Getting inked today

[YankeyMCC]

My first tattoo. Heh, I say "first" as if there'll be more. ;)

It's kinda funny because to hear me talk to others, friends and family, who have gotten or considered getting tattoos over the years you'd think I was pretty anti-tattoo. But in fact I've had it in the back of my mind since my college days but given the permanence of it I ask myself (and others) difficult questions and give plenty of time before I felt it was the right thing to do.

Now that I'm old enough to feel I have matured past just wanting something "cool", and have a decent idea of who I am (of course that will continue to develop but I think I'm significantly closer now than I was at say 22), and it isn't a case where I want a tattoo and just wanted to find something that looked good. I wanted to find a way to express something about myself and how I see my place in the world, and from that the idea of a tattoo came about. So I feel confident it's a good and right thing to do.

And I'm pretty fraking excited.

It will look something like this: ?v=0


The drawing was done by my son (another aspect that I like about the tattoo idea) but the tattoo artist is creating his own version of this.

[datasuspect]

1. i want a tattoo

of chewbacca on a crucifix, complete with INRI inscription, but with CNRW (chewbacca of nazareth, king of the wookies).

[YankeyMCC]

6. I like the image

Don't know if that would be a good thing to permamently put on your body but I do like the idea of the image. lol

[mark414]

2. congrats and way to go

where are you getting it done?

i 'only' have three but i want about 50 million more...the pain that one feels from a tattoo needle is unlike any pain i've ever felt in my life, and if you can handle it is somewhat addicting. i think there are two types of people - those who can't stand the pain and those who love it. the only reason i don't already have more is because i haven't had the money at my disposal.

good luck!

[jonnyblitz]

5. I am one that doesn't feel the pain so much.

my current tattooist has a good technique that makes me feel almost like i am getting massaged. He can't get over how i can lie there so still for so long. my sleeve took me about 4 hours daily for 5 days straight and i barely flinched. the sensation from getting tattooed, for me, is similar to rubbing a sunburn. that is the best way for me to describe it. :shrug:

tattoo location has lots to do with pain also. the upper back and my pectoral muscle, near the nipple were the worst.

[mark414]

9. i found that the easiest way to get rid of any pain

when i was getting inked in some more sensitive spots was to just read a magazine, and then i didn't even notice a thing.

but...check your PMs

[YankeyMCC]

7. Chameleon in Harvard Square

http://www.chameleonbodyarts.com/

and thx!

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

3. Cool. Be sure to post photos when it's done.

:thumbsup:

[YankeyMCC]

11. And finally here it is...

?v=0

[ceile]

15. Looks great! n/t

[Haole Girl]

4. That looks like it will be a great tattoo!

A little like a cross between the Hawaiian Honu and the mountains...I like it!

[YankeyMCC]

8. Thx, actually

The turtle is based on a Hadudenosaunee symbol for the world or North America. The shell has 13 sections representing the 13 moons but I moved the sections to the side and added the mountain/tree idea.

BTW: I'm not Native American, I just think this represents my world view well.

[YankeyMCC]

10. It's done

Definitely was some pain but nothing I couldn't handle and nothing that was not worth it.

I'm very happy with the results. The artist actually put a bit more detail and shading than I originally imagined but as I watched I realized I needed to put some measure of trust in his experience and skill and let him add his touch to it. I'm no artist by any stretch of the imagination :)

And I'm glad I did. The piece still has the simplicity and style I envisioned but also has depth.

But unbelievably despite having 3 digital cameras None of them are available right now. My good camera is in the shop. My camera phone needs to charge probably for another 12 hours, and the little key chain 3Mp thing is acting flaky all of a sudden. So I can't put up a pix yet. :banghead:

[BarenakedLady]

12. Darn

I was looking forward to seeing it.

I'm trying to decide what to get for my second.

[YankeyMCC]

13. Actually I just got hold of a camera you can find it here:

?v=0


EDIT: That's my calf btw :)

[BarenakedLady]

14. Cool

That came out rather nicely. And the fact that it was from your son's sketch adds to the appeal.

:thumbsup:

[MissMillie]

16. I'm getting inked tomorrow

My second tattoo

[YankeyMCC]

18. Very nice n/t

[ghostsofgiants]

17. Awesome. Congrats!

I'm going to be heading down to the shop on Friday or Monday to talk to the artist about my first. It'll be months before I actually get the tattoo, but it'll be worth the wait.