I am big fan of tattoos and I've had a lot of work done, including two full sleeves. I've also had a few ideas for more big pieces lurking in my head for a few years.
One of these ideas is a design based on an old poster for the Women's Land Army from the Second World War. My Nan worked in the WLA during the war and I would enjoy hearing her tell us about what she used to do. I was thinking about the tattoo while Nan was still around, but I was already getting a lot of work done on other pieces so I never actually started it.
In the last month or so I've been feeling the urge for more tattoo work so I started expanding on the land girl idea. This resulted in me coming up with an ink drawing. Once I finished this I had a sort of ink mania and decided I had to go and book for the tattoo, finally getting it started last week. Right now I've got to the itching and peeling stage, but last week it was really sore and I was asking myself why I insist on repeatedly going through the process.
This got me thinking more in depth about the tattooing process and why I like tattoos so much.
I think one of the reasons I keep going back for more is that I find it quite therapeutic. Definitely not in a physically relaxing sort of way, but more of a mental relief. I realised that with only the pain and end result to focus on, getting a tattoo is one of the few times I can actually switch my brain off from all the anxious thoughts that are constantly buzzing around. When I hobble out of the studio I feel somehow lighter. For me it's as good as talking to someone about what's going on in my head, probably better. It's like a realisation that I can get through a lot more than I feel like I can most of the time. The physical pain and discomfort is like a sort of manifestation of the way my mind feels and I can focus on that instead.
Another reason I'm so tattooed is to do with confidence (or rather a lack of it). I am not a confident person at all and social situations are a source of anxiety for me. I don't like to be noticed. Now this makes me sound a bit crazy; I hear you thinking "surely inking yourself up makes you more noticeable?" Well, I guess it does. The way it works for me is that I feel like people notice my tattoos instead of actually seeing me. I suppose I use them as a kind of distraction or disguise. Also, I don't think I'm particularly physically attractive and I wouldn't get many compliments on the way I look, so it gives me a real confidence boost when people look at and admire my tattoos. They make me feel more attractive and comfortable in my own skin.
I'm rubbish at small talk and especially talking about myself, so my tattoos often act as a way for me to engage in conversation with people without feeling quite so awkward. I like it when people take the time to really look and to ask questions. I think a lot of people are really surprised by how much work has gone in to them and the way they are more like art pieces than trivial mementos. I sometimes feel like I'm an ambassador for tattoos. I have a role showing sceptics that well mannered, quiet and sensible people can also have ink; having tattoos does not automatically turn you into a lout.
So, for me my tattoos are important. I get to share a part of myself and my creativity when coming up with a design idea and the process itself gives me a much needed break from my own mind. Tattoos are a big part of who I am now and they serve a purpose every day, helping me to interact with the world. On top of all this, I think they look pretty damn cool and I get to walk around with works of art on me for the rest of my life!
One of these ideas is a design based on an old poster for the Women's Land Army from the Second World War. My Nan worked in the WLA during the war and I would enjoy hearing her tell us about what she used to do. I was thinking about the tattoo while Nan was still around, but I was already getting a lot of work done on other pieces so I never actually started it.
In the last month or so I've been feeling the urge for more tattoo work so I started expanding on the land girl idea. This resulted in me coming up with an ink drawing. Once I finished this I had a sort of ink mania and decided I had to go and book for the tattoo, finally getting it started last week. Right now I've got to the itching and peeling stage, but last week it was really sore and I was asking myself why I insist on repeatedly going through the process.
This got me thinking more in depth about the tattooing process and why I like tattoos so much.
I think one of the reasons I keep going back for more is that I find it quite therapeutic. Definitely not in a physically relaxing sort of way, but more of a mental relief. I realised that with only the pain and end result to focus on, getting a tattoo is one of the few times I can actually switch my brain off from all the anxious thoughts that are constantly buzzing around. When I hobble out of the studio I feel somehow lighter. For me it's as good as talking to someone about what's going on in my head, probably better. It's like a realisation that I can get through a lot more than I feel like I can most of the time. The physical pain and discomfort is like a sort of manifestation of the way my mind feels and I can focus on that instead.
Another reason I'm so tattooed is to do with confidence (or rather a lack of it). I am not a confident person at all and social situations are a source of anxiety for me. I don't like to be noticed. Now this makes me sound a bit crazy; I hear you thinking "surely inking yourself up makes you more noticeable?" Well, I guess it does. The way it works for me is that I feel like people notice my tattoos instead of actually seeing me. I suppose I use them as a kind of distraction or disguise. Also, I don't think I'm particularly physically attractive and I wouldn't get many compliments on the way I look, so it gives me a real confidence boost when people look at and admire my tattoos. They make me feel more attractive and comfortable in my own skin.
I'm rubbish at small talk and especially talking about myself, so my tattoos often act as a way for me to engage in conversation with people without feeling quite so awkward. I like it when people take the time to really look and to ask questions. I think a lot of people are really surprised by how much work has gone in to them and the way they are more like art pieces than trivial mementos. I sometimes feel like I'm an ambassador for tattoos. I have a role showing sceptics that well mannered, quiet and sensible people can also have ink; having tattoos does not automatically turn you into a lout.
So, for me my tattoos are important. I get to share a part of myself and my creativity when coming up with a design idea and the process itself gives me a much needed break from my own mind. Tattoos are a big part of who I am now and they serve a purpose every day, helping me to interact with the world. On top of all this, I think they look pretty damn cool and I get to walk around with works of art on me for the rest of my life!
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