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Two years ago I made a conscious decision to study the art of inking (the body). I’ve spent countless hours researching topic via the web, text and journals within the UTK library, and the databases of UTK’s online library system. Throughout my journey I’ve shared countless images and stories about the world of tattooing. Today, my website is visited by more than 10,000 surfers each week.
Standing on the sidelines I studied the art form and learned how to dissect the good, bad and ugly. If you take time out to review my website you’ll find some beautiful tattoos … but you’ll find many tattoos gone wrong. As my personal appreciation of the good stuff grew, I studied the work of well-known artists (living and deceased). Throughout the journey I envisioned becoming a kindred member of the 5000+ year-old tattoo club, and the probability or eventuality of being inked.
Tattooing of the body dates to at least 3300 B.C. as evident from the markings on “Otzi the Iceman.” Tattoos found on Egyptian and Nubian mummies date to 2000 B.C.; classical authors mention the use the use of tattoos in connection with Greeks, ancient Germans, Thracians, and ancient Britons. The same can be said of tattoos within the Oceania region, but history is not preserved in a written context to verify its origins there. Many researchers believe Oceania inhabitants considered tattooing an ancient custom to mark taboos and/or to embody magic in the person adorning the ink.
James Cook, an accomplished cartographer (who mapped the Hawaiian Islands), and his colleague, Joseph Banks (a botanist) gathered first-hand observational data from their voyages within the Oceania region. They were tasked with observing the people, animals and plants they encountered in the region. Cook and Banks clearly understood the process of inserting blue dye under the skin because they witnessed many an islander being inked via pointed bones and simple tapping devices made of wood.
Until Cook and Banks “observed” the process, descriptions of the process were awkwardly described and typically without accuracy. Joseph Banks is the credited inventor of the word “tattoo” derived from the Tahitian word ‘tatau.’ According to Maarten Hesselt van Dinter in his book, The World of Tattoo, “tattooing gained its identity as a distinct art form with the invention of the word.” I firmly believe observational data can provide anyone … including all those who fearful of tattoos … with sufficient information to embrace the art form.
Tattoos abound among my cycling buddies – many of whom sport numerous watermarks and full-sized tats. When you ride, train and race with the same group of guys, most of the conversation centers on family, professions, travels, and on occasion, tattoos. When asked about a tattoo, each and every conversation ended with the same advice (about getting inked): “create a design that you can live with for a lifetime and/or make damn sure the artist is just that — an artist.”
An attorney friend (with more than 10 tattoos) led me to person he trusts – an artist with an established reputation and full command of the iron. The artist who inked him – and now me – is Dale Johnson, owner of Mythical Markings located in Knoxville, Tennessee. Johnson is a gifted artist who produces tattoos that are highly creative and tight. The art deck on Mythical Markings website will give you a brief overview of his creativity.
In September I stopped by to introduce myself and talk about getting inked. Naturally my white shirt, tie and pressed pants seemed odd. Dale actually backed up – thinking I was either a salesman or a lawyer. He relaxed when I said, “Josh sent me.” We sat and reviewed my reference material and talked about creating a unique and custom design. Throughout our conversations we discussed each creative element or component, and the intended meaning(s) to be conveyed through the design. The final design that we agreed upon resulted in the creation of original artwork reflective of my input and my interests.
Herein are the photos of my tattoo outlined after our first session. This was the first step in the process of creating Koali`i – in outline form. While sitting in the chair Dale asked me to describe the pain. Curiously I answered with … “it feels like a scalpel is dragging across my skin with a sharp pin repeatedly paving the way for the blade.” He told me that answering the question while in the chair would help me remember. Surely it did.
Two weeks after the outline was inked in and completed, I revisited Mythical Markings for an extension to the original tattoo design. We added five crucifixes to the top, and Dale completed the fill-in work at the top of the half-sleeve and face of Koali`i. Once again, Dale asked me about the pain and I provided an entirely different answer. “The fill-in work is easier to take when you give in but it’s difficult to let go and accept the pain.” One spot hurt much more than any other (including the back side of my arm). For some reason the scarred skin of my smallpox shot was super-sensitive and alarmingly painful when inked.
For most of the 3.5 hours I didn’t give into the pain – in other words my arm was tense as I resisted the iron. There were minutes when I gave into the pain, but for the most part I fought it. This proved to be a mistake because for the next four days the muscles in my left arm were extremely sore. I learned something, and it applies to life itself: when pain comes (and it surely will) – give into it. Allow it to exist – don’t fight it. As HRH the Dalai Lama once said, “pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.”
Herein are the images from my second sitting at Mythical Markings:
Another week passed and the calendar turned to October 31st – the final sitting for my first half-sleeve. We booked four hours for the fill-in work to make sure we were able to complete the half-sleeve. I was much more conversational during this session than in the previous two. Relaxing and giving into the pain helped tremendously. The mental process is actually very simple: separate your mind from your body and allow it to happen. While the needle was moving across my skin I accepted the pain and relaxed.
The needle isn’t “angry” nor is the artist applying the ink. The needle has no feelings – it is merely in a position to work at the command of the artist. The ink session was clearly the most painful of all three sittings (because of such a huge area being filled), but I was much more relaxed.
Finding a tattoo artist – some simple advice: Although tattooing isn’t heart survey, you’d best locate an artist whose life is committed to the profession. In other words, find a “Dale Johnson.” And if you can’t find one in your part of the world, then fly your happy ass to Knoxville, Tennessee. I highly suggest that you call ahead, talk with Brooke and secure an appointment. Dale is booked almost everyday.
Ok then. When I say, “inketh oneth” it officially applies to me.
All across America folks were waking up to the smell of coffee - college football gameday, crisp air and the thought of “no work.”
As I awoke from my comfy bed at the Hyatt Regency in Bethesda, Maryland, all I thought about was how the FullAccess-Maryland Summit would unfold. Little did I know that more than 60 college students with disabilities were about to truly engage with everyone they met – with or without the help of interpreters. In the initial keynote session, we were jolted with encouragement and then challenged to go further by two of most visible people in the DC disability landscape: Kareem Dale and Judy Heumann.
Judy was the first keynote presenter. Naturally she led with her life’s story – and it is such a powerful story. I’m certain the students (as I did) found it to be emotionally moving and uplifting. Judy’s life journey left everyone feeling more empowered. As a bit of background, Judy served in the Clinton Administration as Assistant Secretary of the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services at the US Department of Education from 1993 to 2001. From 2002 to 2006 she served as the World Bank Group’s first Advisor on Disability and Development. She is currently the Director of the Department of Disability Services for the District of Columbia. It was interesting to watch the energy between this very visible and powerful woman and the students in the room. Questions were aplenty after she wrapped up — and there were many students talking with her after the morning session.
Kareem Dale followed Judy … wishing that he had been first (her story is so powerful). Dale is founder and chief executive officer of The Dale Law Group (DLG) in Chicago, and served as the Obama campaign’s Disability Vote Director. Dale is a native Chicagoan and received his bachelor’s degree in Advertising from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He graduated Cum Laude with a law degree and an MBA from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in May, 1999. Dale now serves as special assistant to the president for disability policy.
Mr. Dale, who is partly blind, read from a prepared Braille speech that was very eloquent and thoroughly motivating. He spoke to everyone in the room – not just those with disabilities. In his speech at the COSD, FullAccess Summit in Bethesda, Maryland he shared his views of going further in a world of change. When summing up his thoughts he asked if there were questions from the students … and 20 hands were raised. Naturally this set off a series of movements from interpreters in the room to assist those that needed help in conveying their question(s) properly. The whole process was – well – powerful.
While the college football gameday unfolded, I was snapping images of what I saw, what I felt and the certainly the interaction of some very bright collge students. Herein are some images of the day. Enjoy.
The trip began in the car, then moved to a plane and ended via a train (Metro) to Bethesda, Maryland. The whole concept of traveling in something other than a automobile is interesting. I’m flown a lot in my lifetime but the train experience has been limited to a few Eurorail segments years ago. Metro, on the otherhand, is kewl.
Back in the 80’s I was in DC every month. My client, Providence Hospital, required monthly huddle sessions to cover their marketing program. Knowing what I now know I would have traveled via Metro. Years ago I rented a car, struggled to find parking and was usually frustrated with traffic. I’m convinced that I might have moved to DC had I really studied the landscape. Go figure.
I did notice (on the Yellow and Red lines) LOTS of ad/posters about assault vehicles, military aircraft, tanks, etc. It’s an intercept point for those who work nearby. The messages about eating were everywhere as well. Makes sense to me.
For now I’ll get back to my photo-journalism work here in DC. Peace.
