DuVal Ink

By Melissa Wood
When you see a person with a tattoo, what do you think of them? Whether or not you're aware of it, before you can even make out exactly what the image is, you have already began to form an opinion of that person in your mind. Nowadays, and especially among the younger crowd, tattoos are proudly displayed and explained. Others (often those without ink of their own) stare with rapt attention. In a bustling sculpture class, at a table off in the corner, friends gather around a football player. One girl ventured forward to lift up his sleeve, revealing an intricate pattern inked high on his shoulder. It is not long before all at the table are staring. He explains the image of each piece with good humour, and then goes on to explain just how to pay for a tattoo. He explains the process of having images permanently inked onto his body as arbitrarily as he might talk about the weather.

Tattoos have become commonplace among teenagers these days. The act of inking that was previously associated with an act of rebellion, is not nearly as surprising as it might've been twenty years ago. However, many of them are not treating the decision of getting a tattoo lightly, some researching the parlors, the risks, and even drawing the designs themselves. These symbols and images mean something important to them.
A young woman in my sculpture class has three tattoos, each in a different place. To her, tattoos are "not a big deal," but the decisions can be tough to make. Her first tattoo, her zodiac sign on her wrist, was the most difficult decision. After that, getting more (one on her torso, another on her hip) did not demand much consideration, other than what design she would get. She believes that tattoos are a form of self-expression, and each one means something to her. She believes that she will get more, in the future, and for now, she's happy showing off the ones she has.
Another classmate, Charles Hawkins, was all but too eager to explain his tattoos to me. So far, he has three: one just above his wrist, on his forearm, and on his upperarm. Two of them are names of those important to him - his mother's name and his own, which is a family name. He also as a cross, which is representative of something significant - his faith. With an offhandedness that could be easily read as pride, he responds "not really," when posed with the question of "did they hurt." Surprisingly, his parents agreed to his body art, even taking him to have the inking done. "Of course I'll get more," he says as if there was no option of him stopping with the tattoos he does have.
Despite his eager attitude, Hawkins did take into consideration the social prejudices that often arise upon seeing a tattoo. "I won't get my neck or hands [tattooed] until I have a steady job," he says, noting that all his tattoos are above his wrists for a purpose: "I can cover them up for a job interview." It's clear to see that to him, tattoos are not decisions to be made flippantly. Tattoos are serious because "they'll be there for life. You can get them lasered off, but that hurts more than getting the tattoo." For a quick moment, he glances down at the name looming darkly over his arm, as if he's wondering just how much that might hurt, before continuing with a laugh: "You don't get any anaesthetic for that!"
Teachers would be pleased to find that teenagers are putting thought into their tattoos, contrary to one teacher's remarks that "a lot of them don't put thought into them. If you're not going to like it when you're 90, you shouldn't get one." If that's the case, I hope that Miss P, an English teacher here at Duval, will be happy with her own tattoo when she's ninety. She got her tattoo, a Celtic symbol meaning "wisdom," just three years ago. She advises to always "research your parlor first. Make sure they use clean needles and do freestyle work."
A student teacher, who does not work at Duval, remarks that "if the student had something offensive tattooed on them, then I'd have an issue." Otherwise, she "doesn't think any less of them. I'm really liberal about that sort of thing, though." Her only issue is that she's worried they may choose to get something they'll regret later. Perhaps, for this reason, she does not have a tattoo herself. "I've always told myself to wait a year and make sure I'd still want it, and then in a year, I'm totally over it." She suggests that teens, and adults, wait for a while before deciding to get something as permanent as a tattoo.

It's clear that tattoos are becoming increasingly common, especially among the younger crowd. Next time you're in the hallway, at lunch, or in class, look around. You may be surprised to find that a classmate has a tattoo. So, if you're thinking of getting on yourself, here are a few suggestions to mind before going under the needle:
1. Do research on tattoos. There is more to getting a tattoo than having a needle pressed into your skin. Be sure to read up on aftercare instructions beforehand so you know how to take care of your new body ink. Research how tattoos are done, if you aren't sure, so you know what to expect. Ask family or friends that may have tattoos. Have an idea for a design already in mind.
2. Research your parlor. Go and visit before you have your art done. Ask to see the artists' portfolio (photographs of earlier work), and make sure the parlor meets your standards for cleanliness. Ask to see the autoclave and sterilization equipment. Inks should never be reused and the artist should wear gloves at all times during the process.
3. Choose your design. Tattoo flash art are designs already pre-existing. Go through these designs for a better idea of what you would like, even if you want a custom piece. Custom art is an original piece, perhaps designed by you or a friend. Or, the tattoo artist can design a piece for you him/herself. If you come in with a piece already designed, make sure to discuss with your artist just what is and what isn't possible.
4. Discuss with a parent. If you're concerned about your parents, the best route is to tell them and not sneak around behind their backs to get one. Show them how seriously you are taking this decision by showing them your research and your design. Show them that you are mature enough to handle such a big decision. Getting a tattoo without your parents' permission is a quick way to destroy their trust, and you don't want that to happen.
5. WAIT. You may think that you're ready to get your first (or second, or third, etc.) tattoo, but you are not. You must "sleep on it," and not just for a night, or a week, but a month or more. By waiting, you assure yourself that getting a tattoo is really what you want to do. You'll be very distressed to find that the tattoo you were so excited about just last month does nothing but make you grimace every time you see it later on. If you still feel as passionately about getting that tattoo as you did months ago, then you're ready.

By Jennifer Partridge |  December 9, 2007; 5:43 PM ET
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