One of my things to do while i'm here was to get a traditional tattoo. By traditional, i mean done in the traditional manner rather than by machine.
I have achieved this aim!
I went to Chongqing during my travels and had a chat with Mr Li, who works at Tina's Hostel. he's become a good friend and we were talking about tattoos. I told him what i wanted and he said that he knew somewhere to go. So, the next day, we trooped off to the tattooist (www.dj-tattoo.com) and had a word with him. It was arranged!
This weekend, i decided to treat myself for my birthday. I went to get my tattoo.
I have achieved this aim!
I went to Chongqing during my travels and had a chat with Mr Li, who works at Tina's Hostel. he's become a good friend and we were talking about tattoos. I told him what i wanted and he said that he knew somewhere to go. So, the next day, we trooped off to the tattooist (www.dj-tattoo.com) and had a word with him. It was arranged!
This weekend, i decided to treat myself for my birthday. I went to get my tattoo.
Here i am looking at designs with the man who owns the shop. We picked out a traditional Chinese flower (the peony).
Yes, i am wearing pyjama trousers...i needed soft, loose trousers because the tattoo is on my thigh.
Yes, i am wearing pyjama trousers...i needed soft, loose trousers because the tattoo is on my thigh.
The tattooist setting up.
I feel that i should point out a few things. I am a trained Body Piercer. I know what i am looking for in a good studio. It must e clean, have a good amount of sterile equipment, and should meet my strict safety standards. This is the second studio i looked at, and it was good. Everything was covered so that cleanup was clean, it was clean, the people working there were clean and tidy and wore gloves at all times.
I feel that i should point out a few things. I am a trained Body Piercer. I know what i am looking for in a good studio. It must e clean, have a good amount of sterile equipment, and should meet my strict safety standards. This is the second studio i looked at, and it was good. Everything was covered so that cleanup was clean, it was clean, the people working there were clean and tidy and wore gloves at all times.
Starting the tattoo. It was done in the traditional manner, using a needle on a chopstick. It was surpriseingly not painful. I expected to be swearing and squealing all the way through. After a while, i actually forgot what was going on, until he hit a new bit and it made me jump.
Technique close-up.
Working the outline.
Outline and some leaves.
The finished product.
It is healing nicely, and still looks good. I think it needs a little touching up here and there, but that's to be expected with any tattoo.
It is healing nicely, and still looks good. I think it needs a little touching up here and there, but that's to be expected with any tattoo.
I wasn't the only one to feel the sharp end of a needle! Here are Alison, Carolina and Patricia discussing what they're getting pierced. I was quite jealous that i didn't get to do it, but they use gauntlet needles here, and i'm not that keen on them. If there's been cannulated needles, i would have been itching to get my hands on them!!
Alison and Patricia's finished products!