It is all about the Pain. The Ink is just a Souvenir.
By appearances, I had never been a person who drew much attention from strangers....just a normal, average looking, woman. But to the strangers' eye, I magically become a completely different person when I dare to uncover them.
Those of us who are tattooed learn to adjust to the stares, stereotypes, opinions, and questions of the beholders. Interestingly enough, I am learning that being a tattooed person of the FEMALE gender subjects me to additional stereotypes that my male counterparts do not experience. Some experiences are good, and some are not so good.
All I knew was that I was intrigued by tattoos from a very young age. It was in my teenage years that I decided...just knew...that I wanted my own tattoo. I had spent all of the years of my young life trying to become exactly what my parents and teachers and society dictated that I should be. Many years of my life were ruled by fear. Fear of consequence...because I knew that I was not, and could not be, the person that I was expected to be.
It became increasingly apparent to me that I really had no idea who I was! Thus far I had only been able to learn who I was NOT...I was NOT an academic "brainiac"...I was NOT an artist (of any kind). I don't think that I can adequately express to you how my tattoos have made me feel. I'm sure that you've heard the expression "she wears her heart on her sleeve"....well that's sort of how I felt... as if a little piece of the inner me was now on display for all the world to see. And surprisingly, that did not make me feel vulnerable...it made me feel stronger!
Life is a journey. As I continue on my journey I continue to add tattoos...I have 7 now and more to come. My tattooed flesh is the "scrapbook" of my journey, depicting where I've come from, where I've been, who I've loved, and what I believe in. Every design is meaningful, permanent, expressive...very powerful art. And with each one I become a more powerful person.
Those of us who are tattooed learn to adjust to the stares, stereotypes, opinions, and questions of the beholders. Interestingly enough, I am learning that being a tattooed person of the FEMALE gender subjects me to additional stereotypes that my male counterparts do not experience. Some experiences are good, and some are not so good.
All I knew was that I was intrigued by tattoos from a very young age. It was in my teenage years that I decided...just knew...that I wanted my own tattoo. I had spent all of the years of my young life trying to become exactly what my parents and teachers and society dictated that I should be. Many years of my life were ruled by fear. Fear of consequence...because I knew that I was not, and could not be, the person that I was expected to be.
It became increasingly apparent to me that I really had no idea who I was! Thus far I had only been able to learn who I was NOT...I was NOT an academic "brainiac"...I was NOT an artist (of any kind). I don't think that I can adequately express to you how my tattoos have made me feel. I'm sure that you've heard the expression "she wears her heart on her sleeve"....well that's sort of how I felt... as if a little piece of the inner me was now on display for all the world to see. And surprisingly, that did not make me feel vulnerable...it made me feel stronger!
Life is a journey. As I continue on my journey I continue to add tattoos...I have 7 now and more to come. My tattooed flesh is the "scrapbook" of my journey, depicting where I've come from, where I've been, who I've loved, and what I believe in. Every design is meaningful, permanent, expressive...very powerful art. And with each one I become a more powerful person.
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