I have never really been a fan of tattoos. I have never understood why one would be willing to place something so permanent on one’s body when we, as people, are forever changing and evolving. Our tastes change, our interests change and our experiences are forever new, so why would one bound oneself to something as permanent as a tattoo? How many people with a tattoo look back and say, “I regret this tattoo, I wish I had waited instead of being so impulsive. If I could change it or even have it removed, I would do so in a heartbeat.” The possibility of regret later in life is all too real for me, especially considering I have my whole life ahead of me.
What I really do not understand is how one can simply browse through images on Google or even go to the tattoo shop and, without any thought or deliberation, select an image to place on their body forever. I once met someone who had not even reached the age of 25 and was already covered in tattoos, to the point where I wouldn’t have been surprised if he had no space left on his body for any more tattoos, except perhaps on his face. One of his many tattoos was a portrait of the fictional horror movie character, Chucky, on his hand. I thought to myself, why in the world would anyone do that?! It’s absurd! What is inspiring about Chucky of all things? To me the tattoo was nothing but stupid and actually quite ugly. Maybe someone else has a different point of view? Perhaps someone would consider having a portrait of Chucky on their hand for the rest of their life as the greatest piece of art in their existence? Who knows?
Lately, however, I feel as if my mind has been broadened and my views relaxed with regards to tattoos. I have begun to recognise that sometimes there can be value in tattoos, especially in those that tell a story, that are inspiring and most of all, that are tastefully done, aesthetically pleasing, if you will. Taking all of this into account, the permanence of a tattoo suddenly doesn’t seem all that much of an issue anymore. This has come about with my recent discovery of the television show LA Ink. As ironic as it may sound for an ‘anti-tattoo’ person like me, I have become completely obsessed with the show, and of course, with the gorgeous Kat von D. For the first time I have been able to actually appreciate the art of tattoos. So far, in my short existence on this earth, I have rarely seen tattoos that I consider tasteful, inspiring and actually beautiful. The number of tattoos I have seen and consider exquisite, could only be counted on one hand. Most tattoos that I have seen seem amateurish, as if they are out of a children’s colouring book. However, what the various tattoo artists on LA Ink are able produce is unbelievable. The precision, taste and talent these artists possess is unmistakably evident in the tattoos they bring into being.
So, it seems my views are changing. I am going from a view of ‘Tattoos are stupid and I will never get one’ to a view of ’I want to grow more, travel more and experience life more and then maybe, just maybe I will consider having a tattoo done’. If I do get to a point in my life such as the latter, I have decided that I will make a trip to the USA, travel around first (of course) and subsequently locate Kat von D to grant her the honour of completing my first tattoo ;)
