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Danny’s Fish Pin Tattoo Story

This tattoo is an image of a silver pin (a Georg Jensen design) that my great aunt got in Denmark in the 1930s. She had it made into a money clip which she gave my to my dad - who carried all through France & Germany during WWII and back home again until he lost it.

When I was born (1952) my mom found a duplicate pin at the Georg Jensen store in NYC and had it made into a money clip which she gave to my dad - when I was two he bought an identical pin and gave it (somewhat O’Henry-like) to mom. He carried that money clip until he died in 1992 - and then it was mine. I carried it until 2005 until I lost it. Last year mom gave me her pin — which we turned into a money clip that I carry with me today.

I got the tattoo to keep my dad close and so as to never lose it again. I just recently bought the very same pin on ebay and plan to give it to mom for Xmas this year.

-Danny

Tattoo Artist: The design was drawn and executed by João Paulo Rodrigues at Rising Dragon Tattoos. It was at 230 W. 23rd St. btwn 7th & 8th Aves. in NYC but that’s now Chelsea Tattoo Co. Rising Dragon is now at 51 West 14th St. 2nd Floor, btwn 5 & 6 Aves.
Tattoo Studio: Rising Dragon Tattoos

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Carleah’s Tim Burton Cats Tattoo Story

Besides my fear of needles, I always wanted tattoos but I could never decide what to get. I kept putting it off. Being a cat lover, they obviously had to be cats, but I didn’t want anything cutesy. I have always been a Tim Burton fan and finally at the age of 24 I decided to get the cat in the opening credits of his short film Vincent. I had finally decided… and then I had a stroke.

After the stroke I underwent a multitude of procedures including surgery to close a hole in my heart. For two years I had to be on blood thinners and could therefore not get tattooed.

When I was finally taken off the blood thinners my plans were back in motion. My fear of needles had been abolished by the legions of needles I’d had by the end of the whole experience.

I took stills from the movie and traced the cat twice to be positioned symmetrically on my lower back. I had the tattoos done almost right away. It obviously didn’t start out this way, but for me the tattoo signifies the welcomed end of a negative life experience.

- Carleah

Tattoo Artist: Jeff
Tattoo Studio: Anchor’s Tattoo Studio

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Alex’s Swallow Tattoo

Here’s the story behind the swallow tattoo on my shoulder. I am an avian veterinarian, so, I love birds, all kinds of birds, but I’ve always had an speccial feeling for swallows. In Mexico, migratory swallows return on may, and I was born on may.

When I was 4 years old, my mother wrote a poem to me, and it began like this: “you came on may like the swallows…” My mom also had a summer house in the countryside, where I spent the happiest moments of my childhood. In this house, swallows used to build their nests under the corner of the roof and the wall, so you where able to see them very close. Then I grew up, and I had a hard time.. I was into drugs and alcohol, I was always drunk at school, and I was sexually abused by my boyfriend’s best friend. Then, my boyfriend left me. I was very depressed and I tried to commit suicide. I was taken to a mental hospital, and those were the darkest days of my life.

I came back to school, and with the support of my friends, that had always been like my family for me, and with the help of God, I recovered hope in life and I recovered the strenght and the courage to keep on… I wanted to do something that reminded me everyday what I have been, and what I could become into… something to represent that I was brave enough to fight for me, for my life and for my freedom.

-Alex

Tattoo Artist: Roy
Tattoo Studio: Evolution Tattoo, in Mexico City

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Agamid’s Tolkien Cleavage Tattoo

My third tat (the symbol between my breasts) is the Tolkien symbol - if you don’t know what that is, please go to your local library, pick up a copy of one of his books and look for it. It’s his signature. I’ve always loved Tolkien’s books. I grew up hearing them as bedtime stories. To me, he was the best writer ever born and the father of the fantasy genre as we know it. He’s my hero.

This tat is the first of what are going to be several Tolkien themed tats. I want a couple of original Tolkien illustrated dragons to flank the symbol and the tree of Gondor on my back. Lucky for me my tattoo artist is a massive Tolkien fan too.

- agamid

Tattoo Artist: Loz
Tattoo Studio: Westside Tattoo, Westend, Brisbane, Australia

Agamid’s Other Tattoos: Lizard Arm Tattoo Story, Lizard Leg Tattoo Story

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Agamid’s Lizard Leg Tattoo

This is my second Tattoo. I got it as in memorial to my first and most favourite lizard - Tubby - who helped me though chemotherapy when i was little and then died from a really nasty flesh-eating infection. The only two of her children that i kept have recently died too, so when i have the money I’m going to have them tattooed down my other leg. The tattoo was drawn from a photograph of Tubby when she was about 3. One of her front legs was hidden in the photo and my artist had to free-hand it.

- agamid

Tattoo Artist: Loz
Tattoo Studio: Westside Tattoo, Westend, Brisbane, Australia

Agamid’s Other Tattoos: Lizard Arm Tattoo Story, Tolkien Tattoo Story

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Agamid’s Lizard Arm Tattoo

I have three tattoos, tattoo one (the lizard on my arm) I’ve wanted to get since i was eight. My dad came back from Woodford (a massive music festival) and told me about this fantastic lizard tattoo he saw on some guy’s arm.

The tattoo itself is copied from a photograph of one of my old lizards when he was a baby. If you look closely you can see he has a drop shadow and claw marks from sliding down my arm.

- agamid

Tattoo Artist: Loz
Tattoo Studio: Westside Tattoo, Westend, Brisbane, Australia

Agamid’s Other Tattoos: Leg Lizard Tattoo Story, Tolkien Tattoo Story

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Angelamarie’s Bambino Shoulder Tattoo

I have two tattoos, but the one that means the most to me is the simplest. It is the word “Bambino”, tattooed on the back of my right shoulder.

I am five years older than my baby brother, and I used to call him Bambino when we were kids. Not sure why, we are German heritage, not Italian…but for some reason, it stuck.

When he was 28, he was diagnosed with colon cancer. When he was 29, he died. It was the most horrible thing in our lives. But I also found what was most important to me.

So now I wear his nickname from childhood on my body. He is the angel on my shoulder, watching out for me.

- angelamarie

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Terri’s Feet Hearts Tattoo Story

I wanted to get something to represent my parents and everything they’ve done for me over the last 20 years; for all their love and support. I have always liked the look of ‘old school’ tattoos, so I decided on the two hearts, one for Mum and one for Dad.

As for placement, I knew that getting my feet tattooed would hurt (and it did!!!) but I figured that my parents got me on my feet, so now I have them on my feet

Cheesy, but it works

- Terri

Tattoo Artist: Sean Jackson
Tattoo Studio: Tattoo Magic, Fitzroy, Melbourne, Australia

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Jacqueline’s Tribal Cover-up Tattoo Story

This was a coverup tattoo. It still has some work to be done as when I originally got it the original tattoo was horrifically scarred and still shows.

This tattoo was designed for me, but as soon as I saw it I fell in love. It stretches and grows…like a living thing.

It represents change to me, and the knowledge that even things that seem unchangeable will not last forever.

- Jacqueline

Tattoo Studio: ASI - Ogden, UT

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Jennifer’s Dragonfly Tattoo

I went and got my first and only tattoo for my 30th birthday last year (07). The dragonfly represents my grandmother who absolutely adored the dragonflies.

After she passed away my family would always say that every time they saw one flying around that it was her. So this is why I wanted the dragonfly. I also wanted to have it look as if it had just landed on my shoulder, hence the shadowing.

- Jennifer

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