Tattoo Story: It Doesn’t Always Have To Mean Something
When you meet Gina Gordon the first thing you notice is her soft-natured, shy smile that after a while turns into an ear-to-ear grin. The second thing is a bold, in-your-face tattoo on her chest, and somehow, they both seem equally natural. Working at a plastic surgeon’s office she’s in a place that’s no stranger to body modification. Here is her reason why a tattoo doesn’t always have to mean something
What advice would you give someone getting a new tattoo?
I don’t think it has to mean anything but it should be personal. If you love it that’s all that matters! I also don’t believe in asking other people for their advice – you are the one that has to live with it, and someone else might not appreciate the vision that you or the artist see.
It’s important to remember that paper is not skin, and what you see on an initial design is just a concept. An image you see may not translate well into a tattoo but the final product will always be better than a sketch on paper. Skin tone and colour bring an art piece to life and it’s the responsibility of an artist to know what will work and what won’t.
If you are using someone new, do research on their style and meet them to make sure it's a good fit. You’ll be spending hours and hours with this person, so it is best you like them as a person.
Definitely sit down with them to discuss your art piece and set your expectations (what you have in mind might not be the best route).
Do research on what you like in terms of style. Save screenshots on your phone of images that you like or bring printouts.
If you have a concept in mind, try and stay open-minded to your artist creating something unique to bring it to life.
The relationship between client and artist
Marcel and I just clicked – artistically, there needs to be chemistry. He really interpreted my idea so perfectly and got into my head. I only thought about it for about two weeks (normally I think very long and hard) but this one just felt right – it was such a cool idea and I loved the design!
Did it hurt?
It was very painful – I thought I was going into shock!
Your chest has thick skin and lots of muscle tissue so it should hurt a little less than bony bits like the rib cage, spine, neck and wrist and elbows. What you experience is less about the jab from a tattoo needle but rather the persistence of it that builds up to become something that can only be described as pain.
We asked Gina about her experience at True Blue and here’s what she said…
They’re like a little family and there’s a great vibe! They made me feel special and part of their ´gang´. I´ll never go to anyone else for my tattoos now that I’ve found a place that understands me and makes me feel comfortable.