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My first tattoo

// June 2nd, 2010 // Life

Yesterday I got inked.

I have been thinking about getting a tattoo for a while and have gone through a few possible designs with the help of a crazy designer I know as I can’t really design for toffee.

One of the themes I was looking at was a totem pole design so I was researching what each head meant, what the creature stood for and how that would relate to me. While doing the research I started to see a style of artwork that caught my eye and I thought would make a good tattoo. This style was called Haida. It’s a very aboriginal or tribal style and was the style of North West American Native Indians.

There were various haida designs I could have chosen. I saw designs for various animals such as wolf, firebird, goose (was tempted with the goose as that’s my nickname at work) but the one that caught my eye was the Orca, or Killer Whale as most people know it.

Ever since my trip to Vancouver last year and going out to see Orca breeching, I have been in awe of these creatures and native indians also heald them in high regard as wise creatures. So, that sold me on the Orca design but which one.

There are several different styles of Haida Orca, some more realistic in shape than others, but the one that caught my eye was this one:

I liked the black and red colouring, and the shape and style would make a good tattoo design I thought.

So after making a few enquiries at a tattoo studio in Northwich, I got booked in and headed along yesterday. I will be honest to say that I was a bit nervous. Wondering if I was doing the right thing, would it look good, would everyone else like it etc etc, the usual doubts I assume. While waiting I suddenly thought to myself, “shut up, you like it, it will look good, stuff everyone else”. So my nerves went. Ace.

I had been told various things about the pain of getting a tattoo, and to be honest, it wasn’t half as bad as I thought it would be. The line work was just like something scratching the skin and wasn’t painful at all. The colour fill was a little more uncomfortable as it was covering a larger area, but as soon as the needles moved away what pain there was went. Now, I know it does depend on what part of the body is being tattooed, and I think the upper arm is one of the least painful, but it wasn’t bad. Certainly hasn’t put me off more, in fact I’ve got an idea for one already.

So, the tattoo was done, the cling film was put on it and I headed off to buy some nappy rash cream. Yep, nappy rash cream. Good for tattoos apparently and helps reduce scabbing.

I’m well happy with the result, and it looks like it’s healing well so in a few days time it will be sorted.

My thanks go to Lisa at Indigo Tattoo in Northwich for doing the tattoo. I will be back for more!