Back Tattoo New Ideas

Beautiful Black Butterfly Tattoo.....So Pretty

Wonderful Weekend (image heavy)

Oh, Sunday. Today is one of my most favorite days of the week and this one was definitely a good one. The entire weekend was actually pretty perfect, and I needed it, as I've been feeling a little off these past few days. My friend Adie always says that life has an ebb and a flow to it, and she's totally right- and a lot of the time my ebb and flow is a little too up and down for my taste, but I guess that's life. I've just felt a little down lately, a little sad, and a little "something" I can't quite put my finger on. I think this can be attributed to Henry's new wakeful period he's been going through, and rather than sleeping through the night like he has for months, he's been waking up a few times during the night. I'm thinking this is from teething, and I hope the poor little guy settles down soon, I feel terrible for him. And as for me, I'm tired, and that just kind of snowballs as each sleepless night goes by. Part of the problem was that I was going to bed at midnight or 1am, sleeping fitfully right along with Henry (waking to feed him), and then ultimately getting up around 6:30am. That is not conducive to a happy mama! So now, I'm forcing myself to go to bed at 10pm, and that way, at least I get a lot more sleep collectively. I already feel better so I think it's helping. I'm definitely going to continue the 10pm bedtime this week.

So other than my weird moods, things are really, really good. In my mind spring is short- summer is already on its way in and I can't wait. This weekend sure felt like summer up here in Prescott, and the weather was absolutely beautiful last night during our evening downtown. My parents were in town, so we did our normal dinner routine: Bill's pizza for salads and pizza, and a nice stroll around the square. The temperature was in the 70s and Henry was the happiest baby- he loves being outside. We also celebrated an early Easter, and my Mom made Henry the sweetest basket. Holidays are just so much fun with kiddos around!

This morning we woke up and went to brunch at the Dinner Bell, then came home and relaxed for awhile. Later in the day I went to the gym, and a combination of being outside and some hard cardio seemed to snap me out of the funk I've been in. I'm looking forward to having a really positive week and getting a lot accomplished. Some of the things I'm looking forward to: our new family room curtains arriving from Anthro, a hair appointment with Rhonda, and spending some time with some lovely ladies. So- here's to a great week!

Here are some photos from the past few days:

I mentioned before that Erin and her son Kyler came up Thursday. We had the best night hanging out, talking, and laughing. I've talked about Erin a lot on this blog, but we've been close friends since college where we met in our freshman dorm, and then ended up rushing the same sorority. We've had a lifetime of memories made together (11 years of friendship!), and when we got pregnant two months apart it was amazing to go through that experience together. She's the best!

brunch this morning

Tattoo Tuesday V.66

Name and blog name: Becca, lolitadgaf.tumblr.com

Age: 25

Occupation: Waitress/Student

Age of first tattoo: 17, I got a bumble bee on my left foot while I was still in highschool. My mom bought it for me for being on honor roll at school.

Favorite tattoo: My favorite would either be the owl on my upper arm, or the flapper-eque lady on my lower right arm.

Featured tattoo/location: Flapper lady, lower right arm.

Artist/shop/location of feature tattoo: Amanda Wamprecht at Pushing Ink Tattoo, in Mount Healthy, Ohio.

1) Tell us about your featured tattoo- is there a background story or special meaning? Why did you choose this particular piece of art? 

I don't really have a deep meaning behind any of my tattoos, I just kinda get things as they come to me. With this one, I contacted Amanda who had done some work on a friend of mine, and asked her how she felt about doing a traditional style portrait of a 1920's style flapper, and she was super excited. She drew up rough sketches and would send me updates every few days until she had it perfect. She was really amazing about everything I wanted to include, like the peacock feather in her hair. She did the entire thing in one four hour sitting. It was great, she brought "Children of the Corn" in and put it on for me to watch and we just chatted while she worked. It was so fun to be tattooed by a girl.

2) Do you have any other tattoos? If so, what do you have and where? 

I have a bumble bee on my left foot

a shooting star on my side that I have with my mom (she has a matching one) 

xfiles tattoo on my shoulder

flapper lady

a treble clef

roses 

compass

an owl

annnd a piece of cheese on the back of my arm that says 'Sharp' it's my best friend's last name.

3) Do you plan on getting more? 

I have a few in the works right now that I'm talking to a few tattoo artists about. I'm wanting a phonograph on my left arm, and a suitcase somewhere as well. I also really want my chest and legs done soon too, I just haven't figured out what I want to put where.

4) How do your family and friends feel about your tattoo(s)? Have you run into any adversity or negativity because of them? Do you have a significant other? Does he/she have tattoos? 

My family has long since understood that I'm the family 'weirdo' haha, but they don't really give me any grief about it. The only thing that I've had to deal with about my tattoos is that I have to cover them at work. But at school and when I go out I just get complimented like crazy, and I get the occasional "did that hurt?" 

I have a boyfriend, Steven, who I've been dating for two and a half years. He actually doesn't have a single tattoo and he doesn't plan on getting any. He says that they aren't for him, but he likes mine and I usually run my ideas by him before I get them done.

5) Any advice for those interested in getting tattooed but haven't gotten one yet?

The only advice I really have is to not be scared. It hurts, but it's obviously not unbearable. And make sure that it's something that you want to live with forever. And always think about location. I wouldn't start out by getting things in highly visible areas until you're sure that you want to commit to it.

Tattoo Tuesday V.67

Name and blog name: Tenille Evans

Age: 27

Occupation: Self employed jewelery designer and fulltime mama.

Age of first tattoo: I had it done for my 21st birthday. It was a pink diamond in my left armpit. The tattoo artist Zoe Windle was a little reluctant to do it, seeing as though it is quite a painful spot for a first tattoo! I figured I didn’t have anything to compare it to yet. I don’t remember it hurting too much but I’m sure that when I get around to getting the other armpit tattooed, I’ll be a much bigger wuss about it.

Favorite tattoo: An anchor on my right ankle. My only piece of flash, my almost-husband and I both got matching ones on a whim on our third date. It was a bit of a joke that went way too far! Lucky it worked out between us, or it would probably be my least favourite tattoo now!

Featured tattoo/location: Dead lady with pomegranate and peonies on my right upper arm.

tist/shop/location of feature tattoo: Heath Nock. Custom Tattoos Sydney, Australia.

1) Tell us about your featured tattoo- is there a background story or special meaning? Why did

you choose this particular piece of art?

This is actually part of what will eventually become a full sleeve. It is a woman holding a pomegranate, inspired by a painting called Proserpine by Dante Gabriel Rossetti. She is surrounded by a wreath of yew berries and peonies.

It is based around imagery from a John Keats poem called Ode to Melancholy. To be honest, I am actually a bit of a nerd and really love poetry. This poem is about the transience of beauty and the inevitability of all things coming full circle. Without wanting to sound like a pessimist (because I’m not!), it’s really about the inevitability of death. It actually kind of makes sense as a tattoo metaphor. A tattoo is something “permanent” but really, in a larger sense, what does the concept of permanence really mean? In a way, getting tattooed is a way to remind myself of my mortality and be ok with it. Which I think is a lovely, humbling and truthful thing.

I was intended to have a line from the poem put into the banner. But never having got around to it, it’s been empty for 3 years and now I think I like it that way. Heath has also done a skull with a purple rose on my forearm. The two pieces will at some point be joined by some large death’s head moths and maybe some more flowers.

2) Do you have any other tattoos? If so, what do you have and where?

A zombie Guadalupe-style nun on my left calf. This was done by Megan Oliver at Innervision Tattoo in Sydney. No story about it, I just dreamed that I already had it, so I thought there must be a reason, and had it inked!

Roses on my inner right arm. Done by Jeremiah Barba when he was working at Last Rites in NYC.

Two dead swallows on my stomach. Done by Carl Carlson from Diablo Art in Sydney. I had these

done before my pregnancy. They stretched out and have since gone back, completely normal.

Pink Diamond in my left armpit done by Zoe Windle when she was working at Innervision Tattoo in Sydney.

Anchor on my right ankle done by Ryan Ussher when he was at Skin Deep Tattoo in Sydney.

On the side of my right knee, I also have a heart with a banner saying ‘Cash’- my baby son’s name. Very badly done by me! I’ll go over it again at some point. Or maybe get a professional to do it!

3) Do you plan on getting more?

Yes! I would love to have more. The only thing that holds me back is money! Getting tattooed is an expensive hobby. I generally prefer to save up for quality custom work. And it isn’t cheap!

4) How do your family and friends feel about your tattoo(s)? Have you run into any adversity or negativity because of them?

My immediate family love them. They are actually now all tattooed themselves! My mum got her first tattoo a few years ago with me in New York City. My dad and three sisters all have one or two each and always talk about getting more. My partner has a few tattoos but doesn’t have any really large pieces....yet! Like me, he’s very keen to get more.

As far as the general community goes, most of the responses I get from people are very positive. People think they look great and are genuinely interested. I do however, get responses and comments even when I haven’t asked for them. This happens often and although I’m pretty tolerant and generally don’t mind talking to people, it can get tiresome sometimes. “Did that hurt?” “Why did you do that?” “What does it mean?” “Did you think about....(whatever)...”

Whenever I’m feeling like I don’t feel want to talk to strangers and answer the same old silly questions, I just cover up. When I choose to do this, it’s just that, my own choice. I’m pretty lucky that I am self-employed and a work from home mama so I can look and dress however I like! In the past though, I have covered up for job interviews, for meetings and for my nanna.

I have had a couple of very negative experiences, the worst being when a man physically grabbed my leg and yelled obscenities at me! I have to shrug those off though, because people who are that offended by somebody else are obviously very unhappy people. Being angry about it only intensifies the negativity. It’s better to forget it and wish those people well.

5) Any advice for those interested in getting tattooed but haven't gotten one yet?

For me, the reason I got my first tattoo is very different to the reason I keep going back and getting more. These reasons are highly subjective and personal for me and your reason for getting tattooed should be as well. Even though Miami Ink would have us think otherwise, it really doesn’t matter WHY you get tattooed. You shouldn’t feel like you need to justify your choices to anyone but yourself. Every tattoo doesn’t need a story to be important.

On the other hand, you should definitely think hard about what you want to put on your skin and why. But, don’t think for too long. It’s just skin. As soon as you take the plunge, you’ll realise it’s not really as big of a deal as you first thought. Yes, it’s going to be on you forever but no one really knows how long that is. Saying that though, make sure whatever artwork you choose to put on your skin is meaningful and truthful to YOU, no one else. Then go for it!

Tattoo Tuesday V.68

Name and blog name: Morgan Powell // www.ofroses.com

Age: 21

Occupation: Between a lot of things (unemployed). At the moment, just trying to figure out which of my dreams to really focus on. 

Age of first tattoo: 18. It was just a simple outline of a star on my wrist (I know, so original), but I learned my most important tattoo lesson that day. As much as I truly appreciate the artist's opinion, I know better than to listen to them 100 percent. If you're convinced of what you want, don't let the artist sway you. He tried to get me to put the tattoo somewhere else (less conspicuous), assuming I'd regret the decision (I didn't), or at least in light blue or pink so that it wouldn't be so noticeable. I thought about his suggestions, but in the end decided against them. It's so easy (for me--I'm terribly indecisive) to second-guess my tattoo vision when someone is attempting to talk me out of it, but in the end I'm always happy with my decision. The same happened with my second tattoo, but again, I stuck with the plan, and wouldn't want it any other way.

Favorite tattoo: The featured tattoo, a dead raven.

Featured tattoo/location: A dead raven on my left forearm. 

Artist/shop/location of feature tattoo: Stranded in Savannah, Ga (best tattoo shop! James is so awesome, he basically freehanded the whole thing). 

1) Tell us about your featured tattoo- is there a background story or special meaning? Why did you choose this particular piece of art? 

This tattoo was pretty impulsive--I hadn't really intended on getting it until I went as moral support for a friend of mine who wanted to get his first. When he backed out of what he was going to get, I stepped up and presented an idea for something I'd been thinking about. While I do love Edgar Allen Poe and have a pretty healthy curiosity of death, this one doesn't have much special meaning or story. But I've found that not every tattoo has to have that, which is difficult for people who don't have any to understand.

2) Do you have any other tattoos? If so, what do you have and where? 

There is one on my upper back that reads "and night (climbs the air," the last line of my favorite e.e. cummings poem. e.e. cummings is also my favorite poet (besides Rainer Maria Rilke), and coincidentally happens to be the same poet my father read from when he was "wooing" my mom, back before I was even an idea in their heads. This is also the tattoo that causes the most confusion. The Native American woman on the right side of my back is an image I originally fell in love with the when I saw it in my sister's portfolio (not hers originally, but she did a fantastic job drawing it). Pretty much immediately, I decided that at some point I wanted it as a tattoo. One, because it reminds me of my sister, and two, because our great grandfather was a Cherokee Indian Chief and we've always loved that part of our heritage because it is so connected to the earth and to the cycle of life. The other tattoo is just a simple lightning bolt on my foot (I used to say I would never get tattooed on my feet or legs!). It was an anniversary tattoo, and my boyfriend has a matching one on his foot (I also used to scoff at couples who got matching tattoos, but in the end, we've been best friends for over five years now, so no matter what it's a tattoo that commemorates us.)

3) Do you plan on getting more? 

Definitely! As soon as I have the extra cash, I already have my next two in mind.

4) How do your family and friends feel about your tattoo(s)? Have you run into any adversity or negativity because of them? 

My dad took it the hardest, and I tried to hide it from him for the longest time but eventually, of course, he saw them. My mom just takes it for what it is--she tries not to dictate what my sister and I do for the most part--and my sister just thinks that I'm too impulsive (she's right). My friends have always been supportive (for the most part), and Brian has the matching lightning bolt, but that's about it. He's a big wimp when it comes to pain. As for adversity, I've definitely gotten some stares and a few nasty looks (mostly when it comes to my back), but I really don't get offended by that. In a way (and I think this is the Aries side of me rearing its ugly head) I enjoy causing a stir, and I love upsetting people's idea of what's "normal." 

5) Any advice for those interested in getting tattooed but haven't gotten one yet?

If you really want it, get it. Don't let anyone try to talk you out of it. You don't know what will happen in a year, let alone fifty years, down the road--so do what you love and don't think so hard. If I was old and wrinkly and tattoo-less, I'm sure I would regret that more than being old and wrinkly and tattooed. You only live once. That being said, it's always good to make sure you love what you put in permanent ink on your body, and definitely find an artist that you feel a connection with. My biggest rule when picking an artist is being sure that I like their non-tattoo art in addition to their tattoo art. After all, a tattoo artist is an artist first. And if it's somewhere visible, it's important that you enjoy talking to strangers. Because there will always be someone to ask you about your tattoos.