For Local Blog
And all of that relates to the rest of the post, well, not at all.
Anyway, my 19 year old niece came to enjoy the festivities and while talking with her in the food tent she asked how I felt about portrait tattoos. I told her that I thought they were creepy and despite the few I had seen done by that chick on TLC, they all turn out looking nothing like the person. I went on to say that people always end up picking the picture of Bubba when he was in his "sleeves ripped off the plaid shirt and mullet" phase or Tammy in her "Can my perm get any bigger and lots of lace with heavy eyeliner" stage. And while that might have been cool when they got the tattoo, a few years down the line it just looks stupid.
Then she told me she was planning on getting portrait tattoos of my grandparents, her great-grandparents who died 12 and 6 years ago, on her back. There was a collective sigh of "Are you freaking kidding me? Crap she's old enough and we can't do anything about it" from all those in earshot.
Yes, they were great people. But she was so young when they were alive! And seriously, a picture of an old man and woman on her back? What would her future husband think of seeing that every time they were intimate?
This is a girl who freaks out if out disagree with her, so I tried to approach this calmly and so as to not offend her. I said, "But what about your wedding dress? When you get married it probably will show your back and do you want that in all your pictures?"
She just rolled her eyes and said something about that's what she wants and people are being so mean to her about it and she's an adult and why can't anyone just let her do what she wants to do, etc.
I tried a new approach by saying that if I had gotten a tattoo when I was 18 (a short 7 years ago) it would have been a bunch of shooting stars. And looking back on that now all I can say is thank God I didn't do that. How cliche and tacky. I'd join the ranks of all the Tasmanian Devils, tribal cuffs and Chinese characters. It makes me shiver just to think about it. Tattoos are too permanent for me to be able to pick something that I would want to have there FOR-EV-ER!
My sister, her mom, could see that she was getting upset and so she changed the subject and the party went on. I doubt my niece will actually end up doing it. She's one of those girls who just wants to shock people with the thought of something just to prove that she can do whatever she wants or maybe it's for some attention in our huge family. She's a good girl, a hard worker, very caring and I really don't think she'll go through with it.
So what are you thoughts on tattoos? Do you have one? I don't and I most likely never will. The only thing I can think of possibly getting is my husbands first initial and that would be in a place that most people would probably never see. But that still has a tackiness to it I just can't get over.
And in closing, to any of you thinking of getting a portrait, take a look at this:
12 comments:
i got a tattoo last year when i was visiting my best friend in france. it is combination of alpha and omega on the inside of my right leg right above my ankle. i love it, and would do it again in a heartbeat. i was very picky about what i wanted. there is no way i would do a portrait tattoo ever. i also wouldn't do one of something that didn't have some sort of meaning to me. nothing cutsie for sure. that being said i don't think tattoos are for everyone. and i certainly don't like big tattoos. at least not on me!
I have one on my hip but it has personal meaning to me and always will. I'm also looking at getting one more that is just as important if not more so to me. The first is discreet and only (publicly) visible if I'm in a swimsuit. The other will be the same. I got my first when I was 19. I'm 31 now and have never regretted it.
As for portrait tats...ick. I've never seen one that does the person justice. And the one you showed is just scary. I'd haunt whoever did that to my likeness.
I would never get one. Only a temporary one. I worked at a temp. tattoo stand in college and people showed me their real tattoos all the time. Only the newer ones ever looked good.
OMG - please talk her out of it. I've seen so many bridesmaid's lately that look so tacky with tattoos on their ankles and arms going down the aisle. Ugh. Tell her to at least get it somewhere she can cover it up!
Dude, that tattoo and pic you posted? Speechless.
I hope she doesn't get the tattoo. I didn't get anything nearly as permanent at that age. I got a piercing the day I turned 18. Now 13 years later...it looks gross.
As for tattoos. I'm not a fan of huge ones. I personally can deal with the permanence.
If I had the tatoo I was going to, but did not, get at age 19, I would now be stuck with this dumb little sun either on my ankle or hipbone. Soooo glad I didn't.
they are not for me, but I do like looking at them on other people. But usually when I see them on other people, I'm glad it's attached to them and not me. Very rarely have I seen a tattoo with envy.....
No. Thank. You.
I just feel there are better ways to commemorate someone's life or death than with ink permanently placed under one's skin via multiple needles.
My older sister got one a few years ago on her lower back. Married for about 15 years at the time and knew her own mind. Her take on it was that it hurt less than labor - not very encouraging but I can appreciate her decision.
My younger sister has pierced nipples and three tattoos - all in inconspicuous spots - that she got in her early/mid 20s. She's getting married next spring and I want to see how she pulls off classy and elegant with those just beneath the shantung.
Oh that tattoo photo you posted? It made me snort with laughter.
I'm sure the cost of the tat will be enough to steer her away from the idea. The cost, time involved and of course pain, the latter is only discovered after they start the process but the cost and time commitment would be told to her upfront and would be enough for most 19y.o.s (who typically don't have much $$ and much patience) to change their mind.
As far as tats go, different strokes for different folks. I don't have one but who cares if someone else gets one. It's their body and quite frankly not everyone is so hung up on what they will look like in their wedding dress, esp at 19. I hope that's not all she is worried about at 19 - she should be worrying about school and enjoying her life at 19, part of which is coming up with odd ideas that most people a little older would consider crazy and then realizing with time that it was just some fleeting thought of a young, developing mind.
I have seven tattoos and can't wait to get more. I'm currently working on a design that incorporates my son's name which will be across the top of my shoulders and back.
I think the symbolic nature of a tattoo still comes across without having to have a portrait done.
What's great about all of mine are that I can easily cover them up. None were exposed at my wedding and when I'm wearing a business suit, they're all covered as well.
I personally love tattoos. In fact my husband is an amazing artist who at this point in his life happens to be tattooing.
That said, I totally agree with you. Tattoos can be tacky, ugly, poorly done, regrettable. I personally have one I would like removed but have some others (really big ones!) that are stunning works of art.
I think the most important thing is to really think about what your are getting and be sure you want it FOREVER. Even more important is finding someone who can actually tattoo to put it on you. An actual artist, not just someone who claims to be one.
And of course, while they are for me, they are definitely not for everyone and never will be but that's our own personal choice to make.
Post a Comment