Why on Earth do people get tattoos? Look at any rocker (or rapper for that matter) and they are inked branded and doodled on resembling 1970’s subway cars. You can spend more time reading people these days then speaking to them.
Most people will give you some bullshit ‘memorial’reason. I survived cancer, this is for my dead homie, this is a tribute to my dog.. and so on. Simply said there is nothing as personal as ink. Nothing. It’s not a haircut or a piercing you will NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN. Sure you can get it removed but your skin will never look right and yeah you can cover the ink of Jaggers balls but it will just end up looking like a cover up anyway.
You either ‘get it’ or you don’t. I am inked. Each tattoo has a story (not that I’m always willing to share) but I really love the art and the times they remind me of. I like the discomfort of a tattoo gun and the elation of it being over with. I love the gritty burly biker who does my work like a sibling and feel compelled to hug him when he ‘s done in some sort of torture survivors victory cling. We braved it- its bitchin’ lets wrap me in Saran Wrap and send me home.
My child is inked. At first I wasn’t keen on it but that changed. She’s smart- she’s successful and there is a shit load more important things I can fight about with her. She know the ramifications she knows the ‘stigma’ and she understands the permanence. Am I bad parent? Maybe, but then again who am I (or you) to judge? You will- that’s fine. Carry on.
Tattooing is rebellion. I am professional and I need to present as such in my day to day world. My wrist tattoos fit under cuff bracelets really well should I have to- and years ago I really had to. Tatts were trashy- they’re so mainstream now it’s almost a game to find someone without ink. I still live by the ‘there is a time and place for everything’ mentality and it’s the same for the kid. You use discretion (as with anything) but for the most part. I’m unhidden. I’m proud of my ‘Vegan’ ink. Every hand I shake every wave I give, every time I give someone the finger.. BAM a flash of what I believe.
Which leads me to this…why on Gods Earth would I get a retro Morrissey portrait right there on my forearm? Why? Simple. First and foremost I absolutely love this image. It has an old school sort of Navy look to it. Like some 40s sailor would be sporting it. I love the colors and I love the banner and well quite simply I love Morrissey for many reasons.
I love his mystery. I love his blunt viewpoints. I admire his longevity. These characteristics alone are reason enough. Let alone the amazing talent. Morrissey also holds a very important part of my heart. My obsession with him is new and I’m not so sure it’s just him I am enamored with or who (at times) represents. It’s difficult to explain, actually it’s impossible.
So the Magpie and I hit the tattoo shop full ready to ink our convictions. She opted for a quote from her favorite novel ‘Fight Club’, with ‘Nothing is Static’, placed below her silver wreath inspired by Conor Oberst’s “ We Are Nowhere and It’s Now”
Me? I slapped the Moz right above my Vegan pride. So, “Every hand I shake every wave I give, every time I give someone the finger.. BAM a flash of what I believe”
I believe in Morrissey- blame Iman