June 13, 2007
Think Before You Ink
Thinking of getting a tattoo? Great idea! (Unless you’re thinking of getting a Chinese character and you’re not Chinese. In that case, please don’t. First, you will look like a walking cliché. Second, you will probably end up with something like “horse penis” when you meant to get “passion and love.” Kind of like these people.)
As fun as tattoos are though, they’re also not a decision to be taken lightly. An excellent place to start your research is at the Northern Ink Xposure convention this weekend at the Holiday Inn on King (370 King West). Tickets are $20 a day or $50 for the weekend, which sounds steep but is practically a bargain when you realize that your tattoo will be there for the rest of your life. Stop by the convention to check out tattoo artists from across Canada and around the world—get inspiration, meet potential tattooists (Torontoist has been tattooed by Jamie Izumi of Tora Tattoo, who will be at the convention, and recommends him highly) and learn about the art of tattooing.
The convention is also hosting parties from Thursday–Sunday, including the Babes In Tattooland bash on Saturday at The State Theatre (69 Bathurst St.) featuring Jello wrestling and music by Hell Yeah Fuck Yeah and The Taste. Just don’t mix partying and getting a tattoo on the same night—it can only end badly.
Photo by Zach Bulick on Flickr.
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I've been working on the design for the tattoo I want since 1999. That's just my way of doing wild and impulsive things.
"Unless you’re thinking of getting a Chinese character and you’re not Chinese. In that case, please don’t. First, you will look like a walking cliché."
What about those of us that got the Chinese character before it became all trendy? I actually had to go look up what I wanted, because the shop I go to didn't have the ubiquitous pages and pages of Chinese characters.
And mine actualy DOES say "Rock Music". I've had strangers comment on it without me asking them to read it. Just saying, not everyone with Chinese on their arm is a trendy meat head.
I know there are people who got them before they became trendy, and actually did their research, which is why I wish people would stop getting them. It makes everyone's tattoos look trendy:) My mom has a butterfly tattoo she got when she was about 20 - long before it became the default tattoo for girls who aren't really sure what kind of tattoo they want. It's the same kind of deal.
Agreed. But some people need a little familiarity to ease into something as drastic as tat. I don't begrudge them that. I hear wehat you're saying though.
I wish they would still let you get tattoos when you're totally drunk. Ah, those were the days.
Oh man carly, I'm going to have to hide my ankle next time I see you.