The skill and ability of a good tattooist ranks up there with artists of other disciplines, writes Christina Parry of BBC Oxford. The article below is reproduced from Christina's original article published on the BBC website here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/oxford/content/articles/2009/05/13/tattoo_feature.shtml
Christina Parry writes: I speak from experience; I am over 40, a mother of three, and have just had my fourth tattoo. Why did I do it? I wasn't a drunken teenager, there was no peer pressure, and I didn't do it to rebel against the establishment. I just wanted to, simple as that. After the first one I was already planning my second... I do find it strangely addictive. I was 29 when I got my first tattoo and I have never regretted it. Now they are just a part of me, and they don't make me feel less feminine.
I am not alone either. It seems that more and more women "of a certain age" are taking the plunge.
Tattoo artist Paul Humphreys from Evolution Tattoo in Kidlington says about 60 to 70 percent of his clients are women, and not just those in their 20's.
It can still be seen as a male domain though and if a woman chooses to display her tattoo by putting it in a less discreet place, it can still raise eyebrows. Paul says that women can still be met with hostility, "My wife is quite heavily tattooed and sometimes when she goes out with her friends who aren't, there are comments about it and it's not always good."
Most artists combine the tradition of tattooing with their personal style creating unique and phenomenal body art. With the addition of new inks, tattooing has certainly reached a new plateau. Whether you like tattoos or not, there is no getting away from the fact that the skill and ability of a good tattooist ranks up there with artists of other disciplines.
I went to see Paul to get a very small and simple black line tattoo done as a tribute to my children. It was my third one, and as he handed me the after care instructions I knew I would be back. Every tattoo I have means something to me and if I had one piece of advice it would be to be sure about what you want and where you want it: Fashions change but tattoos are for life! Most importantly do it for yourself and enjoy it!
Burgers - the night started with two of them, with onions and mushrooms, and I thought, "I'll come to Evolution Tattoo for a...well... for a tattoo."
Paul made me feel extremely comfortable, this being my first ever piece of body art. And, now that it's done, I can 100% say I will definitely return to Evolution Tattoo.
I had a picture in my head of what I wanted. I collected some pictures and pieces from the Internet, and told Paul the look I wanted. And I was gob-smacked when I saw what Paul had put together on paper. What an image! The man's a bloody mind reader!
I can honestly say that this piece has turned out better than I'd expected. The detail is fantastic, and the overall quality amazing.
All of us at Evolution Tattoo Studios say:
