Another private milestone.

So. it is done.

My original appointment was for 7pm at Utopia Studio. Got to the main road only to find my bus whizzing past me. Uh oh. Called in, shifted to 7.30pm easy-peasy. A little suspicious, but ok, so far so good.

Only to arrive there to find that the previous client was still being worked on.
:o Uh oh.
We were sent away for dinner et all so made the most of it.

Kirby finally started on me at about 10pm. But I must say, the previous client's piece was gorgeous. Fine details all adroitly worked, it was an image of the Indian god Ganesha, composed of his various names, all done in Sanskirt. Can't explain it, gorgeous work though. And I wasn't freaking out yet. Hah!

Bernie was gracious enough to come along, both as my helper in documenting this, and to hold me hand figuratively. She managed to capture the shots most admirably.

This was my original, done when I turned 30, to signify my first "decade".


Kirby laying out the design as we discuss positioning.


The final impression. I was a little nervous when I saw how high it was going to be..... but I had images of proud wings signifying a ressurrection over my old me and I was sold. Ok, I said, let's get this over with. And drew a huge breath.


The outline.... or punchline, as Kirby called it. They say the outline hurts more. And it did, with my first one. But it was different this time around. As I found out about an hour later. But here, I get worked over with the fine needle first; for the outline, and for the tips.


Did it hurt? Oh yes, it was very uncomfortable. No hysterical screaming or shouting. No teary eyes. But right at the top was the back of my shoulder blade. And right at the bottom? We were hitting the back of my upper rib cage. And, my children, going over bone hurts like all the promises ever made to you.


Finally. Ciggie break time. I was very happy to be able to sit up properly. lol. Stage one, outline and the tips filled in, and actually... Bernie snaps a shot and hands the camera to me. It looks pretty good right about now.


Stage 2, all the bits to be filled in. Kirby uses a larger needle as he's basically colouring the picture book now. Hah. But crap, this was much worse. Especially when he hit the sensitive parts. You can pull the skin away from bone to do outline, but for colouring, there's no escaping. It then becomes all about sucking it in. I'm sure you can see from my face that I'm not a happy camper.


The final result. Discussion + breaks + 2 sittings = 3.5 hours. But it was all worth it. I am thinking of a little touch-up work for one of the bottom feathers but otherwise, I am very happy with this.


Kirby mentioned that I had good skin to work with. The ink absorbs well and quickly. The other guy there quipped Haha! Give her a full back! Yeah, right. Thanks, but no thanks.

There may be more tattoos to come, in the future. I am of the mind to use significant images to mark milestones. Ink them on my skin as rememberances. Visual memories. My own way of marking my life, in timelines that are important to me.


But to each his own, eh?