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The original image
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When people search for a tattoo design, it's not something to take lightly. It's something that's going to be imprinted on their bodies for the rest of their lives... usually. But how long does it take to find a satisfactory design? Some find theirs right away. I am not one of those people.
The idea of a tattoo had always disgusted me - it's how I was raised to think. The summer of 2007 brought lots of changes for me - some good, like making new friends and feeling accepted and somewhat normal for the first time in my life. Others weren't so good, such as fighting with my mother about aforementioned changes.
I decided that I wanted to do something big; something different, something that could signify me breaking free of my old, quiet, nearly nonexistant life. And yes, something to piss off my family a bit, but that was a very minor reason. I decided in July that I wanted a tattoo.
From the start, I knew I wanted a shamrock of some sort. I'm Irish, I've always loved the Irish culture, always had luck with finding four-leaf clovers (jinx, knock on wood) and shamrocks are just cool. I searched through July and August and still found nothing I really liked.
I also decided that I wanted a three-leaf clover, thus making my search harder, because honestly, who wants a three leaf clover? I decided on a three-leaf because of that very reason - everybody wants the lucky four-leaf clover. I wanted to be different, but also the same. When you're on the hunt for a four-leaf clover, it's common (not to mention frustrating) to find hundreds with just three leaves. But when it comes to tattoos, everyone wants what's hard to find.
I was suffering from boredom in August, so I started re-reading the Harry Potter books, which is something I've done every summer since middle school. It's a good thing I did get so bored as to read the series twice in one summer, because what I found will be with me forever... literally.
I'm American, so our books are illustrated by Mary Grandpre. Her art has fascinated me since I started reading the books. In chapter seven ("Bagman & Crouch") of "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire," the chapter art is of an Irish Quidditch supporter's hat. I looked at it, read a few more pages, then stopped. The proverbial lightbulb lit up, and I flipped back and stared. Yep, that's it.
Some people laugh when I tell them my tattoo design came from a chapter of Harry Potter. I don't care. It's my favorite series of books (and my favorite escape from reality), and has been since I was about eleven. I think if something means that much to you for that long, it'll stick with you forever. In my case, that couldn't be more true. ;)
After lots of careful Photoshopping, I knew exactly what I wanted. I found a nearby tattoo studio online, talked with the artist about what I wanted, and set up an appointment. On September 19, 2007, I got my first tattoo.
...and it's addictive. Anyone care to join "DarkSarcasm and the Quest for the Celtic Tree of Life?" ;)
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Photoshopped, colored, sized, tattooed, and in the process of healing. =)
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I can't wait to see your Tree of Life when you find it. I think that is an awesome tattoo idea.
It's funny because when I got my tattoo it was the complete opposite. I had kinda been saying to people that I wanted a tattoo, you know, some day. Then I was walking with a friend who has a lot of tattoos through Amsterdam and she said that she wanted to go meet a friend who is a tattoo-artist. So we were in his shop and I thought, hey, mights as well get my tattoo now. So I said I wanted flowers on my foot, didn't really know what exactly. So he drew some stuff and I said what I liked and what I didn't like and an hour later I walked out with my brandnew tattoo!
But I'm glad you were more responsable about it.. :)
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