Steve's Story
Steve’s connection to tattoos is not only on his skin, but also in pencil and paper. He did the initial designs for both of his tattoos, as well as designs for others’ tattoos here at Cedarville. (If you remember Brandon from my post on March 7th, Steve drew up the rough design for his black and white half sleeve.)

Steve says he has always had a love for tattoos and an eye for art. The art behind tattoos, as well as the permanent messages tattoos can convey, was important to Steve in deciding to get his.

“It’s mostly about the art that goes into it for me,” he said. “The only important thing that I could really find meaning in for the rest of my life would be images from Scripture, so that’s what I had done.”

When Steve was 19 he got his first tattoo, a design he had worked on perfecting for nearly 2 years. The tattoo, on his right bicep, is of the reference for Hebrews 11:1, which reads, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” (NIV) He says this verse is important, not only to him but also in general, because it is by faith that Christians believe in God and the salvation He offers.

He got his second tattoo nearly 6 months ago, and it is of a cross, a crown of thorns and the words “It is finished.” These images combined represent the suffering and the ultimate triumph of Jesus Christ's death on the cross that made salvation possible. Though Steve drew the initial design for the tattoo, he says his tattoo artist changed it and made it look cooler. This immense tattoo took two sittings to complete— one lasting 3 hours and another lasting 2.

Steve says that he definitely would like more tattoos, though he is not set on any specific designs yet.

I hope you all enjoyed hearing about the stories behind Steve’s ink. And if you (or any of your friends) have tattoos and would like them up on my blog, send me an e-mail at kimberlygarlick@cedarville.edu and we can work something out. Thanks!