When I got my first tattoo I was told that would be fine, but should I get a second it was game over. I would always want another. I scoffed. Then when I got my second tattoo over 10 years after the first I realized the truth in the statement.
I got my big and very personal 'piece' back in the late summer. It was UBER meaningful and even the pain of the tattoo seemed appropriate. And it did hurt as it is on my sternum and chest. I love my lily. It is completely mine as the tattoo itself was taken from a photo I had myself taken. When I went to have the colours touched up yesterday I realized how much I love the art of tattoos. They are so personal and what looks like a crap tattoo to me may be gorgeous to another. Not unlike art!
The touch up reminded me of the pain component. And yet after the touch up I want another even more. My chest burned as I drove home. My next tattoo desire burned in my mind. While sitting in the chair, chatting with the other artist in the room and his client I enjoyed the camraderie. None of us were real social deviants, yet the energy of pain, art, personal expression outside of truly accepted social boundaries was heady stuff.
What will the next be? The question is not so much what as where... I have long known the what, just the where becomes the issue. The guy who did my "piece" said the big step is when you decide to get a tat in a visible locale. A non-hideable place. I'm not ready to go there yet. But once I get to my professional goal, look out body!
