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

More Cat Tattoos
More Lower Back Tattoos

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

More Tribal Tattoos
More Lower Back Tattoos

The original design is embroidery done by my grandma in her high school home economics class. I’ve had it hanging up in my apartment for a few years and have always thought that it would be a lovely tattoo. I recently found the right artist for it and went for it. It turned out fantastically.

- Lauryn

Tattoo Studio: Electric Art Tattoo in Lexington, KY
Tattoo Artist: Elli

Lauryn’s Embroidery Tattoo (this time without clothes getting in the way)

More Lower Back Tattoos

I got this tattoo because I have been through a lot in my life. I was born 3 months premature and have been fighting since then. I decided to get the tattoo after my mom told me I always fought through everything, never giving up. I saw myself as rising from the ashes.

I had the tattoo drawn up by Megan at Tattoo Lous’ in Huntington, NY. She got the concept down pat when I told her I wanted her (the tattoo) to have bright, vibrant wings and piercing blue eyes and to face my heart

It was done in two sessions. Now, I use this tattoo as in inspiration in my life; when I am going through hard times I think of her as my alter-ego.

-Lindsay

Tattoo Artist: Megan – Tattoo Lous’ – Huntington, NY

More Phoenix Tattoos
More Fairy Tattoos
More Tattoos of Women

The story behind this tattoo is pretty basic. This was my first tattoo, I now have 3. My aunt died is the attacks on the World Trade Center Twin Towers, and this is my way of remembering her. She was in the North Tower, on the 58th floor.

I didn’t get her name tattooed on me because it was just too much to take in. I felt it would have been too much pain for me, and this tattoo of the eagle and the Twin Towers and the Empire State building was a way to remember not just her but all of the others that lost their lives on that tragic day.

I want people to look at my tattoo and think about that sad day and how strong America is, and remember how important our country is to us. I don’t want people to look at it and just see a picture on my back. I want them to understand why it is there, and why it is important to me. The attacks on 9/11 isn’t something that should ever be forgot about in my eyes. And that is the story behind my tattoo!

-Kalina