Suiren

I am planning to get something large (floral) on my back when I have the money so this will likely be worked into the new design. The Lanji measures a bit over 2 inches and a butterfly 1 1/2 inches. Most of my tattoos are fairly small tbh, but very simple designs. I wonder how they will age. There is more room between the lines though than with the Kanji, the first guy messed up big time there. Much thicker lines and less space than the original.

It really doesn't seem like a good idea to have the artist decide on everything. I'm so picky about what I want and the placement and draw my own ideas on paper and my body months before I decide I want to get the tattoo.

I have two older tattoos that are starting to look changed. The oldest one I already got touched up once in 2007 and it seems to actually fade less. The addition to it that I got in 2007 seems to lose color and the lines are blurry. The tattoos are on my lower back and not exposed to a lot of light, I wear sunscreen and I use coconut oil for moisturizing. If there is anything else I can do let me know. Is there a reason these are turning into mush now or is it normal after 8-10 years? I have no idea how tattoos are supposed to look after that much time ;). How often can they be touched up? I don't feel I need a touch up right this second but maybe in the future (or having this worked into another design). The Kanji lines are almost connecting. I'm also curious if the tattoo artist's skill determines how well a tattoo ages? The Kanji was not done well btw. so the artist that did the butterflys tried to fix it up as much as possible. Images show tattoo on the first day 2007 (don't have a better pic sorry), a close up and a normal shot now.

I think people that follow trends do so because they are not very creative either. They chose what is available, acceptable and easy to put together. Maybe that is why certain tattoos become so trendy. I agree that if one really really likes something trendy, regardless of a trend they should do it. I do wear my Goth, Vintage or Period Fashion as well as normal trends because I will wear whatever I like no matter if people think I'm shizophrenic :-). I'm always in this sort of dilemma...I listen to Black Metal, but sometimes Pop Music, so Metal friends will complain about Pop music and other friends about Metal...

I was kidding...and I don't really invoke demons :)

If that is a trend now it sucks for me because I have been into the occult since the early 90's :( I hate when people get occult symbols tattooed, yet they never even invoked a demon... Haha jk

That is funny! It reminds me of my neighbor who asked me if I don't think it is time to stop doing "this" now...she meant my facial piercings ;P

I have a pair of Hammer pants for lounging haha... Oh no, just wasn't sure if it was a misunderstanding :) I felt similar. When I was young I did not get tattoos becausr of things like work, relationships, and not knowing what design would really hold enough meaning for a lifetime. Now that I am older (and my life has been very eventful) I can think of a million things that have a deep meaning and am generally more sure of the art and committing. It is a process, with every piercing and every tattoo I felt more sure I want to keep going. Unlike a fad. I imagine some will get a tattoo without thinking, tire of it and move on. I know so many who got one or two trend tattoos or piercings and then nothing ever again. Piercings usually get ret retired. - - - Updated - - - Lettering maybe? It seems like the most common trend because it is neutral, can have a customized meaning...not too much of a commitment?

That is a reason I also find it hard to decide. Symbols like favorite cartoon characters can change over time. But I feel even my symbol as a mother could change so the only everlasting design I can think of really is script...^^ But I have some time to think about it. I have thought of working the script into a design that looks like a upper arm bangle/ cuff possibly or some sort of symbol.

True. I hope you understand that wasn't my question though or referring to me ^^ - - - Updated - - - My parents got more accepting over time I'd say. It is great you are trying to do it different!

Same here, but what I intended to ask was what others say too ;) I find it interesting how they view it.

I have thought about getting my son's name in theban font and incorporating some symbolism from the alphabet too. It is just an idea for now though.

Now that is really creative! Wow!

I can say a little more about this now. So far all of my tattoos have a similar style, meaning they are all rather minimalistic silhouette tattoos with just black ink. The reason for this is also because I worry about the tattoos harmonizing with each other. I don't think I could bear a watercolor style tattoo next to something old school for example ;). I have shyed away from colors so far because I wear a wide variety of colors and styles....all black one day and then florals and pink the next day. I do want something with color but I am thinking long and hard about what colors will match most looks. I also want colors that harmonize with my skin color ^^ which is probably a weird thing to consider? But I can go on and on about these things. They need to be perfect for me. I'm the type of person that if I wear mismatched colors or outfits, my day is ruined hahaha...I can not even handle wearing mismatched lounge clothing at home. I will change into something else... And I do know I will always try to balance out how many tattoos I have where...I am planning it like an architect. I did a fairly good job with my piercings. I was able to fit 5 on my face in one area ( nose, mouth ) and it still looks balanced...imho :D

It actually hurt so much I thought I could not get another tattoo if they all hurt this bad ;) But it is either pain or no tattoo lol.

I don't mind them saying this much ^^. It just surprises me. But you are right they are being confronted with my choices. It is a bit annoying though when they keep saying "you will NEVER stop"...:p They complain about my clothing all day long too (why do you always wear dresses). I shrug it off. Haha good thought. Maybe it really is reverse psychology. My first facial piercing was a nostril piercing and my father kept saying how ugly it is. He said the same thing about my Goth clothing many many years ago. In a way my parents are more accepting now lol. - - - Updated - - - Oh haha...I have hand tattoos and mostly bare arms too. The planned arm projects will be bigger and I need to save up for it. So I started out with hands and wrist ;). And they were some of my favorite areas. But I suppose my tattoos are not trendy enough for the trendsetters either. No exploiting birds or wrist tattoos reading "faith" :-) My early tattoo plans definitely included a tribal at the lower back but when they became trendy I switched to something Asian. Then Asian became trendy so I decided to get only one kanji (part of my name, I'm part Japanese) and ignore the trends. I think trends can inspire, as in give me new ideas but I definitely would not get something just for the trend. I doubt I come across as unsure. I see myself as the opposite, but maybe my parents disagree hahaha...

Something my father said made me wonder about if tattoos (or piercings) are generally seen as trendy or the opposite by people around you? My feeling was that having more than one is generally going against the mainstream. Most people still don't prefer to have tattoos or more obvious piercings (face), so I'd say it is not exactly trendy. BUT, when I got a few more tattoos and another lip piercing recently (so 5 facial piercings), my father exclaimed that I'm just "following trends" and will regret it in a few years when it is out of fashion:confused:... He said that to a 32 year old woman who has been committed to body modification since her teens, never retired a single piercing, keeps adding new ones and got her first tattoo 11 years ago. ( I should also mention I listen to Metal and Goth Music, dress weird, like occultism, I knit, I sew, do Medieval Reenactment...really not that much of a mainstream person. I really, really wonder why my parents feel that way.) So how is everyone else generally perceived? Trendy or against the mainstream? And who tells you this. What is your personal take? I can see how tattoos or piercings can be a trend but I think most really get it not caring about trends at all.

I like Rihanna's Isis and Maori Tattoo...the one behind the ear is okay but I think everything else seems randomly placed and so much of the same...she could have added a few bigger tattoos or something colored somewhere. She should have the money to see the best artists. But often to me it seems celebrities get low quality tattoos?

My son ( 3 1/2) likes my "pictures" but he is not fond of new plans at first because it is a change on his mommy. He likes them after though and asks me to get dinosaurs or other animals he likes ;). He also likes my piercings and he is growing his hair long because he likes to headbang :D I have an awesome kid.

Lower back was by far worst, followed by wrist which was bearable. Hands are hardly painful at all and I did not even feel a poke behind the ear. Really weird how different it can feel!

That is what I meant...I am looking for a new artist for the next project. No fixing old tattoos for now. :) But if I can dind someone decent in the area that would be best. I have never been to Paz Tattoo just in case there was a misunderstanding.

Thank you! I definitely will try to find someone else. The lines on my wrist aren't any better either...or maybe even the most scraggly. I posted pictures of the fresh vs. the healed tattoos here. They did look a bit better when freshly done. Especially the eye. http://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/blogs/suiren/415-symboldictionary.html And here they are "worn", from a distance they don't look too shabby (and with lotion and all ;) http://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/blogs/suiren/416-my-small-tattoos-fashion-photography.html I also got a recommendation for a tattoo artist nearby in Wiesbaden for lines, lettering, waterolor, delicate stuff. I think his work isn't bad but I see it with the eyes of someone unexperienced. I may be overlooking problems: Paztattoo Wiesbaden: Galerie Haut - Hautkunst From Argentina, trained in Miami.

Trying to incorporate them into my fashion blogging. Most fashion bloggers of course are not tattooed (or pierced) so I will see how readers will like it :p I think they go well with all my dark, gothy or nostalgic fashion posts as well as more modern stuff.

Small line tattoos that I got done 2014/ 2015. I was told the lines aren't the best, though the artist's work isn't bad. It seems straight lines plus difficult location like hands made this tricky. I'm okay with them not being perfect but I will have to find another artist (again...I have tried out three now) I am saving up for larger and colored tattoos but in the meantime I got these because I was very sure about the symbols. I have studied the occult and mysticism since I was a kid (32 now). Philosopher's Stone Formula (Alchemy) 1 month Notes: Sulfur (male principle, heat, dry), Salt (Spirit), Mercury (Female Principle, moist, cool) and on top the symbold for day/ purification. This is a reference to a transmutation of the spirit, purification of the soul, a higher conscience. Lorraine Cross (Hermeticism) Fresh 6 weeks Notes: Hermetic teachings are connected to Alchemy. This is a reference to the Hermetic Maxim "as above so below". Science and spirituality are one. Sun Notes: Gold in alchemy, male principle Moon Notes: Silver in Alchemy, female principle Eye of Horus 2 days old: 1 month [/img] Notes: Third eye reference. The third eye is important for intuition, conscience, seeing things clearly, all sorts of spiritual and magickal practices, psychic dreams and visions, seeing paranormal things like energy, "spirits" etc.... Geometric Triangle bangle and Anglo Saxon Runes 1 month / 7 months Anglo Saxon Runes, 3 months old From the Anglo Saxon Rune Poem. Nyd byþ nearu on breostan; weorþeþ hi þeah oft niþa bearnum to helpe and to hæle gehwæþre, gif hi his hlystaþ æror. Trouble is oppressive to the heart; yet often it proves a source of help and salvation to the children of men, to everyone who heeds it betimes. Also the rune Naudhiz: Nauthiz – Rune Meaning Analysis | Rune Secrets I also got a tree of life tattoo done, but I will have to get a better picture of it. Edit: I added a picture of the tree. I drew it myself and the artist made it look better ;-) In Alchemy a tree of life is often shown with a moon on the left and a sun on the right. But the tree of life is also common in Norse and Turkic (Mongol) Mythology.

The bird really is unique! :D