In my other BME entries, I've listed the artists who gave me what I wanted, whether it was a piercing or ink, I typed their names in the space provided, confident and grateful for their role in making my body into what I envision for it. I'm not unhappy with my body but since I've discovered body modification I view my self as a work in progress. The reason the spaces are blank is because I am not writing about one particular event or artist but the desire to modify myself which becomes stronger every day.
At A Glance Author Liz Contact [email protected] When N/A Location Boston, MA I live in Massachusetts where tattooing has only been recently allowed by law, it was a crime before the late 1990's. If a person desired a tattoo he or she had to travel across the border into another state, New Hampshire or Rhode Island. Body piercing is even newer with a multitude of restrictions depending on the city or town. While traveling to my piercer's studio or the tattoo artists' shop,I find myself thinking of the early modified, the pioneers, if you will, who knew what they wanted, accepted it and sought it out, paving the road for those of us who came later. I'm one of the older members of the BME family and proof that beauty is a thing that we all define differently. Age is irrelevent.
Our definitions of beauty are as varied as our motivations. Why you choose to have a tattoo might be very different than the person in the seat next to you in the waiting room. I've seen groups of teenagers gathered in the small waiting room of a piercing/tattoo studio all there to encourage and support one young man who ended up getting turned away because he did not have proper ID. The kid became indignant when informed he would have to return with a more valid identification card. The artists are bound by laws and regulations and one slip up could mean the loss of their licenses. These kids didn't care and they got nasty and loud after being told "no".
After they left, one of the tattoo artists told me that underage people frequently come in seeking piercings or tattoos, each with some sort of fake ID, some cleverly done, others obviously phony. No one likes being told no especially when they get that 'urge' for ink or metal but body modification is still unaccepted by many segments of society and in many locations local zoning boards are just dying to shut the studios down. For the safety of the business and their other customers, artists must follow the laws and regulations governing their shops.
While some customers arrive in groups, their excitement palpable, others sit quietly waiting their turn. I suppose I'd fall into this category. For all of my piercings, genital, nipples, conches etc I ride the subway alone; anticipating the sting of the needle and the adrenaline rush that follows. On the return trip home, I sit on the train thrilled with my new mod, feeling somehow more complete. It was the same with my tattoos. I have two in the pubic/groin area that depict love and devotion to my husband. I have a Celtic Mother's Knot designed and purchased from Pat Fish resting on my chest over my heart. It is my way of honoring my children. I like to view BME's tattoo gallery, especially the "Love" and "Lettering" galleries they're my favorites. If I can ever figure out how, I'd like to add my photo to the many BME members who've shared theirs. Each and every contribution of story or photo helps educate and encourage those who seek something different than what they were born with.
I want more ink, an external image of what I'm feeling within. Each line and each color of ink tells a story about me, something that feels too big to keep inside. But it takes money and saving money takes time in my family. I save my money as I go along, little by little hating to dip into my hard-earned fund but sometimes having no choice but to do just that. I put aside what I can so I can get the tattoo I want and generously tip the artist that I trust with this most important task. That's why each visit is so important, especially tattoos. Yes, I love piercings and how they look and what they mean to me but a piercing is a hole which can close up and be redone if necessary, ink is a whole different ballgame. Ink is forever and that's the reason I cannot go into it lightly. Some people desire a tattoo and anything will do but for me that's unacceptable, but that's just me. I tend to pour over ideas and designs, needing to have just the right thing on my skin. As soon as I collect enough money I will call either Ann or Mike and discuss what I want. Both artists have worked on me and have brought my thoughts to life on my body. I trust them to do it again.
If no one ever saw my piercings or my ink it would never bother me. I can see them and that is the reason I got them. I love myself and my body but the modifications I seek only make me more complete. They tell a story and I'm both the author and the reader. When the underage kid returns to the studio and has finally reached the "legal" age of consent, he can begin his story one beautiful, well thought-out design at a time. After all, he's got the rest of his life, doesn't he?
Thank you,Liz