Lefty's Tattoo in Orange, CA
Where I got my first tattoo.
The purpose of Nice Tatts is to explore cultural views of tattooing in America today. Everybody has an opinion on tattoos: from my 89 year old grandmother who has no tattoos, to my three year old daughter who is already telling me what tattoos she wants to get. Even my own opinion on tattooing continues to evolve.
I got my first tattoo half way through my 18th year. The art was pulled from my favorite tarot deck, and took three and a half hours to complete. I felt more myself after getting it, as I do after each subsequent tattoo. I have since had that first tattoo re-touched, re-worked, and of course added to its size. It has grown with me, and developed as I have.
People’s opinions of tattoos are important to me, because, as a tattooed person, these views affect their initial impression of me. I will address positive and negative outlooks of tattooing, and how these opinions influence the treatment of the tattooed person in day to day activities. I will explore the question: Does tattooing have any bearing on employability? Personal interviews will supplement research found on the internet, and serve as a snapshot of opinion in my geographic area.
I hope that you enjoy reading Nice Tatts, and that what you learn may leave you with a positive impression of what tattooing means today!
Hude's Tarot
The inspiration for my first tattoo.
