Kalina’s 9-11 Tribute Tattoo

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

Tracy’s Elephant Tribute Tattoo

This is my second tattoo (my first one is on my ankle.) It’s located on my right shoulder. I got this for my Mother who passed away when I was only 15.I didn’t get it until I was 17 because I didn’t want to rush into just anything, it had to be something that would apply to her and me.

It was the craziest thing, one day I was sitting at my table and I looked at this notepad we had and there were two elephants on it. Since elephants were her favorite animal everything in my house is elephant. Why I never saw it before, I don’t know but once I saw that picture I knew that’s what I wanted.

So I made it personal by adding the Halo and the writing, Called up my tattoo guy and got it done. It really helped me get through the hard times and made me feel that now she would always be with me.

-Tracy

Tattoo Artist – Sean Duffy @ Phenom-A-Bomb Tattoo in PA

Katie’s Dragonfly Tattoo

I was the person that thought she would never get a tattoo. Now I have 2. My second one was going to be something very personal to me.

I have this friend Tom who Lives out in Boston and has a tattoo shop. I sent him my idea of this dragonfly tattoo that I wanted. I live in MN so he couldn’t give me the tattoo. My idea was to get a tattoo of a dragonfly on my back left shoulder. The Dragonfly because I have always liked them. Then in the wings there would be 22′s because that is my favorite number and then in the tail it would say Katie, cause that is my name. I never told Tom the colors that I wanted. He sent me back the drawing and I was like WOW…it was so pretty on paper.

I went to Everlasting Tattoo in MN and had them do it. It took maybe an hour. It turned out SO good and I love it so much. It means a lot to me and that is what is important. The colors are beautiful. I thought it would hurt more but it really didn’t hurt at all. I love my tattoo and I am thinking about getting more.

-Katie

Inked at Everlasting Tattoo, MN

More Dragonfly Tattoos
More Tattoos on Shoulders

These are two seprate tats done by two different artists in different shops but they came together nicely.

I have five tattoos but I love my arm work because it was done after both my grandparents passes away. They would have killed me for having them but always taught me to be free and not care what others think of me and to flow like the water. I want to continue working on my arm and include my mom and lil bros and sis in it too but my g-rents are what inspired the pieces I have now.

The Koi, even though it brings luck, can be a fighter just like me! The water lily is my home, something beautiful but you can still seek haven in, just like my grandparents!

- Monique

I was a drug abuser for many many years and lost sight of who I was and who I cared about…The tattoos across my back are like this…..The forever love tattoo was for my grandparents who died while I was in drug treatment…..The scorpio and the leo symbol are for me and my best friend with out whom I wouldnt have stayed clean…..The tiger represents the old me breaking through into the new place I want to be….

-tattedcntyprnces

More Shoulder Tattoos
More Back Tattoos
More Zodiac Tattoos
More Flower Tattoos

I’m a big fan of animals. One of my most favorites is the bear, any type of bear.

Being a dedicated single mother for 17 years I have a lot of admiration for a mother bear that has to protect her young from the dangers of nature all by herself.

I liked this particular drawing illustrating a bear as if she is in the process of protecting her young as I always feel I’m doing with my 15 & 17 year old girls.

-Tami (Chapel Hill, NC)

Tattoo by: Lea Smith – Lucky Lady Tattoo in Greensboro, NC
(she also did my Mud Flap Girls and Mowing Dog tattoos)

My barn swallow tattoo (like my butterfly geisha) was also done by Jesse Tuesday of Temple Tattoo, and I’m thrilled by its beauty. He’s also done a star on my collarbone and a star on my back.

At this point, I wouldn’t go to anyone else. I’ve recommend him to everyone I know. his outstanding artisitc talent and attention to detail [not to mention that he is so F-ING friendly!!]… make him the absolute best in my book.

-ms bees knees (also see her butterfly geisha tattoo)
Tattoo by: Jesse Tuesday – Temple Tattoo, Oakland, CA

The famous Temple Tattoo in Oakland is right down the street from where I work. Freddy Corbain (mr nice guy) ownes the place and is world-known for his religious tattoos. His artists are also some of the best in the world, two being Jason McAfee and Jesse Tuesday.

I stopped by, checked out their books and fell in love with jesse tuesday’s japanese-inspired style. I booked my appointment (he’s booked a month in advance) and began drawing up my design. I then gave it to jesse, who sketched up a final piece and the rest is history… my geisha butterfly tattoo was created.

-ms bees knees (also see her Black Barn Swallow tattoo)
Tattoo by: Jesse Tuesday – Temple Tattoo, Oakland, CA

Here’s the story behind Bobo, my octopus tattoo.

From 2000 to 2005 I had chronic abdominal pain caused by endometriosis, adenomyosis and uterine fibroids. Anyone who’s had chronic pain knows that it’s hard to talk about, hard to describe. You don’t want to be complaining all the time, and you don’t want people to feel sorry for you, but it’s also important to express what you’re feeling. It’s important to communicate your state of pain to other people so you don’t feel isolated and alone in your distress.

In 2002 I started characterizing my uterus as an octopus in my abdomen — a strong force of nature who was sometimes very angry and swollen, sometimes mildly stirring, sometimes blissfully asleep or gone. I named my octopus Bobo, and it was easy to talk about her. “Bobo’s very angry today,” I’d say. Or, “Bobo’s good, she’s off somewhere else and I’m so happy for her.” People could ask me, “How’s Bobo today?” and I didn’t have to feel like they were feeling sorry for me or judging me.

Talking about Bobo was an effective way for me to talk about my pain disassociated from emotions, lighthearted, playful and irreverent. The octopus was also an effective metaphor for the types of pain I was experiencing — whether she was squeezing, spikey, radiating or whatever. Bobo the octopus wasn’t bad or mean, she was simply a strong force of nature, doing what she had to do.

In February of 2005 I had a hysterectomy — a blissful, wonderful, freeing hysterectomy. I have been pain-free since my surgery and I am so thankful for no longer living with pain and pain medications. Bobo has been free in the world, set free, and I have been given my life back.

The octopus is still a powerful symbol for me. In May 2006 I got my octopus tattoo from Sasha at Electro Lady Lux in Vancouver, BC. Sasha created the custom design, and I’m so happy with it — it’s exactly what I wanted, like Sasha was reading my mind.

-Kelly

Tattoo by Sasha at Electro Lady Lux in Vancouver, BC
www.electroladylux.com

More Octopus Tattoos

Over the last year or so I have been thinking of getting a back piece that would be unique, yet beautiful in its own way. I started looking more and more and came across the amazing color and captivation of the peacock.

I started looking online and in books but never quite saw the quality or likeness that I thought I would want. When it came down to it, I purchased an actual peocock feather and took it to Tattoo Artist Chris Brusby from Studio M Tattoo. From the feather he drew what I believe to be a very real and natural image of the feather. I didn’t want anything that was cartoony or abstract. So his idea and drawing was perfect.

The piece is mainly a ton of outlining and lines that make up the upper part and stem of the feather. Painful, but the outcome exceeded my expectations. I knew that when I asked Chris what colors he used and he said “ask me what colors I didn’t use!” that I was going to be amazed! His wife even mentioned that you can really tell when he gets into a tattoo, the end result reflects his interest in the piece.

I am completely happy with my tattoo and the beauty that it shows. Although it may not represent a person or a individual meaning, it reflects me in its own way.

- Michelle R

Tattoo Artist: Chris Brusby – Studio M Tattoo

More Back Tattoos