Ink

I have a tattoo on my right thigh, a 6-inch rendition of Atlas, the Greek titan condemned to hold up the Earth on his shoulders. The Avon, Indiana tattoo artist I went to took the basic image I put together and fine-tuned it, defining his style through perfect lines and meticulous shading. My Atlas is a nondescript being, bald, sinewy, and strikingly human. Supported by his hands, the Earth rests on his shoulders in such a way that reveals an inexact picture of North and South America. It looks a lot of the image on the cover of Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged. So much, in fact, that many people have asked if that book had been my inspiration for the tattoo.

In a word, no. In two, hell no. I loathe Libertarianism. It’s far too selfish of an ideology for me to admire it. My tattoo reminds me that my personal troubles aren’t so bad compared to the greater struggles throughout the world. Although life can be tough for me, someone, somewhere, has it worse. So I look at Atlas carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders to find clarity and balance. That said, I’ve always thought my tattoo is defined by you, the viewer. An image of strength? If that’s what you think, sure, although I’d like to think I wouldn’t air my vanity like that. Did I get it because I thought it looked badass? Well, sort of, but not entirely. If you want to think just that, though, I wouldn’t mind. After all, a tattoo is art, a concept that derives meaning through outsider participation.

I do not look like a “tattoo guy.” Most people say this when they see my tattoo. But I am. I loved the entire process of getting tattooed, from the first design of the image to the finalizing sting of the needle. Four years later and after much thought, I’ve decided to get another tattoo. An artist, I am not, but I’ve begun to gather images from different sources that play on a theme, or rather a philosophy, that I believe in and want to express. The next step in the process is to draw the picture I have in my mind. Then I’ll bring that to a tattoo artist and set up a date to have it done. I’m excited, if not anxious. Putting something “permanent” [ashes to ashes, dust to dust, and nothing’s really permanent, but a tattoo’s damn close] on my body exhilarates me. I want that rush.

So… to anyone reading this: Do you have any suggestions for a good tattoo parlor in South Bend or the nearby area? Cost is not a concern of mine. I want this to be good. Also: Can you draw? If yes, do you want to help me draw my next tattoo? *friendly nudging*