I done my research and settled on Star Crossed Tattoos in Kowloon. Rich, he was my first. Popped my cherry. I thought we were a good match as he graduated with a bachelor degree in graphic art/communication design and worked as a graphic designer before coming to Hong Kong as a tattoo artist. Plus he was south african, with a south african accent that I took in.
I rocked up fucking 30minutes late and sweating through my clothes. I was still panting when he was talking through his design. I shouldn't have worn a dress because I would be lying down, dudes walking around, i wasnt even wearing a bra. Armpits where unplucked, legs covered in mosquito bites and scars and hairs and the black fluff from my jumper stuck to my sweat on my body so I looked dirty. hehe.
There was a chinese/american family sitting in the waiting room before me. The twin daughters, one with half head long hair/half head shaven. They were getting impulsive matching tattoos on their wrist. Theyre old and traditional looking parents where completely cool with this, the dad even came into the studio and watched his daughters get tatted up. I kept thinking, I wish my parents were this cool!
Rich stencilled me. I wanted it bigger than I thought. For the image and placement I thought the bigger the better.
Is this your first tattoo?
Yes.
Are you nervous?
I'm trying not to think about it. I'm only thinking about the end result.
Are you ready?
And before I responded, I felt the needle on my skin. Damn. What if I changed my mind? I asked a couple of friends about how to deal with the pain for a tattoo needle. Annie suggested inhaling as the needle touched me and exhaling when it didnt. Jess suggested freaking out about how much it will hurt so when you feel it, you will be underwhelmed of the pain. I found both advice useful, although I felt breathing out while the needle touched me to ease the pain better than to inhale.
It was good there was plenty of things on the wall and ceiling to distract me with. Street artwork, toy figurines, stickers, black white tiled floor and a mirror which reflected an image of my brand new black/white/floro green airmax's. It sounds crazy but looking at them actually made me feel better. MY SHOES ARE SO DAMN GOOD LOOKING.
Truth is, the tattoo doesnt hurt so bad. It is painful and the sound is annoying but its totally bearable. I would never say anything about the pain and I tried my best to hide it but he knew I was uncomfortable because I would flinch and bite my lip. I didnt know if looking away or looking at the needle was helping or making it worse. There were sensitive spots that he hit that I almost asked him to stop, they were the spots on the back of my arm closest to my armpit. It really felt like someone had stuck a thin knitting needle under my skin and waved it around and cut my inside flesh in the process. Ow.
Long lines and double lines killed the most, luckily i didnt have many of those. I imagine how much more painful it would be to get block colour or thick ass lines like vman has. the needle goes over broken skin over and over again. I was surprised at how little I bled (just a trickle) and how relatively un-inflamed my skin got. I was even more surprised at how quickly it healed. Pretty much the third day it was totally flat and begun to peel. The itchy part was bearable. The first and second day, I felt a bit of pain, like someone was pulling on my skin. This sensation would occur randomly and I would pull a twisted face of pain. People thought I was weird.
Lying on the chair, I couldn't believe I was actually getting this done. No backing out now. My parents are gonna kill me. Job prospects will be obsolete, including my once life long dream being a flight attendent. I am now tainted. My parents are going to disown me. Me, alone, in another country, getting a tattoo. I imagine my first with Vman by my side watching over me and keeping me comfortable, but I was truly alone in this experience. Ive been obsessed with tattoos as a child and ive changed my mind so many times about my first tattoo.. is this really happening? FUCK SHITCHYEA MUTHAFUCKA!
Rich tattooed for 1.5hrs but it felt like 45 minutes. He was really gentle and caring when he bandaged up my tattoo which made me feel good. After care process was easy as and pretty much common sense. No excess exposure to sun or water. Pat dont wipe. Bepanthern cream three times a day. Dont peel or scratch. Getting this tattoo was such a positive and enjoyable experience for me this wont be my last. I am going to crave another, just as I did with body piercings.
I love my tattoo so much. I love it I love it I love it! During the first week, I would trip out when I see a flash of it and say 'what the fuck is this black shit on my.. oh yeah, tattoo'. Once it healed and became flat, I had accepted it as part of me. I couldn't imagine my arm the way it was before, I feel so comfortable with it like I've had it for years already. I love everything about it. It's a moving part of Rich's art. I love the placement and style which both add to its symbolism. Location makes it easy to hide. I love how it peaks out when I move my arm in a certain way and goes back to hiding when I move back. I love how its simple black and white, I think it would make a good centre piece - be surrounded by more detailed and colourful tattoos. How ironic, a black white line drawing as a centre piece?
It's so me. This is me.
Freedom
