| At A Glance | |
| Author | cjbridle |
| Contact | cjbridle@gmail.com |
| When | It just happened |
| Artist | Clarity Hampshire |
| Studio | Tatudharma |
| Location | Sydney CBD |
If I was to get a tattoo I knew I wanted it to be personal and meaningful, I'm not really into kanji's or tribal's. So I finally decided that I wanted to get a representation of a mother and son walking to school, which was very meaningful to me because I love my mum and the tattoo represents one of the fondest and earliest memories I have of us.
I knew I wanted it in black and grey and researched my ass off for a talented tattooist in Sydney to pop my proverbial 'ink cherry'. I finally found Josh Roelink from Tattudharma. What initially attracted me to this tattooist and his shop was the philosophy on tattooing. They insisted on an appointment only procedure with an extensive consult whilst showing that they specialize in custom tattoos, fitted perfectly and professionally for each client. This was exactly what I was looking for so I emailed Josh and after a few weeks went in for my first consult. I was pretty nervous and started thinking if this was really something I wanted to get into, I said "I've always modified everything in my life... so why not myself?" I built up the courage to walk up to the shop which was down a little alley in the middle of Sydney CBD. The studio was very tranquil and clean and everyone was so friendly.
I spoke to Josh about my piece and he explained that he was booked out heavily until 2008 but Clarity Hampshire was available. I had looked at her work also through their website and was impressed and Josh said she would be perfect for my piece. I spoke with Clarity and received a really strong vibe from her. She seemed excited to do my work so she took my reference and I left the consultation happy.
After a long 5 weeks wait I finally returned to the studio in inner Sydney to lose my ink virginity. In the wait after the consultation and before the tattoo I was more concerned with the design she would draw up than the pain. Pain doesn't worry me because I would surely endure it for a lifetime of beautiful art on my body. I hoped Clarity could draw up exactly what I was after. Once I saw the design I knew I had chosen the right artist. The design was so clean and original; I was so excited to get into the chair now.
She shaved my hairy leg, and checked the placement. I couldn't really see my leg straight so I just told her to use her judgment. I jumped up onto the chair which looked more like a horizontal electric chair...now the nerves start to kick in.
Let the pain begin...firstly, I have to admit the over-all pain was more than what I expected and I think I underestimated the spot I chose for my first piece. But the first 15mins was the worst... once I went numb it wasn't too bad. For me it kind of felt like she had a power-drill and substituted the drill-bit for a big hot needle scraping into my flesh. Every time she started on a new portion of my leg it felt like the first line all over again. When she was doing a few lines around the back of my knee it felt like the needle was scraping the bone...such a thin area with zero muscle...that was the most painful part for sure. After the outline was finished I was relieved for a 15 second stretch then onto the shading, or rather the filling in.
One hour into it, the shading began and it was such a relief. It was almost relaxing compared to the outline. Another hour goes by and I start feeling it get progressively worse. Luckily only one little bit was left.
A quick wipe down, look in the mirror and posing for the cameras and I'm on my way out the door. On the way out I check out my photos and I look so bad, I think I was in such a daze I could hardly move let alone crack a smile. 2 hours and 10minutes of pain for a beautiful artwork on my skin.
Overall I was so impressed with Clarity, her professionalism, her talent and I was even surprised when I went to pay! Bargain in my opinion! I can't wait to go back to her for some more work. Not to mention she's gorgeous! It goes to show when you put the time into your tattoo you will be pleased.
one day of healing has gone past and it still looks great, having a hard time sitting on chairs and driving my car but nothing has gone wrong so far!
