Tattoo Tuesday V.99

Name and blog name: Jayme (aka Baby J) http://snowxpea.blogspot.com/ (I admittedly do not update as often as i should) also http://babyxj.tumblr.com/

Age: 31

Occupation: Makeup Artist

Age of first tattoo: 18

Favorite tattoo: This is a hard one! At the moment my favorites are my knee and my American Nightmare tattoo. Both done my Mr. Lindsey Carmichael

Featured tattoo/location: "We are the fortunate ones" script on my thigh

Artist/shop/location of feature tattoo: Mr. Lindsey Carmichael at Gold Rush Tattoo in Costa Mesa, CA




1) Tell us about your featured tattoo- is there a background story about why you chose it, or maybe a special meaning? 

I was going through a hard time recently and someone I've adored for years made me a sweet little mix to get me through it. The first song that played was a cover of American Nightmare's song Farewell. The lyrics struck a chord like never before. I called Lindsey and scheduled the appointment almost immediately. I didn't tell my friend that i was getting the words tattooed on me. It filled my heart to carry the words with me everyday. My friend was really surprised and loved it!

2) Do you have any other tattoos? If so, what do you have and where? 

I have so many! Adorable on my knuckles, don't cry with a little tear drop on my lower knuckles. Inside my fingers I have the lyrics "hold on to my hand and go, this time it lasts forever" on my left hand I have a heart locket with a rope tying a key to it. On my right hand I have a blue and gold rose with an eye shooting bolts from the center of the rose. On my left arm I have: a rose and candle with my grandmothers name in a banner, portraits of Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein, Damien from the Omen and Karen Cooper the little girl character from the Night of the Living Dead. I also have a TCB bolt on my left wrist. And "Kissyface" in script on my shoulder with my friends birthdate under it. I got it when he passed away. On my right arm i have: a love letter that reads "Kick Rocks," a sinking ship, a rose and dagger that has a banner that reads "Bless the Dead," Misfits lyrics in my ditch "Some kinda love". I have a decapitated girls head that says "Pretty girls make graves". On the back of my right arm I have a Bad Brains PMA tattoo. Just above it I recently got a matching tattoo with a close friend that says "Bigger than the sky" as in I love him that much. I have an old nautical star with a MOM banner and an anchor just below that. Can't forget a tattoo for my friend Jayce. His name in a banner over a cowboy hat inside my right arm. I also have my best girls name tattooed on the top of my right shoulder.

On my chest I have a shitty cover up haha. A butterfly of sorts covering some old stars. I have skull roses on the front of both shoulders. And "Pray For Me" script across my collarbone. On my neck I have two roses, an X on my throat and on OM on the back of my neck. I also have bats behind both ears.

On my lower stomach I have a large Danzig skull. On my left rib area i have script that reads "When we are together, we are untouchable". On my left leg I have the Joy Division: Unknown Pleasures album cover, a portrait of Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz and a scythe that says "reap what you sow". On my right leg I have quite a bit more! A bright green panther, a gold tooth, two hearts that are locked together, a nurse with a red cross and blue roses, a gurty special (if you know, you know) a suitcase with hearts that says 'Meet me at the Flo!" (my favorite floridian diner) a beautiful Tudor rose on my knee, "We are the fortunate ones" script on my thigh, bright orange pumpkins on my thigh with a haunted house on my thigh, a tea pot that reads "elevenses" on it. (LOTR nerds know). Under the kettle I also have an Alkaline Trio heart and skull. On my feet I have a pig and a rooster. as well as some cherry blossoms.

And two baby anchors on the sides of my face :)



3) Do you plan on getting more? 

ABSOLUTELY. Why stop now??

4) How do your family and friends feel about your tattoo(s)? Have you run into any adversity or negativity because of them? Do you have a significant other? Does he/she have tattoos? 

My mom always says she will love me as long as I don't tattoo my face.. WELL.. I did that too and she still loves me. My brother loves me no matter what and honestly as long as I have those two, thats what matters most.

I run into negativity about my tattoos almost daily. 99% of the time its from people I've never met. I find that people seem to think that since I'm heavily tattooed that they can talk to me as harshly or as rudely as they want. So there is never a shortage of shit comments coming my way. Often times I just make the situation into a joke about them or I laugh with my friends about how ignorant they were. I'm overly nice so the situation occasionally lasts way longer than it would ever last for someone else.

I recently moved across country and while I do not have a current significant other, I do have someone that brightens my days. He has tattoos of course.

5) What's the most interesting experience you've ever had in regards to your tattoos? This can be something someone said to you, a weird tattooing experience, whatever.

I have had all sorts of things said to me but there are two that stand out..

When I lived in Florida, a woman who worked at Publix (a grocery store in Florida) was giving me a really hard time while i was buying a money order. She went on and on about how she couldn't believe anyone would hire me and that she herself would never consider hiring me based on my appearance alone. The funny part about this very rude altercation was that the woman herself had her hands tattooed!

My first day at my new job a young man and his friends approached me while I was stuffing my face on a bench outside my work. He complimented my "Obama" tattoo several times.. I just kept saying "what Obama tattoo?" Then his friends started laughing and pointed to it and said, "that's not OBAMA! thats a monster!!" It was Frankenstein.

6) Any advice for those interested in getting tattooed but haven't gotten one yet? 

Definitely do your research. From experience I can say that I could have gotten some way better tattoos earlier on if I had paid more attention and sought out better artists. Right now social media is making it SO easy to search out great artists and they are ALL over!! A lot of them are doing guest spots and traveling the globe! It makes it way easier to get work from artists you may not have been able to get in with otherwise. Also, as much as you might want to let your friends practice on you, in the long run you will likely regret it. I have a lot of work from artists who were just starting out. And it shows.

PS. don't go to your homie's cousin's friend that tattoos in his bedroom. PLEASE...

Tattoo Tuesday V.98

Name/blog name: Julia at http://weliveoutloud.wordpress.com/
Age: 31
Occupation: Full time mommy. Part time hair stylist/makeup artist
Age of first tattoo: 18
Favorite tattoo: Boombox on my left shin. It is from the album Subliminal Plastic Motives by my favorite band, self
Featured tattoo/location: Mary Poppins sleeve on my left arm
Artist/shop/location of feature tattoo: Ahmed at Trader Bobs Tattoo in St. Louis, MO

1) Tell us about your featured tattoo- is there a background story about why you chose it, or maybe a special meaning?

I get asked this a lot. Understandably so. I used to watch Mary Poppins A LOT when I was a child. It quickly became my favorite movie. Then a few years after high school, I packed up and headed east to New York City where I became a nanny. I sent out to be a Mary Poppins. I try to live my life with the motto "A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down!"



2) Do you have any other tattoos? If so, what do you have and where?

I have a bunch of random ones. Boombox on left shin, rose on right shin, stars around my right wrist, butterfly on center of back, nautical star on back of neck.



3) Do you plan on getting more?

Absolutely. I intend on doing my right arm eventually. I have many ideas as to what I'd like. I would like to do something for my daughter, Zalyn. It's just a matter of time. My brother in law is a tattoo artist and I have many plans for him to do plenty of my upcoming work.




4) How do your family and friends feel about your tattoo(s)? Have you run into any adversity or negativity because of them? Do you have a significant other? Does he/she have tattoos?

My family is amazing. At first, my parents weren't too hip to the idea of their little girl "decorating her body." But they have grown to love it. I've even been introduced to some of my mothers friends, siblings friends etc and they'll say, "OOH, you're the one with the Mary Poppins tattoo." I suppose that means they brag about me? As far as adversity is concerned, yes, I get some negative feedback. But only from strangers. My husband (who is heavily tattooed as well) and I were in the store one time and a gentleman walked passed us and shouted, "It's not Halloween, kids. Trick or treat, freaks!" We just brush it off our shoulder. Yes, we get stared at from time to time and yes people say things of the sorts, "What are you going to do when you get older?" or "Are you going to let your child get tattooed?" and the ever so popular, "Why would you do something like that?" There's some close minded people out there that just don't quite understand the nature of why people get tattoos. And that's ok. We just make the world a little more colorful!

5) What's the most interesting experience you've ever had in regards to your tattoos? This can be something someone said to you, a weird tattooing experience, whatever.

My favorite story involving my tattoo's was when I came to visit my grandparents after being gone for awhile. My sleeve was close to being done. The last time I saw my grandparents, I only had the top of my shoulder. So, needless to say, they were shocked. My grandfather looked at me and said, "My oh my, every time we see you, you are more and more decorated." Then my grandmother chimed in and said with a smile, "Yes, and we love you more and more." My grandmother passed away almost 3 years ago and I'm constantly reminded of her strength, beauty and wit. Just the way she looked at me with a twinkle in her eye and the way she said that, makes my heart melt each time I think about it. My grandfather was right, we really truly are "decorated."



 
6) Any advice for those interested in getting tattooed but haven't gotten one yet?

Think it through. Don't rush into it. Do research on who you're going to have do your tattoo. If you see someone with a tattoo you like, ask them who did it for them. Then check out said artists portfolio. Once you found the right person and decided on the perfect piece, be prepared. Bring a bottle of water or gatorade. I resort to sucking on lollipops while getting tattoo'd. And I focus on my breathing. Whether you are getting a large piece that will take some time, or something small, just remind yourself that the pain only lasts a little while and when it's all said and done, you'll have a pretty awesome reminder of your strength that you sat through a pretty painful experience. That's how I look at it and it's gotten me this far.

Tattoo Tuesday V.97

 Name and blog name: Kierstan Burke and I just have a tumblr.

Occupation: I work part time as a bartender and part time as a cake decorator.

Age of first tattoo: I was 16. My dad drove me to Idaho to get it. I really wish he would have just made me wait. All the tattoos I got before the age of 20 are all covered up at this point.

Favorite tattoo: I have 3 favorites! My wolf head on my thigh, my portrait of Clara Bow, and my best friend "avada kedavra" matching finger tattoo.

Featured tattoo/location: My wolf's head with a dagger! It's on my inner right thigh

Artist/shop/location of feature tattoo: It was done by James Fanara at Boar's Head Tattoo in Spokane, WA.



Tell us about your featured tattoo- is there a background story about why you chose it, or maybe a special meaning? 

I really was just in the right place at the right time. I had gone into the shop to drop off a scarf that I had borrowed from the wife of one of the artists. James had drawn up the wolf's head that day, and wanted to tattoo it badly. So I got it!


Do you have any other tattoos? If so, what do you have and where? 

I have two tattoos in progress, my back piece, and my left sleeve. I have a panther on my back, and a my peacock on my left arm. I have my right arm basically finished minus some stars and dots on my upper arm. On my arm I have cupcakes, roses I ha, a grandfather clock, two owls, some sailor jerry flash as filler, a phillies p, and a cupcake themed sugar skull. Several on my left leg. they are a gypsy girl, golden snitch, Hedwig holding the sorting hat, Clara Bow portrait, avocado, roses, a tea cup, a tator tot, and a boar's head. On my right leg I have a pin up girl, my wolfs head, an elephant on my kneecap and a bearded lady. My knuckles say bake cake, a couple chest tattoos, a heart on my face, a toaster on my foot, and lastly an owl on my hip.



 
 

Do you plan on getting more?

I'm actually getting my hands done next week!


How do your family and friends feel about your tattoo(s)? Have you run into any adversity or negativity because of them? Do you have a significant other? Does he/she have tattoos? 

My dad loves them, however I am from a strict religious background, so most of my family do not approve. I live in a conservative town, so the biggest issue I have had since moving here is finding a job. I have people ask me all the time if I have gone to jail. But even with the downsides there are always the good. I do have a significant other. He is actually a tattoo artist, although he hasn't tattooed me! He has his entire torso/ribs/back done and two sleeves.
What's the most interesting experience you've ever had in regards to your tattoos? 

I had a woman last summer left the skirt of my dress above my waist to see my leg tattoos without asking. I was just standing in front of store on my phone.

Any advice for those interested in getting tattooed but haven't gotten one yet? 

Choose an artist wisely. There are so many scratcher shops around these days. Just be careful, and know that you get what you pay for. If you want to go to this shop because you can get a sleeve for $80 it will look like you got it for $80. But besides that, I love all my tattoos, and I would encourage anyone to get one!

Tattoo Tuesday V.96

Every once and awhile I like to revisit previous Tattoo Tuesday participants and check out what new work they've gotten, and ask them a whole new set of questions! My sweet friend Silje is here today to talk a little bit more about her tattoos, and be sure to check out her original feature here (she was the FIFTH participant...so long ago!).

Name/blog name: Silje Røe Hagland - littlebirdcrafts.blogspot.com & tattoosbysilje.com
Age: 27
Occupation: Tattoo artist at Scapegoat Tattoo in Portland, OR. You'll find me tattooing Sundays through Wednesdays 12-8pm!


Have you gotten any more tattoos since you were first featured on Tattoo Tuesday?

I have! Since last I have gotten my left thigh worked on, and it is close to being fully covered. I recently just got the back of my thigh tattooed by my incredibly talented boss, and friend, Brian Wilson (http://btwilsontattoos.com). Brian has been traveling Europe this summer, and just left the country again, so the piece is still unfinished. The tattoo is of the Fenris wolf, who in Norse Mythology is a son of Loki and is foretold to kill the god Odin. I had wanted a wolf tattoo for a while, but it was actually Brian's idea to have it be that specific one.

Since then I also had my friend Shaun Nel, do a geometrical flower on my left hand. I had previously gotten a similar flower under my chin, and have since been slightly obsessed with them. Other people seem to like them as much as I do, as I have been putting them on people left and right lately! (Check out my portfolio here). Shaun made sure I finally got my Norway tribute tattoo by putting a flaming goat on my stomach.  I also celebrated my love for knitting with the words "knit" and "purl" on my thumbs, tattooed by Matt Moreno. You can have a look at some of my knits here.

 

 

The last tattoo I got was my right knee, done by Craig Brown (http://craigbrowntattoo.com/). Other than geometrical type flowers, any geometrical shape has been my latest obsession. The tattoo is all dots, in three different shades of grey. The plan is to add more dots fading out behind my existing tattoos.

If you had to pick a favorite tattoo what would it be?

My favorite right now has to be my right hand still, done by Shaun Nel. Shaun did my left hand just before we both moved away from Kansas City. We didn't see each other for a long time, as we were on opposite coasts, and I was so happy to have him put another pretty flower on my hand during last years Portland tattoo expo. It's not only a great tattoo, and incredibly inspiring to look at every day, but Shaun is also one of my best friends. That tattoo just makes me happy ever time I look at it, that's all.

Do you have plans to get any more? Do you have any off limits areas?

I do! I have gotten tattooed a lot the last year, and it is such a big part of my life, both tattooing, and getting tattooed, I don't see why I would stop now. I like the thought of collecting art on my body, and there are so many great artists out there, I'm looking forward to continue to get tattooed by my favorite ones.

As far as any off limit areas I would definitely say my neck and face. I like neck tattoos on other people, I just don't think there is anything I would care to have that close to my face for the rest of my life.

What has your experience been like as a heavily tattooed female?

Both good and bad. People like to stare, and the more heavily tattooed you are, the more they invade your privacy. I get talked to at the gym, the grocery store, on the street, everywhere. People always want to show off their tattoos, and share their story. It's annoying at times, but also funny. I guess it depends on where it happens.



What's the weirdest thing anyone's ever said to you in regards to your tattoos?

People say weird things all the time. I always laugh when people automatically think that because I am heavily tattooed, getting tattooed must not hurt. It hurts every single time. I don't like getting tattooed, but you learn to deal with the pain. Being a tattoo artist I also know how annoying, and difficult it is to have someone squirm, and cry during every single line.




Any last thoughts in regards to getting tattooed?

Research! Take your time, find an artist who's style suits you best. Don't get me wrong, I am all for fun little, spur of the moment tattoos, just as long as you know the shop, or the artist.