I've loved tattoos for as long as I can remember. Not only do I love them for the art aspect of them, but I've always been interested by how they act as a form of self-expression and storytelling tool. Then again, I can definitely think of tattoos that make me wonder if they have any special meaning. But you know what, if you want to get a tattoo of a zombie pizza character for the hell of it, then the more power to you. Personally, I have a soft spot for a tattoo with a story. I think it's so cool how we can find meaning or tell a very personal story with an image. Although quite simple, my tattoos both tie back to things that have a special meaning to me. What I also like about them is that they are in places that I'm not always showing off, which I feel makes them very personal to me.
My first tattoo: Poppies
I thought about this tattoo for well over a year. I had known for a while that I wanted poppies, but I hadn't decided on placement and on the style. Once I decided that I liked the rib/sideboob placement, I kept an inspiration photo on hand and looked back at it from time to time. After a year of seeing the inspiration pictures and still loving it, I booked my consult with Patrick Drouin at Living Colour here in Ottawa (Instagram: @patdrouintattoo). I was quite nervous since it was my first and I knew that the placement would make it super uncomfortable and painful. Pat was awesome about finding a way to cover me up, since I knew I'd have to be partially exposed. I was able to bring in my friend Sierra to hold my hand and he didn't laugh when I took out a stress ball to squeeze with my free hand. He was super patient with me when we had to replace the tattoo a third time, back to the first placement that turned out to look the best and was patient again when I asked him to go back and fill in the black in the poppy. He made my first tattoo a very positive experience and I am so beyond happy with the result. I got this tattoo on April 6th 2018. The feeling process went very well! One thing about this placement is that wearing a bra can be a little uncomfortable and itchy, and I had to out off working out for a little bit to avoid capturing the tattoo in a sweaty sports bra and stretching and pulling on the skin too much.
As mentioned on multiple occasions now, I come from a military family. Because of this, the poppy has been a strong symbol in my life for a long time. The poppy symbolizes many things from culture to culture, but in America and Europe it symbolizes remembrance for fallen soldiers during the first and second World War. I wanted a tattoo that tied back to my military family roots and I felt like the poppy was both a beautiful symbol for remembrance, but also honouring fallen soldiers, soldiers currently serving, and my own parents. It helps that it is a beautiful and unique flower. It is also placed close to my heart, which also played into the placement.
My second tattoo: Three triangles
I am normally someone who thinks things through for a very long time. This tattoo I maybe thought about for two weeks and decided to just go for it. I initially saw a fundraiser where a not for profit partnered with a local tattoo shop to do a day where they had a set of meaningful symbols for a set price where all of the revenue would go towards the not for profit. I loved the idea of this, since I had been itching for another tattoo and the price was right, plus it went towards a good cause. I then looked more into it and found out that 100$ would get me a tattoo the size of a toonie... I just couldn't see myself with something that tiny. At this point, I was really set on this design and it really resonated with me. After talking about it with a friend that was going to do the same event, we decided to go to her tattoo artist, James Knight at Silverline tattoo in Ottawa. James charged me 100$ and was able to do it the size I actually wanted. I had a vision of the triangles lining up with my shoulder blades, which would look really cool with nicely defined back muscles (which I had much more of back when I got it done, but working back towards it now!). I think James did an amazing job at getting the size I wanted and the lines are super crisp. The tattoo is centred and straight which is a huge relief. I definitely didn't think it would look as big and I do get my moments where I ask myself why I just went through with it, but at the end of the day I think it looks super cool and interesting. I do get a lot of questions about it. I was once asked if I was in a sorority and the tattoo was for "Tri Delta"... I didn't event think of that when I got it. But the triangles with the open ends mean:
"Past, Present, Future"
I like how this tattoo means such a big thing, but it's so simple. The way I see this is that the past is something that has shaped us to be two we are today, in the present. The past can leave it's mark and change our lives, but it's behind us. What we make of the present is what will impact our future and we have the power of taking the present and fully living in it and working hard to give ourselves the best future we can possibly get. The future is a mystery, but what we make of our past and what we do with our present will make the future that much better. That about sums up the lengthy explanation of why this symbol resonated with me.
I got this tattoo on February 16th 2019, meaning I got both within a year. They say that tattoos can be addicting and I have to say that it's kind of true. It's a really cool experience!
What's next?
I have an idea of what I would like next but I am in absolutely no rush to get it. The latin words "In amnia paratus", meaning "Ready for anything" really resonate with me and I would love this tattooed as reminder that I can take on anything that comes my way. I would love this in a delicate cursive font along the side of my wrist, but I am waiting it out. I don't see myself with too many tattoos, so I am pacing myself a little bit.
Do you have any tattoos? If not, would you want to get any? Let me know in the comments!