Art of a different kind.

We, as people, always have things other people can't tell by looking at us. You can't tell by looking at me that I was bought up a Northland girl, that I have always loved listening to Ace of Base or that my brothers and I used to spend hours every weekend making dams in the ditches over the back of our farm as a child. We all have our inner personalities that don't always outwardly show. They are the hidden traits that make us who we are.

 

I've always wants to wear a little bit of that on the outside. I got my first tattoo about 20 years ago. It was a small flower, an iris, the significance of which is huge to me, but one of those things that not everyone needs to know. About 3 years ago I had it added to. More significance added. That tattoo was worked on on three separate occasions.

 

Recently I got the urge to wear more of my story on the outside. I worked with a tattoo artist for about 5 weeks, going back and forth with artwork that reflected what I wanted to say. We finally came to something I was happy with. It has the original flower, the kids initials and cherry blossom, all of which is special to me in its own way. It brings the story to the outside but it's still personal.

Ever wonder what a fairly large tattoo looks like in the making?

Kinda looks like a big ham there, huh?  I lay on my side like this for 4.5 hours while Michelle from Body Modz worked her magic.  Looking at this now I shudder as I mentally visualise that tattoos are done with needles.  I cry at the thought of going to the dentist.  3 needles puncturing my skin over and over for hours?  Eh.  Not so hard.  Exact thing I was telling myself over and over…actually it was hard. If I were to be truthful.

Just about done.  Tattoos always look scary as they are being done.  Swelling, ink and all that stuff.  I took this in the mirror on the one occasion I insisted on a break – the tattoo lady had amazing staying power.  Seriously.  4.5 hours and that lady was still going strong.  Me?  Not so much.  I insisted at this point I needed to get down and walk around.  Just for a minute.  Yea those are my undies.  No worse than you see at the beach.  Dad. Calm down.

 

 

And this.  This is the semi finished version.  Again, Dad, calm down.  No worse than you see at the beach, remember?   Still swollen.  The iris in the middle is un-coloured as yet.  The cherry blossoms will fade to a lighter pink.  There is still shading to be done throughout.

I still have about an hour and a half work to be done in a few weeks time.

So there it is.  My story.  Or a chapter of it.  Outwardly there, but still hidden if I want it to be. Just the way I wanted it to be.

laters

Comments

[Kim]

beautiful design - so great to have a story behind it that means so much to you - ohhh, i must admit i felt a bit queasy with the first pic! i am a wimp and only just got my ears pierced for my 50th!!! it isn't the pain of having it done, i just can't watch when someone is putting in their ear-rings/nose rings or anything like that!!

[donna p]

wow awesome design nic go u and i like that it has meaning and tells a story personal to you. Im getting a cover up one done on my ankle for my 50th over a school days one that has pissed me off for years lol.I have parts of the design just need to put it all together. Thanks for sharing.

donna

[Peg Nacrelli Graham]

Love it girl!!!! I, myself have 6 tattoos, but not one is that big...yet. Love it! (and You have a great shape to show it off as well, so go for it!)

hugs-Peg

[Kerry-Sue]

I share ypur feelings about tattoos showing something on the outside that is really on the inside & being personal but on display at the same time. I feel the same way about mine, I just wish more people understood that. Thanks for sharing... inspiring me to get some more work done....

[Peg Nacrelli Graham]

p.s.- I love Ace of Base too. CD is in my car right now!

[Francine]

wow you are so brave- i could never do that- but have oodles of appreciatiion for people like you that are brave enough !! Good on you for getting something done that tells part of your personal story! BRAVO!

[Kelly]

Looks great Nic. xx

[Nancy]

I have absolutely no probs with tattoos, as long as they are can be covered sometimes. Must say that I had to breathe into the paper bag when I saw that first pic!!!!! Still have not recovered! We have something in common. No, not tatts but being brought up on north-of-the-bridge farmland. Such a good life.

[Amor]

Looks awesome Nic!! Would love to see it once it has healed properly. I am finally getting my (2nd) one done next week. Been putting it off as it is on my foot and am a bit nervous about that, but excellent artist is coming to visit our town, and I reckon it's now or never. Dont forget to show us once it's nicely healed

[Vicky]

Beautiful tatoo! BTW all your hard nutrition and exercise work seems to be paying off - lookin' good!!!

[may]

first of all, you have amazing legs. Let's just say it! Rock on girl!

Secondly, I love that you shared this! This is a beautiful design and I love that you worked with the artist to come up with it. Tattoo art is such a personal and cool thing - love seeing yours!

[Linda]

Wow awesome Nic...me I would love to get just a small "Baby Roo" somewhere. LOL Notice I said small...But oh so much meaning!!!

[Robbi Bell]

Very Very cool!!! I ahve been wanting to get one for years but wanted it to be a kind of "flourish" (gotta get the scrappin in there...) but have the kids initials (names) incorporated, and here in Dunedin the tattoo shops dont look that terribly inviting so ahvent done much about it ....but you might have just about got me thru the door after reading your story, well done

[Pearl Maple]

Super cool design and very personal piece of creativity

[Becca]

It's beautiful. If I wasn't such a chicken I would get one. But there's the whole chicken thing getting in the way. Becca :-)

[Supra Henry Shoes]

LOL Notice I said small...But oh so much meaning!!!

[online payday loans]

Additional payments may not be permitted and be very careful with high exit penalty charges.