Surprise! I'm a Tattooed Bride

Disclaimer to those who don't "approve" of tattoos: I am not asking for your approval; it is already permanently bonded to my skin, so your negative comments won't make a difference. To each their own. And didn't your mother ever tell you that if you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say it at all?! :)

source photography by Allebach Photography

Last week Miss Martini talked about tattoo cover ups. This is the opposite of a cover up. Mr. Sushi and I are actually found of tattoos. He and I both have a couple tattoos...till this past October when I finally decided to take the plunge and get a massive piece of art done.

I've been pondering the idea of getting a back piece for about 5 years now. When coincidentally one day in October, while waiting for my dad to stop by, I was looking up tattoo artists on the internet, specifically ones who do Japanese art from my local area. I had gotten a free magazine rack off of craigslist and my dad had brought over his trusty truck to help me pick it up. We get to Carlisle, where the magazine rack was waiting for me...only to see a tattoo shop with Japanese art all over the window. Coincidence? I think not. When I got home I emailed the guy who gave me the magazine rack and inquired about the tattoo shop. Apparently he lives above the shop and his landlord is the tattoo shop owner. AND there was an artist who works there that specializes in Japanese artwork. A week later I made an appointment and since then have had about 5 sessions.

Session 1: You can see my old stamp tramp here, soon it will be gone!

Session 2: added lots of flowers, started the cover up of my old tat

Session 3: added a cherry blossom tree behind the geisha girl and a few waterfalls

Session 4 & 5, starting to get some color
Art work done by Cooper from Visual Addiction

I still have a long way to go. You see that area on my left shoulder that's pretty un-inked right now? Well, eventually the temple that Mr. Sushi and I are getting married at will be placed there upon mountains. I thought it would be a nice way to memorate our wedding without putting names and dates on me permanently.

source The temple we're getting married at will eventually make it's way into my tattoo.

I should note that other than my brother, no family knows of my work in progress. A few family members will find out when they read this (love you, dad!) and the rest will probably find out when we're all strutin' around in our swim suits in Hawaii. Should be interesting!

On a different, but related note, after months and months of healing, I found that Gold Bond Ultimate Healing lotion has worked best for me during that yucky, peeling, itchy stage.

source

For all the girls who are inked, and proud of it, share your ink!