Hudson - Chick ink : 40 stories of tattoos--and the women who wear them

Chick Ink

40 STORIES OF TATTOOS
AND THE WOMEN WHO WEAR THEM

Edited by
Karen L. Hudson

Copyright 2007, F+W Publications, Inc.
All rights reserved.
This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any
form without permission from the publisher; exceptions are
made for brief excerpts used in published reviews.
Illustrations by Matt Rhines.

Published by
Adams Media, an F+W Publications Company
57 Littlefield Street, Avon, MA 02322. U.S.A.
www.adamsmedia.com

ISBN 10: 1-59869-171-6
ISBN 13: 978-1-59869-171-9
eISBN: 978-1-44051-706-8

Printed in the United States of America.

J I H G F E D C B A

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
is available from publisher.

This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information with regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional advice. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought.

From a Declaration of Principles jointly adopted by a Committee of the American Bar Association and a Committee of Publishers and Associations

Many of the designations used by manufacturers and sellers to distinguish their product are claimed as trademarks. Where those designations appear in this book and Adams Media was aware of a trademark claim, the designations have been printed with initial capital letters.

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DEDICATION

Chick Ink is a source of strength for all women who face the challenge of being part of the so-called weaker sex. Those of us with tattoos, who voluntarily cast ourselves into an interrogative light full of misconceptions and suspicion, are slowly changing the misguided perceptions of the tattooed woman. To these courageous women, who stand proudly in their ink even in the face of discrimination and ostracism, we dedicate this book.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This book would never have come to fruition if it had not been for the foresight of Brett Palana-Shanahan, who saw a need and provided a way to fill it. She proposed the idea of this book to the publishers, and then asked me to execute it. To me, it was like being handed a precious babya great honor to be trusted with something so special, but also a big responsibility, and it instilled in me a deep desire to meet and exceed expectations.

Reading all of the stories that were submitted for this anthology has been such a pleasure, and the more stories I read, the more I realized that this book was going to be extraordinary. For this, I thank every woman that submitted a story for ChickInknot just the ones whose stories are published here, but every woman who took the time to share her experiences as well.

I would not have been able to this without the guidance of my mentors, Barb Karg and Rick Sutherland. Rick, thanks for your great resourcefulness. Barb, thank you for spending so many hours on the phone with me, answering my silly questions, and just being there for moral support when I needed it.

To my family and friends, who understood my lack of communication for two months while working endlessly on this project, thank you. Special thanks goes to Karri Harbert, for brainstorming with me.

To my childrenmy beautiful daughters, Tessa and Ciera, who will no doubt be tattooed women one daythank you for understanding why Mom had to work so hard on this. I love you!

Last but certainly not least, my husband and best friend, Don, who always has my back no matter how hard I lean on him. Thank you for everything you have done to support me and assist my efforts during this adventure. Without your backing and your willingness to tend to the many daily demands, a project of this magnitude would not be possible. You are my champion, and I love you.

CONTENTS

FOREWORD
The Mystery of Tattoos

Tattoos can be strange and mysterious things, and I should knowIve been around them almost my whole life. Their designs and meanings are as varied as the people who get them. Tattoos can be a cross, a ribbon with a name, a beautiful blooming rose, a portrait of a lost lover, a child, a famous actor, a cartoon character or almost anything the mind can dream up. Tattoos can represent religion, commitment, remembrance, freedom, strength, and so much more. Some tattoos make a bold statement, some are for personal enjoyment, and some are for private contemplation. There is no one true meaning for a tattoo, there is no definitive right or wrong design. But there is always a story behind each tattoo.

Personally, I like being a tattooed woman. I get numerous compliments on my own tattoos, as well as the tattoos I do. I may not be a prominent figure in the world at large, but Im well known in the tattoo community and on the convention circuit. Every year when I produce the Marked for Life international female tattoo artist convention I see more and more women involved in the field of tattooing, a dramatic change from when I began tattooing over twenty-five years ago. Its wonderful to see women finally take their place in the tattoo world, when they would have been ostracized for it just decades before. The tide is turning, attitudes are changing, and women are no longer outsiders in the tattoo community.

Being a tattoo artist may seem an unlikely career for a woman, but its really an amazing job. As an artist I like to make sure when I tattoo a customer they are getting exactly what they want, because that tattoo I create will be a permanent part of their bodies from that moment forward. I listen to their stories and their reasons (or lack of) behind their tattoo choice and get to become, for a brief time, a part of their life journey. I get to share that life experience with each customer. Tattooing can be an amazing and rewarding occupation; my work will live on on that customer for as long as they live. Its a responsibility and an honor that not many other jobs offer.

In these pages you will be reading true stories about tattoos and the experiences surrounding the feminine aspect of tattoos. Whats it like to be a female with a tattoo? What decisions drive women to get tattoos when there are still so many stereotypes against them? How does putting art on your skin affect your inner sense of self as a woman? Chick Ink is filled with stories of everyday working women, housewives, mothers, daughters, sisterswomen just like you. Their common link is that they all have a tattoo story to tell. These women may have one tattoo, quite a few, or a complete body suit but they are all linked in the common bond of the feminine tattoo.

My hope is that reading the stories in Chick Ink will entice you to get tattooedwhether you are already tattooed or not or will perhaps open up your mind to accepting tattoos and those who chose to wear them. And my advice: make sure you get exactly what you want to wear on your body; dont worry about the pain, if it hurts, it hurts only once; dont settle for less than you really want, and never worry about what other people may think about your tattoo. Tattoos are personal choices with personal meanings and personal stories behind them. Dont let what others may think stand in your way, take courage and inspiration from the women in this collection who took charge of their lives and made the decision to get the tattoos they always wanted. After all, if we dont give ourselves exactly what we want, who will?