I suppose it was sometime in Elementary school that I started doodling...on papers, tests, desks...and myself. In High school I got in trouble for drawing on my skin with Sharpies...a lot. Sometimes I would be so happy with the design that I would redraw it after showers and keep it around for a week or two. I drew on friends, notebooks, walls, sometimes even my sketchbook. When I was about 14 I realized that I wanted a tattoo. A REAL one...but YEAH RIGHT. My parents, especially my Dad, would never go for it, I thought.
When I turned 18, I knew it was just a matter of time before I got one...just had to wait for the perfect design and perfect time. My friend Laura decided that she wanted to break her tattoo cherry with me, so I helped her draw up a nice little piece for her back. I loved the idea that she would forever have something to remind her of me...even if just a tiny bit.
Just weeks before I moved from my hometown in PA to Los Angeles, I decided it was time. I wanted to get a tattoo to symbolize my family and our unity, no matter how far or near. I have always been a fan of Celestial beings...so I sketched up a design of 5 green stars. One for each member, my Mom, Dad, and two little brothers.
When I showed the design to the tattoo artist, he suggested inverting the colors, and making the stars the negative space (my skin color) surrounded by pretty green shading. The expereince was awesome, I wasn't in much pain, and overall...I loved the physical and emotional experience of getting a tattoo. I currently have 5.
In the following years I drew up designs for friends who wanted tattoos and once even got to help the tattoo artist put on a stencil (that was very exciting to me at the time). It was neat to see people have my art on their bodies...for life.
SO- for Christmas/Birthday I got a few tattoo machines and everything that I needed to start tattooing. WORDS CAN'T DESCRIBE MY EXCITEMENT.
I feel like the entirety of my 26 years on this planet has led to this......a true dream come true. My Mom has always been artsy-craftsy and my entire childhood was filled with all sorts of art projects. (The artistic gene runs strong in my family...thank you, bloodline!)
I studied Fine Arts for years and years...allowing me to hone my drawing and painting abilities. I studied Fashion Design at the Art Institute giving me an intimate look at the human body, it's shadows and curves and overall beauty. I worked countless customer service positions, sharpening my people skills. Most recently, I worked 3rd shift in the Emergency Room as a housekeeper. This job seemed like a pile of shit (sometimes literally) at the time, but in retrospect, and in relation to tattooing, it taught me valuable safe handling practices. Disposal of bodily fluids in a safe and efficient manner was my job, a very important job in a hospital setting, and I did it well.
As soon as my tattoo machines came in the mail, I got my Bloodborne Pathogen Safety Certification, and passed the test with 100% (it was common sense). This is an art I respect highly and I am taking it as seriously as possible.
It took me about 3 or 4 hours to get aquainted with my new machines and get them set up and tuned properly...then it was time to practice!
My first try was on that fake skin crap. I say "crap" because that stuff is in no way like skin.
I called my local butcher yesterday and asked for pig skin. The wonderful man on the phone told me he had one pack and that he'd save it for me...so I rushed in excitement to get it!
I washed the skin with soap. IT WAS SO OILY. So, I had to do another round of cleaning with alcohol.
I stretched the skin and tacked it to a board. Though it was only my first try, and though it was on pig skin...I'd say it was a success. The outline took me a good hour or so. The color shading took 3 or 4 hours...
Pig skin doesn't seem to hold ink as well as human skin, and it wasn't washing off the best either. But here's what I came up with on round one!
Yes, indeed. Sure do love The Dead. <3
Yesterday I told my friend Maranna and this new adventure (I've been telling her for years that I wanted to tattoo)...and she said that when I get good and comfortable, I could tattoo her! Very exciting to have willing participants! She wants a piece of art from Ray LaMontague's "Trouble" album...so I decided to use that for my second round of practice.
I'm still experimenting with colors, and how to water them down. From what I've learned by trial and error, tattooing is much like water coloring. GOOD THING WATERCOLORING IS ONE OF MY SPECIALTIES.
I'm so excited to keep practicing and practicing and hopefully someday soon I'll find a few people who want some free tattoos :D. (A girl's gotta build her portfolio somehow!!!)
(This post has not been spell-checked...I don't care.)
KEEP TRUCKIN'!!!!!
