Jenny's Amazing Peacock

Timing is everything when it comes to successful inkspotting. Luck is essential. The turning of one's head can result in missing an amazing tattoo.

Case in point:

I met Jenny and her friend Kate by chance coming out of the subway one day.

Jenny has six tattoos, including this phoenix on her left forearm:


But it was this peacock, further up her arm, that really amazed me:


Generally, the peacock represents self-worth and valuing oneself. In Jenny's words, more poignantly, "be happy with your feathers."


The peacock was tattooed by Poohki at Steady Tattoo in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The phoenix was inked by Trevor Kennedy at the same shop, although he now works in California.

Thanks to Jenny for sharing such wonderful tattoos with us here on Tattoosday!

Kate's Snakes

Although it was Jenny (here) who was visibly inked, Kate also had a tattoo, hidden from view.

So when I was done talking to Jenny, I asked Kate if she wanted to share, as well.

Kate unveiled this great tattoo on the lower portion of her back:


(A Tattoosday production note: I never solicit back tattoos but will happily feature them, when offered).

This piece consists of a couple of snakes consuming one another, a symbol of the circular cycle of life, death, and rebirth.

Or, in Kate's words, "what destroys us, sustains us".

This tattoo was inked at Twilight Tattoo in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Thanks to Kate for baring her back and sharing her snakes with us here on Tattoosday!

Update: "Anonymous" commented that this looked like the Auryn from The Neverending Story:



It certainly does! Thanks Anonymous!

design cherry tattoo and bird tattoo on the left upper back nice for women tattoo design

design cherry tattoo and bird tattoo on the left upper back nice for women tattoo design

cherry tattoo design and like this image place for girl foot tattoo design with cherry tattoo

cherry tattoo design and like this image place for girl foot tattoo design with cherry tattoo

There are several reasons why tattoos have become popular. In the past, the tattooing process was not very hygienic and often took place in a disreputable looking dive. One look at the stained needles and chain-smoking bearded tattoo johnny and most prospective customers run away. Now you have clean-cut tattoo artists in brightly lit studios doing the job. When you step in, you will see autoclaves and other gleaming pieces of technology for sterilizing the tattoo equipment. The artist appears thoroughly professional and uses new needles for each customer. The experience of getting a tattoo becomes indistinguishable from that of getting a hair cut or beauty makeover.

Are Sanskrit tattoo designs a recent Western phenomenon, or did the ancient Indians already have such tattoos? On the surface, it seems unlikely because Hinduism bans tattoos - much the same case as any other major religion, actually. But we also know that many other ancient cultures also made tattoos taboo - but they still infiltrated those societies. The Greeks, Romans, Japanese and Chinese come to mind. In addition, henna temporary tattoos have been a part of life in India and the Middle East for many centuries, often used by women during celebrations.

Austin's Sleeve Pays Tribute to His Grandmother

Austin was visiting New York when I stopped him on 7th Avenue right in front of the Fuse studio.

He offered up this sleeve on his left arm:


























This was inked by Amanda Grace at Truth and Triumph Tattoos. She now works at Smartbomb Tattoo. Both shops are in Dayton, Ohio.

The playing cards are a tribute to his grandmother, who was a card player. She also tended roses, so these flowers also pay homage to her.

Of the other elements, Austin says he just likes skulls, artistically. Also, the words "Never Again" are there to remind him to remain strong his sobriety, and not to go down that same road of dependency.

I appreciate Austin stopping and chatting with me, and thank him for his forthrightness, and for sharing his tattoos with us here on Tattoosday!