MagiStream

I personally think the human body is beautiful as it is, but I am certainly not against piercings and tattoos. However, I like them to be subtle and meaningful, not flashy and made out of the desire of seeming 'cool', like many teenagers get these days.
I know I wouldn't get a tattoo, but 5 weeks ago I had my ear lobes pierced for the first time in my life. I wanted to be able to wear earrings, and I am so happy I had the courage However, with antibacterial lotion and all, I fear one of them might have gotten infected (I've no idea how that happened, I was ridiculously careful with everything) now that I look at it, and I'm a bit worried...
All in all, I will never judge somebody by that aspect if I see them with a tattoo as big as their whole backside or a row of 15 piercings in their ear, but I know I could never see myself with such.

I think that especially ear piercings are beautiful. I'm always staring into some strangers pierced ears..

Nowadays I don't have as many ear piercings as I used to have. That would have been, hmm, 16 ear piercings in total. I had 6 lobe piercings per ear, 2 helix piercings in the left ear, inner conch and industrial in the right.
All done by me.

But in the end I got tired of the fact that it was really annoying to change the studs, so I took some out permanently. Now I've only got 2 lobe piercings per one ear, the helix piercings and the inner conch. It's nice to have a bit more emptier ears now, but occasionally I still miss those other piercings. *sigh* But what can you do.

As for tattoos, I can't really say whether I'd have them or not. Maybe someday!

I have no tattoos and nothing is pierced, not even ears. I don't object to people having either done. Indeed, I'm quite likely to comment on a well-done tattoo or compliment nice jewelry. I just don't feel the need to do either myself. I've never seen an earring that could not be done as a clip-on or a necklace and I cannot think or anything I would need etched into my skin. I am also afraid of needles, which is a factor in my choice, but not the only one. I was talking to a young friend at work the other day who asked me "If if didn't use needles, would you get a tattoo?" My answer is "Why?" I honestly couldn't think of what kind of tattoo I would get.

I think tattoos and piercings say a lot about a person - sometimes they are a call for attention (whether deserved or not), sometimes they are an expression of freedom or passion, and still other times they're an arrow pointing to the stupid drunk guy. Now, for your specific questions!

Do you have or do you plan to get piercings or tattoos?
Yupperz.

If so, what are you considering and what do you have?
Two piercings in each ear, and a tattoo planned for my back as soon as I get the money. Just a small one - nothing too ostentatious. It'll be a circular Celtic knot, about the size of a golf ball.

From where did you draw your ideas?
My heritage. It's something that will never change, and that I will always be proud of.

Are you comfortable with the idea of a piece of art being part of your body forever? If so, why?
Yes. Again, my heritage will never change - I will always be proud of my strong Celtic blood. A tattoo is simply an outward symbol of it.

What do you look for in a piercer or someone who does tattoo work?
Credibility. How many of my friends have gotten work done here, and how happy are they with it? Where did this artist obtain their licensing? How long have they been licensed? So on and so forth.

Do you prefer line art, shading, or full color?
I have no preference. If you can rock it, rock it. Tattoos are a form of self-expression, and everyone's expression is different. For myself, I'd prefer lineart with some minor, subtle shading.

What kinds of shading do you like?
Soft, natural shading is great, but if an artist can make cell shading look perfectly at home on a person's body, I think that says a lot about their skill.

In some cultures, like being Japanese which I am. You have to be careful of tattoos and piercings both. Tattoos because of the Yakuza Clans and society thinking you are participating in one of them, piercings because they just aren't natural looking (or so says an Aunt which she could be both right and wrong about that piece of information.)

Like most of society I think tattoos and piercings are a Right of Passage sort of stage for someone. A stage in which can happen anytime in a persons life and they can do what they will so long as they know it will stay on nearly forever unless sometime in the not so near future they want it removed or covered up with another one that is totally different for their own reasons.

Do you have or do you plan to get piercings or tattoos?
Yes


If so, what are you considering and what do you have?
Possible one more pair piercing on my ears going up the lobe since I have two pairs already. Now for tattoos is a sisterly thing me and my two younger sisters are getting. We aren't sure of the size or location but it will be the Kanji or Chinese Character for Bodyguard in Japanese. There are 3 characters and we each will get one and make it personal. Then the rest will be in bold black or silver ink with the individual ones in color with some little animational figure to go along with it.

From where did you draw your ideas?
Part is my ethnic background and the storylineish of the video game Yojinbo besides the male characters trying to woo a female of course.

Are you comfortable with the idea of a piece of art being part of your body forever? If so, why?
Yes. Since it was my idea and too me it seems more costly and a waste of both parties time to eventually get it removed or have my piercings close over a fairly long period of time.


What do you look for in a piercer or someone who does tattoo work?
How much good commenting the place or person has gotten. Plus quality, if besides their credentials are they being both fair in price and results.


Do you prefer line art, shading, or full color?
No preference.


What kinds of shading do you like?
Any

here is a topic i can enjoy.
i have two earring piercings in both ears lower lobe. i don't have the tolerance to get more though i want to. for several years i have debated about getting a few tattoos but i have fear of needles and low pain thresho just my opinion ld. in meantime i have drawn out the designs very basically and when i get up the nerve i will eventually get them done. i have seen several folks with all over tattoos that were still tasteful and others that just looked mishmashed. everyone has the right to enjoy their tastes no matter what others think.

Do you have or do you plan to get piercings or tattoos?
I have piercings, but no tattoos currently.

If so, what are you considering and what do you have?
I have my ears pierced, just got my first cartilage piercing, and third lobe piercing done at the same time, and have plans for a few more, yes. Also would love to get a tattoo or two in the future. I want plenty of time to work out a design, settle on placement, and make sure I'm absolutely prepared for the permanent effect of it. But it will happen.
I'm also hoping to get into shape and get more piercings. Another cartilage in my ear on both sides, a tongue piercing perhaps, spider bites on my bottom lip, and a belly button, after I succeed in losing the belly fat that I have. It'll be my reward.


From where did you draw your ideas?
At the moment I'm still in quandary as to where, but I know I want a butterfly, and snakes. The butterfly because it will symbolize The Butterfly Project, which helps people who self harm. A relative and good friend have gone through that, and I myself have been tempted, but I'm behind them 100%, so thought it would be a nice permanent reminder of what others go through. The snakes because I own two of them, with hopes to own more, and have a scar on my ankle I'm thinking about covering up. Nowadays it's not half as bad as it was when I thought up the idea of a ankle tattoo, which makes me rethink the placement, but I still think it'll be awesome to see what can be done. One snake is white, one is red

Are you comfortable with the idea of a piece of art being part of your body forever? If so, why?
Yes. A big part of it is because I plan on having my sister design my tattoos for me, if I can ever get around to planning them out fully, and discussing that with her. But I love her art, and trust that she'd be a lot more available to me for modifications, and get what I wanted, then some stranger. I also want something unique and original.


What do you look for in a piercer or someone who does tattoo work?
Recommendations, background, years of experience, environment, and their workstation. Recently visited a tattoo parlor to get my ears pierced, and I thought they were a great example of what I'd look for.

Do you prefer line art, shading, or full color?
Depends on what I'm having done.


What kinds of shading do you like? Again, depends on what I get. I love it when a tattoo artist can get shading right however, as I feel that's important, if you have it in the picture, to get it right, no matter what the art type is.

And ugh, can I just say that while I love having my upper ears pierced, and love the three in a row on my lobes, keeping them both clean is something else I would do it again in a heartbeat though

All I have are two earlobe piercings and two upper ear piercings-- and I don't really plan on getting any other piercings, unless they are on the ear. No tatts either.

I don't mind tattoos- to be honest I find some quite attractive. But I think for me it just depends on the tattoo and how well it's maintained.

I got my right eyebrow pierced a few years ago, during the end of my "rebellious teen" years. I really only take it out for job interviews. Sadly, the medical industry isn't ready for people with bits of metal protruding from their face.

I'm considering getting a tattoo on my shoulder: The staff of Hermes, or the caduceus. It's a symbol of medicine, which is going to be my profession throughout life, and something I'm quite passionate about.

The one thing I look for the most in piercers and tattoo artists is cleanliness. If you can't open the needle from a clean, sterile package in front of me, then I do not want to do business with you. The place I got my eyebrow pierced in was so professional and clean.