Talking all about my tattoos + VIDEO!

I'm often asked all about my tattoos. How many do I have? Most painful one? What ones do I actually have? Where are they all? 

I've covered a little bit about them on my "about me" page, but I figured as I've started a Youtube channel, it was the perfect time to go the Tattoo Tag and really talk about all my tattoos and some of my favourite tattooists.

At the end of this post you'll find my video, but I thought I'd also include some photos and links here too so you can have a good look!

Why I love leg tattoos

You may have noticed recently that I've had a number of new tattoo additions added to my legs.
I'm kind of on a collecting mission especially since meeting the absolute doll that is Madeleine June and falling head over heels for her artwork and tattoo style. Plus she's a fellow hufflepuff so we're essentially kindred spirits.

I've always been a big fan of leg tattoos but have been slower in the collection front in this area until now.
For me, my legs are for collecting a mish-mash of cute smaller tattoos. Definitely all in colour.

You see. I kind of have a love/hate relationship with my legs. From the knee down I'm OK with them. My calfs aren't half bad. But my thighs, well they're a different story entirely.

And that's half the reason I'm on a leg tattoo collecting mission. Because the more ink i have on my legs, the happier and more confident I feel about them!!

TATTOOS: Why price isn't everything

It can be a bit of a touchy subject in  almost any situation... the question of cost.

And it is especially true when discussing tattoos.

No one wants to be ripped off, especially for something that you are going to have to live with for the rest of your life. And it is so easy to get bogged down by the price of everything in today's society.
But with tattoos, price should not be the determiner.

The saying goes

"Good tattoos aren't cheap and cheap tattoos aren't good"

And to a certain extent this is very true.

Many badly designed or created tattoos are from people or 'scratchers' who have had no training, and bought a tattoo machine from the internet and are 'working' from their kitchen. In this instance, you really are paying for what you get. It will be cheap because the 'work' is likely to be substandard and potentially risky.

TATTOOS: How I prepare for a tattoo session

So after many many tattoos in my seven year history of collecting, I've  learnt a few tricks of the trade when it comes to sitting through some of the longer, tougher sessions. 

I'm  pretty much a complete wuss when it comes to tattoos. My pain threshold is pretty minimal. I mean indigestion has me in tears... I am a huge cry baby. 

Anyway, in my time I have successfully sat for a number of tattoos lasting longer than three hours. In fact, I'm  currently writing this post whilst sitting through a three hour tattoo. My longest tattoo session was six hours. I'm  not going to lie to you.. it was f**king tough, and really hard work. I've  also cried during two tattoos (I did keep going) and have come close a number of times to just stopping midway through  a session (but I persevered through to the end!), so I do know what many of you will be thinking  and going through.

TATTOOS: Healing with Palmers Cocoa Butter

From my many years (OK seven) of getting tattooed I have been through the healing many, many times. From this post you can see I have a tried and tested process for healing my tattoos.
However, I'm  also quite happy  to try new techniques if advised by a knowledgeable person i.e. a tattooist. 

After my recent tattoo at Brighton Tattoo Convention, Jenna Kerr recommended using Palmer's Cocoa Butter (fragrance free) to heal colour tattoos. I decided to give it a try, and I'm really pleased I did.

Normally I  would go with the highly recommended Bepanthen and cling film combo, which does give the desired  outcome, but there were some big differences between Bepanthen and Palmers Cocoa Butter.

TATTOOS: The sternum tattoo - the new fashion statement

If you're  like me, you'll love looking at tattoos on Pinterest and Instagram,  and being inspired by others tattoo work.

 
And you will have noticed over the years that there tends to be a trend within tattoos,  especially in the more mainstream community.  The 90's saw the rise of the tribal armband,  and the 00s saw a lot of love for the lower back or affectionately  named 'tramp stamp'. 

Recently I've noticed a trend in sternum or under-boob tattoos. They are cropping up on Instagram and Pinterest in all sorts of styles, from neo-traditional full colour,  to intricate black and white dot work.

TATTOOS: Interview with Dani Green

I have developed a slight obsession with instagram and to be honest, I am thankful for it. Without it, I would never have discovered and met the super talented and ultra lovely Dani Green. You can read more about my first meeting with Dani here.

So after my first tattoo from, her, it only felt right to even out my legs and get another in the same place, but on the other leg from her two. I'm all about symmetry! Unfortunately due to some badly timed insect bites,  we had to move the design to my thigh, but that just means I will have to get that spot filled too!

Anyway, about the design; I've been a huge Disney fan from as young as I can remember. My first ever trip to the cinema was to see the Lion King. But my favourite Disney girl has to be Belle from Beauty and the Beast. She's the smart one, who loves books, who in the end falls in love, not with looks but with the personality,  and saves the fate of many... heart warming right?! Yes I'm a sucker for a fairytale happy ending. 

So I asked Dani to draw me up one of her iconic girls, with a Beauty and the Beast theme. 

Just the sketch, and then the sneak peek on her Instagram had me buzzing with excitement.

Needless to say I am totally over the moon with her. She was a tough one to sit through, but Dani was extremely understanding and lovely  and really took the pressure off. Plus her numbing spray really helped for the shading (it can only be used on an open tattoo so the lines were done with no extra help).

So I decided to find out a bit more about this talented young tattooist, and share it with you.

 

When did you start tattooing?

Not counting a handful of willing guinea pigs prior, I started tattooing in Febuary 2013; this is when I started taking custom as an apprentice.

What got you into tattooing in the first place?

I wanted to be a tattoo artist since I turned 19 and got my first tattoo. I had always admired the art of it but it was finally being in a studio that I realised it was a way I could get to be creative every day and make a living from it; there is no bigger want for an artist.  To please my folks I went to university and didn't begin until I was 25.

Best tattoo lesson you've learnt?

It's about the art and the process, don't work for people who want it to be about money.

A hard one, what's your favourite tattoo that you have done?

Every time I do a tattoo I am happy with it is my new favourite!  I love loads of my tattoos for different reasons.

What tattoos do you have personally?

Quite a few now, I only made the step onto visible places once I had tattooed long enough to know I was in it for life.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

Inspiration comes from all sorts of places, subliminal and interest based.  Mostly for me I would say comics, anime, Disney, fine artists, Japan, and all sorts of different cultures. 

Who are your favourite tattooists?

Sooo many it's near impossible to narrow down enough for this interview.  I have really appreciated people that I do admire actually taking the time to talk to me and turning into friendships.  Jason Minauro and Fabian Langes are two in particular, go check them out!

And favourite artists?

I love Junko Mizuno, Mark Ryden, Aya Takano, Jason Limon, Francisco Goya, and many more!

What's your advice to others wanting to start a career in tattooing?

Know your drawing capabilities back to front!  Don't directly copy people; take inspiration but have your own ideas and own world, it's the only way you will stand out.

Now for some random questions:

Favourite food?

Sushi 

Favourite drink?

Tea

Favourite film?

I have to name a few, there is no 1 favourite - Into The Wild, Princess Monoke, Muppets Treasure Island.

What did you have for breakfast this morning?

Brie baguette

Dream holiday destination?

Japan

Dead or alive, who would you most like to meet for dinner?

Betty Page

Go check out Dani on her Facebook or Instagram page

*watermarked photos courtesy of Dani Green - last photo by me

*please do not copy - use for inspiration only, it's not cool to steal! - illustrations copyright of Dani Green

TATTOOS: Reasons not to have a tattoo

This might seem like an unusual topic for this blog, but it's actually really relevant.
Yes, I have many tattoos, and I will get more. 

The are so many reasons to get a tattoo; in memory of someone, some time,  some place; because it represents you, your loved ones, your life; or because you love the design, theme, ethos. 

And I probably have a tattoo for each one of those reasons.

But there are also so many reasons not to go ahead with a tattoo.

First there is the technical and logistical aspects. Is the studio safe, healthy and hygienic.  If you have any doubts to any of those, DO NOT HAVE YOUR TATTOO.  At least not in that studio.  Walk away. Nothing is more important in tattooing than your health and safety.

Then there is the tattooist themselves.  Do you trust them? At the end of the day, your tattoo is coming from their hands. Will they give you the design you want? If you're not 100% happy with your tattooist, then you need to find someone who you are happy with. Tattoos are a true test of trust. They're work is going to be displayed on your body for the rest of your life.

TATTOOS: First Tattoo: Tips on breaking your tattoo cherry.

So as you may have seen I've been on a tattoo collecting mission over the past few days so I thought I'd share my tips and advice on getting that first tattoo.

Since the age of 18 I have had my fair share of tattoo studio encounters, and although the rules will vary from studio to studio, and you should always discuss any concerns with them specifically,  this guide should see you through your first tattoo, and ease a little of the nervousness, keeping you prepared and happy.

My first tattoo was on my 18th birthday at a local studio, Woody's Tattoo Studio in High Wycombe, Bucks. I had a swirly black 'R' on my ankle that I designed myself. I literally walked in, booked an appointment for later that day, and had it done. The studio sang Happy Birthday to me as well. To be honest, it was a fabulous start to my tattoo journey. 

TATTOOS: Do you regret your tattoos?

It's the age old worry when making the decision to have a tattoo.

"Will I regret my tattoo when I am older?"

It's even made it into the news - again! According to the Huffington Post, Four in Ten Britain's regret their tattoos. As with most of these style 'researches', everyone is anti-tattoo and wants to get rid of them, but it always as simple as that.

I, for instance, have seven individual tattoos on my body. Am I 100% happy with all of them? No, I can't say that. But I don't regret having them. They have become a part of who I am.
I have been asked too many times to count, about how I will feel when I am 60 with sleeve tattoos. The answer, I don't know. But they will be more of a part of me than they are now.

Yes I am considering a cover up, but I wouldn't consider laser removal. My style has changed, and my knowledge increased. I now know to choose a tattooist based on their style and talent. It's not about getting a bargain when it comes to tattoos.  My cover up, when I eventually get to it, will be classic and neo-traditional. Flowers and butterflies. Timeless.

TATTOOS: Tips on swollen legs and feet after a tattoo

As you may know I recently got a large lower leg tattoo. Unsurprisingly it swelled a touch the day after. Then it swelled a but more and spread into my foot. Needless to say, I was a little disconcerted, so I of course 'googled' it. This is where I hit a wall. There is loads of information on how to reduce swelling in your feet and ankles if you are pregnant.  Or if you have a sprained ankle. But not a lot specific to tattoos to placate my nervous mind, until I found this forum. 

So I thought I would post my findings, so I can share some knowledge on how to deal with swelling in the feet and ankles after a lower leg tattoo. 

This might not happen to you at all. I have a small tattoo on my ankle from my 18th birthday. (Yes I got inked on my birthday and the studio sang to me too!) And from memory, it didn't swell much at all and I do not remember being in any particular discomfort during the healing. However, it was relatively small.  Especially compared to my newest piece, which covers 90% of my outer calf. 

TATTOOS: Dani Green guesting at Dragstrip Tattoo - and more new ink

I'm a little bit in love with Instagram for introducing and educating me on some new and amazing tattoo artists, especially after discovering the beautiful work and lovely lady that is Dani Green.

This lovely lass creates some of the most beautiful girls in her signature style and I love every single one of them. And she's only been tattooing for a year! This girl is a name for the future.