Tag Archives: blind contour

It’s been a few years in the making, but I finally decided on some ink and committed to it. For the longest time I’ve flip flopped between designs of leaves, trees, branches, doodles, words, sketches, etc. I knew I wanted something done in only black and for it to look like something I’d drawn in ink…

After a few sketches in my journal I eventually came up with a black heart made up of ink blotches and the words “l’amour fou” (Fr. for mad love or crazy love depending on your interpretation). It fits nicely in the theme of tattoos I plan on getting later, and can hopefully start to make my skin look like pages from my art journal with automatic writing, blind contour drawings, and unfinished sketches littered about. At least that’s the idea for now…

With a finished sketch in hand Wendy and myself went to Rise Above Tattoo on Delaware Avenue a few weeks ago to setup an appointment. Wendy was able to get a tattoo that day while I had to come back the following week. Probably a good idea because it gave me more time to think things over.

When my time came I wasn’t nervous at all. My anxiety had always been with setting up the appointment and walking into the shop. Since that nonsense was done the week before, I was all set to go. Took a few minutes for the artist to setup and off we went.

The entire process took about 45 minutes and wasn’t that bad. Sure it hurt, but the pain went away the second he’d stopped tattooing me (which was every few seconds). The sensation felt like a bug was biting or stinging me constantly and I couldn’t squash him.

Aftercare isn’t too bad. Compared to some of the piercings I’ve gotten over the years, caring for a tattoo is nothing. Wash it twice a day with antibacterial soap and then apply some cocoa butter lotion to it. Done!

Almost a week later and I’m already planning my next one. Like piercings, records, and tech goodies before it…I pretty much knew this would become my newest addiction. =P