Taboo

It's no secret that I have tattoos, especially my 3/4 back piece. I've always chosen places that could be easily covered, you know, being shy like I am. Ok, so maybe I'm not shy, but I do have a little conservatism left in me. If I didn't want people to see the art work I wanted to be able to cover it.

I've coveted a white tattoo for quite some time now. I wanted it on the inside of my forearm. I only wanted it noticed if you really looked for it. When I talked to one of my tattoo guys he informed me that the best a white tattoo will look is the day you get it. Well I certainly didn't want that. After all, what's the point of having a tattoo that you can't see?

A few weeks ago I went in for a consult and gave Joe, an amazing artist, an idea of what I wanted. I wanted something delicate, and since it was going to be on my forearm I didn't want it too prominent. I left him with some pictures, he took a tracing of my arm and went to work designing a piece just for me.

As time passed I decided I wanted it a little more noticeable, but not too much. Finally Tuesday night was appointment time. I arrived early and Joe was just finishing up the design. When he showed me the concept I loved it. It was bigger than I had wanted and was a little more bold than I had originally thought it would be, but I totally loved it, so I said ok and we went for it.

I downed a couple of Vicodin, a Benadryl and some Advil and Joe went to work.I know it must sound strange, but I love the feeling of being tattooed, mostly. I sat well and watched the progress, listened to hilarious stories, laughed and watched Joe's design come to life. About four hours later it was complete.

Now I have my first tattoo that will be seen unless I'm in long sleeves and at first I was a little unsure of the boldness of the design. I know some people will hate it, some people will love it and my daughters will say, "Mom I thought you said you'd NEVER have an arm tattoo!" But bottom line is that I'm 50, I thought it out, it's my arm and it's really no one's business what I have inked on my body.

There's a saying that the difference between people with tattoos and people without tattoos is that people that are tattooed don't care if you're not tattooed. So here I am, continuing the black sheep label in my family and proudly displaying a new arm piece.

Like it or not, it doesn't change who I am, what I believe, my character or anything else. If anything it gives a glimpse of my inner rebel. Attention seeking? No. Self satisfying? Yes.

So like it or not, here it is.

The stencil

A little while into it. 

The finished piece. It's not too noticeable do you think?