Tattoo Info Post!
(Excuse my face. It’s a snow day.)
I posted them in the order that I got them…I don’t think I forgot any…
1- Black Rose (est. 1/2010)- This was my very first tattoo. I got it on my 18th birthday. It also happens to be my most painful! My mother drew it for me. I got it mainly in memory of my grandfather who passed away when I was younger from ALS and always wanted a black rose tattoo. Also, the black rose is a symbol of hope in the Irish culture and I was going through a tough time in my life when I got this tattoo so it all just seemed fitting.
2- Let it Be (est. 6/2010)- After I was bitten by the tattoo bug, I couldn’t stay away from the needle for long ;) A few months later I was back with a rough sketch done by a then boyfriend and touched up by my mother. The lettering is actually his handwriting. I know what you’re all thinking, “Why the fuck would you get a boy’s handwriting tattooed on your body. Now you’re stuck with it forever” Which, I agree, is a dumb decision, had this boy been anyone else I probably would’ve had it removed or covered by now. But he was my best friend for over 10 years. We have always been polar opposites, but we made it work. I am impulsive and often act and speak before I think. He is calm and collected and was always telling me to slow down and let it be. Now that we’re no longer together, his reminder is always with me, reminding me to shut up and leave things alone every once in awhile.
4- Tribal Sparrow/Om Symbol/La Vie Boheme (est. 3/2012)- This is another tattoo drawn by my mother. It combines a lot of things for me. The sparrow, a sign of hope and freedom, was appropriate because I got this while I was in college, living apart from my parents for the first time. The Om symbol is for my love of yoga and constant journey for peace within myself. “La Vie Boheme” is the title of my favorite song from my favorite musical RENT. I am a huge Broadway nerd and this particular song sums up a lot of my personal beliefs in life. I actually got this tattoo after winning a tattoo competition with my black rose. The prize was a gift certificate to my favorite tattoo parlor. :)
5- i carry your heart… (est. 5/2013)- The full text of my quarter sleeve reads, “and this is the wonder that’s keeping the stars apart. i carry your heart with me (i carry it in my heart)” I would love to say that this pieced together bit of an ee cummings poem has some sort of deep meaning to me, but alas, this is not the case. This is one of my favorite cumming’s poems, but this particular tattoo was actually gotten after a drunken night in college. One of my roommates and I signed a contract in which we had to get tattoos together before I graduated. The actual plan was to just go to a local tattoo parlor and pick something off the wall. Well, several shops later, we realized we were far too picky and agreed to use the contract as an excuse to get something we’d wanted inked for awhile. Thus, my quarter sleeve/wrap thing was born! Oh, and I had originally planned to just get “i carry your heart with me” as a single band around my upper arm. I got a bit carried away once I got to the shop ;)
6- “Don’t hide the madness” (est. 10/2013)- My sister and I had been planning to get sister tattoos for awhile. We both have a both of Ginsberg and, if you’ve ever met us, you’d know how appropriate this particular line is for us. Hers: “Keep in the moonlight” Mine: “Don’t hide the madness”
7- Forearm Bands (est. 11/2014)- The baby of my tattoos! The three bands on my left forearm were a spur of the moment bit of ink I acquired on a trip with K back to my alma mater. We were walking around downtown when I noticed a sign in the window of a tattoo shop boasting a holiday special. Well, who am I to turn down a good deal. So I ending up getting three bands for my mom, my dad, and my sister. The bands aren’t closed because the artist informed me that there is a native american belief that if you close a band or a chain, the soul cannot escape and is trapped forever. I am not one to mess with spiritual beliefs so the bands were left open. The placement is also important to me. It tells me STOP, GO NO FURTHER! YOU WORK AS A NURSE YOU IDIOT YOU CAN’T GET A FULL SLEEVE ;)
I have many MANY more planned, just waiting on the right time (and money!)
Hope you enjoyed this :)
-Ry
