Tattoos are very much like a can of Pringles “once you pop, you can’t stop”. I’ve heard myself say it many times already… ‘just one more’. Yep, that was about 4 tattoos ago… at least. I’m sure I’m not the only one out there with the same problem. But I am someone who doesn’t need another tattoo, until I stumble across THE ONE and have to have it!!! The mind races, the research broadens and the excitement builds. An intense desire to book the appointment and count down the days until the session hangs in the air. ‘Just one more’ is whispered quietly.
This was me, no hint of wanting another tattoo, until scrolling through an online book club one day, and it just hit me! Whilst killing time it too 0.2 of a second to comment “that would make a wicked tattoo!” This was the moment I once again repeated… ‘just one more.’
This tattoo has fast become one of my favourites. I love all my tattoos and have no regrets, but there is just something about this one that talks to me on so many levels. This is the story of my BOOK DRAGON.
Messages were sent, my appointment booked, and a design planned out. Though it was based on a screenshot of a poster, once again we personalised it to suit me specifically and the space on my body which it would be placed. Having it roughly drawn on in permanent marker gave me an idea of where it would sit, and how it would feel to wear it there for a few days until it washed off, this, I realised, only increased my excitement further.
I was more than ready for this tattoo by the time of my appointment, numbing gel applied and off I went. It didn’t take long to have the stencil applied due to our earlier preparations, within 15 minutes our colours were poured, and the gun had started. At this particular session I was under the gun for 5 hours, at which point, I was well and truly in shock. I was shivering with cold and tapped out. I couldn’t take any more even if I had to. It was at hour 5 that the decision was made that we would have to do it in 2 sessions, much to my disappointment in myself, it was the right decision to make.
Conversations during this tattoo reflected the strengthening connection between artist and canvas. We shared ideas, stories, and opinions. I left with a renewed passion for documenting my tattoo journeys and have completed several of them since then. By about hour 4, I had retreated mostly into my own head, or listening to Jenelle chat away, which by this time I had resorted to minimal words and sounds, at times retreating into the music.
I have my tattoo after care nailed now but remember that everybody’s skin is different and what works for me, may or may not work for you. Anti – bac soap each shower, the thinnest layer of Savlon/Bepanthen of a night and a thin layer of Paw Paw cream after the morning shower, and that’s it, right through until the scabbing has all finished and tattoo healed over. My colour is still vibrant, and especially the yellow, I’m impressed with how well that has stayed in.
The second session of my book dragon was in and out in like an hour, maybe just over, there were minimal details to be completed. Unfortunately, my mentality of ‘there isn’t much to do’ left me in an absolute world of pain. I didn’t use numbing gel, and this is the first time I had a couple of tears trickle down my cheek whilst under the gun.
But I can be super proud of the fact, that despite this immense pain, I didn’t flinch once!!
Once again, thank you Jenelle from The LaLoba Experience.
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