Living Outside The Lines: To Tattoo Or Not To Tattoo

Across the ocean in the good ole’ U.S. of A., it would be another decade before American soldiers began inking themselves for luck.

By, Becky J Miller

In 2015, the Huffington post shared a Nielsen poll indicating one in five Americans has a tattoo, and almost 90% of them have no regrets over the decision to permanently alter their bodies. While initially a member of the anti-tattoo camp, I officially switched sides 2011 with my first tattoo. Four more followed, with another awaiting the artist’s completion of the concept image.

Thanks to the Prince of Wales marking himself with a cross, the British had fully embraced self-branding as early as the 1860’s. Across the ocean in the good ole’ U.S. of A., it would be another decade before American soldiers began inking themselves for luck.

During the 19th century, tattoos were found mostly on men. However, Time.com reports that British Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s mother; Lady Randolph Church had a snake tattoo on her wrist that she covered with bracelets when necessary. #ohtheshame

Lady Randolph was not alone in her rebellion. According to New York World and the New York Historical Society, three-quarters of the fashionable ladies in New York City were inked during this time period. And here I thought women and tattoos was totally 21st century. #sillygirl

For anyone paying attention, it isn’t difficult to conclude tattoos have gone mainstream. According to theharrispoll.com 47% of Millennials (1981-1997) and 36% of Gen Xers (1965 – 1981) have at least one tattoo. By comparison, only 13% of Baby Boomers (1946 – 1964) and 10% of Matures (1945 and earlier) sport body ink. Millennials and Gen Xers are exponentially more likely to have multiple tattoos.

The reasons people get inked are as different as the tattoos themselves. Some individuals view their body as a blank canvas in need of decorating. For some each tattoo provides a narrative, a visual depiction of something meaningful. Choosing to get inked, or not to get inked, should be a personal decision made without outside influence.

Tattoos are fascinating; some the beauty of the art lies solely in the eyes of the inked, some I find downright frightening, some make me shake my head and wonder what folks were thinking, some have a “WOW!” factor, and some are intriguing. No matter what the finished product represents, or one’s personal opinion on the acceptability of tattoos, it is truly an art form.

From my perspective, any decent artist can paint on a flat, synthetic canvas, but a living, breathing, moving, canvas that oozes liquid while the artist works? That takes some serious skills. I can barely draw stick figures on paper much less an entire work of art on a live person!

The tattoo on my ribcage brought with it a whole new level of respect for tattoo artists. A human canvas can hold still when ink is applied to an arm, shoulder, foot or ankle, but the ribs protect the lungs, so a tattoo artist inking on that area of the body is drawing on a constantly moving surface. #impressive

For those contemplating a tattoo, know what you want and where you want it, but be open to the artist’ suggestions; after all, they ink for a living, so they have a good idea what will work and what won’t. For my ankle tattoo, I took in several versions of what I wanted and worked together with the artist on the final concept. However, the placement was at my insistence, I knew exactly where I wanted it.

Tattoos can be pricey, but let’s be honest; a cheap tattoo is liable to look, well, like you got it done in someone’s garage by his second cousin’s, uncle’s, best-friend’s brother. And who wants to live with that kind of mess on their body??

Best tattoo shop in San Marcos; definitely Classic Tattoo on North LBJ. Four of my tattoos were done there, two by an artist who goes by the moniker, Sox. My husband, daughter and youngest son have all gotten ink at Classic. Don’t expect to walk in and be seen immediately though, they stay busy. Stop by to visit with an artist, and plan to book for a later day or time.

Oh, and one last thing, for those with a low pain threshold, maybe tattoos are not for you, they definitely hurt!!!

Until Next Time,

Becky J Miller ~ Warrior Princess

Becky J Miller is a contributor and is exclusive to SM Corridor News. You can read more of Becky’s columns in Lifestyle.