| At A Glance | |
| Author | Carrie |
| Contact | Carrie@bme.anon |
| When | A week ago |
| Studio | Asylum |
| Location | Bronx, NY |
When I saw them, I just didn't understand why someone would get one. And once I learned how they were done, I was grossed out. Needles were not my thing. The doctors hated to examine me, for when it came time for shots, I had to be restrained. Since I am a bit of a drama queen, I could only imagine a needle injecting ink into my skin over and over again. I would probably faint, or cry, or hurt someone.
All through high school, I didnt want one. I had a few piercings done, but nothing terribly unique(industrial, navel, ear projects) Once I was in college, my friend sent me a link to BME, When I started looking through the user galleries of tattoos, I started getting that itch. No, not painful, burning feminine itch, the itch for ink.
I knew I wanted the Triforce from Legend of Zelda. I had that one done on a whim, at a studio in the Village, NYC. The artist was friendly, but spent the entire time telling me how much he hated doing tribals. Since my triforce was flat black, I was kinda annoyed he felt the need to tell me all this. The place wasn't all that clean either. It was dark, so it was hard to tell. Also, I wasnt very comfortable with the place. The people up front were rude, but the artists were cool and funny.
But that tattoo didn't scratch the itch. I decided I wanted a fairy on my shoulder. I found a fairy in an Ann Brown gallery. I knew I didn't want to go back to the first studio. Not only did they over charge me, but i wasn't comfortable. I took a friends advice, and went to Asylum, which is right near my old high school. They had done a beautiful job on her, and a few others I knew. The location was a bit harder. I already had the 1.5 inch triforce in the center of my back. I decided on my shoulder blade. Then I would really have an angel/fairy on my shoulder.
I brought my fairy to the artist (im not quite sure of the spelling/correct saying of his name), who loved the desigin. It was "tight" :). He explained to me his vision for it, which I loved. He wanted to make it like she was sort of flying into a light. I wasn't sure what he meant, but he was so excited, I agreed. After he traced the picture, I settled down into a chair behind screens while he prepped. Very clean establishment. They know what their doing. The process was very different from my first one. This artist didn't talk my ear off (thank God), but asked me a few times if i was ok.
Of course the tat hurt. I sort of went into a trance and started at the mirrors reflecting the outside of the shop. I watched as old high school peers walked by. People I hated and people I knew by face passed. Parts of it hurt like hell. I didn't make any sounds, just blinked my eyes a lot. But over all, it was nice. Everyone who has been inked knows the feeling can be good. After about 55 minutes, he was all done. I figured It would look exactly like the picture. It would be plain, slight shading, and the like. But when i looked in the mirror, my jaw dropped open.
IT WAS BETTER! I wanted to cry, it was so beautiful. The shadeing, the colors, the shape. I was in shock. After he took pictures for his portfolio, I payed and went on my merry way.
I could not stop smiling. Anyone who lives in New York City knows that when you see a random person walking alone smiling, its a bit strange. But i was so happy, I didn't care. It's been about a week and I am more then satisfied. I love it like a child. In fact, I might marry it. Who knows. I plan on having my triforce added to. It looks plain compared to my beautiful fairy. I was thinking of a foresty-themed thing. So it would fit with the Legend of Zelda theme.
My parents were pretty cool with it. My mom cried, because the tattoo might show out of my wedding dress. Even though it wont be backless. My dad keeps calling me tatty.
If anyone is willing to go to the Bronx, Asylum on E. Tremont, near lehman high school, is spectacular. They take your own idea and make it better. My artist has a thick accent, blue eyes, and awesome sleeves done. Im not sure of his name, but he was just wonderful.