Jane's Story
Finally, I am back on here. I cannot even begin to describe how crazy this week has been with schoolwork, assignments for my internship and outside distractions that have left me speechless and really considering what is important in life. And all through this past week, I have thought about the two tattoos that I am going to tell you about, because they are inspirational, impacting the way I look at life in this world.

First off, let me reintroduce you to my friend, Jane, who was the second person that I ever posted about on this blog. She is now up to 14 tattoos (I believe), and I just can’t get over the beauty and the importance that each tattoo holds.

But her two latest tattoos are probably some of my favorite, the one because it is inspiring with its boldness (in look and in message) and the other because of the humility it represents.

One of the tattoos Jane added is a branch of steel magnolias, which stands out with crazy detail (including some hints of white ink). Then to accompany the flowers, Jane added the text “Live boldly and bloom.” She said that, at first, when she was conceptualizing her tattoo, she was hesitant to add text because she already has a lot of script (so some people were joking that she could become a walking quote). But Jane loves texts (as do I), so she finally decided on “Live boldly and bloom,” which she sees as embodying who she is.

She said this aspect of the tattoo representing who she is as a whole sets her new tattoo apart from others, which have been inspired by other people or particular points in Jane’s life. However, the idea for having steel magnolias be a part of the tattoo came about from Jane reading the book “Girls Gone Wise in a World Gone Wild” by Mary Kassian. While reading through this book with our friend, Amy, Jane was struck by a quote about steel magnolias. Kassian wrote: “The steel magnolia melds beauty with perseverance, softness with backbone, delicacy with durability, sweetness with stamina.” What a great representation of the women God calls His “daughters” to be!

The other tattoo, that so perfectly represents appropriate meekness, is a “greater than” symbol on Jane’s wrist, with the open end by her palm. Underneath the symbol are the Bible references for John 3:30 and Philippians 2:3. To paraphrase, these verses say “Christ must increase and I must decrease” and “consider others greater than yourself,” respectively.

Jane said that these passages are such great reminders in her life because she is studying to go into social work. With that, she will help many people that are considered to be in low places in general society’s eyes. Nonetheless, Jane knows that as a believer in the redemptive work of Christ her Lord and Savior, she is to consider those people better than herself and show them the love of Christ, if not explicitly then implicitly in her love for them. And with that, in order to have the sensitivity and wisdom to love people appropriately, Jesus Christ and all the qualities He embodies must grow in Jane’s life and any selfish desires or misconceptions of people must fade away.

Now for the story behind her tattoo experience itself:

Over the summer, before coming back to school, Jane made an appointment to get these two tattoos. She went to a shop she had not been to before, one that was recommended to her when she commented on the tattoo of someone she ran into at her workplace (and she said that it is rare for her to comment on someone else’s tattoo!...I bet she’s glad she did on this occasion, though). When she initially called the shop, she learned that the tattoo artist she had been referred to was booked up for the month; but this artist had an apprentice who was available. What struck Jane (and me…and others, I’m sure): this apprentice is a girl!

Jane said that she went in and looked at numerous portfolios of the apprentice, Laci, and decided to go ahead with it. This experience was different because with Laci being an apprentice, Jane had to sign off on paperwork, saying that she was aware Laci was an apprentice, which Jane said was kind of nerve-wrecking.

Jane said that Laci did really well, but she took a little longer than a more experienced tattoo artist. However, Jane said that in comparison with other tattoo artists she has had, Laci had a more gentle touch. (And at the bottom of the post I put a link to an article I found about female tattoo artists and how their typically gentle touch could be an advantage to them in the field!) Also, Jane said how she appreciated how talkative Laci was. Along with having a female artist for the first time, Jane experienced another first: getting color (white). Lastly, Jane said that pricewise this tattoo experience was “phenomenal,” because tattoo apprentices cannot charge full price for tattoos. There are some things to consider if you ever plan on getting a tattoo!

I hope you all appreciated these tattoos and stories as much as I did, and let me know what you think about Jane’s tattoos or female tattoo artists. If things don’t get too crazy around here, I hope to be back blogging next week. Thank you all for reading. Have a great week!

[Here is the link to the article I mentioned: http://columbianewsservice.com/2010/04/as-tattoo-artists-do-women-have-the-upper-hand/ ]