reality.

         For the past year, I have been thinking long and hard about getting a tattoo. I have had many ideas cross through my mind such as quotes or symbols, placement of the tattoo, and colour. My first idea was for get a white ink tattoo. I wanted it on my finger, but the tattoo artist wouldn't do it unless it was in a place that was barely touched, otherwise it would fade, So I changed my pace, and decided that I would get a quote on my finger in blue. But after a while, the quotes I loved all ended up being too long or having purpose. In February, I got my birthday gift from my mom early: A gift certificate for my tattoo, to be done on my birthday in two months. I got cracking, and in a matter of days, I had an idea. I wanted to get an origami bird, because over the past year, they have been a significant part of my creative process and just in helping me find freedom. I began to look all over the internet for ideas, and I came upon an outline of an origami bird that just spoke volumes to me. Origami is meant to be crisp, clean and precise, so this drawing fit perfectly. I sketched out the bird a million times myself so I had an idea of the process and soul that went into the idea. Now it was just time for the positioning. I wanted it to be visible when I got it, so that whenever I looked down, I could be reminded of it's beauty. I eventually told my father I was getting a tattoo, despite the fact that I know he hates them. He went on a long speech about how I'll regret it and all, but he also went on to tell me that he would never stop me if I got it. I eventually decided that I would get it behind my left ear, because my forearm would be hard to cover for employment and I knew my father would hate my shoulder, seeing it was very open and revealing, and I knew that it would have to be bigger there, and I may not be ready for that ind of commitment. I get the tattoo on my eighteenth birthday, and I am absolutely in love with it now. My dad still doesn't get it, but that's ok. As long as I love it. Every time I look in the mirror, I take a peek behind my ear and just smile. I have a bird to carry me where ever I may go in life, and give me the freedom I need to find my life and passion. Here's the initial sketches I did for the tattoo, and then a picture of the actual tattoo the day after it was done. I decided to get it in blue ;) Enjoy.