Tattoo’d

Last Sunday, G and his girl friend were at Dr Sketchy’s Anti-Art School – an event of life art drawing in less traditional poses.  (Nude, semi-nude, and sometimes erotic).  While G was drawing stick figures and  speech bubbles, a woman sat down next to him and asked if he was saving a spot for someone.  He assured her that it was open, and they started talking.  She is a tattoo artist and illustrator.  Mainly a tattoo artist now.  He mentioned that I was looking for an artist to do a tattoo, and she said to bring me in for a consultation.

Monday, we dropped by. Her book gave me concerns, but as I looked at her regular art, I liked her.  Talking with her more, I really liked her approach and what she asked me to provide.  I emailed her the information she asked – examples of stuff that I love and hate – and she said to come back Thursday to see if I liked what she drew. If I liked it, we could get going then.

I loved it.  I loved the owl, I loved the dogwood branch.  I loved the details.  My only feedback was to make the owl a hair smaller.  I wanted to owl to be part of the whole thing versus the center of it.  “Go get a cup of coffee and come back in 20 minutes” was her suggestion.

Twenty minutes later, I came back to her and her boss debating which size of owl was best.  I agreed with her – and we got started.

I knew I wouldn’t have a problem with the tattoo.  I’ve given birth. I’ve taken some pretty bad hits playing catcher on the college softball team.  Oh, yeah – and I’m no slouch in the BDSM arena either.    I knew it would all be fine – just was anxious to get going.

“What does it feel like?” she asked after she started.

In my head, I thought “like knife play”, but answered “like scratches”.

“Women deal with this thing better than most men – at least in my experience.”

She estimated it would take about 3hrs to do most of it.  About 90 min into it, she was done with the outline.  “Are you ready for me to continue? Or do you want to come back?”

“Keep going” was my response. It was fine.

We hit the end of her 3hr window of time, and she most of it done.  Only a few details left and the pink for the dogwood flowers.  I’ll get those in 2 weeks.  Though, I may rethink how many details I want to have done.

I am VERY happy with it.  The artist was giddy about it.  Her boss who owns the joint was adement that she take photos as she went – and actually stopped the tattoo that was doing for someone so that he could see what it looked like.

Does it hurt? Nah.  The shading on the owl got really REALLY annoying but not enough that I was gonna make her stop.

I’m giddy.  I have been wanting to get it done for a while.  And to have it better than I even imagined, wonderful!!

Oh and because people have asked – why the owl in a dogwood tree?

Owls are amazing birds.  They are wise, silent, kill people in an unexpected way and can look all around them.  I saw a Japanese print with the owl in a cherry tree.  I decided dogwood branch – I like them – and they aren’t often done.  Toss in the fact a friend used to refer to me as his night owl, and it just felt right.

9 Comments Add yours

  1. OsShirt says:

    Dogwood is also the state flower of Virginia. In case you were wondering…

    Looks great! And it’s Thursday still!!! 😉

  2. Sarah says:

    Squeeee! I love it, Emmy!! It’s going to be amazing when it’s finished.

  3. IveyLane says:

    That. Is. Gorgeous!

  4. Awesome! It looks great.

  5. Topaz says:

    Woohoo! Welcome to the club! It’s such wonderful ink because it’s unique and it means something to you. I love it. I’m surprised you went as bold as you did. Kudos to the artist!

  6. BAD ASS MAMA!!! I love it more!!

  7. John and Ann says:

    Great tattoo. Given all I have read about you, the choice of a dogwood is also appropriate because of its strength. I think it is one of the strongest woods native to the U.S.. You can make wedges out of dogwood to split other logs.

  8. Chapter Two says:

    yay! my shoulder was easy peasy and only stung a bit up near the bone and shading is annoying but adds so much. My ankle- that hurt and I have an amazing tolerance for pain, but that was only the part right on the bone.

    Now….you….
    wow wow wow! I appreciate people that seek out artists and get something meaningful to them. Who wants the same purple butterfly everyone has? exactly……

    lovely and only compliments your loveliness

  9. It really IS beautiful. I am going near your part of the country (Seattle) for 3 months and I keep thinking about getting a tattoo myself and I keep on putting it off and now I am thinking about it again after seeing how beautiful yours is going to be.

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