For those of you wondering why...?
(long, very detailed version)
The Beginning
I had been thinking of getting a tattoo for about 5 years. I'm not sure why I first starting wanting one. I think I just thought that they looked cool. When I was a freshman in college, my roommate and I actually went to a parlor and asked about the safety & health of tattooing. The place seemed clean and the staff member knowledgeable, so we asked about appointments. Luckily for us, the staff member said that we needed to find designs we liked, and then we could come and talk to someone. I think if this had been the kind of place that just slapped tattoos on, I could have a bad piece of flash now. Needless to say, neither I nor my roommate had any inspirations, so our tattoo quest ended there. For the next 4 years, I occasionally asked myself, "What design would you want on your body for the rest of your life?" It was a question I took very seriously and for a while, there didn't seem to be an answer.The Design
About a two years ago, I decided that I would like a Celtic knot. I actually went to the campus library and tried to find some examples, but they had a terrible selection, so I gave up for a while. I had begun liking Scottish Celtic tradition and history through the books of Diana Gabaldon. I am also 1/4 Irish, so I am connected to the Celts through blood. What appeals to me most about the knot is its representation of infinity, and the fact that it will be on my body for "eternity." I wanted to mark my body as a way to claim that for now it belongs to me, but to acknowledge that I will live a very short time compared to astronomical time scales. I didn't need the knot itself to mean something specific, and in my research I found that the knot originated in early Celtic texts, as a way of decorating borders of pages. Later, Christian Celts may have attached certain meanings to specific knots, and Clans claimed some to be their own. But, I went with the original notion that they represented infinity and were beautiful, nothing more. I specifically didn't heavily research the knot I finally chose, so I could develop my own meaning for it without already having a preconceived idea as to what it should mean to me.The actual catalyst for doing it now was a Henna-Mendi design I got around my navel. The design wasn't that exciting nor what I would want there forever, but I was amazed at how much I liked having it. Since it lasted a few weeks and I didn't get sick of it, I knew I was ready to get a real tattoo. I chose to get it done for my 23rd birthday. To me, this was start of many meaningless birthdays which was making me feel old and very mortal. It seemed to be the perfect time to get my infinity tattoo.
The Designing Process
The choice of knot was a little arbitrary. I wanted to have some part in designing, but I can't draw at all. I found some common round knots (thanks to my great friend, Kim) and I took them to my first appointment with Carlos at Agony and Ecstasy, on January 16, 1998. None of them were what I wanted, but I figured if he could play around with them and come up with ideas based on what I liked, I would know when I saw the knot I wanted. It took me a while to decide where to place it, which would affect its shape. I originally thought I wanted it on my bikini line, but I don't have a very flat stomach. It is also the most likely place I would gain weight. I briefly thought of putting it around my navel, but Carlos talked me out of that. He explained how far it had to be placed from the navel to be safe, and how big it would be to get the detail I wanted. I finally decided on my lower back. First, it was private. I wanted this tattoo for me, so I didn't want to put it on my more exposed parts. Second, it was a nice flat surface to work with. Third, it is one of the less likely places I will gain weight. After deciding on the placement, we found that a triangular shape would fit best. I left it up to Carlos to design. I also changed my mind about what color I wanted it. At first, I wanted it all black. But Carlos talked me out of it, explaining how black tats look good for a few years, but the ink eventually smears, and the knot isn't as sharp and defined. I agreed, and decided to get it done in my favorite colors, blue and green. I came back a week later to check the drawings. Unfortunately, none of them "clicked" with me, which was not Carlos's fault in any way. I simply had not given him enough to work with. The next day, I did some serious searching on the web and found the original design. After fiddling with it and coming up with the shortened version, I knew that was what I wanted. It was such a warm, comfortable, hey...that's it! feeling. I was so excited and I met with Carlos again that evening to show him what I wanted.The Tattoo
My appointment was now set for 4:00 p.m., Saturday, February 7,1998. I was excited all day, but not nervous. I was only allowed to bring one person, so I took along Kim. I was afraid my boyfriend would get bored and not be able to sit. Carlos's new artist, Kerry, was actually doing the tattoo. This was a last minute change, but I didn't mind. I had seen Kerry's portfolio and I really liked a Celtic knot she had done. Kerry and I talked for a few minutes about my colors and then she started setting up. That took about 15-30 minutes. And then it was time to start. I was shaved, dried, and the stencil applied, and then the work began. I had no idea what to expect, since I hadn't even seen a tattoo being done before. It hurt, but in a reasonable sort of way, and I knew that I would be able to handle it. I can't describe the pain, since I have never felt anything like it to compare it to. I was slightly uncomfortable the way I was sitting. I was hunched over, and the table was hitting me right in the knees. This made my feet fall asleep, which was not fun. I took a short break after the black was done and I walked around to get blood back moving in my feet. Then we started on the color. I think the outline and coloring hurt the same amount, but by the time we got to color, I was already sore, so this part seemed much more tedious. About 45 minutes into the color, I became dizzy, so we stopped and I sent Kim down to by me a soda. After a 5-10 minute break, we started again. I was a little disappointed that I felt faint (I've never fainted before), but it made sense that after an hour and a half, the endorphins and pain would start to get to me. The whole tattoo took about 2 hours to complete (with breaks) and is about 8 sq. in. Kerry did a beautiful job. The colors weren't exactly as I imaged. I had wanted a green, and Kerry had used an aqua. But it looks perfect with the colors Kerry chose, so I was happy.The tattoo cost $160, including a $20 deposit. They charge $100/hour, which is about what good artists charge.
As an aside--I have even more respect for Agony and Ecstasy because of their professionalism. I already knew that they are autoclave sterile and only use needles and ink once, but it goes beyond that. While I was being tattooed, 2 slightly drunk girls came in and wanted to be tattooed right then. Carlos explained to then that he only does custom work, and that they had to have some consultations to discuss ideas before he even begins designing. He refused to do the consultation then, saying they could call him the next day if they were serious. And Carlos was much more polite than I think I could have been. It just showed to me that Carlos is an artist, and not just out to make a buck.
Afterwards
The tattoo wasn't too painful after it was done. On the way home, I stopped at Target to buy some overalls. I was to wear them for 2 weeks, so waistbands wouldn't pull the scabs off early. While we were there, I noticed that something was dripping down my back. I assumed that it was sweat, since the tat was covered with a plastic bandage. Actually, it was blood. Four hours after, I took the bandage off, washed it, and put neosporin on it (with the help of my trusty boyfriend :P). For the next 3 days, I (ok, trusty boyfriend) put neosporin on it every 4 hours. Then I switched to lotion. To be on the safe side, I washed my hair before I showered so that the water wouldn't directly hit the tat. I also slept without a shirt (and on my stomach) and didn't put a blanket over it. This seemed to help, since I didn't have to peel any cloth off of it in the morning. For the first 4 days, the tat dripped color, mostly dark blue. When that stopped, the itching began. It was horrible and lasted 4 days. I wasn't allowed to scratch or I would pull some of the scabs off which would take color with them.It has now been two weeks, and the tat seems healed. I haven't had any regrets, but I have some weird moments. A few times, right before I fall asleep, I realize I have that tattoo on me for the rest of my life. I usually wake up then, scared and afraid I made a mistake. But then I look at it in the mirror and it is so perfect on my body. Getting a tattoo is definitely one of the most scary and wonderful things I have done.
May 5, 1998 Update. I got my tattoo touchup today. All and all, the process was much more annoying than I would have liked. Kerry has left Agony & Ecstasy due to some business disagreements. Carlos didn't want to do the touch-up since Kerry had done the original piece. So, I had to find Kerry, who currently is not working in a studio. She does have her equipment, including an autoclave, set up in her kitchen, so I went over to her house to get it done. It looked pretty sterile and my only concern was her two dogs. But, I really wanted to get it done, so I let her finish it. There were only a few tiny pieces that looked like they lost some color, but Kerry did all the dark blue highlight over. And it hurt much more than the first time. The touch-up took about 20 minutes, but it was well worth it. The tattoo has much more definition now. It is now the next day and it is already itching. I had been thinking about getting another tattoo, but I think I have gotten it out of my system for a while.
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