So I’m back, and committed to posting more entries. Seems when I wait to get a few thoughts together, I end up losing the first when the second or third one rolls in. So I’m going to try to just post when the thought hits.
Tattoos then. I kinda like them. On other people. I like good art and original content. It’s actually hard to imagine the folks who get them right without them. I’m sure there are many out there who flat out just don’t like tattoos, but I think most folks have at least a grudging fondness of them when done right.
What does “done right” look like? Well, I think they should look good. I’m fine with a tattoo making a statement, as long as it is done stylishly. If you’re just making a statement, with no desire to make it artful, why not just have a t-shirt made? Or hand out business cards? Or get a blog?
Big points for originality. Unfortunately, pretty much every tattoo out there started out as a unique design. Pity the poor unfortunate who originally came up with the barbed wire bicep. She (he?) probably thought that she had a cool tattoo – original, stylish, conversation-provoking – and actually did until her first day at the beach, after which 20 people got their barbed wire tattoo, and so on, and so on, until our originator was left not with a cool, unique tattoo, but with an “I did it first” story that turns out is much less cool.
Love great art. You know what I’m talking about. It’s multi-hued, mueseum-quality, draws the eye, tells an intricate, thought-provoking story (or maybe has multiple story lines), and reveals something of its owner that the viewer wouldn’t otherwise know. The owner may have intended a message, but a great tattoo lends itself to interpretation as well.
Less is more. I’m more intrigued by a few strategically-placed tattoos (large or small) than I am by sleeve or blanket tattoos. A little space here and there gives the viewer the opportunity to pause and reflect about each tattoo separately, kind of like reading a chapter or two of a book. You wouldn’t finish War and Peace in one sitting would you?
What am I not wild about? Well, if you’ve read this far you likely have guessed that tattoo clones, lousy art, and a completely covered body would be on that list. In addition, I’m not that fond of “in memory of” tattoos. Wouldn’t honoring them by carrying on their best attributes, donating to their favorite cause in their name, sharing with others that which you loved most about them be a better tribute? Sports tattoos are out. I love my favorite teams as much as anybody (maybe more), but attending games in person, having some memorabilia, and sticking with my team through thick and thin (no bandwagon jumper on here) seems more powerful. And memorializing a big win? The statute of limitations on wearing a championship team t-shirt is one season (maybe two if it’s your team’s first championship, they caught lightning in a bottle and likely won’t be back anytime soon). Big as it was in football history, I just can’t see having “Jets 16, Colts 7” tattooed to someone for life (though you can be certain somebody, or more likely multiple somebodies, do). If that score means nothing to you, well, there’s my point.
As for me, I’ve been tempted a time or two to get a tattoo. To design one that meets all the criteria I think are important. But what I find is, once I have an idea, something changes. I’m constantly learning, growing, thinking, and changing (as do my tastes), and there’s not a tattoo that does that. I’m content with enjoying the artwork of others and saving my political statements, deep thoughts, sports fandom, love stories and other random musings for that other semi-permanent interpersonal communication vehicle – the blog.
ottomyhead 