Day 17 — An art piece (painting, drawing, sculpture, etc.)

Nighthawks
-Edward Hopper

Things you should NEVER say at a tattoo shop

There are a million things you should NEVER say or do at a tattoo shop. Here are some of those no-no's for getting inked.

Don't call it a tattoo gun

-Does it look like a gun to you?!?!? This is not a gun to be shot with. It's a mechanical machine that, like all or most machines, runs on electricity. Using the correct words and terms will make you sound like you know what you're talking about

What should I get?

-Seriously? Shouldn't you have thought of this before hand? Most tattoo artists are not mind readers. They will not know what you like or want unless you tell them, duh! If you don't know what you want, do not go into a tattoo parlor until you're clear about the idea. Tattoos are permanent; tattoo parlors are not like clothing stores where if you can't fit into the item or do not like the item, you can return it. I'm sure this frustrates most if not ALL tattoo artists! Tattoos are a permanent investment and they need to be thought through COMPLETELY before investing in one

 

Can I bring other people?

-Yes, it's exciting to get your first tattoo. Yes, it's exciting to have someone there to witness it and tell everyone you didn't chicken out. But, be respectful of the artist. It's okay to bring 1-2 people depending on how big the shop is. But do not bring your whole posse of 1,000,000 people. The shops are not usually that big, lol. But in all total seriousness, most tattoo parlors will limit you to 1 or 2 people with you when you go under the needle. Besides, if you are in an area of the shop where other artists might need to work their magic, you need to be respectful of not only your artist but other artists coming in to get additional supplies, like plastic sheathing for their tattoo machine wires, extra ink, petroleum jelly, etc. and also tattoo parlors tend to be intimate, meaning that the artist wants his/her focus on your ink and doing their job right!! Not to mention, most tattoo parlors have one or two main rooms where 3+ artists might be working their magic at the same time, causing a chuckle from people if the tattoo machines are buzzing together at the same time or other artists might need additional supplies and need to come in.

 

Can you make it cheaper?

-REALLY? Someone would ask this?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

-The answer to this question may as well be "GET OUT!" There is no way to make a tattoo cheaper, unless you find some numbskull in a back alley willing to give you a tattoo for $50. I guarantee if you go that route, it will not end in the tattoo of your dreams. Follow this simple rule: you get what you pay for. Tattoos are not cheap. What usually decides the end amount is size, amount of detail, sometimes location, amount of color used. Unlike teachers or bankers, who are salaried, tattoo artists earn their income from the masterpieces they create. If you ask about making it cheaper, you are cheating them out of income, money they can use to buy additional supplies, feed their families and themselves, etc. If the price is high, it is most likely because it will end up being a big tattoo and requires a lot of high artistic skill and time to turn it into a masterpiece. The other rule of thumb is good tattoos aren't cheap and cheap tattoos aren't good!

Can you give me a tattoo like so and so?

-If you're going to an artist who has some notoriety, they will give you one of their own designs. If you bring in a picture off the internet, like I did with my first one, they will make suggestions on how to make it unique, such as using your favorite color, placement, etc. They'd rather not copy another artists' work. The sad part is that in the world of tattoos, there are tattoo copycats, artists who do tattoos but also will mimick another person's tattoos. The NORMAL tattoo artists work double time-level hard to make sure their work is brag worthy and if you're dead set on getting one like your favorite celeb, at least try and put some kind of personal stamp on it.



Trendy tattoos

Who ever thought a tattoo could be trendy? Apparently the people at Tattoo Artist Magazine think tattoos can be trendy

Tribal art
-This is one of the more popular types of tattoos. They include tribal arm bands and leg bands, which wrap around the arm or leg. It's simple in design; the lines are bold and curvy, with only black as the color. They are good on the body, as they follow the way the body moves

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Portrait

-This is a very intricate type of tattoo. This is usually the most difficult type to do as most artists can't do it justice and if they can, it's not gonna be cheap. Most of the time, when someone wants a portrait, it's a very therapeutic process, meaning that the portrait they are getting is of someone very near and dear to them, like a mother/father, husband/wife, loved pet. And also, people like getting celebs tattooed on them for some strange reason

Script designs

-This usually refers to some type of writing, whether it be a quote from the Bible or another holy book, a quote with a strong meaning, a person's name, etc. Also, related to this, are tattoos in foreign languages, such as Chinese/Japanese, Arabic, Hebrew, etc. These types of tattoos can honor the subject of the artwork or serve as a memorial. They can even show how proud that person is of their heritage

Things to know about tattoos

Before you rush off to the nearest tattoo parlor, it's good to know a thing or two about tattoos

1. Tattoo machine
-There are four basic parts: Needle, tube for ink, electric motor (usually operated with a foot pedal) and a foot pedal

2. Allergic reaction
-Sometimes people might be allergic to some chemical in the ink used. Know your medical history before running off to go under the needle. Know what you're allergic to and what you're not allergic to

3. The tattoo doesn't age, but your skin does
-One thing to keep in mind. As you age, so does your tattoo. As you get older, your tattoo will fade due to the aging process and exposure to sun

4. Temporary tattoos have risks
-The FDA advised the public to be wary of the ink used for temporary tattoos. These "henna" tattoos use black ink that contain a chemical called PDD which can cause scarring

5. Don't judge the quality of all tattoos based on one tattoo
-If someone gets one horrible tattoo, they will most likely have second thoughts about getting another one. Keep in mind that the experience of the tattoo artist as well as quality of ink used factor in this

6. Tattoos give off a certain image
-Despite the fact that tattoos were once the mark of sailors and criminals, they are very fashionable nowadays and very common. A lot of people out there will have at least one tattoo. Some places od employment do not approve of employees having tattoos and will ask them to cover them up. Location is key in considering a tattoo. A good example would be not placing a tattoo on your throat where it will be visible 24 hours a day. More typical areas for tattoos are the arms, chest, legs, back

7. Tattoos can say a lot about you
-This is a unique way of telling the world who you are. This is something that is permanent and can't be washed off with soap and water. Getting a tattoo requires a lot of thoughtful consideration!

20 Things Tattooed People Grow Quickly Tired of Hearing

For anyone who gets inked, they often hear the same questions. "Did it hurt?" "Can I touch it?" "How much did it cost?" Anyone who has been tattooed will know someone who will ask at least one of these questions, or all of them. Here are some things tattooed people grow tired of hearing!!

Here are some of the MOST ANNOYING things that people with tattoos hear frequently

1. Did it hurt?
-This is the most commonly asked question. Those who have never had a tattoo before will often ask it. My recommendation is ask someone who has tattoos. But they will often tell you that it all comes down to how you handle pain. If you panic at the thought of getting a shot at the doctors, it's no biggie because those needles go deep into the muscle. Getting a tattoo really doesn't hurt; trust me, I was there. I was nervous before getting my first tattoo. I had big time butterflies in my stomach. But, luckily for me, I had my sister there, who seems to be a pro at this, to get me through it and also I had some great artists surrounding me who would also guide me through it and reassure me and keep me thinking positive. They even say that every time they get a first time tattoo, or "tattoo virgin", as they're called, they ease the person into the tattoo and that person realizes, that it's not all that bad and doesn't hurt. And sometimes, those people end up realizing it's really fun to get tattooed, which is good for both the person and the artist. It's good for the artist because it makes it easier on them and they know what to expect. And in fact, tomorrow, I'm going for my second one, this one most likely to be bigger than my first.

2. Do you regret your tattoos?
-If you regret your tattoos, then there's a problem. I've always believed that you only live once. May as well do as much as you can before leaving this Earth.

3. What will you do about your tattoos once you get older?
-Technically, you have to be 18 to start getting tattoos, but if you're at least 16, with a parents' consent, you can get tattoos. Because, technically, my sister was only 17 when she got her first one, which was why my dad had to sign for her to get it. Tattoos can remind you of the things you did in your younger years

4. What do your parents think of your tattoos?
-Every parent is different. Some look at it like it's no big deal, others maybe not so much. My mom laughed at mine in a friendly way, saying "Now, you have no reason to deny that you're not a darn hippie". I've always heard that tattoos can reflect the personality of people. They can tell the world who and what that person is, what their passions are, important people in their life, their likes/interests/hobbies and much more.

5. What will your kids think?
-Most kids will probably think tattoos are the coolest thing ever! Kids are like the least judgemental people on Earth. They see tattoos and they think those are awesome!!

6. Are you in a band?
-Just because someone has a tattoo of something music related does not mean they are a musician. They could be a music teacher in a school or they work in a music-related field, such as mixing board technician, or they work in a music studio or they just really love their music!

7. Do you worry about being unemployed?
-According to national statistics, one of every five people has at least one tattoo. Most workplaces have the same general out look on tattoos: as long as their not offensive or you can cover them up, you're good. Some places just don't care about tattoos. You can show them off. But some places, like some law firms, for example, might have a slightly strict policy on covering up tattoos-not good for the professional image

8. Do you only date/hang out with people who have tattoos?
-Just because someone doesn't have a tattoo, it doesn't mean you can't hang out. Tattoos are not the most important thing in deciding friendship

9. But you look so nice without them!
-But now I look even better with them! The most important thing is what the wearer thinks!

10.  How will you hide them when you want to dress formally or for your wedding?
-Who says I'm gonna cover it up? I paid good money to show it off!!

11. What does that mean/Why did you get it?
-This is all too frequently asked. Tattoos can have personal meanings to people. If you do not know them, do not ask!

12. Did you only get it because of how it looks?
-Many people get tattoos because they like the work of a certain artist or simply how it looks

13. Is that real?
-No, I did this all with permanent marker! I do this every morning, idiot!

14. Can I touch it?
-Really? Did you seriously just ask this????? This is the WORST thing you can ask. This is like punching some random stranger in the face. When you first get a tattoo, it's healing, the skin is open, raw and still trying to heal. Any kind of bacteria can get in and cause infection and thus, mess it up. You spend your good money on good art and don't want some idiot messing it up!

15. How much did that cost?
-The rule of thumb for getting a tattoo is you get what you pay for. If you think a tattoo is going to cost way more than you ever dreamed of, then it's probably not a good idea to get a tattoo at the current time. Tattoos are a slightly costly yet good investment. What usually determines the cost of the tattoo is A.) the size, B.) the amount of detail used, C.) sometimes location, D.) sometimes the amount of color used. Tattoos are a beautiful investment that will last a lifetime, literally. You don't want shoddy work on your body!!

16. Do you have tattoos that are in hidden places?
-This is sort of along the lines of asking if you can touch a brand new tattoo or asking if it's real. If you have a tattoo in a very intimate spot, the person asking is going to be the LAST person on Earth to find out!

17. Want to see mine?
-If it's relevant to the current conversation, such as if someone heard you got a tattoo and they ask "can we see it?" then it's good to do that. Because they are most likely curious about what you got. My coworkers on Monday heard I got a tattoo over the weekend and they asked to see it, which I happily obliged. But when others ask to see your tattoo out of the blue, it might come off very rude

18. I've always wanted a tattoo, but I don't know what I want
-This is why it's always and I mean ALWAYS a good idea to sit down and think about it for a while. Because if you're getting a tattoo, you're going to have this on your body for the rest of your life. What I've been told and discovered makes it easier to decide on what tattoo to get is think about yourself for a second. What are your interests/passions/hobbies? Who are some important people in your life that are not pointless celebrities? What is your career path? What do you want out of life? Sometimes, your interests/passions/likes/hobbies make the best ideas for tattoos. Also, if you have a favorite animal, there you go. Just sit down for a second and think it out

19. Do you want to be a tattoo artist/You should be one
-Just because someone has multiple tattoos doesn't always mean they are planning on becoming an artist. No one becomes a tattoo artist at the drop of a hat. This is a career which requires a lot of dedication and exceedingly perfect art skills. Years of practice and perfection are required to master this particular skill set

20. Are you addicted to getting tattooed?
-A lot of people seem to think that more than one tattoo is an addiction. But, a lot of artists will joke around and say "addicted" to you as a way of joking. Certainly the artists at One Shot Tattoo, where I recently got my second one, joke around with me and my sister, saying "Addicted, addicted". But I know they're joking, lol. But, back to the topic at hand. People with multiple tattoos look at it as collecting. And sometimes tattooing can be highly therapeutic to some people, especially if they are getting the name of a husband/wife, mother/father or someone very near and dear to them tattooed. To them, it's like a healing session, to say that that person will always be with them, both physically and in their hearts, in which I respond, that is the sweetest thing ever!!!

What to do to avoid getting a crappy tattoo

When thinking about the beautiful art you'll add to your body, there are some major do's and dont's you need to keep in mind to avoid getting a crappy tattoo.

Don't rush into it
-Just because it's all the rage among your friends about the great art that they got on their skin doesn't necessarily mean you should rush out to get inked. You should really think about what you want to get before going under the needle. Most studios do not tattoo people for shallow reasons. And sometimes, if they ask what the inspiration is for the tattoo, go ahead and tell them. That's what usually makes for a good tattoo-names of important people in your life, your likes/interests, passions/hobbies, career maybe, etc. Plus, they're probably curious about the inspiration of the tattoo

Visit tattoo events
-This is the greatest thing ever. This is perfect for networking and meeting artists and seeing who can handle the type of tattoo you want to get. And also, at these events, tattoo shops will be around and at least 1-2 of the artists from those shops will be there, so you can ask away and get the answers to the questions you need

Conduct background research
-It's always good to conduct research into tattoo shops in your area. Check the Better Business Bureau site and see if they are on there. Check out review sites and see what happens. You may want to check the level of expertise for the artists there. Most reputable shops will have portfolio books out front to check out some of the tattoos that the resident artists have done and in the back, they may include their license to do tattoos, which is always a reassuring sign. Things that you will need to think about when planning a tattoo include: 1.) the area in which you want your tattoo, 2.) how much color/detail is going to be in it, 3.) the size. And as for the shop, each shop charges different fees for tattoos based on color used, size, amount of detail, etc.

Choose an artist who can help you decide
-Tattoo artists only want to help you get a good tattoo. What some people fail to realize is that the tattoo chooses you, not the other way around. Tattoos were once the mark of sailors and criminals, but nowadays, these things are as common as you and me. Do some research into tattoo artists in your area at your local shops and see what kind of work they do. See if one of them matches what you're looking to get.

Most painful places to get tattooed

What are the most painful places to get tattooed? For those who have never been tattooed, they'll most likely say everywhere! But there are some spots on the body that are actually easy as cake to get tattooed and cause little or no pain. Then there are other spots. But the biggest thing in the world is this- it all comes down to how you handle pain. If you are not a fan of a little pain, then you may want to rethink getting inked. What I believe is that you can't have the pleasure of a tattoo without a little pain. Most tattoo parlors will talk to you through the session to keep you focused and most tattoo parlors have artists that are particularly sympathetic and kind to the first timers or "tattoo virgins" as they call them.

Easy spots
-So far, I'm getting ready to get my second tattoo. My first was on my left arm. It was a peace sign with a large daisy emerging from it. So far, I've noticed, and been told by the artists at the shop I go to, that your calves and arms are typically two of the easier spots to get tattoos

Now time for the tough spots

Hands
-The hands, fingers and knuckles are especially hard because the skin is thin and extremely boney. There are a lot of ligaments there in your hands, knuckles and fingers. So, keep this in mind when you get a tattoo, that the skin on your entire hand is thin. But, like I said and have been told, it all comes down to how you handle pain

Feet
-Typically people get tattoos on the top of their feet. Like the hands, the skin on the top of your feet tends to be thin as well. At first, it's okay. After a while, it's going to be like torture

Elbows
-This tends to be the most awkward place to tattoo. Because of your elbow bending, it makes it slightly harder for the artist to do his/her work there. And plus, you might have to turn into a contortionist to make it easy for the artist. And swelling will be massive here

Back of the knees
-Many believe this is a 12 on a scale of 1-10 in terms of pain. Like the elbow, which is covered in thin, yet elastic skin, the back of the knee is gonna hurt!

Inner Arm
-As you probably notice, a lot of the most painful places to get tattooed are going to be areas on your body that have either a lack of muscle, a lot of bone or the skin is paper thin. Some describe the pain of an inner arm tattoo as a scratching burn and shader needles are gonna set those nerves inside your inner arm jumping

Armpit
-God only knows why someone would want this! This will hurt, bottom line. Imagine razor burn, but only with a tattoo needle

Chest
-This can sometimes be painful. There is a massive percentage of bone and muscle in your chest. And it's been said that tattooing over bone is 20x more painful than over muscle.

Sternum
-For those unfamiliar with medical terms, it's the breastbone, that hard bone in the center of your chest where your ribs meet up. This may not be pleasant

Head
-Despite people's opinions of this not hurting, it may not be pleasant

Ribs
-Tattooing over bone is, like I said above, 20x more painful than over muscle. If you're planning on doing a tattoo over your ribs, breaks are a must. Because of the gaps between ribs, the skin over the ribs being paper thin, you'll need 'em!

Why the tattoo communities don't like tattoo shows

Yeah, as if you probably haven't noticed, there seems to be dozens of reality shows about our favorite form of expression- tattoos. Some seem real, others maybe not so much. Well, some actual tattoo artists think otherwise about these tattoo shows.

1. Tattooing is a form of self expression and also called counter culture. But nowadays it's more consumer culture. Tattoos are not like the cheap junk you can buy at dollar stores and throw away when you're done with it. Tattoos are FOREVER!! That's what some people fail to realize when getting one. It's also a good thing to think about what you want to get, because once you get it, it's more expensive and painful to get it removed if you regret it
2. There is a very rich, very vast history behind the art of tattooing. These shows have no idea about the rich history behind this and they also seem to have no interest in it
3. They're trying to make money on something that was once the mark of sailors and criminals, but is now common and fashionable. That's often how people are identified in crimes, whether they are victim or suspect. Each tattoo is unique to that person with a personal message only that person knows
4. Claim to be reality but are directed what to say
5. They don't do their homework. They don't know much about the "tattoo community"
6. Doesn't seem real. They seem to care more about $$$
7. Artists are treated like fresh meals. They just shuffle through them like a wheel
8. Artists aren't actors. Artists are the GENIUSES behind those lovely roses and crosses you see adorning people's bodies.
9. Tattoo reality shows are overdone to death. There are so many tattoo shows on anymore-Miami Ink, NY Ink, Tattoo Rescue, etc.
10. Unless you're getting a tattoo, watching it is boring. As a person who is now the proud owner of a tattoo, I had so much fun watching the artist do the tattoo on my arm. As soon as I can get a pic of it, I'll upload it and do a post on it. Which will probably be the next one or so. I would describe it but I don't want to ruin the surprise.

Also, as a side note, if anyone who reads this is thinking about getting a tattoo, they do not hurt. They sting, I'll admit that, but nothing more than a bad sunburn type of sting. But, the end result makes it sooooooooooooo worth it. It all comes down to how you handle pain. To be honest, I was sooooooooo deathly scared of getting my first tattoo; I wasn't sure what to expect. From living with my dad for the first 20 years of my life, he was afraid of needles and so was I, especially from all the times I freaked out about getting a shot in my arm. But the place I went to, One Shot Tattoo in Western Hills, Ohio, had great artists and I had my sister there for emotional support. Turns out that getting a tattoo doesn't hurt. The only thing that did hurt was my arm; it was soooooooo hot from the needle, lmao. And IDK what was wrong with me that night, but I must have been on speed or something. I didn't shut up once. My mouth was running a mile a second, lmao. But now I'm going to schedule my next tattoo this upcoming Saturday. It will be on my leg. It will be of a geisha girl holding a lacquered umbrella under a Japanese cherry blossom tree, with petals falling and Mount Fujiyama in the background. This, by far, will probably be my most detail-heavy and detail-oriented tattoo, but I am so looking forward to it!!!

My Dream Bedroom

If I could, I'd make my room look like Japan exploded!!! Paper lanterns, shoji screens, and a low sitting bed. That would be soooooo cool!!!!

House Designs

This is the first of its kind to be done on my blog. This post will be about designs in houses that spark my creativity and/or inspiration. Something I want to do when I get my own place.

1960s Homes
-I just love ranch-style homes. They're flat, usually single floor, and just cool to look at. In fact, it's the kind of home I live in now, owned by my mom and stepdad

Asian style home designs
-I just love the warm, relaxing environment of Asian style homes. The wood floors, the shoji screens, I'm a sucker for anything Asian culture

Southwestern Homes
-I adore everything about homes like this. Adobe houses are cool in the summer, warm in the winterm and they're just cool to look at.

My favorite art.....

As the title says, I am a huge fan of art, but it's really Asian art that I am very fond of, whether it be Chinese art of Japanese art, those 2 are the ones I love. And in addition to art, I am also very fascinated by the cultures of those 2 countries, and someday I'd love to visit China and Japan, but first things first-- I'm learning how to speak, read, write Chinese and Japanese. Some say it will not be easy, and I'll probably agree, but what it will be is.....FUN!!!!!!


Chinese artwork

















Japanese artwork





    What's actually kind of cool is that this was the costume I went as last year for Halloween-- a Geisha Girl, sans the makeup and hairdo! Way too expensive at the place where I got the costume! I still have that costume and do not ever plan to trash it or get rid of it, I love it too much!!!!!!









It almost seems like when you look at Asian art, it almost seems to tell a story, maybe about a god, or about something that may have happened. All I know is I really love Asian art, it's so beautiful, so ornate, and so simple yet has this lovely beauty to it. And hopefully someday I can visit the beautiful places where this lovely art comes from.

Dreams.....

Yes, I have a lot of dreams and things I want to accomplish. Here are some of them:
Go to a concert
Rolling Stones concerts: I REALLY WANT TO SEE THESE GUYS! Hopefully, before they stop touring permanently!!!!! It's not like I'm asking for the world on a silver platter, I just really want to see these guys!!!
  





Aerosmith concerts:






Live in either Australia, England, China, Japan, New York
Sydney, Australia


Brisbane, Australia


Melbourne, Australia


Beijing, China


Tokyo, Japan


Okinawa, Japan


London, England


Little Italy, New York, NYC


Chinatown, NYC


Meet someone famous
Kate Winslet                                             Lucy Liu
          

Jet Li                                  

Halle Berry 

       
Get a tattoo
 I'd like to get the ones for long life, prosperous, love, lucky, honor, freedom, widsom, harmony, happiness, beautiful, morality, blessed, as a tattoo, maybe on my leg. One symbol above the other.

Go into Graphic Design and possibly do CD covers for famous artists
       

Travel the world
China


Japan


Italy


Australia/Bondi Beach, Sydney


London, England



Learn a foreign language other than Spanish
Chinese
    

Italian



Japanese


Russian


German