Ink

I began and ended my 20s in the 1990s, a decade during which body modification became the norm for people of my generation. It is, in fact, no exaggeration to say that I have a difficult time thinking of a single close Gen-X era friend who isn't inked or pierced or otherwise creatively modified in some fashion. And, throughout the course of the 90s, I'd been regularly encouraged and cajoled by tattooed friends to consider getting inked myself, but it smacked of fadishness to me back then, and I'm nothing if not contrarian where that sort of thing is concerned.

Plus, what would I want on my body for the rest of my life, really? I didn't want to get stuck with something generic, or a badly rendered cliche of some sort -- chinese characters I'd been told composed a beautiful proverb, only to find out years later they actually formed the word "SOUP." If I was going to get something carved into my body, it had to be so substantial and significant that the profundity of whatever it was wouldn't diminish over time. I wanted a personal symbol, something unique and wholly mine, imbued with the depth and gravity of my life and my experience.

Well, I'm 39 years old, and I finally have that. And, perhaps more importantly, I have reason to mark this time: my life as I've known it for ten years is at an end, my life is beginning anew and afresh, phoenix from the flames, etcetera and so on and so forth. So.

A local friend of mine, Cara, is dating a man who as luck and/or fate would have it is an extraordinarily gifted tattoo artist. In passing, I recently perused his work on his website, and almost fell over. Everything I am, down to my pores and follicles, said: now is the time, and this is the person.

And so today was the day.

 
The Baltimore Tattoo Museum. Accept no substitutes!

 
The artist, David Allen, who I can't recommend highly enough to those of you living in and around Chicago and Baltimore (he works in both cities). Not just for the quality and artfulness of the work he does, which is spectacular, but because I don't think I've ever had such a good time talking with someone as they poked me thousands upon thousands of times with tiny needles. Uhh... wait a minute... Heh. But all kidding aside, SUCH an awesome guy. Also, it doesn't hurt that he's pretty. Helps to take your mind off the pain and whatnot. Pretty NEVER hurts.

 
In-process. Umm... oww.

 

Finis.

The foliage spreading out on either side from the bird/circle area will fade into a lighter gray over time. But regardless, as-is it's GORGEOUS. I could not be more pleased, truly. It's perfect. It's exactly what I envisioned and hoped for. Exactly.

I'm 39 years old and this is my rite of passage. Out of the darkness, and into the fire...

And soaring.

Comments

[pgoodness]

It is GORGEOUS!!!! Good for you.

[cindy w]

Wow. That is gorgeous.

[Amy @ TasteLikeCrazy]

Wow. Just wow.

[fridita]

Perfect in every way. ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!

Spread those wings.

[Snarky Amber]

Oh my god. It's awesome.

[flutter]

that? Is insanely beautiful

[Malody]

That is beautiful (in many ways). Congratulations!

[Sonia]

That is GORGEOUS! Good for you!!!

[A Vapid Blonde]

I. Love. It. It really is beautiful. Do you keep looking at it? For a long time after I got one of mine, I swear I could feel it...the outline, the meaning. Congratulations!

[elfini (Dawn B)]

Wow! That is amazingly beautiful!

[Maria]

Gorgeous and PERFECT. I understand what it feels like to have something click for you enough to be ready to sear it into your skin.

[califmom]

Perfection.

[Piper of Love]

It's breathtakingly good!

Kudo's

[katie ~ motherbumper]

Be careful: it's addictive.

[mrsgryphon]

What a fabulous tattoo - so perfect!

[deb roby]

Beautiful. And perfect.

You are the 2nd woman I know who has gotten a tattoo kind of as a way to commemmorate turning 40. The other? got a full pant leg tattoo of Seuss.

[Mary]

Absolutely spectacular tat. Its more expensive to see the good artists, but no question that its worth the price to have something that you will be carrying on you forever.

[Average Jane]

Wow, that is absolutely beautiful!

[Adventures In Babywearing]

He did an awesome job. You picked the perfect tattoo, too. Enjoy!

Steph

[Aunt Becky]

Now that tattoo is full of The Awesome. Good choice. Very good choice.