Sunday GTKY Tattoo edition

NovaSaysNo · January 2016

I know some people love them or hate them. I've been waiting and waiting to show mine off (it's not finished yet, and I promised my artist I wouldn't put it on social media til it's done, but that's more facebook/instagram). Anyway, anyone care to share their tattoos or maybe something that you want to get but haven't? The WTO gave me this idea because my favorite quote is tattooed on me and I know that tattoos can hold very powerful meanings for their wearers.

NovaSaysNo · January 2016

Each little piece in mine has a special meaning. Some is about my past, some is getting through my abusive relationship, and others are of those who have passed... so here we go.
I'm not scaling these down because my computer is being a jerk (took half an hour to scale one down and you miss some details that way too).

Quote from Rumi: You are not just a drop in the ocean, you are the entire ocean in a drop. (I am fluent in Dari, Farsi, and Tajik, so I can actually read it

)

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5020794/uploads/editor/wu/7qppcnjtfzbo.jpg

Big picture: (ETA: this isn't even the most updated, I'll get the husband to take a newer one, there's been more added-more coral reef stuff at the bottom and such-, and we're not even through yet!)

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5020794/uploads/editor/za/81gk8zsl5681.jpg

LOVE this beautiful fish. The anchor is for my grandfather, a WWII vet and my inspiration for joining the military.

My seahorse!

PrimRoseMama · January 2016

I don't have any but I like yours!

NovaSaysNo · January 2016

This one is in memory of the man I used to trap alligators with (I always say "not like swamp people"). He was my dad's long time best friend (since childhood) and passed away back in 2007 and I miss him every single day. My wonderful tattoo artist actually drew this and did a watercolor painting as I watched and then tattooed it on me. I love it so much.
I need a better picture. This was right after it was done, so it's a little shiny from the Aquaphor and the flash. It's on my shoulder so it looks a little weird because I was trying to bend and take the picture.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5020794/uploads/editor/ud/va68fhfdlm7r.jpg

MRSCORKER · January 2016

I love all of these GTKY threads!!

Wow, @NovaSaysNo, that's incredible work! How many hours did all of that take?

I have 2 small tattoos. Both are in tribute to Queen Elizabeth I. I just really identify with her and am generally a big history nerd. She was a strong, intelligent leader and an early feminist.

This is the "E" from her signature (also my first initial). This is the only picture I have of it! It's really a pic of my wedding hair but you can see it

This is is her motto, "Semper Eadem". The direct translation is "Always the same" but it represents staying true to yourself no matter what people say or pressure you to do.

NovaSaysNo · January 2016

@PrimRoseMama Thank you so much!

@MRSCORKER Thank you! I stopped counting at 50 hours (normally 4-6 hour sittings), but it was every 2-4 weeks From Nov 2014 to Sept 2015. I haven't been able to get back in since then, our schedules are completely opposite. We're still not finished though. We're going to take the top of the hammock and turn it into a half sleeve. The half sleeve will be color, but more grayed out (like it's weathered out). And it will be more the beachy side, like seashells, flowers, and broken coconuts.
I LOVE your tattoos and ideas! Very unique!

ETA: I know some people don't think it looks like 50+ hours, but the details she gets in there... I wish I could capture it better. It's so beautiful in person.

fitlady21 · January 2016

@MRSCORKER

your hair!!

sarah0985 · January 2016

I have 3. Need one fixed. And know of the next one i want. They all have special meaning. Apologies if they're huge. I'm on mobile.

This is is my first. It's my bird and I got it with my best friend. I've always wanted to "leave" and this is around the age I finally felt confident telling people.

This is is my shamrock. It's 3 because it's with my mom and sister and our heritage is Irish. I refused to get a 4 because I don't believe in good luck. I believe you make your own.

My third one was a tough one. In 2008 I was in a classroom on lockdown as my school was involved in a school shooting. 20 were injured and 5 were killed. It was incredibly traumatic to me. I wanted a tattoo almost immediately but my ex convinced me to wait. It kept changing but once I settled on "better days" the goo goo dolls song (it was played at the memorial) I knew it was it. I went to my cousins artist who was doing his sleeve. Well. He botched it and it bled under the skin. I need to get it fixed.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5020794/uploads/editor/hx/apjkp7fxks63.jpeg

This is what I want to get it fixed with...

The next one that I want is a fernweh tattoo with an airplane with henna.
Something similar to this...

MRSCORKER · January 2016

@sarah0985 God, I'm so sorry you went through that. It just breaks my heart. Your tattoos are lovely and I think it was a great way to honor those lost and help forge a path forward for you.

MamaMunn · January 2016

I have five so far but I will share my favorite one.

It's an anchor. My sister and wanted to get something together and this is what we decided on. I love it! Sorry if it's huge I'm on mobile and can't really tell!

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5020794/uploads/editor/vu/0uchqged0alj.jpg

NovaSaysNo · January 2016

Oh, I got my husband to take a newer picture (didn't realize those were outdated). It looks a little washed out at the bottom, but the lighting sucks.

sarah0985 · January 2016

@MRSCORKER thank you. it's still a very hard thing for me but I feel it has helped in the healing process

i love the work on your word one!

@NovaSaysNo anyone that says its doesn't look like 50 hours of work clearly doesn't know tattoos. Your detail in the full one is gorgeous. The color is so vibrant!

@mamamunn my sisters want to do a sisters one. I just don't know if the 3 of us could all agree on one thing. Haha. Your is gorgeous.

NovaSaysNo · January 2016

@sarah0985 those are beautiful and I'm sure you can get that one fixed. I'm so sorry that happened. I can't imagine.
ETA clarity here: I could be over tired, but I wanted to be clear that it was the shooting that I meant by the second and third sentences. I didn't want someone to think "wow, you kind of forgot the more important detail there..."

@MamaMunn, those are beautiful colors! I really like it!

And that's fine about picture size. I tried to scale mine down but my computer was being a jerk (it's getting old and angry). Besides, I think the larger the picture is, the more detail you can see.

At least that's what I'm sticking to since I failed at resizing.

MrsDannyOutlaw · January 2016

Well, I have a whole lot of tattoos. I'll share one. Its not my favorite, but in TWW the GTKY Q was about honeymoons. This tattoo happens to be related to that so I'll just share my TWW answer and then expand.

"We got married seven years ago and went with a "staycation". We got a fabulous suite in Atlanta. Did stuff. We had just moved back from Costa Rica two months before wedding. I guess we sort of considered that our super extended honeymoon. Backpacked Costa Rica and Panama searching for a place we wanted to live. Then settled into a tiny tree house/ beach house on southern end of the Caribbean coast of CR for a year. Just spent our days hanging out with friends, playing pool, drinking beer."

During a little weekend vacation to Bocas del Toro, Panama we went to see this super cool Venezuelan tattoo artist. He worked in a room in the back of a hut/surf shop. It was a sterile environment, don't worry. He had actually tattooed my husband years before so we trusted his work. We decided we wanted souvenirs from our stay in Costa Rica, but knew we didn't want some cheesy little knickknack. Tattoos it was! DH and I both got the logo for a Dos Pinos. It is a company kind of like Mayfield or Kraft down there. Definitely the tattoo with the coolest story and I like that no one understands it other than us.

Thats the inside of my bicep. Husband has his on his hand.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5020794/uploads/editor/4w/ozzv1ydg1lp9.jpg

www.dospinos.com/

NovaSaysNo · January 2016

@sarah0985 I think I love you haha. I've had a few people (okay, guys that have really gnarly tattoos) tell me "it shouldn't have taken that long" and I'm like "yeah because your's look just fantastic... like your artist was on drugs." One of them told me that he and his tattoo guy drink while tattooing. Like they both drink.

No wonder the pin-up girl's legs look broken in several places. That poor pin-up.

She (my artist) actually had to fix (and blend in) the tattoo on the lower part of my back... I had one of those lower back tribal ones, but the guy that did it botched it badly. It's still basically just scar tissue ten years later. Now, I tell everyone to do their homework on the shop and artist, otherwise you never know. Learning the hard way is no fun. Unfortunately, you learned that the same way I did. But looking at yours, I think a good artist could save the lettering and make it beautiful like you want it.

NovaSaysNo · January 2016

@mchrisgarcia, that's so cool! I love ones that have meaning that no one else understands. Like I love that people just think my mermaid scene is just that, but it's more to me. Awwww, that's so sweet!

Okay, I have got to go to bed now... it's way late for me. I can't wait to see what else pops up here when I can check tomorrow!

sarah0985 · January 2016

NovaSaysNo said:

@sarah0985 I think I love you haha. I've had a few people (okay, guys that have really gnarly tattoos) tell me "it shouldn't have taken that long" and I'm like "yeah because your's look just fantastic... like your artist was on drugs." One of them told me that he and his tattoo guy drink while tattooing. Like they both drink. No wonder the pin-up girl's legs look broken in several places. That poor pin-up.

She (my artist) actually had to fix (and blend in) the tattoo on the lower part of my back... I had one of those lower back tribal ones, but the guy that did it botched it badly. It's still basically just scar tissue ten years later. Now, I tell everyone to do their homework on the shop and artist, otherwise you never know. Learning the hard way is no fun. Unfortunately, you learned that the same way I did. But looking at yours, I think a good artist could save the lettering and make it beautiful like you want it.

Hahaha. Idiots. And yeah. The guys that did mine did my cousins sleeve and his wife's tattoos too. Theirs are awesome. For whatever reason, mine just didn't come out and I've been gun shy ever since about getting it fixed.

Where are you that's it's so late for you?

LizaKate1213 · January 2016

I have one large tattoo on the right side of my lower back that I want to love but the guy who added the flower a year after I got the fairy "touched up" the fairy and ruined her. He added so much black to her outline and face that she bled everywhere. It's awful and so embarassing!

NovaSaysNo · January 2016

sarah0985 said:

NovaSaysNo said:

@sarah0985 I think I love you haha. I've had a few people (okay, guys that have really gnarly tattoos) tell me "it shouldn't have taken that long" and I'm like "yeah because your's look just fantastic... like your artist was on drugs." One of them told me that he and his tattoo guy drink while tattooing. Like they both drink. No wonder the pin-up girl's legs look broken in several places. That poor pin-up.

She (my artist) actually had to fix (and blend in) the tattoo on the lower part of my back... I had one of those lower back tribal ones, but the guy that did it botched it badly. It's still basically just scar tissue ten years later. Now, I tell everyone to do their homework on the shop and artist, otherwise you never know. Learning the hard way is no fun. Unfortunately, you learned that the same way I did. But looking at yours, I think a good artist could save the lettering and make it beautiful like you want it.

Hahaha. Idiots. And yeah. The guys that did mine did my cousins sleeve and his wife's tattoos too. Theirs are awesome. For whatever reason, mine just didn't come out and I've been gun shy ever since about getting it fixed.

Where red are you that's it's so late for you?

I'm actually in Georgia, but I work the night shift and tonight is going to be about a 13 hour shift, but it's also going to be my Friday!
And that totally happens sometimes with different inks (so I've learned from asking a million questions while getting tattooed hahaha). It could have just been that your skin didn't accept that ink very well. I would def bring it up if/when you want to get it fixed so they know that it could be something like that. That same thing happened with one of my husband's. It was very random.

@LizaKate1213 I'm so sorry! I bet that could be turned into something beautiful (different flower maybe?) if you wanted. It still has great color and a lot to work with!

babymish · January 2016

Sorry if this pic is huge I'm on my phone. I couldn't find a close up so had to crop the only random pic I could find so it's a little blury. I love mine, it's a lily and rose on my right hip

murray1030 · January 2016

Beautiful tattoos everyone! Unfortunately I don't have any. I always have wanted one but I'm just too flaky. However, I have been thinking more and more about it and I want either something nursey or of a Boston terrier...

Lulucooks · January 2016

I don't have many pictures of my tattoos, and don't really feel like taking any, since three are on my back and that would be difficult, lol. I have 7, some I love, some I hate and need to have covered up, but just can't justify the cost right now. My first was when I was 16 as my sweet sixteen gift ^_^

LadyMillil · January 2016

None for me. I've thought about it but I'm too worried that I'll hate the tattoo in a few years to ever commit.

MissAmeliaPond · January 2016

I was almost 27 when I got my first tattoo. I contemplated it for a long time, and I still like it. I don't have any pics of it on this machine, but it's a quote that says "This too shall pass" with a few cherry blossoms and petals supposed to be blowing in the wind around the words. (There are no swirlies to indicate wind - I hate that look.) The impermanence theme resonates with me and helps me deal with my depression/anxiety. If you know the fable that goes with the quote, you know it is also intended to just help you live in the moment, appreciate joy, and work through sorrow.

I threaten DH with getting a full back piece of a dragon (I'm half Chinese, so this is not weird), but he doesn't like tattoos at all and was only on board with my above mentioned tattoo because it helps me work through my depression, and it's feminine and pretty - and not huge. I'd love to get something asymmetrical like this:

Does anyone else watch Ink Master? It's a tattoo competition show on Spike. I effing LOVE that show. I was always in art growing up, and almost double majored in Fine Arts in college (but the time commitment was too insane), and I super love the artistic aspect of the show. The drama is stupid, but I love all the tattoos. Most of the artists that end up in the top 5 are crazy talented.

sarah0985 · January 2016

@MissAmeliaPond my husband hates tattoos too. I tell him "good thing it's not your body then" he knew I loved them before we were together and I told him I had no intention of being finished. I would love a full back piece. All of mine right now are "hideable" which I like but also would love a full piece!

FiancB · January 2016

Dis mine. I always wanted something horse related, but not cheesy. I learned about Franz Marc in my art history class, and he painted a lot of horses. I thought that was perfect, since I love art as well. It was a tossup between this and a sketch by Da Vinci, but I think the colors of this lended itself better to a tattoo. Being babies was especially appropriate since I had just started working at a breeding farm. One of these days, I'll take a better pic.

I recently got out of horses, but I still love it.

If you're in Portland and wanting a tattoo, definitely recommend Silje at Scapegoat Tattoo. Or any of them, my friend has a really awesome tattoo from Scapegoat as well.

GreatGigInTheWomb · January 2016

I only have two so far. My first was this giraffe on my right thigh:

they're my favorite/spirit animal because we're both tall, lanky, and awkward.

Then on my left thigh I have a Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack tattoo that I got with my best friend, because we have the same tastes/interests as ten year olds:

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5020794/uploads/editor/nl/q3me9rr2j1im.png

Next one I want (that I've wanted for way too long now) will be a half sleeve similar in style to this:

But the flowers are going to be from pictures of my favorite flowers we've grown (DH and I love gardening)

Edited to fix the enormous pictures.

khbear · January 2016

@murray1030 - I love nursey tattoos and I kind of want one, just can't commit to one I like!

Everyone's tattoos are beautiful! I have a simple cross on my rib cage, I got it when I was just plastered. I really want to get a new one or update the cross some how while sober, because I'm a little displeased with myself for doing something so permanent while intoxicated (not a "me" thing).

I really want to get one with my husband, matching or part of a matched pair. He's on the fence about it. I do like the idea of tattoos representing children, and I want to incorporate something about my grandmother. All of these ideas swimming around!

How do y'all feel about tats for current/future children?

AL_TwinCities · January 2016

khbear said:
How do y'all feel about tats for current/future children?

**losses mentioned**

I got my first tattoo last summer on my birthday, two days before the one year anniversary of my first loss. It symbolizes mother, father, child, in honor of the baby that made us parents.

Now that I have gone through a second loss, I am planning on getting another tattoo in honor of both babies. Below is a picture of the style I'd like (not sure about the location though), but I will get two arrow heads only, one for each baby we have lost. If we experience future losses, I can always add to the tattoo, and will likely do that if we have living children as well. An arrow for each child.

Hayrock · January 2016

I have 3.
I can't get a pic of my first one because yea it's a little low placed. One is a fleur-de-lis I got when I graduated from college. I had studied French and international business. And while I was studying in France I learned all about the meanings behind them. I wanted to get C'est la vie around it but I decided to not be that cynical at 22 and so I thought I would at it at 30 if I wanted it still. I never did. It's on my front lower hip (had to hide it from the parents at the time but now they don't mind my tattoos).
I have one on my foot that is the Czech word for dreams. (I'm half Czech.) Sneni. It reminds me to follow my dreams. Sorry for the blurriness. We are driving.

Last is the word Veritas (truth) on my waist.

I want one more. I want sparrows on my wrist to remind me that God watches over the sparrows so he will watch over me and I don't need worry so much in life. But my DH isn't a fan of tattoos so I'm holding off for a little bit.

wintersong · January 2016

@AL_TwinCities what a beautiful and elegant memorial. I love the simplicity and meaning. Hopefully you will have more than two arrows: for your babies who have passed but also those whom you will get to bring home healthy in the future!

mrsstuessy · January 2016

I am planning on getting one in another couple years. I want one that is about my children. I have one child so far and hope to have a few more. I might wait until we feel like we are done having children. But, I want to at least wait until after the next one. I want a tattoo that includes them all. I haven't landed on it exactly yet. Here are some possibilities. I like the idea of a finger print or foot print or something like that. I also like the, somewhat overdone, coordinates of where they were born. I know for sure I want the tattoo to include the phrase "You are my best adventure". That quote means a lot to me. I gave up a lot of my hopes and dreams when I become unexpectedly pregnant with my first. But, she is still better than any of those other adventures I had planned.

I should add... my husband HATES tattoos and is very against me getting any. I have always thought matching tattoos would be so cool for us. That is never happening. But, I will definitely be getting one whether or not he wants me to.

Where should I get them? I am thinking shoulder.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5020794/uploads/editor/hj/e3ofioimcj40.jpg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5020794/uploads/editor/bo/y7225pdkmkh9.jpg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5020794/uploads/editor/hr/7f299cmgojea.jpg

Just instead of "the" best, "my" best.

sjo_thetwins · January 2016

I have 10, but I will only post my favorite. It's a lily with the word "sugati" in it. Buddhist for "rebirth". It's for my wife, as the first flowers (and my favorite flowers) were lilies, and being with her was like breathing again.

CajunSnowWhite89 · January 2016

I love seeing all this stuff about everyone here lol! Everyone's tattoos looks awesome! I only have 2 right now but I'd love to get more. My first I don't have a picture of l, but it's a cross, heart, and anchor that represents the "faith, hope, love" bible verse. My second is a large piece on my left arm. It doesn't stand for anything I just wanted it for years and decided to get it.

FSUNole31 · January 2016

I like them but do not have any of my own. My husband has one on his back, one on his side, and a sleeve so I think sometimes he has enough for us both.

. He still wants to get some to represent the kids but wants to wait until we are done.

mj8215 · January 2016

FiancB said:

Dis mine. I always wanted something horse related, but not cheesy. I learned about Franz Marc in my art history class, and he painted a lot of horses. I thought that was perfect, since I love art as well. It was a tossup between this and a sketch by Da Vinci, but I think the colors of this lended itself better to a tattoo. Being babies was especially appropriate since I had just started working at a breeding farm. One of these days, I'll take a better pic.

I recently got out of horses, but I still love it.

If you're in Portland and wanting a tattoo, definitely recommend Silje at Scapegoat Tattoo. Or any of them, my friend has a really awesome tattoo from Scapegoat as well.

I don't have any tattoos but just wanted to say I love Franz Marc and your tattoo is beautiful! He is one of my favorite artists!!

Marley629 · January 2016

Mine is in memory of my mom who passed a few years ago - sunflowers were her favorite; (sorry if pic is huge, I'm mobile)

aammyy33 · January 2016

@novasaysno Soooo many hours, I'm in aww. Only one of mine took over an hour and I was shaking uncontrollably by the end!

@lulucooks- My first was on my 16th birthday! My dad signed for me to get it. It's a random butterfly and doesn't have any specific meaning.

I have five total and my favorites are the forget-me-nots and lily on my foot, and the paw prints on my wrist. I thought long and hard about the paw prints on my wrist since it's in such a noticeable spot, but I work with animals and figured I could keep it professional. I've had lots of comments about it and nothing negative.

m6agua · February 2016

I don't have any yet but I do want to get some. I just can never decide what I want. Recently I have been wanting to get something to represent my MC. I don't know what I want to do for it yet. Ideas are welcome.

My husband has a sleeve and several others. So I will post some pics of his. His sleeve has a few things on it but mostly Halloween stuff. The pic is right after it was done that's why it's all red. His most recent is a stylized portrait of our cat.

GreatGigInTheWomb · February 2016

@m6agua, is that the creepy little kid.. thing from Trick 'r Treat on his sleeve?!

m6agua · February 2016

GreatGigInTheWomb said:

@m6agua, is that the creepy little kid.. thing from Trick 'r Treat on his sleeve?!

Yup that's Sam. It's one of his favorite movies. He went as him for Halloween one year. I had to make the costume.

Eta

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