From A-Z

A

A is for Art. It's your choice. Do you want scribbles all over your body, anything at all to fill up that blank space? Or do you want, slowly and carefu1ly over the years, to collect fme art? The latter will demand more research, dedication, money and time, but in the long run the rewards will be great. You decide.lfyou vote for art you'll have to teach yourself to see. A lot of us don't realize how dead our senses have become. Sharpening your powers of observation will aid you in choosing a good design and artist and will also help you pass silly tests.

B

B is for Body. Getting serious tattoos takes courage-you' re literally wearing your soul on your skin. Think carefully about who you are and what your tattoos are saying about you. Perhaps you may not be "Born to Lose" forever? Your tattoo should also enhance your physical structure. Round tattoos should go on the curvy bits-save the linear work for the long straight stretches of your flesh. Carefully chosen and placed tattoos can enhance your body. They've even been known to make those of us who aren' t totally thrilled with our physical shapes a lot more comfortable in our new colorfull flesh.

C

C is for Choices. Let your imagination soar. What do you want? Where do you want it? How do you want to do it? Limitations?-yes, there are few. In general strong simple designs look the best in the skin. But there are exceptions to every rule. Chances are good that there is an artist out there who can makes that particular and peculiar design that you crave into a beautyful tattoo. Your job is to fmd the perfect art and artist and then sit back, relax and enjoy the ride.

D

D is for Design. Don't settle for the first tattoo that crosses your path-after all you're getting married to this design. Take your time to think about it. You don 't have to settle down with a design or an artist right away.

E

E is for Excellent. Don't settle for anything less. Bad tattoos are born from ignorance and a blind refusal to commit time,effort, and money into getting the perfect piece.

F

F is for Finances.Do you feel spending a couple of pounds on a night out but balk at investing the same sum on something that's going to be part ofyour life forever? Do you pass on the big design you really want and get some little piece of nothing because you can ' t wait a few month and save up a few more pounds. Good tattoos are not cheap. Cheap tattoos are not good.

G

G is for Getting it. You've chosen your design, now who's going to apply it? Might be that guy right down the street but don 't make your decision based solelyon a convenient location. Look through the photos in the shops.

H

H is for How. A professionel tattooist is an artist, a technician, and a craftsperson. So obviously selecting the artist who going to apply your tattoo is one of the most important decisions you' 11 ever make. Once you get a tattoo you' II never have unmarked skin in that area again.

I

I is for Intelligent. You are responsible for choosing a professional who is capable of rendering a beautiful work of art on your skin. Getting a tattoo is a big decision so take the time to educate yourself before you get inked, not after.

J

J is for Junk. So you don 't see any reason to drop a few hundred on a tattoo when Shakin ' Sam down at the bar will ink you almost for free if you buy him a couple of drinks fIrst? Or, come to think of it, why buy Sam a drink when you can get your hands on one of mother's sewing needles. Thinking like that will put you weIl on your way to covering your skin with shit and scars. Tattooing is leamed during a long apprenticeship served with a profesional artist.

K

K is for Know yourself. If put energy and thought into choosing your tattoo design, it can become much more than just a piece of permanent jewelery.

L

L is for Love. Please think twice before you get your sweeties name on your body. If love was guaranteed to last as long as tattoos, the world would be a happier place as it is now, infatuations fade faster than ink.

M

M is for Marks. When people first started tattooing themselves their designs were simple geometric patterns. The simplicity and strength of traditional designs look good to our media saturated modern eyes but make sure you`re not ripping off anybody`s sacred designs when you start dipping into the past for inspirations.

N

N is for Nees. Any inked person will tell you that tattoos are like sex once you figure out how to do it You`re going to want to do it again and again.

O

O is for OOOps. So now you know more about tattoos you`re realizing that the stuff you have, is not so great. Don`t despair you can get a cover-up. But you must shop carefully for an artist who is capable of doing masterful coverwork. look through his portfolio.

P

P is for Pain. Does it hurt? Well, yes, but only sometimes. Getting tattooed hurts moore in some areas than others. But the bottom line is that it doesn`t hurt that badly or no one than a few freaks would have more than one tattoo.

Q

Q is for Questions. You have a right to expect that the artist, or his associates, will answer your questions about the tattoo procedure. But don`t just wander in on a busy day and expect that they should drop everything and give you unlimited time and attention. Some shops have a front room person available to answer your questions. All you need to ascertain is if the tattooist is doing good work in a clean, sanitary shop.

R

R is for Rules. Some things just look better in the skin than others. If your artist tells you that the design really needs to go bigger, or that a pretty pink outline on your unichorn tattoo just isn`t going to hold up, you should listen. A tattoist`s work is his best advertisement, they`re not going to steer you wrong.

S

S is for Sterile. You want to get tattooed in a studio that is as clean as your doctor`s office. With extremely rare exceptions you don`t want to get tattoed in someones kitchen, a bar or in the middle of a field. Use your common sense and if sterile conditions can not be maintained in your artist`s place of work, go somewhere else.

T

T is for Taking Care. Once you and your new tattoo walk out of a studio it`s your responsibility to take care of it. Don`t ignore the artist`s aftercare instructions. Improper use ointments can cause coulor to fade, or delay healing.

U

U is for Unusual. I don`t want to be a spoilsport but over the years I`ve learned that what strikes you as terifically amusing and clever when you`re 20 often seems senseless when you are 30.

V

V is for Variety. Get whatever you want but before you get anything new think about how it will look next to the old stuff. That way you guarantee that the final result will be what you wanted.

W

W is for Why. Before you get ined think about why you`re doing it. Tattoos aren`t about fashion or fads attitudes. You and your tattoo are going to be together for a long time. Don`t get a tattoo for any reason other than the fact that you want one for the joy it will bring you.

X

X,Y,Z are for eXamine your options, carefully deceide what you want and who you want to get it from and then Zip on over to an incredible artist and get yourself a onderful piece of forever art.