Let's talk about tattoos. I LOVE tattoos. I love the whole process of the consultation to getting the work inked on you forever. I even thought about becoming an apprentice and learning the fine art of tattooing, but currently, I don't have the time or energy needed to learn as much as possible. No big deal, I'll design some concepts for friends. It's fun actually.Tattoos are one of those things that if you don't have one, you either A-not into tattoos or B-afraid of needles or what could be painful. When I was 17, I really wanted to get an Alkaline Trio heart tattooed on my forearm. But because KT doesn't like exposed tattoos, I shrugged the idea off for a while. Still in the back of my mind, I really wanted to get tattooed. Jill asked me a few weeks ago "why are you and your brothers so into tattoos...?" Hard to explain at times. My 1/4 was well thought out for a good year. The most important part of getting tattooed is picking the RIGHT guy/girl to do it. I turned to my older brother's wife for anyone she recommended. She sent me a good list of some great artist in and around southeastern WI and Chicago. I really liked John Reiter's work at Solid State in Bay View. His 1/2 sleeve of surreal-inspired clocks sold me that he'd be the guy for my tattoo. The first session felt great. Like a nice massage. It's funny how you think "damn this is gonna hurt" but it really wasn't that bad. It was great having my lil brother and dad along too.
A month later, I went in for my 2nd session, super excited for the finished product. This time Jill came along. First hour, felt great. He was working on the green bushes on the coast part of the skyline. When he started working on the bone, it started to hurt some, and when he added some colour shading on the inside of my arm, that's when some pain was really felt. There was never a moment where I said "I can't do this anymore" because the tattoo meant way too much to me. Getting the Milwaukee skyline with the Chicago skyline in the water reflection (with sunset) turned out amazing. But like most people, it just made me want more.
In time, maybe 4-5 years from now, I'd like to get a Mia-inspired tattoo on my right arm. Not a portrait however. I'm not a fan of portraits. I want something creative and very colourful. So, I'm thinking of getting a shark with various fish and aquatic animals. I've loved sharks for quite a while, and to me, Mia sort of acts like one. She scared the crap out of us when they said her cord was wrapped around her neck, but when all was said in done, she was perfect. Even though I thought about some penguin-inspired tattoos, I think it'd probably be too predictable if it was penguin-related.
Like I said, I've got 4-5 years to think about it. Could the idea change again? Maybe. That's the point of THINKING the tattoo through. I respect those who go and get some ink on a whim, but I'd prefer to think about it real hard. Currently, I'm digging the idea of getting my tattoos family-themed. In the end, they're the most important part of your life. I knew immediately when we had Mia, that I had to get something. Why 4-5 years you say? I want Mia to be able to watch and see me get tattooed for her. She may not get the reason why I'm doing it, but it'll be a special moment. I remember when Jill came for my second session. It meant so much to me that she could see how much I love her. When I get my Mia tattoo, she'll also see just how much I love her.
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