I can be impulsive.

I wrote a little bit this morning about Ink and why it means more to me than just a picture out of a book or off of a wall. I wrote about the symbolism of the tattoo I was heading out to get. This is the third tattoo I’ve put on my body, each one with its own meaning. Each one with its own story.

My first tattoo is a symbol for my mother, without being cliche and getting “Mom” tattooed on my skin. I took the same image she has on her shoulder and had it done by the same artist, twenty years after hers was done. They are the same, but different enough to reflect that particular artist’s growth behind the needle. They’re vibrant. I love it, and it is as much a part of me as my eyes or my nose.

My second tattoo was done on impulse with one of my longest standing best friends, Michelle. The two of us have been through a lot together, and while we now have poorly done, matching prison-style tattoos, what’s really symbolic to me about that one is that we did them together. They embody our love of hockey, sure, but also our love for one another. Michelle is absolutely stuck with me after over a decade of being by my side. We’re raising our children together. We are, in effect, part of one another’s families, histories, and futures.

The third one is the first one that I came up with on my own. It’s the first time that I’ve had an idea and instantly felt that it needed to happen. Things have moved so fast for me in the last few months that I’m almost surprised I heard the whisper of inspiration that brought her to fruition. What I pictured in my head came suddenly, nagged relentlessly, and then became a reality. In my own words, “I want her on me before I can change my mind”. This tattoo is the one I wrote about this morning.

The bunny came to me for a number of reasons. I’ve slept with a bunny since I was a child. He clothes now are ripped and torn. Her fur is stained and pilled. The fuzz on her nose has rubbed off.
My bunny has been subject to ridicule. “Why do you sleep with that ratty old thing?”
My bunny resides in my closet these days. Tucked away for safe keeping where  her feelings can’t get hurt.
The word took on more meaning for me. It crossed my mind daily. It nagged at me. I  made my decision.

After the decision was made, I looked up the symbolism of the rabbit. Everything fit so perfectly.
She symbolizes snatching opportunities while they exist, because many don’t for very long. She represents rebirth. She represents growth and change. A rabbit symbolizes longevity, love and vigilance, as well as loyalty. In Native American mythology the rabbit is said to be a fear caller; she calls her greatest fears to her, daring them to attack her.
It was perfect. My bunny was guiding me. It was the final nail. I had to have her.
All of my past works have been celebrations of my relationships with others. Bunny is a celebration of my relationship with myself. She is a piece of how I feel right now. A memory of the last two months; a glimmer of hope for the future and all the things that are to come.
I’ve never felt so hopeful. I’ve never felt so lucky. I’ve never been so grateful.

I would kind of like to say that I shopped around, but the truth is that I didn’t. I had been passing a tattoo studio nearly every single day for months and wondering to myself what kinds of things they did. I took the time to look them up and reach out to talk about getting some work done. The artistry that I found by Christina Christie was incredible… much like the idea of “Bunny”, I was nearly instantly in love.

I loved the idea of a female-owned shop. One that was local to the Tri-Cities? Especially appealing.  And the artwork? Oh the artwork… you guys, I can’t even express it. Go and look for yourself.

I was invited into the studio for a consultation and I was totally blown away by the canvas art all over the shop. The Black Rabbit Tattoo Studio is a celebration of art and culture unlike anything I’ve ever seen in the Tri-Cities. Not to mention the portraiture that Christina does totally blew me away. I loved her attitude from the minute we met one another and started plotting my pieces. Instantly, I had the utmost faith in her ability to create a realistic, beautiful piece for me.

I was not… am not disappointed. The piece that I got done today by Christina has literally exceeded my personal expectations for this tattoo. Not only is the work beautifully done, but she was so professional, funny and just basically a pleasure to spend my time with. I’m booked in for another piece in just under a month, a little more original than this last one was. These next pieces are indicative of my forward motion in my career. I just know that Christina is going to blow me away with these two pieces.

“A good tattoo artist is is like finding a good doctor…. When you find one, you stick with them. Exclusively. We’re dating now.” -Me.

If you’re interested in finding an amazing tattoo artist in the Tri-Cities area, please don’t hesitate to check out Black Rabbit Tattoo Studio. Get further acquainted with their work by “Liking” Them on Facebook, or  following Black Rabbit on Twitter.