Thursday, February 14th, 2008...7:23 pm
Tattoo Update
The parrot I had applied to my arm at a local tattoo parlor on Monday was lacking a bit of habitat, so this afternoon I returned to the shop, where the well tattooed and pierced fellows greeted me warmly.
I explained I was looking for an addition of some vegetation, and within minutes Filipe decided that a couple flower blossoms below the parrot and some bamboo around it would be appropriate. He found some flowers in one of his gallery catalogs he suggested would be appropriate, as well as some bamboo, and asked what I thought. I told him I liked the flowers and the idea of some bamboo.
He seated me in a chair, traced the picture of the flowers onto tracing paper, laid the tracing paper onto carbon paper, traced the flowers onto the tracing paper, slathered my arm down with deodorant, laid the tracing paper on my arm, rubbed it a bit, and carefully removed the tracing paper, leaving a blue ink outline of the flowers.
He took all of the sanitary precautions, arrayed about seven bottles of different colored inks and the little plastic caps into which he would put each color, donned his latex gloves, and to work he went. Everything the artists touch during the tattooing process are grabbed with a fresh paper towel so their gloves do not come into contact with anything that will be used on another customer. The leads from the machine which generates the vibration which moves the needle up and down are covered in plastic, disposable needles are used, and the needle holders are also disposable.
During the entire procedure, just as on Monday, there played electronic music with a driving beat. Felipe seemed to move to the beat of the music. First outlining the flowers then free-handing the bamboo stems and then filling in the various colors. The guy is an amazing artist.
So here is the finished product. You may see the parrot sans habitat below.
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8 Comments
February 15th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous. The new inks don’t fade like the old ones so it will look great for a long time. I never got a tattoo because I think they are like potato chips, no one ever stops at just one.So are you going to become the illustrated man?
regards,
Theresa
February 15th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
Hi Theresa,
I’m so glad to hear you like it.
I’ve never heard the potato chip analogy, but have to admit that I’ve already been thinking about the other arm.
I don’t have plans to become the “illustrated man” but I do get a kick out of the process and the folks at the parlor. The artists there are really talented. I gave them a general idea of what I was thinking, they went with it, and did a wonderful job. The parrot was applied by one of the fellows and the habitat by another.
I think I’ll spend some time getting used to what’s been applied so far and see what develops.
Saludos a todos.
February 15th, 2008 at 8:35 pm
Theresa,
I have also thought about some mountains with a setting sun in the distance behind the parrot.
February 17th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
The reason you never heard that analogy before is that I just made it up. I used to work with a guy who had a tattoo that he added to as money permitted. It was a vine, I can’t remember much else about it, but he had a master plan, but only so much money.
I guess, a poll is in order, or more research, but who knows. At least now you have something to put in the space on your FM3 and passport where they ask about scars and other distinguishing features.
regards,
Theresa
February 17th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
There’s two “ohs” in “tattoo
February 17th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
Theresa,
I never thought the ‘distinguishing feature”. I guess it will be a bit more difficult should I ever need to go on the lam.
El Macho,
Of course it has two ‘o’s. Thanks for informing me of the error.
April 30th, 2008 at 8:49 pm
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