Tattoo session 1

Took a break from soaping to get my tattoo started. The artist is Marie Wadman of Diving Swallow! (their site appears to be down right now)

The concept is a manzanita branch curving up my back, with a base of peonies, and a fairy lantern to the site. If I can afford it, we're going to add butterflies as well.


My great-grandmother, grandmother and mom all love peonies -- so to me, they symbolize NY. My mom grew them in a corner of the yard, called them "pine-ees" like her grandmother. The manzanita is from Mt Diablo -- representing California.


In this shot, the top flowers haven't been inked -- the rest is done. Outline took two and a half hours, next session is the undershading of the leaves and branches. After that we begin the color.


Check out the koi piece in the upper left. Marie said it wound all the way around her client's arm, then torso, finally ending curling around her belly button. INTENSE! I love it.