I got my first tattoo ever on my 18th birthday, 9 years ago. Since then, I have accumulated quite a few, nearly two full sleeves (that are so close to being done I can taste it). People aren’t lying when they say tattoos can get addictive, it’s true, at least for me. I’m always thinking about what I want next.
Living in one of the most tattooed cities in the U.S. is pretty awesome. As someone who grew up in the relatively conservative city of Dallas, moving to Austin was an obvious choice for me. Having a lot of tattoos can draw quite a few stares in a place like Dallas, but you will rarely get a double take in Austin. I am accepted here for who I am, instead of judged. Which is something I expected when I made my choice to get tattooed, but I didn’t realize that it might actually bother me. When it comes down to it, beneath all the tattoos, I’m a total goody-goody (I don’t even drink) — so hate on, haters… you don’t know me.
If you’re struggling with the decision to get tattooed or just looking for possible inspiration, here are some tattoos that I think are pretty cool. I’ve also included horrible photos of myself in sweatpants, awkwardly trying to show you my tattoos. Enjoy!
I know these are kind of blurry (not so blurry that you can’t see my sweatpants, bent over tummy roll!), so I’ll clear a few things up. Yes, I have a YOLO tattoo. I got it like 4 years ago, and if that makes me lame or a hipster, so be it. That thing on my left shoulder is a ham (yeah, a ham.. I love ham) and the tattoo at the top of my arm with the skunk says “Always Sleepy”… other than that one, I think they are pretty legible in these photos…but feel free to ask if you want to know what something is or just have any tattoo questions in general!
guest
I have one tattoo right now. I aspire to get two full sleeves – my right arm in a skeleton/muscle theme, and the left in gears, wires, and circuits. Both will meet right by my spine on my back and I haven’t decided what designs I will do for the vertebra
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I got my first one on my 19th birthday in July, its a very large, detailed raven with a quote from Edgar Allen Poe on my back as a tribute to my grandmother.
I have an appointment for my second one this Saturday, which will be a fairly large and detailed eye with a reflection of a city skyline on my thigh. This is to remind me to never give up on my dreams.
I will be setting up an appointment for my third on Saturday after my second one is finished. The third will be a bunch of monarch butterflies wrapping around my hip and back with the lyrics, “Don’t let yourself get in over your head”. The butterflies are for the ‘butterfly project’ on tumblr, which is when you draw a butterfly on yourself and you’re not supposed to cut yourself until it fades. I’ve been struggling with cutting for almost 9 years and an eating disorder for 2, so its a personal reminder to myself to take it easy and not ‘get in over my head’.
I love tattoos, but I don’t really like arm tattoos on girls, especially when they’re randomly spaced out. No offense, just my personal opinion – if you like it, more power to you!
I used to want a wrist tattoo, but I’m not sure what field I will be working in when I’m older and I don’t want my tattoos to prevent me from landing a good job.
sunflower / 306 posts
@SUPletstake___surveys@xanga - no offense taken. it’s a work in progress.
your ideas sound awesome!
cherry blossom / 44 posts
I love pics like these.
What are the dots on your fingers?
orchid / 106 posts
Ol’ sweat pants Katie.
sunflower / 306 posts
@Hello_Dearest@xanga - just dots!
a little decoration
sunflower / 306 posts
@leslie - yeah you know how i do.
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Yolo. Lol. Get “fish” on the other side.
guest
Why the dots on the fingers?
sunflower / 306 posts
@iKEEPiTCLEAN@xanga - just for decoration. there is no meaning behind it.
sunflower / 300 posts
My ex as four dots on one side of his nose and though I can’t pinpoint why, I think they’re fantastic. I love your dots, they fit so well.
I have seven tattoos and one scarification piece, but they’re usually covered if I’m wearing long sleeves or non-short shorts. People will always do the “what if you want a JOB someday?!” or “what if your skin is gross and old later in life?” to which I always reply that (1) my skin will be wrinkled and spotted anyway, who cares if it’s colorful and wrinkled? and (2) I have more than one job, several tattoos and blue hair. I think I’ll be okay. Fortunately, not everyone is required to go into a place of employment involving a banal dress code.
guest
I like how your arm tattoos are old school style. I personally like them but not on my I think I’ll end up with something more asian.
I really love tattoos that are represent NAs or remind me of NAs. I probably will never get on because I’m racially very very mixed and very little NA.
orchid / 205 posts
I like that Loteria sleeve- I would never think of that! I have my whole upper arm covered in CA poppy flowers and a big tree on my back. I’ve had them for 6 and 8 years respectively- hard to believe. I really want to get a tattoo for my son and one for the baby that’s on the way (probably a flower for each of them to stick with the nature theme I got going), but my husband HATES tattoos and asked me so sweetly not to get anymore. And since I really don’t ever want him to shave his facial hair, I figure that’s a compromise I can handle. But TOTALLY jealous of other peoples’ work!!! Especially living in San Francisco- you see some AMAZING tattoos.
guest
Your tattoos look so nice! I’m jealous. I really want some tattoos eventually.
orchid / 106 posts
@samescobar - I love it when people tell you what you should be worrying about, especially strangers. My evil aunts like to occasionally drop the subtle “You know those are permanent, right?”, in which I always reply with “WHY DIDN’T YOU TELL ME UNTIL NOOOOOOW!?!”.
guest
ahh! so much love for your tattoos. i like the vintage feel! and the hand tattoos are bad ass.i have no tattoos yet.. as i just turned 18 not too long ago, but i really want one. i’m just afraid that i won’t be able to get a job or whatever if my tattoos are too visible :/ ah well.
sunflower / 306 posts
@ValisatGlam@twitter - aww thanks!
orchid / 165 posts
you got YOLO on your arm/wrist.
are you fucking kidding me?
No offense, your tattooist/s didn’t do a great job at outlining and his/her colouring/shading in methods look too basic/flat. It’s your body, so i guess as long as you like them.
I love tattoos, if i could, i would get a full back, but i’ll probably end up with one on the shoulder blade. I’d like to get mine done by Horiyoshi III.
really digging the 3rd row 1st column though. Who’s the artist?
guest
really? tummy roll? no.
sunflower / 306 posts
@LeeKymKween@xanga - yeah i have a yolo tattoo… i mentioned it in the post… I’ve had it for over 4 years now, so it was way before all this crazy ‘yolo’ bs thats been talked about recently. so no, im not kidding. its there and i accept it.
I’ve had several different artist do my tattoos, so i really dont know which one you are saying is outlined poorly and flat. i do love all my tattoos and i get a lot of compliments usually, but i guess i appreciate your honestly. I cant expect to put these photos up and not have someone say something somewhat negative. we all have different tastes
Im not sure the artist of the tattoo in the gallery…maybe if you go to the source it will link you to an artist. Ill look around and get back to you on that.
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@LeeKymKween@xanga - http://thickerthanwatertattoo.com/artwork/2586972_richard_smith.html
cherry blossom / 27 posts
I am absolutely IN LOVE with the loteria cards tat in the gallery! such a cool idea and so well done! Brings back memories of my family and I playing for hours while reminiscing about the past and arguing over who gets the “prize” of about 67 cents in the middle of the table
orchid / 165 posts
@Wudjudo@xanga - ilupyu
guest
The roses on your upper right arm are BEAUTIFUL. Roses are a common tattoo for women who just want one for the hell of it, and they can be so poorly done and end up just looking like a scab (if done in typical red w/ green stem) but yours are quite unique. I like how big they are
daisy / 616 posts
These photos are awesome! I knew you had a lot of tattoos but seeing it in photos I totally get it now!
Which one was your first tattoo? I’ve always wanted a tattoo but I have serious commitment issues.
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<li class=”itemsubmitter”>@ChainBracelets@xanga that sounds pretty awesome! i just recently got tatted ( a henna design w. a lotus flower) on my right hip to my rear end.. its a bit painful which kinda scared me from getting some more [ i currently have 6] there are a few more I want.