After many months of waiting to be of age to get my first tattoo, the day finally came, and I couldn't been more thrilled. Years were spent perfecting my sketchbook and narrowing down which drawings I knew I wanted on me for life. So, I asked myself, how'd I know what shop to go to? It was a few weeks in the process, but after scavenging the city, and questioning people's experiences at shops, I came across Sinkin' Ink. I personally checked out the shop, made myself familiar with the location, the artists, and the style they do best, and that was it. I HAD to get my tattoo done there.
At A Glance Author Kate Contact Kate@bme.anon When Six months ago Artist Curtis Studio Sinkin' Ink Location Hess Village, Hamilton ON After seeing poorly done and faded tattoos from other shops, and only the most clean and intricate lines from Sinkin' Ink, I knew they'd be the shop for me. Artists: People who really loved their work. So there I sat, on my 18th birthday, money in my pocket, and my drawing at hand, no previous appointment to set a time or to go back over my drawing. I know what I wanted, and who was going to do it for me. Curtis; I only heard good things about him as an artist and as a human being, so I walked in, put my drawing on the table, asked if he was in, and wished for an opening. Lucky me, he had a free afternoon.
Shaking at first, in fear of what people say is true; that tattoos sting, and ache, and burn and are the most intolerable pain to endure, I lowered myself onto the chair, laid on my side, and held my breath. I remember laying there, waiting for him to get started, and he explained the procedure. "I'll start with one line so you know how it feels, okay?"
It was funny, I held my breath and anticipated the most agonising pain, and as he put the needle to my skin and drew the first line I laughed. I couldn't believe I was being such a wimp, and I continued to laugh. Curt asked if I was alright, and all I come up with was "That's it? Are you kidding me?!"
The only thing that I found concerning was that every time he'd re-position his hand to draw a new line, it'd tickle, a LOT, and I'm not the most calm when it comes to dealing with being tickled (even if it's by accident).
It was pretty awesome. What was amusing was Curtis was tattooing to the beat of the music playing in the background of the shop, and every once and a while someone would pass by and ask if I was alright, or how I was holding up, and I was great. Turns out they didn't believe this was only my first tattoo, and if they had known ahead of time; the possibility of any of them letting me get my ribs done, was slim to none. So, I toughed it out, more so than many others. No break, no complaining, just laying there on my side, a few words exchanged here and there, looking at the drawings on the walls, and listening to distant conversations.
I must've questioned all the wrong people, honestly. My tattoo is the length of my side, along my ribs, and I had a nap it felt so great! (Not to mention the hum of the gun and the music playing. Yeah, anyone can fall asleep to such sounds)
The session took nearly 3 hours. I'm not sure how many complain after sitting for that long, but I think Curt would've been in more pain than I, at least I got to lie down. He had to hunch over me for the duration of the time. So, to set you straight, it depends on the person. I don't feel that it hurt, sure, it was awkward to breathe when someone has a needle at your ribs (how could it not be? How often do you have needles puncturing one of the most sensitive areas of your body?) But I thought it felt great, but maybe that's just me.
I slid myself over onto my bum at the end of the session and sat staring at the mirror in front of me, amazed. I never thought anyone could ever duplicate my drawing so beautifully. Shit, he made it look better than my drawing. The lines were so clean, and even though it was just an outline, it was stunning.
The healing process was just as great, I didn't bleed at all during the tattoo, my skin just swelled, but that's normal, and 3 days later, my skin was smooth and scab free! (Thanks to good ole' Vaseline, regular bathing and baby oil).
I remember it as if it was yesterday, I had lain back down and Curt asked if there was a problem, had he missed a line.
I simply said "No, I want another tattoo."