High On Ink

This is the first time I'm actually sitting at my computer keyboard and writing on this blog in forever! I usually lay in bed and type 'notes' in my phone before I pass out….collecting them later and copy pasting them in. So, what, is so important that I feel I must have this full, traditional experience? Today is tattoo day! I'm super nervous and anxious. I made this appointment in March…MARCH! Four months I have been pacing this idea in my head, back and forth…back and forth. The artist I chose is in high demand and very talented…however, I haven't heard from him since March. I've emailed. I've FaceBooked. All are cordially answered by an apprentice, offering words of comfort, "He printed out your email, he'll read it and answer your questions." And, silence. So I don't know. I'm nervous today my be a disaster…but for some reason kind of trust that it won't. I'll paste the email I sent him, so you can see my tattoo vision. :)

Hi Jeremy!

I'm sure you don't remember me, but we met briefly in March when I came to your shop to inquire about a tattoo and that I've heard about you and your great work through the grapevines at Quest (primarily Ryan Doud and Michelle Van-something, hah). I'm currently booked for July 24th and am really looking forward to it. I figure I should probably touch base with you to revisit the vision I have…I'm a terrible procrastinator, so I apologize if you would have preferred more than a month and a half to start work on this. 

I want a shoulder/back piece (I'm thinking my left) that flows down my arm a little, maybe mid-bicep. I'd like it to be watercolor and have some negative space and to incorporate the following: 

-the Japanese symbol, Enso 

-the 'Eye of God' which is the Helix Nebula, but nebula's in general are beautiful, so maybe a more colorful nebula with the Helix in it

-both my boys initials and birthdays (written TJ 9.25.10 and LA 11.14.12)

-my wedding anniversary date (June 25, 2013)

-(this is where it gets tricky, and I'm not sure if it's something even fathomable) I would like this piece to be like an unfinished puzzle, cascading and falling into and out of itself, as fluidly as possible. The puzzle that's intact is where I want the birthdays and anniversary. The whole tattoo piece doesn't necessarily need to be a puzzle…I trust your instincts as what aspects you'd like to where.

-and if you could just toss a little, tiny elephant in there, just for my Thai heritage, I'd love that! ('toss'…right, like it's that easy! Ha.)

Thank you and I really look forward to hearing back! I am hoping you can shoot me a price quote (so I don't make an ass out of myself in person because my assumption might be way off) and please let me know if any of this is just ridiculous and unreachable, haha. I'll attach the photos I've come across in the last few months that have helped me build this vision.

Sincerely,

Amanda Southard

I feel like I'm pretty clear as to what I would like in my tattoo. So lets hope he captures it. I better go, the kids are calling! :)

Okay, I figured I'd just add the pictures here, since this is the entry about it. (I keep jumping around trying to update everything about our vacay remodeling and this and life…it's starting to jumble out into a mess.)

All drawn up and ready to go.

Outline complete.

Time to add some colors!

All that looks like blood…haha.

That's the Ensō, with the Helix Nebula behind it.

All this madness took about 3.5-4 hours! Hurt like a mother!
Can't wait to get it finished…come on September 16th!!