I love my Tattoos.

I have had a hand in the designs of all my tattoos from the very first to the last which is now around five years old.

My first was across my lower back, A “tramp stamp” as they eventually came to be known. I helped draw the design and chose the colour I wanted and sat for three hours for my very first sitting.

The design was to commemorate a loss and it came out beautifully.

Less than six months later I went back to have it extended, with ‘wings’ either side.

Even now, when I look at it in the mirror I feel a sense of joy yet sadness at my inking and its subject.

Of course, as many say, once you have had a tattoo it becomes very addictive and it wasn’t long before I was booking in for another. This time I had a small lily put onto my right wrist.

This was followed by some lilies on my right foot before a blue daisy with black initials graced my hip.

My last tattoo for a number of years was a hummingbird down my spine. I was happy with all my ink and both time, circumstance and money stopped me covering any more of my skin.

Fast forward a dozen or so years and I was unhappy with the lily on my wrist. It had faded quite dramatically and I wasn’t as keen on it as I once was. I got in touch with a local tattoo artist and asked about a cover-up.

Heading to a local tattoo studio, I met the fabulous Thor, who had hair that I envied immensely and knew just what it was that I was trying to do.

I fancied an old fashioned perfume atomiser along with a peacock feather. The drawings were done and I went to look at them before the actual day of inking.

The design, I loved, however I suggested that I liked the idea of having a ‘bracelet’ of tattoos. By this I meant a design that wrapped around the wrist and was quite large however wasn’t classed as a lower sleeve.

Camellias and Hibiscus flowers were added into the design and I couldn’t wait for it to become part of my collection.

The end result was so marvellous and during the inking I discussed getting a complimentary ‘bracelet’ on the left wrist. We threw around several ideas and I chose a powder puff, lipstick, mirror and red rose in a similar design to my perfume atomiser.

Less than a month passed and I was under the needle again to get it finalised. The end result was absolutely beautiful and I was exceptionally happy with the whole process.

As I said, that was around five years ago and I was more than happy with my lot.

Well I say that.

I had seen a couple of designs online which caught my eye. The meanings were poignant and I adored that very much. I bookmarked the designs and kept them safe for around three years.

This July was my 49th birthday.

A new tattoo studio had opened across the road from my childhood home, Longswallow Tattoo Club. Given that I was caring full time for Mum, I didn’t have the space in my day to spend three hours plus travel time in a studio further away from home.

I had a look at the artwork of the tattooist and it pleased me very much.

Popping in to see him, I showed him what it was I wanted and the kind of colours I was looking for. He advised that it was something that he would happily do and I booked in for 1ooo on my birthday.

So, what was it that I asked for?

Well, Two Tattoos in fact!

My right inner ankle was taken up by a stylised Alpha/Omega symbol which I wanted to symbolise that I have a beginning and an end, but the journey between the two is all down to me.

Basically, a ‘One Life, Don’t Waste it’ kind of sentiment.

The second tattoo was a stylised quill which I wanted to stand for my love of writing and also my mental health issues.

Off We Go

Writing is a fundamental part of my life and one that I cannot do without. Writing for magazines, newsletters and my blog has brought much opportunity to me and I always feel so much better when I spend some time writing.

The quill came to sharp point and in order to pay homage to the issues I am having with depression and anxiety at the moment, I added the semi-colon that has come to stand for mental health issues across the World.

Hard At Work

Jimmy Panic started with the quill which I had placed on my left upper foot.

I had asked for it to be coloured in pink and purple. Starting at the top of the ‘quill’ I opted for pink, graduating down to the dark purple at the bottom.

The Finished Article

Jimmy worked on the black outline, completing it smoothly. He then started working on the colour and this was when it got a little bit tender. I will admit that the needle made me jump a little as it went over the bones close to the skin.

Around 50 minutes later the first tattoo was complete. It wasn’t too bad at all, pain wise, and I was completely in love with the colours used.

Perfect!

Now it was time for the second tattoo.

I had decided to have this put on the inside right ankle.

This was an area that I knew could be quite sensitive, but it was exactly where I wanted to have it placed. I knew I would have to bite my lip and grit my teeth.

In Progress

I had asked for this tattoo to be done in black and grey. Jimmy started work and it wasn’t as bad as I had expected it to be, if I am honest.

As this was a slightly less involved tattoo it took about 40 minutes all told.

Lower Ankle

I have to say that I was over the moon with the two finished tattoos. They were perfectly done, the colours vibrant, the black and grey, subtle.

Jimmy gave me care advice and I happily left the studio with my two new pieces of art.

I couldn’t be happier if I tried.

If you need a tattoo, I highly recommend Jimmy Panic and Longswallow Tattoo Club.

Till next time,

SPSG xxx