What tattoo do you want and where would you put it?

What tattoo do you want and where would you put it?

I already have four tattoos. A quill and ink on my right rib, a Celtic Cross on my left, and two blue swallows, the one on the left is holding a Tudor Rose and the other holds a royal sceptre. All are in color except for my largest, the quill and ink, those were done with black and gray tattoo. I have an entire Pinterest board decided to new designs I would like to cover my arms in. However, that’s where they have stayed for the last decade. 

When I received my quill and ink in 2014, I didn’t know I would have such a lull between designs. I thought after I settled in Brazil I would find a new artist. But I didn’t have time to put in the research before I returned to Florida. After returning, I had to get my life in order. Which meant being a responsible adult and allocating my money elsewhere. Being responsible sucks because it’s been a decade and my Pinterest board keeps growing and my skin is still ink free. 

If it wasn’t for responsibilities, I would ink on about three unique pieces.  One dedicated to my children, one for my passion for the ocean and swimming, and the third for a special reason. 

The one for my children I am still working on. I know there would be a cute cartoon field mouse, with a bow on its ear, holding a flower, with a little bee buzzing nearby. The little mouse/flower for Adelyn and a bee for Bb. Now my problem is working in Mark. His favorite animal is a penguin. But I’m not sure how to work a penguin into a design with a field mouse and a bumblebee. I could have the field mouse standing in front of a baseball, make the entire scene a little spring moment, but I just don’t know yet. I want to be certain before inking something permanently to my body.

The second design, one that I have wanted for years and have lived on my Pinterest board since the beginning, is an inside forearm piece. The design is very different from the four I already have. It is predominantly a line work or fine lined mermaid tail. Above the tail would be the tip of the wave that would swirl around the tail and end in an anchor. The ocean has played such a pivotal role in my life. From swimming to surfing, I have felt more at home in the water. Now my daughter has the same passion. The mermaid would be for both of us. 

My last design would be a black and gray realism style of a compass surrounded by a rope that is knotted into a heart. The compass holds a special meaning for my husband and me. We have always said our lights have guided us out of the darkness. I have thought about a lighthouse but I don’t have space to dedicate to what I would like to have. A compass and heart would grace the cap of one of my shoulders. I think it would go on the right side since my mermaid tail would be on the left. 

But responsibilities exist and until I feel more comfortable with everything all my designs will live in my heart. Which is fine by me because summer is right around the corner. Getting ink in Florida during the summer is like being grounded. You can’t go swimming, you are not supposed to have fresh ink in the sun, and you don’t want to scratch the peeling design. All of which are highlighted in the summer. Kids will want to go to the ocean and the pool. Wearing anything besides short-sleeved shirts is asking for heat stroke and all that humidity will make you sweat and itch. 

So I shall wait for winter to revisit my inkful wishes.