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.

Can you tell what it is yet?

Ever since I was little I joked about getting my birthmarks numbered–that I was one big connect-the-dots tattoo that made a “me”.

This tattoo is part of “The Stalking and Murdering of a Childhood Giraffe Project” (full explanation of the art project is HERE.) It’s an extremely visible invisible tattoo and Dave C. Wallin (Tattoo Culture, Williamsburg, NY – more) did an AMAZING job considering how small the numbers had to be. Pretty sure I’m not the first person in the universe to come up with this idea (ROO: Nope, you may have been the first though!), but I’ve yet to see another connect-the-dots tattoo.

The design was based on a really geometric giraffe drawing I once saw (if anyone can find the name of the original artist I would be super appreciative!), but I modified it to have spots and be even more box-like. I love this tattoo so much.. which makes it hard to walk down the street without staring at my own calf.

Colleen AF Venable.

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If you’re wondering what the scrapes on her leg are from, she fell off a step tool and caught it on a printing press on the way down. Bless.

DivX download link for BME members: Extreme2 or Full members

Photos by dollomite and many thanks to Brandon for the red-hot tip!

Comments

75 responses to “Can you tell what it is yet?”

  1. The Lizardman Avatar

    I cautiously disagree Max, not only because you can’t be certain unless you are a future seeing witch but also because I have seen WWII tattoos with equally or smaller numbering and lettering hold up well. Sure, there will likely be some unavoidable degradation as her skin ages but if she takes proper care of it, it can last. The onus is on her now to care for her skin and hope for the best since it does seem the tattoo was executed with reasonable technical skill.

    If you want to play odds then yes, this tattoo probably has worse odds than others due to the size of the numbers but nothing is certain

  2. RooRaaah Crumbs Avatar

    I think the “problem” I have is I’m an incurable optimist 🙂

  3. RooRaaah Crumbs Avatar

    I think the “problem” I have is I’m an incurable optimist 🙂

  4. RooRaaah Crumbs Avatar

    I think the “problem” I have is I’m an incurable optimist 🙂

  5. Squig Avatar

    beautiful! all the best for her decades to come! if it doesnt laste, then i see a huge leg piece coming on 😀

  6. Squig Avatar

    beautiful! all the best for her decades to come! if it doesnt laste, then i see a huge leg piece coming on 😀

  7. Squig Avatar

    beautiful! all the best for her decades to come! if it doesnt laste, then i see a huge leg piece coming on 😀

  8. Emily Avatar
    Emily

    I saw this on cuteoverload.com heh.

  9. Emily Avatar
    Emily

    I saw this on cuteoverload.com heh.

  10. Emily Avatar
    Emily

    I saw this on cuteoverload.com heh.

  11. noise Avatar
    noise

    Жираф большой, ему видней! 🙂
    anyway. nice russian song.

  12. noise Avatar
    noise

    Жираф большой, ему видней! 🙂
    anyway. nice russian song.

  13. noise Avatar
    noise

    Жираф большой, ему видней! 🙂
    anyway. nice russian song.

  14. CrimShuffle Avatar

    I really really really like this tattoo. Such a rad idea and use of space

  15. CrimShuffle Avatar

    I really really really like this tattoo. Such a rad idea and use of space

  16. CrimShuffle Avatar

    I really really really like this tattoo. Such a rad idea and use of space

  17. Emaline Avatar

    I am going to echo what someone else has already said, but hasn’t this been posted before? I swear I have seen it before. It was recently posted on a board I posted on, and even then I thought I saw it before, and could have sworn it was on here.

    Nonetheless, cute tattoo/girl.

  18. Emaline Avatar

    I am going to echo what someone else has already said, but hasn’t this been posted before? I swear I have seen it before. It was recently posted on a board I posted on, and even then I thought I saw it before, and could have sworn it was on here.

    Nonetheless, cute tattoo/girl.

  19. Emaline Avatar

    I am going to echo what someone else has already said, but hasn’t this been posted before? I swear I have seen it before. It was recently posted on a board I posted on, and even then I thought I saw it before, and could have sworn it was on here.

    Nonetheless, cute tattoo/girl.

  20. echo Avatar

    haha i do this with my freckles all the time, i dig it totally, but i cant stand leg tattoos, as a leg man, i like looking at them unobstructed :p

    good luck!

  21. echo Avatar

    haha i do this with my freckles all the time, i dig it totally, but i cant stand leg tattoos, as a leg man, i like looking at them unobstructed :p

    good luck!

  22. echo Avatar

    haha i do this with my freckles all the time, i dig it totally, but i cant stand leg tattoos, as a leg man, i like looking at them unobstructed :p

    good luck!

  23. Max Brand Avatar

    good call Squig….at least it will be easy to cover….and I totally respect your response Lizardman….we are all experienced, but obviously no two peoples experiences are the same….

  24. Max Brand Avatar

    good call Squig….at least it will be easy to cover….and I totally respect your response Lizardman….we are all experienced, but obviously no two peoples experiences are the same….

  25. Max Brand Avatar

    good call Squig….at least it will be easy to cover….and I totally respect your response Lizardman….we are all experienced, but obviously no two peoples experiences are the same….

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