I suppose someone reading this blog would have a lot of questions, but the main one I could come up with was: Why do you care about the tattoo community or why are you interested? And my answer to this is: because I believe I am a part of it. While I don't have a sleeve, or even a half-sleeve, I do have two tattoos, and I plan on getting more. Since I am the creator of this blog and this project, I figured it would be fitting for me to post my own tattoo interview and pictures first. So, he it goes!
What are your tattoos?
-My tattoos are a key on my foot near and a white tattoo that says "beautiful" in cursive on my back in between my shoulder blades.
What prompted you to get this tattoo?
-My "beautiful" tattoo is a memorial tattoos in honor of my father who died in 2008. While my dad was alive he called me his "beautiful baby," which inspired my tattoo. Aside from that saying, I just felt like beautiful was a wonderfully positive thing I carry around with me for the rest of my life. My key tattoo was inspired by my "fake mom" and her love for keys. My fake sister, fake mom, and I were going to get a key tattooed on our ankles together, but fake mom changed her mind, so my fake sister and I did it together.
-The "beautiful" tattoo was inspired by my father and is in many way a memorial to him. My key tattoo reminds me that: 1) I always have the power to open doors in my life 2) I always have my family with me, wherever I go.
Do you regret getting a tattoo?
-Once in a great while, usually after I put on strappy heels, or I endure a particularly long and terrible winter I think, Damn, I wish I never got this tattoo on my foot, but then when the summer rolls around I get really excited about it and look forward to showing it off again. I have have regretted my white tattoo, and would venture to say I never will.
Do you feel like you are judged or excluded from activities because of your tattoo? Why or Why not?
- Very rarely I feel judged by strangers for my tattoo, but I feel the stigma of my tattoo from my family all the time. Usually when my little cousins ask me questions about them or when family members try to make fun of them.
Do you feel people with tattoos are generally accepted in this day and age? Why or why not?
-I strongly believe that tattoos are at least tolerated in most sectors of the population. Even though I believe this, I do acknowledge that there are some people who won't tolerate. I do have faith that they will become more and more accepted the older we get. All these opinions have been formed by articles and studies we've read in the Practice and Meanings of Tattoos class.
-I would say I would keep everything the same for my beautiful tattoo, but for my key tattoo, I wish I would have placed it on the inside of my ankle instead of the outside. But I must admit, I rarely ever have this feeling. And I think this feeling will go away after I get my key tattoo touched up again.
Do you plan on getting any more tattoos?
-Eventually, I would like to get more tattoos. I am currently keeping my eye out for a poem to get tattooed on my ribs. Most recently, I've been grappling with getting the word love tattooed on my wrist, but I'm waiting until I make a career choice before acting on that.
After searching through The Tattoo Encyclopedia, I have come to the conclusion that there are no entires for keys as a symbol.
