Zenmartini and the Keepers of Light

The tattoo project continues, I ask questions and there are still some things I wouldn't want my mom to know.

My tattoo project is a couple of weeks old now. Every few days I stop by the shop, Jinx Tattoo on Midland and Bloomfield and spend a few hours taking pictures and talking to the customers. Since I started this project, my prejudices have been taken down a peg. First by the owner of the shop Ox, who rather than view my motives to document the world of the tattoo artist (he prefers tattooer) with suspicion has given me complete access. He patiently answers my questions and tolerates my getting in the way of his light. And second, by the 70 year old grandmother getting her first tattoo (on her back) so that she would remember that she was not perfect. Maybe she should get it in a place  she can see? Maybe it's to remind someone else she's not perfect. But this is what this project has done... it has me asking questions about body art, permanence and what we want others to see. I wonder how long grandma's body art actually will be visible?  Why has such a large portion of the population decided that now, in this era is it okay to ink your skin? And, why are one quarter the people I've spoken to having their tattoos either covered over or removed by laser? I've been chided by the Jinx employees that the way my project should end is with me getting a tattoo. I'm still not convinced. I've seen some incredible ink and I do appreciate the talent that goes into creating it. But, for me it would be a big decision and it would have to mean something to me. Not just a tat for a tats sake. Besides my sons would think I had a stroke and I'm not sure how long I could keep my mother from seeing it. We'll see.

More tattoo images at my site http://www.thesleepingimage.com