A black-and-white photo of a person mid-air in a Superman-style body suspension pose, supported by multiple hooks in their back and legs, smiling joyfully toward the camera. They are suspended horizontally in a large indoor space with high ceilings and visible rigging. A group of onlookers—some seated, some standing—watch with expressions of admiration, amusement, and support. The atmosphere is lively and communal, capturing a moment of shared experience and transformation.

Happy Birthday Mommy!

I hope people have a little more sense about this post than the analogous entry about the six-year old tattoo artist. Personally I agree that having your child’s artwork permanently made a part of your life is a wonderful way to hold onto a timeperiod that’s all too fleeting… And maybe will help you deal with them when they’re miserable teenagers, ha!

tattoo-by-lilly-1.jpg

Anyway, Spiderlilly‘s daughter gave her a little self-portrait tattoo for her birthday, with some help from the folks at Suffer City Tattoo in Dallas, Texas. Too cute!

tattoo-by-lilly-2.jpg

Comments

89 responses to “Happy Birthday Mommy!”

  1. Niklas Avatar

    OMG! Cutest thing ever, that’s so freaking smart.. If I ever get a kid she/he’ll deffinatly get to tatoo me ;D

  2. Holly Avatar

    Awesome. But if any future kids of mine take after me they will be far too cack-handed and clumsy to tattoo me without gouging their own eyes out or something.

    I also loved some posts ages back of parents getting their kids’ drawings tattooed on them.

  3. Giles Avatar

    I would be happy to have one of my drawings tattooed onto me but there is no way I would have her do it.

    Cute as I’m sure it is tattoos should really be done by professionals with many years experience and understanding of the art, not minors.

  4. SidxDeadGod Avatar
    SidxDeadGod

    Awww that is so cute.
    I’d be so down for letting my daughter tattoo me, it would be awesome =]

  5. Hayduke Avatar
    Hayduke

    And another tattooist is born… good for her!

  6. ChillyMama Avatar

    I’m with Giles. I have art my (now passed on) nephew drew for me tattooed on my ankle, which I love and adore all the more because he’s gone from my life now. But there’s no way I would’ve let the little bugger ink it on me! Crikey, the kid could barely hold still long enough to get his picture taken. Put a tat gun in his hand? Hell no. Ouch. O_o

  7. Shannon Avatar

    Giles – I think there are very solid arguments for both. Obviously having the tattoo artist do a child’s drawing is the best way to preserve the specifics of the image.

    However, having the child do the tattoo is something more, something ritualistic I suppose, because it creates an integrated experience where the art, the relationship, and the process are all wrapped up in one — it may well be more memorable. Also, if the family lives in a tattoo studio lifestyle (which I believe is the case here), there’s a relevance to it as well on that level.

  8. snaps Avatar
    snaps

    they are the cutest mother/daughter ever! that tat will definitly help for when she’s 13.. nothing is worse than a 13 year old girl

  9. Anji Avatar

    That’s just super-cute. I already plan to have one of my son’s drawings tattooed on me, once he’s past the scribble stage. ;oP Not sure I’d let him do it, because I’m a real wuss when I get tattooed and I wouldn’t want him to see me being a crybaby!

  10. batt Avatar

    o wow! how cute!!!!`

  11. Giles Avatar

    Shannon – I agree having my daughter do it would be a perfect lasting bond (not that we need one) but she could just as easily draw on my arm with a hectograph pen and then me get an artist simply to go over her work.
    Having her actually hold the machine puts a large risk of her being unable to control it in the same way she would a pen, also any mistakes cannot simply be rubbed out.
    Whilst clearly there is no harm taking place here at all the tattooing industry may wish to disassociate itself from the idea of minors using their machines in such a fashion. For the casual observer this could present a huge moral dilemma, having a minor practice something they legally cannot have done to themselves.
    Its a an area where obviously nothing ethically ‘wrong’ is taking place but something that industry legislators would frown upon.

  12. Heron Avatar
    Heron

    It was rather disparaging reading some of the comments posted on the other article about the 6 year old artist. I see nothing wrong with having a child execute or help to execute such an endeavor. Indeed, it is a ritual of capturing the moment and the meaning of the endeavor, and not so much about such modern preoccupations as having a “perfect” tattoo. I found it not only short sighted but typical of those in western society to pass such inane yet self-aggrandizing judgment. My heart and respect goes out to all these families who have explored such avenues of expression.

  13. Giles Avatar

    Good use of the term “self-aggrandizing” there Heron 🙂

  14. Heron Avatar
    Heron

    I do agree with you on some of the points you had made Giles. I would be more concerned for my son’s well being, if he were to be doing a piece on me, then say obviously an adult artist, but other than that,if he made a mistake, I would merely take it as part of the experience. It is an interest topic, and something atypical for certain. It does lend a new dynamic to the ritual!!!!!!:-)

  15. jesse Avatar
    jesse

    ok, that like…. melts my heart, that’s sooooo sweet.

  16. Cristal Avatar
    Cristal

    Also keep in mind that the artist is holding her hand during the process of it.

    So its not like she’s doing it completely by herself

  17. mariess Avatar

    i dont se any big deal letting a kid use a tattoo gun, she is being helped by a professional guiding her and its in a safe place, i just think its really sweet..

  18. sublimerotica Avatar
    sublimerotica

    That’s adorable 🙁

  19. Shannon Avatar

    Giles – If you look at the pictures you’ll note that Lilly is being assisted with the tattoo machine.

  20. Jason Avatar
    Jason

    I’d be more worried about letting the daughter see this blog than letting her do the tattoo.

    And does anyone else think the mother looks like the chick from Myth Busters, especially in the bottom picture?

  21. Vegas Avatar
    Vegas

    she kinda does jason, i can see where your getting that from. but i can point out more differences than similarities.

    but one of the main things they have in common, is that there both amazing looking, and i think carrie (sp?) has tattoos too. but none of them are by her daughter if she even has one.

    btw spiderlilly, we have the same hair color, faded red dye lol.

  22. MoonChild Avatar
    MoonChild

    That’s awesome. I have no rpoblem with this because she is being assitsed… I’d do this if I had a kid and I had a chance… infact, I will if I get a chance. I also think it’s sweet and memorable.

    Infact this is awesome. 🙂

    Oh… I would have been the prouest person if I could have done this on one of my parents.

    My husband agrees…

  23. bohemian1 Avatar
    bohemian1

    That is absolutely beautiful. I love the picture of mom and daughter.

  24. xPUREx Avatar

    I dunno, the line work looks a little shaky, honestly. Can i ask how much she charged for that?

  25. pending Avatar
    pending

    what an adorable kid!

  26. Joanna Avatar
    Joanna

    wooooow thats amazing and CUTE

  27. possessed Avatar

    That is so cute 🙂 And I love the little girl’s glasses! They look so grown-up for such a little person!

  28. greendayfan333 Avatar
    greendayfan333

    That’s adorable 😀

  29. Jenna Avatar
    Jenna

    Shes so cute she looks like little miss sunshine 🙂

  30. Electrocat Avatar
    Electrocat

    How cute!

  31. Wybe Avatar

    Aww, that is so sweet.

  32. akasha Avatar
    akasha

    @ 30
    this was also my first thought… that´s little miss sunshine … 😉

  33. meaghan Avatar
    meaghan

    that is so sweet… my 2 year old cousin LOVES my tattoos; I would definitely let her help me out with one when she’s a bit older 🙂

  34. Violentjayne Avatar
    Violentjayne

    # 30 I was gonna say the same thing ! she does look just like lil miss sunshine ! too too cute ! I love the idea behind this and im sure they will both remember this forever !

  35. Evan Avatar
    Evan

    ITS LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE!

  36. Aaron Avatar

    It’d be nice if people didn’t shit up this thread like the last two involving child-parent tattooing with derogatory comments.
    The kid is being assisted so it’s not like they just gave her the tattoo gun and let her go ape shit on her mom’s arm.

    I think it’s really sweet. Who cares if the tattoo isn’t professional looking.
    I’d love to have my future son/daughter tattoo me.

  37. paleblue Avatar

    I’m not sure what difference it makes to have a child’s design tattooed on you by a professional, or a child tattooing their design on your under the supervision of a professional. Either way you are going to have an admittedly crappy-looking tattoo that nonetheless will be a wonderful reminder of a transient period in both your lives that is worth holding onto.

  38. paleblue Avatar

    Oh, and she looks like Kari Byron in the bottom right picture. *fap*

  39. JustJen Avatar
    JustJen

    Very cute mother and daughter!
    🙂

  40. cuntcumber Avatar

    I dislike children, but I have absolutely no problem with this. It is your child’s art, being done by them.

    What is the potential harm? That you don’t like the art? If you’re having your child tattoo you, I doubt you’re going to dislike the art.
    That they’ll mess up? How the hell could you tell? (plus, they’re a kid; they don’t care)

    People bring their CHILDREN to shoot firearms with them all the time. I know of people who have PURCHASED firearms for their 12 year olds.

    Now that I can see the danger in. Letting your kid make their art a permanent part of you? Not so much.

  41. rori Avatar

    i love that skull she has above the child’s tattoo. seems like a fun experience.

  42. Snap Dragon Avatar

    I remember meeting that little girl when she was about 1 year old. She has been around tattooing all of her life, her father is even an artist.
    I don’t see anything wrong with this at all.
    I think this is a beautifully priceless moment that has been shared between a daughter and mother.

    I think a lot of people have really been trying to find things to talk shit about on here lately and it’s pretty sickening to be honest.
    I will admit there are a lot of things on Modblog that I don’t necessarily agree with, but I owe it to myself to try to keep my mind open and to try to see things from others point of view.
    How could I even think I have a say in what other people are doing when there is no harm being done from the outcome.

  43. Nivek Avatar
    Nivek

    I hate kids so hard, but oh god, she is the cutest in the world!

  44. melsgam Avatar

    i agree with snap dragon. some people don’t find thsi weird she’s been around it all her life

    ie- i could use a hammer and nails when i was her age– but obviously my dad didn’t let me do it alone, he helped me. All my family members are carpenters so I was around it a lot and got good at it. She’s use to being around tattoos and the shop and the lifestyle.

    I think this is really cute 🙂 i love this child tattooing adult idea a lot. So long as the piercer is helping her along i see no harm being done.

  45. Uraniumhobo Avatar

    i love ssing these articles, when i have a id i want a half leg sleeve drawn by my kids, is it stupid and irresponsible to me no, but it might be, would i love it, with all my heart an tahts what truely counts, which is why these people get the tattoos too, and having there kid do it as wel is also such a sweet sentiment. argue about i all you want, she doesnt look like she didnt want to tattoo mommy lol and more power to her.

  46. CC Avatar
    CC

    Personally, I wouldn’t let my (hypothetical) child tattoo me. It’s just something I don’t find ethical, and I can see where people find it endearing-it IS sweet-but I wouldn’t want my own child to be allowed to hold and handle that equipment. A drawing that they’d drawn and then tattooed by a professional, yes.
    I don’t have any children though, which might be why I’m so against it – you don’t understand the joys of having kids til you have your own.

  47. TOflat Avatar
    TOflat

    One of my fondest dreams would be to start a family, especially have a daughter. At an age where she could understand what she’s doing, I’d love for her to either tattoo me, or draw something to be tattood on me. That is super cute and anyone who has anything negative to say about that must have more brain than heart.

  48. herekittykitty Avatar
    herekittykitty

    Adorable! And I agree with the above post 100%.

  49. Ward. Avatar

    Thats possibly the coolest thing I’ve ever seen on mod blog.

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