Introduction

I'm Rex, or Rusty, whichever you prefer. This is one of three blogs I have. One's been deactivated for a while but will be started up again soon. Another is for Video Game posts and is kinda up and down as to when I post. Lastly this one, is my tattoo blog.

I'll start with a bit of background. I've wanted tattoos for as long as I can remember. As a child I'd look at my father's tattoos and imagine getting my own some day. When we finally got a computer with internet at age 12, I spent many hours each week looking at tattoos on famous people, reading tattoo blogs and still imagining getting my own. At 16 my father took me to the local tattoo shop to see about finally getting one, at which point I was informed I needed to 18. finally at 19, last year, I had the money to get my first tattoo. My father designed it, and my tattoo artist, Tasha Brooks, made some adjustments and just like that we were good to go. 

My first piece was a Phoenix, on my right arm. Symbolising how I'd changed in the last couple of years. After lots of severe bullying and an abusive relationship I was quiet and timid with no confidence, but after a lot of work I became the confident man I am now. Defeating the suicidal thoughts, depression and outbursts of anger I'd become prone to. The Phoenix, a symbol of rebirth and new life, summed that change up perfectly for me. I should also mention, I didn't go small. Go big or go home. Four and a half hours over two sessions. £280. This is the result. 







This was my first taste of ink. November 2013. It's true what they say, once you get one, you can't stop. For me the worst part is the itching when the dead skin peels. Knowing you can't scratch it gets so frustrating. I also much prefer shading to line work. Line work stings like a bitch, seriously.

Recently I got my second and third tattoos. Again from Tasha Brooks, who has recently started at a new shop based in Soham called Skin Folk. These were both done in one session and due to their size, and the obvious simplicity of the third only took an hour and a half, costing £110. I should explain them. Patsy is my dog. I got her when my depression was at it's worst and she gave me a reason to live. She means the world to me, but she's old and ill. I owe this dog my life and want to remember her. Her name is circled by her favourite scarf, as it's a bit more personal than a generic German Shepherd head piece or silhouette. The tally marks are actually a reference to The Silence in Doctor Who, if you get that then awesome! If not then I won't worry about explaining it further. The number 13 was honestly a random choice, I didn't even think about it at the time, but people find it weird so I'm thinking of hiding 13 tally marks into future tattoo designs. See if people can find them!



I do have future plans to talk about on this blog. But I want to keep planned tattoos and completed/working progress posts separate.

So that's my tattoos. Not much right now, but I will be adding to them as and when I can afford to. 

Next post will be my ideas for the future! 

~Rusty.