Tattoos with a purpose

Tattoos are by no means only for the usual expectation of aesthetics. We know most times they have some personal reason and intention behind them, but they also may be a tag or label serving a specific purpose. Other aspects of tattoo usage are many, which on average are not thought of by most people, especially those who have formed opinions of them. We do know that in the past they had and most likely still today have unfortunate and demeaning purposes, such as a code or a symbol of disgrace.

Did you know that they may also be used as an alternative safety plan for security or health reasons? These types of tattoos have more than meaning, they provide necessary information to lets say, find a loved one, animal or human and possibly save a life.

While the purpose of inking may have multiple considerations good, bad, right or wrong, whatever the case may be the actual intention of these forms of tattoos is not without some meaning.

Every tattoo tells a story or serves a purpose. A mark of ink is everlasting, whether removed or not, its initial purpose leaves permanence in memory and in life.

Think about it.

Tattoo Effects

Many people who tattoo, choose to create a specific theme and others, well they don't. Whether it is an all over theme or just a random spot, who’s to know, it may just be an accident. I have found over the years, that while some people have themes that evolve, most others are intentional right from the start.

I happen to have an overall tattoo theme of nature and honestly, I didn’t begin with that intention in mind; it just happened that way. The design was of random creations I chose, which have progressively grown into a pattern. I had found myself acquiring similar types of patterns and after recognizing that, I realized it fit my life, so I just went with it.

My thematic design is one of my own abstract artistic ideas of a small garden. It consists of some of what you may find there on any given day, such as flowers and butterflies, etc., and also of what I imagine should belong in any garden; Fairies. Each of my tattoos is positioned in varying places over my body, not just in one spot; purposefully. I am by no means covered from head to toe, but do have some close to my head and toes!

What effect do your tattoos and themes have or create, and what affect do they have upon you and others who see them?

Lines Drawn

Any body mark can cause one to think outside the box in which lines are limiting, only if you can’t see past them.

If you decide to acquire a tattoo, you have intent and a purpose in the end. Whether it be in the design itself or its placement, there is a choice. How about the affect these lines which you choose to put upon your body will have? Are they to be expected and is that acceptable?

Birthmarks, although being natural, many times cause a commotion of some sort, just as tattoos do. The attention people receive as a result of them may be of a positive or negative nature. They are an unrequested, both in appearance and placement, piece of what could be considered art. There is no choice in the matter.

Where do you draw the line of freedom of opportunity, choice and opinion? What about when you have no choice in drawing them, what then? The limits to what we can control should rightously be explored.

I say to each his own lines must be drawn.

W!*# T%$ F&@%?

Sorry my fellow readers, but this one is a blast for the masses.

Don’t you ever just want to let loose on ignorance, but instead find yourself being way to kind?

What each individual does with their body should be their choice, right? So how come, we who have chosen to ink ourselves have to hear unprovoked backlash and snide remarks from people who don’t even take care of their own bodies? Here’s an example for you: cracked heels, all it takes is simple human hygiene people.

Got Lotion?

Who are these people anyway? Worry about yourselves because in the end, you are all you’ve got. Besides didn’t your mother tell you that, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all?”

We who tattoo are basically happy people, so to those individuals, and you know who you are, if you can’t have a civil conversation with us then you should wait till you are a far enough distance away before speaking your filth. It’s just a confrontation waiting to happen, and usually we inked folk when provoked, can get mean.

Why judge what you don’t understand? Can you feel me on this people?

Are You Done Yet?

How many times have you heard that one? What about, "Is it true that once you get one you will keep getting more?" The amount of questions I have received over the about eighteen years since my first inking, is impossible to number. They are never ending, always expected and entertaining to this day depending on my mood, of course. Tattoos are definitely major conversation pieces and a good way to unintentionally start an issue with somebody who has a difference in opinion about the art in general!

The answer I have for everyone who asks the done yet question is and always will be, probably not. I can say that I normally tend to wait a bit in between getting each piece done, but then again, it’s a mood thing. Sometimes, it’s just gotta be done; there’s no exact explanation, it’s just an urge or need and it festers if it is ignored. Sounds crazy I suppose, but well, I’m okay with that.

I find that we who ink, seem to exist in are our own realm of society and I believe we all like it here. Care to join us?

Tattoo With Pride

People, no regrets, there’s really no point to them. Tattoos should be for life, don’t get something you really don’t want to because you may decide a few years later that you should have waited till you were in your right mind first. Also, definitely don’t do something for someone else that changes who you are, if it is not what you truly want to do.

The rules of life were man made, make your own.

Figure it all out, what you want, who you are, where you are going with this choice and whether you can handle it before you take that step in getting inked. What you are left with should be admired by you especially, not regretted.

Tattoo removal will cost you in more ways than a hole in your wallet, it may leave you with pain and scars for life.

The voices will linger in your mind asking, “Why, what were you thinking?”

Repercussions folks, they can be unforgiving!

Tattoo Stories

We all have stories to tell, don’t we? Of course we do, and I’d like to hear yours.

Every choice we make begins somewhere, and as I mentioned previously in So You Have a Tattoo, Why did you get it? I began my tattoo travels long ago on a whim. I knew I wanted one, but hadn't really researched the process, not to mention that I really didn't have the funds at the time, to get it done professionally. That was a mistake I learned from and corrected, when I was able to afford to, with pleasing results.

I was lucky, no damage done. I got a great cover up at a respected establishment, and have a beautiful, although hidden from plain sight, piece of body artwork; positive results received.

There are, however, those individuals who have not been so lucky and who must live out there lives with a tattoo gone bad story; a mistake made that may not necessarily have been their choosing. Then there are those who's story is one of, let's say, absence of knowledge in establishments or possibly lack of sense in a really bad tattoo choice.

It must be admitted that alot of those stories make for some interesting and memorable (for those of us not personally involved) conversation and laughs.

Ever heard the stories of a tattoo artist pissed off?