Tattoo III

This was a big budget tattoo that I spent months saving towards. In total, it cost me $680. It was done by Ruby Wolfe of Occult Tattoo, but she was a guest spot at Holy Noir in Toronto. Her style and her person is beautiful. I'm very happy with how this turned out. I have yet to take better photos of it, but I would like to share the experience of tattoo 3 with you.

What is it? 
She calls them witches. It is a woman kneeling and presumably praying with a sword piercing through her chest. She is surrounded by peonies. Leaves are erupting from her wound. She sits at my right hip and upper thigh.

What does it mean?
It is a homage to my second tattoo, which was a love heart with ME written inside and a dagger piercing through. I really did like this tattoo and the simple idea behind it, but it blew out and I got it covered up.

This is a reflection of my own fight, my own bravery and courage. It's my fight with my own life and existence. It's the struggle for confidence, security and wisdom. She feels like how I can get and who I can become. A couple of people have joked to me about the darkness of the image. In a way, that's there too. She is the way that is sometimes hard to swallow. She is the way that I get hurt, but how I hope to come out of that pain. I think this is a deeply personal tattoo, and it becomes so personal that some of the meaning is lost/buried even to myself.

Did it hurt?
In comparison, this did not hurt really. There were certain spots that were more tender, but not unbearable. Close to the second hour, I did get very antsy. Parts of the tattoo also made my foot twitch, which is a little scary given that I am being permanently marked.

How long did it take?
About 2 hours.

Why'd you do it?
I admire Ruby Wolfe's work. I think there is something very eerie and special about it. It's also true what they say - tattoos are the itch I need to scratch.

Are you getting more?
Yes, but not until I find an artist and a concept I really connect with.