dynamaso

Join Date 09/2004

+69

Tattoos

You asked for 'em

I've got a thing for tattoos. I was told years ago, before I got my first, that I would either hate the process and never have another or love the process and want more. I am of the latter group. The problem is, like a lot of things, tattoos aren't cheap and I don't have as many as I'd like. But slowly, I am getting more.

For my birthday this year, my lovely wife bought me some time in the chair. I wrote a bit of a blog about the tattoist and how I'd be going back to him for my next one as well. A lot of you responded by asking me to post some photos of my tattoos. Well, here they are, in all their glory.

This is a tattoo I got about 13 years ago. It is of my own design and is a little bit like some Aboriginal art, although a lot of the imagery contained is more Celtic than anything else. The reasons I got a gecko are numerous. Chief among these is that it reminds me of my childhood, growing up in Malaysia (I spent 3 years living there as a young teenager). Geckos would come into my room at night and I can remember going to sleep watching these beautiful reptiles chasing mosquitos around the room. I always felt a sense of peace because of them.

This is the first star in a series of five stars I am having done to make up a stylised version of the Southern Cross. I had this one done while on holidays this year. This star is a personal choice. It represents, to me, my years as a rock musician and the fun and adventures music has given me over the years.

This is the second 'star' in the series. It is, for those who don't know, a compass rose. To me, it represents the make up of Australia's population, the fact that we come from all points of the compass. The tattoo actually looks a whole lot better than it does in this photo. Hope you all enjoy them.

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Woah they are really good Maso! I especially like the one you designed yourself. I wish I have even a little creative flair when it comes to art. Unfortunately I can even mess up stick people, which I do realise is a talent all on its own. I'm not really a huge fan of tats, basically because I am a big wimp, and I figure why put myself through the pain? Plus I know what I'm like, I could pick something, and hate it within a week, so I guess it's just not for me. At least I can still admire other peoples, and I am loving yours!

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Cool. I have several myself and yeah, it can be addictive.

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Unfortunately I can even mess up stick people, which I do realise is a talent all on its own. I'm not really a huge fan of tats, basically because I am a big wimp, and I figure why put myself through the pain? Plus I know what I'm like, I could pick something, and hate it within a week, so I guess it's just not for me. At least I can still admire other peoples, and I am loving yours!

I'm in the exact same boat with Sally. I love the pictures, and they're very, very cool looking. But I suck at drawing. it's not even funny. And I know that I'm fickle enough that I'd hate my tat the next day. Count me out

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Way cool! I like them, especially the stars. I fancy the tribal designs myself but no I don't have any! The last time I had the fake ones on my wrist the two were a tribal design.

On a side note, my oldest girl's nick name is Star and she has a lot of stuff that are star shaped. It's supposed to be her name when she becomes a famous singer!

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I have a friend who always pokes fun of my "cherry" skin. he's says I need a tat somewhere!
Different strokes for different folks I tell him.

Oh yeah, I like the star myself...

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#6 by Shovelheat
Tue, July 11, 2006 5:41 PM

[Shovelheat]
I have a friend who always pokes fun of my "cherry" skin. he's says I need a tat somewhere!
Different strokes for different folks I tell him.

Oh yeah, I like the star myself...

A biker without skin art? Is that even legal?

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I love the gecko!

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Sally,

I especially liked the one you designed yourself

Thanks, mate. Although this tattoo was my second, I consider it my first 'real' tattoo. The first tattoo I got was done by a very rough, half drunk biker. He and his mate were sitting drinking whiskey and telling each other, in very calm, mannered prose, how they'd beat up this guy or that guy or broken some other blokes legs. When the tattooist had finished with me and asked me to take a look and let him know if it is what I wanted, I was so shit-scared, I glanced at it and said it was perfect. It was anything but perfect.

I have to say I'm not a big fan of needles, not at all. But tattoos are something completely different. I really like the process and find it almost meditative. I can hardly wait for my next one. I do agree with you; if you're not sure about what you want, don't get it done.

MasonM,

It can be addictive

And unlike most addictions, the only side affect is a permanent reminder.

SanChonino,

I know that I'm fickle enough that I'd hate my tat the next day.

I quite literally carry the design around with me for about 6 months, usually in my wallet, just to get used to looking at it. If at any point I don't like it, I don't get it done.

Serenity,

Way cool! I like them, especially the stars

Why, thank you, ma'am. I've got a few more stars to go before the design is finished too. I've always liked stars as a design feature. Tribal designs are cool but there are so many with tribal tattoos these days, I don't find them as desirable anymore. Still, I imagine a tribal wrist band would be very nice.

I take it 'Star' is the daughter who just had her 17th birthday? Nice nickname. I hope she does find success with her singing.

Whip,

Love the lizard, man.

Thanks. So do I...

Shovel,
Yep, I agree. However, I don't like how some people make judgements based on appearances. I was talking to someone recently and he asked what I got for my birthday. When I said a tattoo, he laughed as he thought I was joking. When I said I was serious, he said he couldn't believe a 'person like me' would ever have tattoos. I asked him what he meant by 'a person like me' and he couldn't explain. I told him he should not be so hasty in making assumptions about 'people like me'.

MasonM,

A biker without skin art? Is that even legal?

I believe in some states, you can actually have your bike confiscated and given to a more deserving biker

Kelly,

I love the gecko

Thanks very much. As I said to Whip, so do I.

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I was so shit-scared, I glanced at it and said it was perfect. It was anything but perfect.

You see when I think of getting tats, that's the kind of scenario that pops into my head! Hehe!

I really like the process and find it almost meditative. I can hardly wait for my next one. I do agree with you; if you're not sure about what you want, don't get it done.

My Dads the same, he's got a few and he really enjoys the whole process. I think they are something I will just admire from afar though!

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hat's the kind of scenario that pops into my head

I related the story to Happy, the latest tattoist and he was aghast. He asked me why I didn't speak up and I explained to him that two bikers the size of small mountains would have rained down 12 different types of pain on me. I think he thought I was a wimp or something but then when I told him these guys were both wearing Gypsy Joker colours, he changed his mind and said it was probably just as well for me I didn't say anything. I felt like saying "No, you think?"

My Dads the same, he's got a few and he really enjoys the whole process

Ah, a fellow inkhead like me. At least you're not likely to make hasty judgements about those who have tattoos.

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So which one is the latest one?? Is it the compass rose? I dont know why i thought it was the first tatoo ever you were getting done, lol!

My best friend has a gecko on as well, it's more a polynesian design though, but really cute

I'd love to have my name in chinese tatooed between my shoulders along the spine, i wouldnt see it so i wouldnt get tired of it. But I dont think i'd handle the pain, lol! And being dark skinned doesnt help, i'm scared it'll just look ugly on me

So i'll think about it a little more.

But congrats on yours!!

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take it 'Star' is the daughter who just had her 17th birthday?

Yep. Thx for the good wishes.

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Nice tats, I actually like all of them, but I'm partial to geckos.

I think it's a pretty pleasurable experience, too. I'm looking forward to getting another one when Isabella is out of the oven.

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Em,

The latest is the compass rose. I am also thinking of getting another gecko tattoo, more lifelike and smaller, somewhere else. But I've first got to finish off the Southern Cross design.

Personally, I would never get anything tattooed on me that I couldn't read. Chinese characters look nice, sure, but they don't have any cultural significance to me. I'm big on making sure my tattoos mean a lot. I can't see the point of getting them, otherwise.

But congrats on yours

Thanks, mate.

Serenity,

Thx for the good wishes

If she needs any original music written for her, just let me know.

Tex,

Nice tats, I actually like all of them, but I'm partial to geckos

Thanks. Geckos are such wonderful, gentle creatures and so much better than any insect spray. Every home should have a few.

I'm looking forward to getting another one when Isabella is out of the oven

So, what are you thinking about getting?

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I like the last one best

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Champas,

Yeah, it is the latest one too. I like all my tattoos but I find that when I get a new one, it becomes my favourite.

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