I have a few tattoos and I love them all.
I got my first tattoo only months after turning 18 and it’s still my favourite.
I planned the design — it has meaning and it was done brilliantly by Shae Orlandi at Uncut Diamond, Shepparton.
It is on my ribs (brave for a first tattoo, I know) and I left school early that day to get it done.
I loved it. Yes, it hurt, but I was doing something I had dreamed of for years.
Shae was also super calming; she made me feel comfortable and she didn’t mind me resizing things and moving them around until I was happy. She is incredibly talented.
My second tattoo was also done by Shae, but then she moved to a tattoo shop in Bendigo.
I was sad to see her go and was devastated that she would no longer be my tattoo artist.
But these things happen, so I tried out a new artist.
That’s when I met Sienna Jackson, also from Uncut Diamond.
She’s the best. Always kind and funny — and incredibly talented.
She’s done my other three tattoos.
I saw one of the designs on her wall and just wanted it. Her art is amazing and her tattoo skills are even better.
Since getting tattoos, people have felt that it’s okay to give their opinion on my body and what I do with it.
After reading some blogs and thinking about the experiences I’ve had, I’ve made a list of the most common reasons people hate tattoos.
They’re associated with low-class citizens
I have many problems with this one:
- Why is being associated with ‘poor people’ a problem? It’s not an evil thing.
- Do you know how expensive tattoos are? Very. I have no problem with paying what they cost because both artists I’ve had have been incredible and deserve every dollar.
- It’s outdated to think this way; things are changing, tattoos are now something people do for the love of the art not because they’re ‘low-life criminals’.
It’s unprofessional
Ah yes. I forgot that my tattoos prevent me from sending emails and being in meetings.
Just like how my ear piercings do the same and if I dyed my hair, I would immediately forget how Excel works.
You’ll regret it
I might. But so far I love them. There are many things in life I regret but that doesn’t stop me from living. What happens if I regret a tattoo? Will the world end? Will I die on impact? No! It’s okay to have regrets.
Right now, I love them.
They have made me more confident in my body.
I used to look at my arms with sadness — I didn’t like how they look, but now I love them, they’ve got gorgeous art on them done by artists I respect.
In conclusion, if you don’t like tattoos I have great news.
You don’t have to get one.