Miss Bat's Tattoos

As a kid I was always fascinated by people with tattoos. I couldn't explain then, and still find it hard to now, why I find tattoos wonderful. Part of it is the permanence; you can't ever really lose a tattoo. Part of it is the art. Part of it is the self-expression.

The majority of my tattoos have complex meanings. This is not always intentional, as sometimes it takes me a while to realize it means more then what I initially meant them for.

But the adage is true: Once inked, you'll always want more!

Originally, this was a Hallowe'en display in Target. I kid you not. Somehow or other I came in to possession of several versions of these cardboard bats. It wasn't till years later that one became a permanent part of me.

Ironically, I had to lug the original with me to the tattoo parlor. luckily, Jason (the artist) knew how to resize. About an hour and a half later I limped out with the bat on my outer let leg.

Eddie, as he came to be known, is roughly 7" long. He's about as electric blue as a bat can get, the colours have not faded a bit since being inked. People can't get over how bright he is.

This particular tattoo was a culmination of an idea from childhood. I've always had a loving fascination with the cultures of Japan and China; I can honestly blame part of this on seeing Big Bird In China as a kid.

"Foo-Shi" roughly translates into "lion-dog". Typically a pair of these "dogs" are found at the gates to towns in China and Japan. Always in pairs, with a male on the right and a female on the left. The male's mouth is closed with his paw on a carved ball. The female's mouth is open, her paw holding down a cub. They are also known as guardians to Buddha.

Mine has traditional elements of any good foo-shi. Instead of a traditional ball, mine holds a ball of water. Above him is the kanji for "protector" (hogo), as my lion-dog has my back.

Hogo is my biggest piece to date. He took roughly four hours to complete and was drawn for me by Jake.

This tattoo is the only piece of flash I have. A common theme for me is to have pieces originally draw/created for me, but funny enough this piece was too perfect.

The downside of getting a wrist tattoo in Vegas is the heat. Even in May it was too much. So in a weird twist Brutus has been made an original. I picked at the scabs, damaging the ink and leaving the missing spots you can see in the photo.

Yes, you are seeing a black cat arched into a spade. I am the proud owner of a black cat and happen to love spades. What better way to celebrate a 21st birthday?