattoo if it were a portrait of her grandma, would you?
I'll end with a pet peeve of mine: Do not get your hands or neck done as your very first tattoo! I'm seeing it way too much lately, 18 year olds getting their necks done? Think about it! Anyway, hope this was helpful in a way, and be sure to ask my questions on my tumblr if you have any!

Alpha Omega tattoo tattoo i desgned

Alpha Omega tattoo tattoo i desgned

Japanese Tattoos

Koi Fish Tattoo Design

Koi Fish Tattoo Design















image source: www.tattoo4live.com

Tattoo Tuesday V.71

 Name and blog name: Meg Gagnard - http://dequelleplaneteestu.com 

Age: 21

Occupation: Communications &amp; Marketing Student in Paris

Age of first tattoo: 16

Favorite tattoo: Leg sleeve (still in process)

Featured tattoo/location: Bouquet/paisley leg sleeve. Left lower leg from ankle upward. Eventually I would like this piece to go up to my knee, but my trips back to the states are once every year, and I don’t have the heart to let another artist work on it quite yet! I’m taking it slow, but it will be done someday!

Artist/shop/location of feature tattoo: Asa Rogers at Under Your Skin in Aurora, Colorado.

 

1) Tell us about your featured tattoo- is there a background story or special meaning? Why did you choose this particular piece of art?

The leg sleeve started with one of those rushed tattoos- the tree on my inner ankle that my sister and I did together. I had always been fascinated by sleeves and thought I would like one even more on my leg. I spent a lot of time contemplating what exactly I would put when I came across the two most simple things that I adore: flowers and paisley. I like flowers because everyone can make them their own and add their own spunk to them. Along with the flower idea I wanted to have another “main part” as the tree took up the whole inner ankle, which was when I decided I wanted a dia de los muertos head. My mother has always been obsessed; pulling out her dolls every year (even though we have no Mexican roots) but the beauty of the dolls always fascinated me. Nowadays it has become more cliché, but I stick by my mother’s collection and think of how I always found them to be so stoic and stunning. Thus, since I am not a rose person, I decided to put two zinnias on the sides of the head, making it blend more with the surroundings. My mother is an artist (and tattooed a bit also to say the least!) so in that sense it links back to her, but in general it is about the beauty of the objects themselves as well. The paisley I just find to be simply pretty. I am a gal who likes patterns and shapes, and paisley is just a field day for me. I think my artist, Asa, has become pretty good at free-handing paisley by now. As for now I want to incorporate more flowers and paisley, having the paisley blend into a full bouquet by the time I get to right below the knee. I don’t plan on doing color- I dig the simple black ink. So to sum up the blabbering: a random collection of things I find pretty.

 

2) Do you have any other tattoos?  If so, what do you have and where? 

Yes, I have a small sentence in Arabic (kind of cliché, but as a hydrologist, my dad lives in the Middle East) on the back of my neck. I also have some doodles on my right foot, with a sketched simple globe on the top of my right foot (which I did when I was 16). The doodles I added when I was 18, going to the bottom of my anklebone. These were originally inspired by Arabic henna, having spent time in the Middle East throughout my childhood.

 

 

3) Do you plan on getting more?

Yes, I plan on continuing the bouquet on my leg sleeve up to my knee. I fancy sleeves and especially ¾ sleeves, but not sure if I would actually pursue one on my own body. Shoulder pieces I find also to be stunning. We will see where the wind blows me.  I am not sure, however, if I would ever get a color tattoo. For now black ink does it for me, and I feel that it fits me more. But on verra en tous cas.

 

4) How do your family and friends feel about your tattoo(s)?  Have you run into any adversity or negativity because of them? Do you have a significant other? Does he/she have tattoos? 

What’s funny is that most people would never guess I have a tattoo until I put on a pear of shorts or a skirt- it oftentimes brings about interesting yet amusing responses. My close family doesn’t think anything of it. I have a twin sister, and both of us are pretty into tattoos- different styles, but same ole ink. My brother does not have any and I’m pretty sure my dad rolls his eyes, although he is pretty young at heart and isn’t against them. My mom has a few- a small ankle one and also a smaller one more on her foot (the arrow). I do not remember initially asking my mom to go with me to sign the papers as I was a minor, but I’d be anxious to know what went through her head when I asked because I definitely got what I wanted! The sentence in Arabic was my first one, nothing with bad taste or silly connotations, which could be the reason for which she gave it a go. It is to this day a tattoo I get complimented on- especially by those who speak Arabic, which I also study (in response to the question: “Do you know what it means???”).

My friends are hard to put into one grouping. I have many friends who also have many stunning tattoos and also many friends who do not have any, who question my initial motives and probably think I will regret it later in life. But regardless, this would never affect the relationships I have with my friends. They may think I’m a bit crazy, but that’s not a first! They love me for who I am [and like my tattoos] no matter what their views are, which is why I’m lucky to have such a diverse group of friends.

In terms of adversity or negativity, living in Paris, France there is a handful of that. I am originally from Denver, Colorado which is a moderately artsy town filled with inked up adults and creatives… already with more of a tattoo stigma existing already in urban and non-urban areas of the US. But in Paris, this fad hasn’t quite hit fully yet.

For negative reactions, I must say that the number of double takes I get tends to be exponential when the weather is nice and I whip out the shorts. I can’t help but wonder why people waste their time staring me down questioning my morals with a broken, rude or uneducated rhetoric. Yet, it is just one more reason to hold my head high as I defend the fact that I am a bilingual independent woman with an outstanding education and big plans for life. This kind of negative reaction is also something I knew I would get going into this whole “having tattoos thing” which makes it less and less bothersome to me.

BUT! The board goes both ways: in this city of lights I also get numerous compliments from an artistic standpoint- people asking me where I got the tattoos done, or why I did them, or simply just a compliment about them aesthetically. It is heartwarming when people recognize the artistic value in tattoos.

I firmly believe there are many reasons to be against tattoos and that there are a plethora of distasteful tattoos that are inked deeply into peoples skin layers that gives them a bad name and bad stigma- in addition to historical stories about tattoos in places like prisons or gangs- but above all, there is the artistic side that exists in modern society, that some people are too blind to see. Which is life, c’est la vie. I think they’re beautiful and can be a classy mode of expression or individuality, so getting over the negative reactions fades away. As we all know, it’s a permanent thing, but it certainly doesn’t affect a mentality or an intelligence level. There are crazy people everywhere, as well as impactful people who will change the world- and what is on their skin or what they’re wearing isn’t going to change their heart and mindset. This topic, however, leads to the question of working. My tattoos can be covered up completely without having to make major alterations to my wardrobe, but what I do hope for in future working environments is that I do not need to hide the fact that they exist. I have no problem with covering them up for what come refer to as ‘professional’ purposes, but why doubt that they exist? It’s a piece of my personality that could ultimately help me be better understood as a person in any context.

The question on the significant other: my boyfriend Louis is French, and wasn’t really used to the artistic side of tattoos as he claimed when he first met me a year and a half ago.  He had only met someone with the random-type-of-tattoo without real reasoning or artistic value (i.e. a badly colored smurf or something on hipbone)- the kind when you pop into the shop you pick anything you like out of the plethora of images surrounding the entrance of the studio. I think the first time he saw my tattoos on my leg he may have been a bit surprised, but he assured me that it was a non-negative surprised reaction. I asked him bluntly about he topic for this questionnaire he just replied, "I love you and you have things that you love, so why wouldn't I love those things you love?"  I don’t think he’ll ever get one of his own, but I can definitely see him observing them on others more and more now that he knows my views on tattoos as an art. All in all, he likes them!

 

5) Any advice for those interested in getting tattooed but hasn’t gotten one yet?

My advice to someone interested in getting tattooed but hasn’t done it yet would definitely be to not rush. Take your time and design something you really like that you think will be aesthetic, and also to not be afraid to go against the artist’s design or ideas. Sometimes they come up with ideas and you don’t want to be mean and change it but ultimately its YOU having this injected into your skin and making it a part of your body, so don’t be afraid to speak up or settle for anything less than what you imagine in your head. Secondly, do not be afraid of just other people. You’re living in this world to and can tattoo yourself if you want to! People are going to judge, but you know what, they’re wasting their time if you’ve got confidence for the choice you made even if it’s just a little design you happen to find pretty. People will ask you about it nonstop even if you try to avoid it, but don’t be shy. At first I found myself being apprehensive about telling people about it but really I’m proud to tell people about it now as it something visible. For all the negative reactions out there don’t forget that you’ll get positive and complimentary ones as well. Thirdly and lastly my advice is to be tasteful and unique. Even if an image is “cliché” you can always make it your own. Keep  in mind that nothing is ACTUALLY new and everything’s been done before, so just always make it pertinent to YOU and YOUR individuality.

Selecting Tattoo Font

Tattoo words such as name, slogan, motto, and so forth will never be outdated. But you must be smart to choose the most appropriate tattoo fonts and in accordance with the words that you will make the tattoo, except that before making a tattoo fonts you must have a valid reason why want to make a font tattoo because it will be with you forever.

Outside there are thousands of types of tattoo fonts are available, you can also design their own tattoo font, or with the help of a professional font creator. My advice when you will make the font tattoo fonts tattoo discuss design with your tattoo artist. Type font is a popular tattoo Old English and Japanese calligraphy tattoo Kanji fonts, but the type and style Fiery Icy much liked.

Now the choice is your hands, many existing tattoo font choices, think well and adjust to your taste and your personality so as not to regret in the future.

Tattoo Tuesday V.70

Name // blog name: Donna from Deer Donna!
 
Age: 30

Occupation: Office Admin / Bookkeeping
 
Age of first tattoo: 19 or 20 I think..

Favorite tattoo: My new "nanna" tattoo and my anchor with a bow on it, which matches my boyfriend's tattoo!

Featured tattoo/location: A pin cushion heart with little heart pins in it, a sewing thread, a "nanna" banner and some flowers. In honour of my nanna of course!

Artist/shop/location of feature tattoo: Third Eye Tattoo in Brunswick, Melbourne, Australia....by the wonderful Zoe Dennis. It is located on my right forearm just near the elbow ditch.

1) Tell us about your featured tattoo- is there a background story or special meaning? Why did you choose this particular piece of art?

My nanna passed away just over a year ago, and I got a rose tattooed on my right shoulder blade in her honour, not long afterwards. But it wasn't enough! I wanted to do something special, with her name in it, as she was very special to me, and taught me how to knit and sew.... So I got a heart shaped pin cushion with little heart pins in it, and a sewing thread and needle, and some pretty flowers, with a "nanna" banner in the middle, to remind me of her daily! I love it so much. Zoe did such an amazing job, and I will be going back to her again soon to re-do my left sleeve!

2) Do you have any other tattoos?  If so, what do you have and where? 

I have about 13 pieces all up, but my left sleeve has been tattooed on over 7 times I think, by all different artists. It includes a rhino beetle with cogs and wheels inside him, two yellow sunflowers, a hummingbird moth, a butterfly, some birds, a fob watch and some blue ribbon. I am actually about to have it worked on, and completely changed, as I am not happy with how it looks in certain places and it is very unfinished. Zoe, who did my nanna tattoo, will rework it for me over the next few months and I will end up with two massive peacocks spanning my whole left arm.

I have a rose on my right shoulder blade.

An anchor with a bow on it, which matches one my boyfriend Christian has. He loves old school tattoos and we love getting tattooed together, he actually has a Tumblr dedicated to them... http://swifthungryswallow.tumblr.com/ 

We also have matching wrist tattoos, I got a love letter with roses, and Christian got a bird holding the same love letter.

I have a cuckoo clock with a deer head on it on my right upper arm, which isn't finished yet.

 

I have a spotty bow on my left thigh which I got done years ago, and a few other smaller pieces, including my very first tattoo which was a Smashing Pumpkins inspired tattoo of the word "Adore" - etched into my left hip when I was either 19 or 20.


I have another anchor on my right side of my stomach, just under my ribs, and I have two Gloomy Bears on my lower back on the right hand side, which are just outlines... never finished or coloured!

3) Do you plan on getting more?

Definitely! As mentioned, I am going to end up with my whole left arm covered in flowers and two peacocks, which will also symbolise my nanna and my family, as some peacocks used to fly into my nannas backyard all the time when our family was living with her growing up. It is already in the works with Zoe! I also want a flamingo on my right sleeve, and some more family tributes, including a blue diamond for my mum, a bunny for my sister, and two bluebirds for my twin brothers. I might get tributes to my two kitties Falkor and Sailor Jerry one day as well.

4) How do your family and friends feel about your tattoo(s)?  Have you run into any adversity or negativity because of them? Do you have a significant other? Does he/she have tattoos? 

Believe it or not, I hid my tattoos from many people for years. No one really saw them, and my workplaces have never known about them as I work in a Corporate environment. I recently decided I am going to be the true me, and even though I didn't like my left side sleeve for a long while after rushing into it, I showed my family what I have, and they were very accepting and wonderful about it. I had one laser session on my left sleeve, as I wanted to rework it, and the laser session was painful and didn't work the way I expected, so I am grateful to have a great artist in Zoe, who will help me achieve what I want my sleeve to look like!

It was exciting when I got my nanna tattoo, because I was able to send the sketch to my mum and sister to show them and get their approval beforehand, and then on the day, I was able to send pics to them and share the beautiful moment with them! I am so glad they love it, and are accepting of my others tattoos as well. Yay for my awesome family! I know they can see that this is a creative outlet for me, and that I just love tattoos and pretty things.

As for my significant other.. Christian, he LOVES tattoos. He is amazing. Because we are both very arty, and love the old school style, he has helped me so much in both new tattoos, and reworking old tattoos. He has lots of old school tattoos too, and we love spending time visiting the many amazing tattoo artists in Melbourne, getting walk ins, or planning bigger pieces. I love that we have matching tattoos too, and I am sure we will end up with more in the future. I know he loves my tattoos, and finds them attractive, and when we are old folks together, we will love looking at them and remembering this time in our life where we were collecting tattoos together.

5) Any advice for those interested in getting tattooed but haven't gotten one yet?

Really, really, really make sure you want what you are getting... FOREVER! I am a perfect example of someone who rushed into some tattoos, and even though I love tattoos, love most of mine, and have every intention of getting more, I wish I had've thought about the ones on my left sleeve more before jumping in. When I started that sleeve, I had 5 tiny birds, then I got a yellow flower, and after that, instead of thinking about my next tattoo, I really rushed, and before I knew it, I had a mess of bugs and flowers happening, which meant nothing to me. I then tried laser removal, and realised that is harder than it seems, and the colours on my ink were going to be very hard to remove... So now I am very lucky to have a tattoo artist who will rework my arm into something beautiful with more meaning to me  ie: the peacocks I have planned.

Another word of advice, make sure you are totally comfortable with your artist, and choose someone who suits your style. Before finding Zoe, and my more recent tattoo artists, I was going to artists who didn't specialise in old school tattoos, so it wasn't working out the way I have inititally planned. That is why sometimes in your mind you think "awesome, I am getting an old school fob watch" and then you end up with a new school clock, which isn't what you wanted, even if it is pretty.... So yeah, just plan, plan, plan! We spend heaps of time online looking for cool artists.

Ask people who did their work if you like it. Don't be shy, most people are pretty cool with it, as long as you aren't grabbing hold of their arm and touching them without permission, it's pretty cool to say "I really like your ink, do you mind me asking who did it?" It's happened to Christian, my boyfriend, before, and I have been told my tattoos are lovely by all kinds of people, including and old Italian man at the beach once! So cute!!

I guess one more thing is, have fun with it! Getting tattooed is awesome, and whether you get something because it is meaningful to you, or just because it is cute or pretty, make it fun, and take someone you love with you. I love getting tattooed with my man beside me. I still want to do it with my sister one day. I know it'll be awesome fun!

Thanks Danielle for letting me ramble on!

Love Deer Donna xoxox