I know I’ve talked about it before but I don’t think I’ve ever covered the logistics.
Shall we then?
I’ve been wanting another tattoo for some time now and have toyed with a couple different ideas but never really fell in love with what I was thinking up or working on. You know, to have permanently attached to my skin.
on my back …
on my toe …
on my wrist …
I am not even kidding. There was this person who was male who was kind of a fling who ended up being a cousin’s husband. It’s kind of weird. And it was a bit of my first taste of freedom. Individualism. Rebellion. So I wrote a poem about my dreams and the trees and roots and then converted it into a rendition of this tattoo I couldn’t stop thinking about.
Then paid for a plane ticket to Washington State (I live in Michigan) to visit family but also cross the border into Canada (with a borrowed car, and an out of state license … and being young, wasn’t convincing to the border patrol) to get this tattoo and my tongue pierced.
I accomplished both and only hid my tongue from my parents successfully for a little while. The tattoo was out of the bag days after returning home. I like mutilation?? I love piercing’s. Always have.
Which is somehow surprising to me that I don’t even wear earrings anymore and all the holes in my face and mouth are otherwise closed. Body art has a completely different meaning to me now.
Maybe you don’t remember or weren’t on the other side of this screen when Naked On Paper launched a couple years ago. I’ve since stopped working with it (a pet project) and started writing most everything I yearned to write over there right here with you. But it is there, in the background. Nothing real pretty – but the words mean something. It wasn’t all me – the authors were some of you, anonymous friends or family. Folks who wanted to be heard or share their story, happiness, struggle. Thank you for that.
So now it’s time to get this new tattoo. All three of mine were created and inked in different states (or countries entirely – Canada, Florida and Michigan but I’d rather not go back to the Michigan parlor I went to) so I’d love a good recommendation if you have one.
What is it, you ask??
Ah, you’ll have to wait and see š
carissa at the crux in saugatuck. she’s great. can’t wait to see what it is! š
Kris took the words out of my fingers. Clarissa. Crux. She’s amazing.
Thank you Kris and Shana!! (Shana, hi! I’ve been going through old posts and love seeing your thoughts through out them :))
I would be lying if I said it hasn’t crossed my mind to pack up the kids and go on a little field trip to Saugatuck today. ha!
I was going to say carissa at the crux in saugatuck too š my ex-bro-in-law used to do some work with her. she is really good!
ps. I have been thinking about getting another one too. how funny that you would write about it and be headed on your way to doing it!
So, if you wait until I get this baby out of me, then I will totally go with you! I want one on my wrist but just need to get the design “just right”! But, if you can’t wait, then I will just live vicariously through you until later this Spring š I can’t wait to see what you’re going to get!!!
Awesome! Let me know where you end up going and how your experience is so that when I FINALLY decide where mine will be, I know where to go š
Wow! Carissa it is then! thank you š
Stacey – I can wait for your mister to be born and your life to allow for an afternoon away for tattoos. Let’s do it!
another vote for Carissa. her shop is tiny and nothing fancy (some people judge artists by their shop, so just sayin) but she is hands down the best artist in the area. i know several people that are very happy with her work, including me.
Dream also works there and is very talented and not quite as busy as Carissa, who usually has quite a long waiting list.