Inked up girls

There's just something about inked up girls that I find really attrative. Plus these paintings are amazing.

Both paintings by Erik Jones

Future tattoos

I have a long list of tattoos I want to get, always have, always will. This list has been forever changing as I get older, my tastes change and I mature. Some of the images have a personal meaning or history behind it. Others are just aesthetically appealing, traditional tattoos. I've always loved researching tattoos and discovering the true meaning. I did a lot of research on the tradition, story and history of my koi fish before I got the piece done. The same is true with these images (well most of them anyway).

When I left Hayman Island, my best friend from the island gave me rosary beads he bought in Thailand as a token of his friendship. Hayman was a great piece of my life and I've decided I'm going to get the rosary tattooed on me (as if I was wearing it) to represent the friendships I made and the time I spent in that place. I wore that rosary all the time until the clip at the back was broken (which I have yet to get fixed), and this way I will always be wearing it.

I got the idea of the Melbourne skyline from an episode of Miami Ink (however the person was getting the Chicago skyline i believe). Initially I was going to get it on my left pectoral over my heart, however I think I might go bigger and turn it into a back piece. I'm still up in the air on this piece and I need to find the perfect place to get a photo of the skyline that includes everything in it. This tattoo wont be done for a few years to allow Melbourne City expand and change.

I want to get a bonsai tree on my left calf to represent my dad. He loves growing bonsai trees and has even made his own Japanese garden in the back yard, with quite a large waterfall (that he made himself) as the focal point. For sometime now I've wanted to get a tattoo representing my mother and father.

And for my mother I want to get a robin. Mainly because of her name. But I want the tattoo to look more like a traditional swallow (below) rather then the picture of the robin above. I'm not exactly sure where I am gong to put this tattoo just yet. I quite possibly will incorporate into my left sleeve.

My 'nautical' star is a little different compared to most nautical stars you see. Mainly because I want to get a 7 point star (like on the Australian flag) rather then a 5 point star. There are a number of stories behind the origin of the nautical star. One recalls the sailor's reliance on celestial navigation. However another story behind the nautical star is people getting them to ensure a safe return home from travels, which is why I want to get one. My plan is to get it on the top of my left shoulder just before i head overseas at the end of the year.

I've wanted to get a rose purely because its aesthetically pleasing. The flower is complex and intricate with many layers and looks so beautiful when it's done right. I want to get it on my left elbow. I'm not 100% sure if I'm going to go black/grey or full colour. It will depend on which artist i get to do it as well.

The Candy Skull and Hannya Mask are two traditional tattoos that I really like and have wanted for some time. I'm thinking of getting them on the top of my feet, but this is extremely undecided at the moment.

I don't know what it is about this tattoo, but as soon as I saw it I fell in love with it. I'd have to change it slightly (because no one wants a tattoo identical to someone else), but I defiantly want it. Same position as well, which leaves with the conundrum of do I wait (like I said I would when it came to tattoo below the elbow), change the location, or fuck it all and just get it on my wrist.

All inked up

I love tattoos and have for some time now. The culture, history, rebellion, art and the addiction all appeal to me. I love the process of getting a new one; deciding what you want and the story behind it, researching art, artists, studios etc. Collaborating with the artist and and seeing his take on the idea. Booking in (which you have to do these days for a good artist) and the feeling of anticipation and excitement. To finally getting the work done and feeling the satisfaction and relief once the session is finished. Not to mention all the attention you get from people wanting to see your new piece of body art.

I got my first tattoo when I was 17 during the middle of my yr 12 exams (probably not the smartest idea). It is the southern cross with a scroll through it stating 'Made In Australia'. It took just over an hour and is your typical 17 year olds tattoo. It is located on my left scapula. It's well designed (drawn by my friend James Erdman) and I did put a lot of thought into before I got the tattoo. At the time I hadn't seen anything similar (these days every man and his dog has a southern cross tattoo of some sort). I don't regret this tattoo at all. I still love how it shows my patriotism and my lighter side as well. It does need a touch up, and I plan on getting the stars filled in. But it's not exactly high priority on the tattoo list. Back then I had no idea about the different quality of artists, I was more worried about getting a tattoo while I was still 17. I have no idea who the artist was, I have tried to find out a few times but have failed. It looks like the man who popped my ink cherry will forever remain anonymous as the shop has changed management and artist since then and I believe it may have even closed.

My second tattoo came when I was 18/19. It is a tribal piece on the inside of my left arm. Now tribal was the big thing at the time, and there is no real meaning behind it apart from it looking cool. I did some studio research this time and asked around about good places to go. I initially called the studio in Eltham (which I had heard the best things about) but they were booked out for the day. But I wanted the tattoo that day, my friend had told me about a place on St Georges which he went to, so I called up and the guy who answered informed me if I came in now I could get my piece done straight away, problem was I called Eternal Instinct in Thronbury, but went to Advanced Art in Fitzroy, I failed to take note of the suburb or name when I called up and just went to the tattoo place I'd seen on St Georges Rd. I didn't really pick on as to why they were busy when I walked in, or the blank look on the guys face when I said I called up before, it was because I was in the wrong bloody studio. That aside I still ended up getting the tattoo, even if I was in the wrong place and had to sit around and wait for an hour or so. It around 90 minutes to do. I still like this tattoo, I also drew more to extend it to fill the inside of my arm, however I have moved on from the tribal wave and will leave it the size it is. Hopefully I can incorporate it with the tattoos I will be getting on that arm. The colouring was not perfect on the tattoo and could probably do with a touch up, but once again it is not high on the list (especially considering it's location). No idea what the name of the artist is, although I believe he still works there so I could find out if I chose.

My last piece is a Japanese themed half sleeve, it was started around 2 years ago. It features koi fish on the outside of my right arm and a blue lotus flower on the inside, with cherry blossoms scattered throughout. So far I have had 4 sittings accumulating to around 16 hrs of work. I still need at least one more sitting to finish it off, but that was put on the back burner when I flew off to Queensland to travel. I love this tattoo. The story behind the koi fish really appeals to me, and the artwork itself is beautiful. This tattoo was done by Craig Duece at Eternal Instinct on St Georges Rd (yes the place I thought I was going to for my second tattoo). I went in and spoke to Craig about what I wanted and he drew the whole thing from scratch. It is a completely original piece and that's what I love about it, I also love how Craig has put his own influences in it. It's not a 100% traditional piece, it has modern aspects to it and I think that is one of the things that make it so appealing. The colours are extremely vibrant and

really pop and I constantly get compliments about the piece.

I plan on extending this piece to a full sleeve, but not until I'm set in a career that i know I can get away with it. The last thing I want is for my tattoos to stop me from getting the job I want.

I will do a post about the future tattoos I want in the upcoming days.