Sunday, August 10, 2008

Swimming In Colour











My aquitaine buddy is finally done! After a long road of consulting, drawing, colouring and healing, this is where I'm at. He isn't generally on display, but has given rise to numerous questions which I'll attempt to answer for you here.

Why? I always loved the film images of the Samurai's wife, or Geisha, who when disrobing, revealed an astonishing artwork on her back. This image never left me, but for many years I thought it would be too extreme and only an option I would consider were I incarcerated for life. (For what I'm not sure, my imagination hadn't run that far.) But as I got older, I realised that I wasn't concerned with any connotations that having a piece like this might infer. Contrary to the popular getting a tattoo in a moment of teenage conformism, I've actually now chosen to have this done at a time in my life when so many people seem to regret their body art choices - after I had my children.

But won't you regret it one day? I guess there is always that possibility, but I doubt it. If I lived my life with the view that I may regret some of my choices in the future, I would feel that it was a life only half lived. I'd much rather be an octogenarian with a colourful past to look back on, than living to regret not having followed some of my more nontraditional ideas.

How did you choose the image? I worked hand in hand with my artist to develop this image, which leads me to a point I must make when posting this on the internet. Please people, do not steal other people's artwork. Admire and be inspired - then create your own version of wonderful. While the image itself has some significance for me, it is more overly that I consider it a beautiful image.

How much did it cost? Short answer - a lot. Let's just say that I was prepared to pay as much as was needed to to achieve what I wanted. Getting a tattoo is not an exercise in budgeting, and certainly not something you want to scrimp on.

Did it hurt? Yes, it does. It's not something unbearable and most of the time you are so used to it that you don't pay attention. The areas that are close to the bone, like my ribcage, did hurt quite a lot as I also had to hold my breath; and breathing is crucial to pain management. Most of the time, however, I spent chatting incessantly to Rob (my artist) about fashion, Japan, travel and Indiana Jones!

Who did this gorgeous piece?
My wonderful artist is Rob Abell at Dynamic Tattoo in Richmond, Melbourne. These are not the kind of guys you get to tattoo you on a whim, (not that you should EVER do that!) as they have a very long waiting list. The studio is a lovely, relaxing and beautifully decorated place that speaks to the quality of work that they do.

So, I think that just about covers it, but I'm sure there will still be questions. Don't be afraid to ask and I'll see if I can help. If you are thinking of getting a tattoo, read this excellent precursor by Gala Darling on How to get a Great Tattoo.


30 comments:

Imelda Matt - The Despotic Queen of Shoes said...

Mama it's beautiful, the orange is stunning. I'd rather live a full life with regrets than a life with no regrets.

Sheri said...

gorgeous tattoo hun. It suits you to a T - Love it!

Liv Bambola said...

The tattoo is immaculate. It is absolutely gorgeous. Great ideas behind it. :) I know you get tattoos for you, but I think it looks fantastic. x

WendyB said...

I'm not a tattoo person, but I think if you're going to get one, you should get a work of art like this. Very beautiful!

K.Line said...

Wow, it's awesome! Thanks for giving us the scoop on your methodology and reasoning. I love that you've undertaken this, in part, as an homage to the geisha image you've been so taken by for many years. I'm sure you will be very happy with it all your life.

What do your girls think?

Elle said...

I actually have a number of working/trainee tattoo artists attend my art school in order to hone to their art, and it most certianly is an art, though they work with paper in class! My art teacher however had a tattoo done by one of them and it is stunning piece of work, in the style of the old renaissance masters. Its a pity 'tattoo' only conjures ideas of bikers and drunken mistakes to most - as you clearly demonstrate they can be things of careful consideration and great beauty.

Penny said...

wow it looks fantastic!!!
i have been considering a tattoo for ages, something in the style of old paintings where they have peacocks and such

Elizabeth said...

It's beautiful work.

Shallow Coffee said...

Beautiful!

The Freelancer's FashionBlog said...

It really is very beautiful!

emily said...

it's absolutely gorgeous!

E. said...

This is so beautiful! And I think I know exactly what image you are referencing...

Anyway, I love your blog.

Rebecca, A Clothes Horse said...

I love it! And I love how you explained everything. I get questions about my tattoo all the time and it's quite frustrating some of the misconceptions--how it was an impulse, generic, a need to fit in, etc. I just love them. Yours is beautiful.

The Vintage Housewife... said...

HELLO SWEET KITTEN THAT PIECE IS ADORABLE...I LOVE LOVE LOVE YOUR BLOG{I JUST FOUND IT!} I AM A VINTAGE WEARIN' HONEY WHO LIVES HER VINTAGE LIFE WITH A SASSY STYLE AND ENJOY BEING A VINTAGE HOUSEWIFE... I LOVE MY TATOOS AND LOVE THAT THEY MAKE ME, ME!!! SWING BY MY PLACE SOMETIME...CAT~

Shady said...

Wow- it's stunning! Really really beautiful. I am in the process of finishing up a tat that covers about 1/3 of my back, I have one session left on that one, and ohhh there are some painful spots on the back! Can't wait til it's done so I can move on to the next ones :P (I'm an addict, I admit) But congrats on your exquisite tattoo, it's really really lovely, I can appreciate all the time and thought that went into it...

Anonymous said...

It's stunning. Good for you for planning it out and following through with it--I hope you enjoy it forever! Some people's tattoos leave me shaking my head, but yours is simply gorgeous.

Lil Midget said...

gorgeous tatt!

The Collector said...

Wow! An amazing piece of work. I'm actually a little lost for words... I wasn't expecting to open your blog and see something like this!

esme and the laneway said...

It is beautiful!

The Likkle Girl Who Wurves Pwetty Things said...

Phwoar, Mama! It's a very fine piece of work.
Are you planning your "add-ons" already? Tattoos are super addictive...x

Unknown said...

don't be so subtle - you know the ribs hurt like a mother effer and everyone should know that you are one tough cookie!!! and it looks gorgeous.

Anonymous said...

Dazzling. Magnificent. You sure did good, lady. And here's to informed, carefully planned tattooing!

Lady Melbourne said...

Ah I've been away too long!
It is so lovely, it doesn't look like a tatoo, rather like a beautiful piece of art projected onto your body. Have the little ones seen it? I'd love to know what they think, I'm sure they love it!
LM
x

Candice DeVille said...

Thank you to everyone for your lovely comments.

K.Line and Lady Melbourne: Yes the girls have seen it and love it. Miss 4 was concerned that something so beautiful might wash off, and was very relieved to find out it stays on.

Likkle girl: No, I'm not planning any add ons yet, but I did design it with that possibility in mind.

Danielle: Yeah, your right, the ribs did hurt like hell.

Mrs. Fox said...

Beautiful work! The shading is really very nice. I have a fox kabuki mask on my back. The itching nearly drove me mad when it was healing. Definitely, makes me think twice each time I consider more ink.

Kirstie Sequitin said...

it looks beautiful! well worth itl.

Anonymous said...

Wow Mama that looks amazing! I read somewhere that the side is the most painful place to get a tattoo, You must be one tough Mama!

Love, Betsy

Candice DeVille said...

Mrs Fox: I'd love to see a picture of that, it sounds lovely. I actually didn't have a problem with itching as I was given some great care tips. Basically you scrub it with a cloth under the hottest water you can stand, about 4 hours after the work. And then again like that everyday in the shower. It hurts like a bastard, but it works.
Betsy: It certainly wasn't all giggles. But so worth it.

Miss Cavendish said...

Really lovely!!! Your artist did a fantastic job and you certainly wear it well.

Georges Rouan said...

Gorgeous. great style.