Blog # 24: Tattoo

Tattoos are a piece of art that is printed on a human body for the intent of the rest of their remaining life. A tattoo is a marking made by inserting indelible ink into the layers of the most superficial skin, the epidermis layer to change the color of pigments and design. Tattoos on a person are a personal type of modification that one chooses to do so. However, tattoos on an animal are for location purposes for identifying a certain animal from the marking.
Tattooing has been practiced worldwide for hundreds of years. Way back then, Indian tribes would tattoo their faces because they were more superior to the rest of the tribe. Today, tattooing is based on personal modifications that one might have an interest in. I have three different tattoos, located on three different parts of my body, and I have received them in three different countries. I honestly can not tell the difference from one tattoo shop from different countries. My very first tattoo was needles on my bony body when I was only 16 years old. My sister and I were in Aruba with my parents for a family vacation and decided to recieve the same tattoo and name our tattoos “sister tattoos.” Our matching tattoos was a tiny hibiscus flower. Mine was located on my left hip bone, whereas my sister’s was located on her left ankle bone. The flower is outlined with black and filled in with beautiful different colors: pink, orange, yellow, and white. My tattoo is more vibrant on my hip than my sister’s ankle because of the skin type. There is an extra layer of skin located on the hands and feet, lucidum. My step dad also received a tattoo at the same tattoo shop in Aruba. He had some tribal inked on his right biceps.
I received my second tattoo in the Dominican Republic. I was visiting that dirty island for my 18th birthday with my mom and step-dad. I really wanted to get another tattoo and I especially wanted to get a tattoo of a fish or other sea life that represented me getting certified as a scuba diver. I decided to get my tattoo of a fish. The fist resembled a magnet I bought in one of the gift shops. I received this tattoo on the bones of my right foot. I was surprised at how much more painful this tattoo was. The tattoo artist could barely speak English, but he did a phenomenal job!
My third tattoo was received in my home country, the United States of America. I received this tattoo in May of 2009 by an Artist named Shannon from Bullwinkle’s tattoo shop. I got a huge sun, formally called the sublime sun on my right ribcage. This was excruciating pain and took two sessions to complete because my skin was starting to swell right after he finished with the outline. This tattoo took a total of 3 hours and cost me $350.00. I was broke after getting this tattoo, but it was completely worth every penny. This sun tattoo is outlined in black with a mushroom as a forehead and other designs within the tattoo: knife, skeleton, bullet, and a fish. This tattoo has a huge amount of color and designs.
I personally think people should go for it if they are considering a tattoo. Yes they are painful and very expensive, but the art that remains on your body is there for the rest of their life; and that is a price you can’t pay. However, when getting a tattoo, you really need to take in some thought on what you want to get. Don’t get a tattoo just to get something on your body because art is something that is meant to be beautiful.