Just looking over this mail- serious slab of text from 'the
opinionated one'...
> I would prefer that one... Anyway, body-art is not under
> my liking.
In some ways, I guess it is like your natural skin colour -
it shouldn't 'bother' you as such, but whether it has a
special appeal, that will certainly vary with individuals.
In my case, I don't mind art so long as it doesn't hinder
performance, hence my lack of jewellery - I like the look,
but it would like get caught or in the way with me.
> About the atention-driving... well... I kinda disagree on
> that one. I mean,
> I consider body-art as any other art.
It it a little like carrying a photo in your wallet all the
time - trying to maintain an idea or feeling associated
with it. One may ask why you feel the need to be so
strongly and frequently reminded? I am sure most of us
have a bit of furry art lying around (on the 'system
desktop', stray printouts, framed prints?), but would it be
considered a little extreme to carry a picture with you in
your pocket all the time? A tattoo can be considered very
similar in this regard.
> People may like it
> or not, people may
> think an specific drawing/painting is wonderfull, or
> disgusting, but the real
> feeling of it, the real intention resides on the artist
> or performer...
Agree. Some people may baulk at furry art as it "isn't
natural" (and what says anything we do has to be?).
Certainly has different meaning and attractions for members
across the community. An example I can give is a computer
hub I airbrushed. Opinions ranged from "That's so cool!",
through to "You can't do that - it's computer equipment!"
and "That's evil and demonizing" referring to the laughing
skulls that were painted on the device. My personal view
was it made a boring beige item more visually interesting.
Each to their own, eh?
> In certain aspects, everything one person does is
> related to that person's
> self-steem, and every act has some degree of
> atention-drawing purpose... Art
> is just one of those activities...
Definitely; art is a form of expression and what you are
expressing can vary according to what you are trying to do.
"Look at me" through to "I hate everything" and
irrespective of what you intended, someone will find an
alternate meaning and firmly believe you intended that
instead. >_<
> Tattooing and body-art in general can be used for more
> then just self expression.
They can be used as a defining mark; gang members use them
to show a belonging (I'm part of the group), those
incarcerated were (not so much these days, though it
probably still occurs) marked for identification. I have
several friends who were soldiers and have been 'marked'
for 'return to sender' purposes in case things turned out
badly. These guys still have strong feelings for their
mates they fought alongside, though my friends have said
they hate the mark for what it represents in regard to
fighting and conflict being a far greater association than
the love of their comrades in arms.
> My father has four cardinals on his right arm,
> two adults and two chicks, they refresent himself, my
> mother, myself and my brother. My mother has
> portraits of my father my brother and me across her upper
> chest.
These days with divorce rates being so high, many regret
getting their spouse's name or likeness tattooed on
themselves, though children will always be your children,
whether they choose to talk to you, pass away or what ever.
Two thumbs up to your parents for continued commitment.
> She is
> also working on a sleeve (a tattoo encircling the arm)
> of southwestern desert
> scenes that represents what she loves about the desert.
I'm not the devil incarnate (despite suggestions), just his
advocate... Could it also be interpretted that she feels
trapped in her modern life and feels the need for escapism
to the wide open spaces?
> Both my parents use there tattoos as a kind of
> 'road-map'' of their life.
> They can point to any tattoo and name where they were and
> what there life was like when they got it.
I suppose it is harder to lose a tattoo than a photo
albumn, but I find the 'book of pics' works pretty well for
me.
> My current tattoo (the only one I have) I see not only as
> a beautiful piece
> of artwork, but as a symbol of strength and endurance
> that I can use to
> encourage me during troubling times.
Those who have marks of their 'faith' can find this too. I
have nothing against people drawing strength from such
things, providing they aren't trying to force it down my
throat. If this works better for you than wearing
jewellery or a repeated action (aka rituals), then great.
But it can still come down to the 'low self esteem' in
regard to you don't believe in yourself enough and require
a symbol to help pull you through. Having said that, low
esteem is relative and you could well be perfectly well
balanced, only drawing inspiration from your art to go on
to greatness as opposed to finding the courage to get out
of bed.
> Some people use tattoos to commemorate loved ones they
> have or have lost.
> IMO people who use tattoos only as a way to 'go against
> the system' are
> making a grave mistake that they will regret for the rest
> of there life.
Very much agree with this. The best way is to play the
system and win - trying to just buck the system usually
results in getting run over. :-/
> Tattoos are a very potent means of self-expression, but
> the end result has
> to be something that is important to you, and not to
> anyone else.
Though as mentioned above, other will interpret it in their
own way. I always ask my friends about their tattoos to
ensure I interpret the image the way they want it to be
seen. My friend (who was in the services) has an American
Eagle fighting and pinning down a German Eagle. He says it
is to represent the allies fighting for freedom, NOT the
allies trying to repress the Germans. He doesn't like the
image any more, despite what it is designed to represent -
too many other associated bad memories (as outlined above).
> I have been meaning to get a tattoo that represents my
> love of the Furry
> community, both in terms of artwork and the good times
> I've had and friends I've made.
It is the people that make the experience, I have found.
And it has taken me many, many years to learn that! Just
keep in mind (not looking at anyone specifically) that if
you wouldn't want to wear that tattoo when you are 60,
probably not a good idea to get it. Stop and imagine
yourself at that age; would you still be proud of the
image, or would you prefer to keep it hidden under your
shirt?
> I chose Onyx...
Obviously a tasteful pose, as suggested for reasons above,
would be a good idea. Sexy images on old guys tends to
give the viewer the impression of the bearer being a 'dirty
old man', rightly or wrongly.
> whenever I see it or think about it I will remember all
> the wonderful things being a part of this community has
> brought me.
In my case I tend to dynamically be reminded. Things I do,
people I see, all remind me of these things. :-) Live your
dreams - but most of us aren't too sure what they are (says
he who has been doing a lot of soul searching recently now
he is 'hiding' in a 9-5 office job).
> It took me five years to decide on the tattoo I have now
> and I have never
> regretted it for all the years I've had it. It means a
> great deal to me.
It sounds like you had put much thought into the symbology
of your body art and your values have not changed over
time; it is good to have an idea for a while and after say
12 months still like the idea - that way you are more
confident it is something you want to portray and not a
spur of the moment "I was feeling low and this will make me
feel better" type decision.
Scrapper, Black Dragon, consider as many options as you
can, including the ones you don't like, then make the call.
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Received on Sat Aug 20 2005 - 18:15:50 CDT