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Q1. Where did you get your first tattoo and do you know by who?
A. At magic Needles here in Huntsville, by a guy called
Ox
Q2. What was going through your mind when you got your first
tattoo?
A. This is so cool. . . This is gonna hurt. . .
This is so cool. . . Holy shit, this hurts. . . This is so cool. . .
(you get the idea!)
Q3. Is there a meaning behind your first tattoo and what is it
if you care to share?
A. My first tattoo was a Japanese design of three
waves crashing down on each other in a circle; my husband (then fiancé)
and I decided it stood for multiple orgasms. It later developed
into something entirely different -- it became my water element, and
then the base for a Celtic goddess whose name means "Circle of
Stars Descending into the Sea".
Q4. What is your favorite tattoo, where is it and why?
A. I know it's a lame thing to say, but I can't
pick a favorite; I love them all. I wouldn't have gotten them
otherwise.
Q5. What advice can you give people who are looking to get ink
for the first time?
A. Don't do it on a whim. Think through the
notion of getting a tattoo and make sure you're willing to accept the
responsibility -- everything from choosing the design, to the aftercare,
to handling the reactions tattoos inevitably illicit. Be prepared
to graciously accept compliments, but be even more prepared to tactfully
handle less pleasant remarks. And, just as a personal idiosyncrasy,
don't just settle for a flash design. (I can feel glares from a
bunch of tattooist out there!) I mean, it's fine to be inspired
by flash -- I have a couple like that -- but do something special to
make the design your own. Tattoos are a permanent form of
self-expression; why would you want to express the same thing as someone
else? Seeing the same tattoo on someone seems even worse than
showing up at a party in the same outfit as another person! Check
into the studios you would like to visit; are they clean, are they
sanitary, are they willing to furnish documents to back up their
autoclave sterilization claims? Ask questions. This is not
the time to be shy!! If you aren't comfortable in a studio, don't
have them do your ink. Don't be afraid to ask your potential tattooist
very direct questions about the colors you're interested in, design
placement, body area, etc. If you just get, "Yeah, man,
that's cool", to every question, you might want to look elsewhere.
It might be a bummer to find out that the intricate knot work you want
on your ankle will spread into a black mess in a few years, but, again,
be willing to take responsibility for the choices. Also, be sure
your tattoo artist is clean when he or she works on you (I mean straight
and sober, in addition to sanitary).
Am I opinionated or what?!?!
Q6. What is your inspiration behind your body art?
A. Much of what I have is metaphysically inspired -- by the elements,
and by different aspects of my zodiac.
Q7. What would you say was your most memorable piece getting?
A. Without question, the violets on my neck! The back of my
neck is very sensitive -- I actually had an orgasm (or 3) while I was
getting them done!
Q8. Do you have any new ideas for any more work lined up?
A. Tons. The big one I'm working on now is a kind of medicine
piece, incorporating aspects of both my solar totems and my medicine
wheel birthday totems.
Q9. Who was your favorite artist that has tattooed you? Plus
what did they do.
A. Will -- he's done 11 of my 12 tattoos.
Q10. Do you like staying with one artist or do you like
trying to go to new artist each time?
A. Will is a dear friend; he's insanely talented and I'm very
comfortable with him. He's honest and willing to give his opinion
when I ask it, even sometimes when I don't! I don't ever plan on
going to anyone else. He's also tattooed my husband (they work
together at a different job) and my oldest stepson; I want to
take all my kids and all my friends to him!
Q11. Do you believe tattoos are addictive? Why do you like
getting tattooed?
A. Yes, I think they are addictive. And while the whole
adrenaline/endorphin thing may play an actual scientific and
physiological part, each time I get a new one I feel like I'm
uncovering another piece of who I am. It's growth; it's
comforting. For the most part, I've found the whole process
relaxing.
Q12. When would you say you like getting tattooed the most is it
at a certain time in your life or when you get that itch to get one
done.
A. I don't get them unless I feel moved to get them. It's not an
itch like "jeez I haven't gotten a tattoo in awhile"; I
know it's time because a fully-formed idea comes to mind: what
design I want, what colors, what size, where I want to put it,
everything.
Q13. Any additional comments?
A. Love me, love my tattoos!
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