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From the lens Gil's Tattoos.

Thanks for taking the time to read about my tattoos. If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to comment below.

  • inspirationz Apr 25, 2012 @ 5:05 am | delete
    The lions look awesome :)
  • CarolineS01 Apr 11, 2012 @ 5:17 am | delete
    I love "The Raft" its really amazing and very coll tattoo.
  • JaguarJulie Mar 30, 2012 @ 10:00 am | delete
    Did you get any tattoos in Italy?
  • stewarc6 Mar 15, 2012 @ 2:12 pm | delete
    Great tattoos! I don't know if I could ever really get one because I can't make up my mind about anything, but I love yours.
  • SheWritesaLot Feb 14, 2012 @ 4:48 pm | delete
    I like The Raft but you don't say who designed it. Is it your own artwork? I have 4 tats and each one has a special meaning, too. I've been trying to come up with an idea for the next one but apparently it's just not time, yet.
  • giltotherescue Feb 15, 2012 @ 4:55 pm | delete
    Great question. I'm no good at drawing, so the artist who tattooed the raft also drew it. I had a very clear vision of the contents and style though. I wanted something similar in style to the ukiyoe japanese wood block prints. The artist was quite perplexed by my wanting the fleur de lis to look inflatable. He said he spent an hour looking at pictures to try to identify what makes something look that way. He settled on the ridges and even the little valve to blow it up.

    Do you have a lens for your tattoos? I would love to learn about their meanings.
  • sockii Nov 24, 2011 @ 3:28 pm | delete
    Enjoyed reading your stories behind your tattoo designs. I'm also a rat under the Chinese Zodiac. I have one tattoo design I've long thought about getting done, but it's been an issue of finding an artist to do it justice.
  • giltotherescue Feb 15, 2012 @ 4:56 pm | delete
    Always a pleasure to hear from a fellow Rat lol. There's no shame in being picky! It's permanent, after all.
  • ShoeCleaner Nov 18, 2011 @ 7:19 pm | delete
    Glad you have a reason behind all of your tattoos. So much better then all these people getting them these days just because it's the cool thing to do and have no real though or reason for them.
  • LeCordonDude Nov 9, 2011 @ 9:02 pm | delete
    I haven't gotten any tattoos yet, I want a very good artist to do me a body suit in either Mossy Oak or Brittish Dazzle Camo from 1944!
  • bikerministry Oct 29, 2011 @ 10:05 am | delete
    Interesting!!

    I only have one tattoo. Got a rose on my hand for my 60th birthday.

    Why? I know, I know, it's supposed to have a story, but honestly, I did it because I always wanted a rose right there!! My hubby asked me to put a thorn on the stem and tell people he's represented there, as the thorn. I did. It isn't in color.

    I totally understand having passionate stories behind each tattoo, and I have one planned for my right wrist. Since I'm a recovering alcoholic, set free when I became a Christian, believer, I want a broken chain around my wrist, broken by a drop of blood. The only color being the dark red drop. One drop of Jesus' shed blood broke my chains of addiction. LIke?

    I understand the Catholic school rebellion thingy, because I know rebellion well - kept me miserable for 30 years! Thank you for this lens, being real, and all you do for Squidoo!

    Blessings.
  • giltotherescue Feb 15, 2012 @ 4:57 pm | delete
    Just curious if you ever got the broken chain tattoo on your wrist? Sounds like a cool idea, and totally unique. Thanks for sharing.
  • bikerministry Oct 29, 2011 @ 10:04 am | delete
    Interesting!!

    I only have one tattoo. Got a rose on my hand for my 60th birthday.

    Why? I know, I know, it's supposed to have a story, but honestly, I did it because I always wanted a rose right there!! My hubby asked me to put a thorn on the stem and tell people he's represented there, as the thorn. I did. It isn't in color.

    I totally understand having passionate stories behind each tattoo, and I have one planned for my right wrist. Since I'm a recovering alcoholic, set free when I became a Christian, believer, I want a broken chain around my wrist, broken by a drop of blood. The only color being the dark red drop. One drop of Jesus' shed blood broke my chains of addiction. LIke?

    I understand the Catholic school rebellion thingy, because I know rebellion well - kept me miserable for 30 years! Thank you for this lens, being real, and all you do for Squidoo!

    Blessings.
  • sousababy Aug 18, 2011 @ 6:33 pm | delete
    Just wanted to read up more about you Gil. I am not a tattoo person (only have had my ears pierced, once). Can totally identify with the Catholic upbringing, though. The story behind each tattoo makes sense . . especially the 'not all things are temporary.' I am born under the sign of the Horse in the Chinese zodiac and Scorpio in the other zodiac (whatever that one is). All I know is . . I never, ever give up. Love the survival story of your raft tattoo on your left shoulder. Hope all is well with you and yours, Rose
  • Pastiche Jun 10, 2011 @ 9:23 pm | delete
    I don't have any body art, but it intrigues me as an artist and symbolist.lf I ever did decide to get inked it would definitely be well-thought-out for symbolic meaning. Interestingly, many of the adult coloring page fans I've attracted are in search of art for their own unique tattoo.
  • tandemonimom May 25, 2011 @ 11:04 am | delete
    Love the lions! I've never seen a tat quite like those!
  • nancycarol Mar 30, 2011 @ 4:26 pm | delete
    My grandson is apprenticed to a Master Tattooist, learning the trade. He is soon to be ready to go out on his own. I am 72 years old and plan on having my first tattoo when he is ready to do it. My chinese symbol is the hare and this is our year! I like this lens.
  • asiliveandbreathe Feb 1, 2011 @ 9:58 am | delete
    Very interesting. You have really thought about your reason for choosing each design. Maybe you could include a quiz on this lens, to discover who also has tattoos, and how many.
  • genglo Jan 18, 2011 @ 8:56 pm | delete
    Nice tats! I enjoyed learning why you chose them.
  • Pinkchic18 Jan 11, 2011 @ 3:47 pm | delete
    I couldn't get one because I'm a wimp but I've seen some really neat ones. Yay for Leo's :)
  • the777group Nov 19, 2010 @ 6:20 pm | delete
    Tattoos?
    I was born in the year of the Wimp, so no thanks.
  • paperfacets Oct 13, 2010 @ 7:22 pm | delete
    A Saints fan? I like the one with all the color.
  • giltotherescue Oct 14, 2010 @ 12:24 pm | delete
    I'm not a huge football fan, but of course I have to support my home team. Geaux Saints!
  • spritequeen Oct 11, 2010 @ 4:31 am | delete
    I have one tattoo - a dragonfly. For me, it's my symbol of hope/peace. I got it to cover up a rather ugly scar that was a reminder of a rather ugly experience. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE my tattoo! Thanks for sharing YOUR story! :-) Very interesting!
  • ZablonMukuba Oct 10, 2010 @ 1:26 pm | delete
    Nice body art, i like lion
  • flowergardener Sep 8, 2010 @ 4:40 pm | delete
    The town I live in's school is the Saints, and we use the fleur-di-lis as our insignia :) I do love that one you've got about Katrina. I thought about you recently after hearing a short bit about boulder and fires? Glad to find out you're ok, as you honored me today with a visit to one of my lenses, thank you!
  • d-artist Aug 13, 2010 @ 7:42 pm | delete
    a very interesting read...as an artist I appreciate the designs of the tattoos(I've designed a couple) I'm too old to get a tattoo and would hate to see a woman my age with them. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and reasons for your tats.
  • Sumedha Aug 13, 2010 @ 2:06 pm | delete
    Love your tats! I got two last year: the first one is the letter 'P' in Elvish as a tribute to the most important person in my life and the second one says 'Fate' in Sanskrit as I've recently started seeing how we're all puppets in the Universe's hands. I love how even you have stories to go with your inks.
  • Tipi Apr 16, 2010 @ 3:23 pm | delete
    I really respect the fact the people wear their tattoos as symbols, tributes, and such. Never gotten a tattoo myself and don't believe I ever will. Nice to get to know more about you personally. You do have some very nice tattoo designs. ~
    Susie
  • Rainey Mar 16, 2010 @ 2:49 pm | delete
    Hello, Gil. I am DVA's newest employee, and at Gil Sr.'s request am checking you out online, namely your tats. He thinks it's hilarious we both are inked... Anyhoo, pleasedtomeetcha!
  • LauraFincannon Feb 9, 2010 @ 12:05 am | delete
    Wow, Gil - our coincidences are interesting - my chinese zodiac is the rat, my astrological symbol is leo, I went to catholic schools - complete with uniforms and I moved to New Orleans in March before Katrina....no tatts on me, though so we must be different people. Neat lens.
  • giltotherescue Feb 9, 2010 @ 9:14 am | delete
    That's insane. Sounds like we would get along like peas and carrots. Looking forward to your NOLA lenses, and oooh I already see ones on cafe au lait and king cake.
  • Sean Johnson Nov 12, 2009 @ 3:36 pm | delete
    interesting
  • Jewelsofawe Nov 4, 2009 @ 5:11 pm | delete
    Great tatoos!
  • blujeanmomma Sep 20, 2009 @ 7:41 pm | delete
    Thanks for sharing the story behind each of your tattoos. My husband has several tats starting with his first in the navy in 1969 - which is getting very faded & wrinkly.
  • JaguarJulie Aug 11, 2009 @ 7:14 am | delete
    Have you gotten any new tattoos Gil? My last one was recently embellished while visiting Miami for the BCS.
  • luvmyludwig Jul 9, 2009 @ 7:30 am | delete
    The raft is amazing. I love tats and I think it's a great way to get to know someone. Thank you for sharing and thank you for all you do at Squidoo.
  • The_Party_Animal Jun 19, 2009 @ 4:13 pm | delete
    Awesome - I absolutely love the lions - they are very cool!!! I have a couple myself - shhhhhh
  • charlino Jun 18, 2009 @ 11:20 am | delete
    Cool tats.
  • GrowWear Jun 12, 2009 @ 9:58 am | delete
    Very interesting to hear the meanings behind the tattoos you chose. New theme does look good -- saw your Tweet.
  • x3xsolxdierx3x May 11, 2009 @ 7:44 am | delete
    nice idea for a lens, Gil....I may just do the same for my tats :)
  • ChristiannaGarrett-Martin Dec 2, 2008 @ 2:03 pm | delete
    Nice! :) Am lensrolling your lens to my tattoo lens.

    Christianna
  • vintage-tattoo-shop Sep 15, 2008 @ 3:11 am | delete
    i love your second tattoo, very good work
  • wstrauss73 Sep 6, 2008 @ 10:05 pm | delete
    Hey Gil.. cool lens, sweet tattoos !

    Thanks for sharing,

    Bill S.
  • 0ctavias0fferings Aug 23, 2008 @ 6:26 am | delete
    Nice tats, especially like the raft with sunset but have to comment on the Scottish lions being in Scotland myself - they're great. If I was young now I would probably be covered in tats but it wouldn't look good on a granny LOL
  • youhavegottobekidding Jul 14, 2008 @ 12:14 am | delete
    A lot of people always says that a tattoo is just destroying your body but for me. There are a lot of things that could be considered an art and one of them are Tattoos.

    Great Lens. 5 stars for you.
  • xTheBadFishx Apr 29, 2008 @ 9:25 pm | delete
    Gil, I absolutely adore your new tattoos! Come a log way from that tattoo parlor in Florida eh! I hope everything is going absolutely great for you old friend. Please take very good care!
  • JaguarJulie Apr 2, 2008 @ 5:34 pm | delete
    Yeowwww ... that Lions tattoo looks mighty fresh. Say, would ya believe that I've got 5 tattoos ... but let's keep that between you and me as I'm a blonde and we usually don't get tattoos. AB xoxoxo
  • the-secret Mar 26, 2008 @ 7:16 pm | delete
    I like looking at the different kinds of tattoos available! Temporary Tattoos
  • snaz Mar 22, 2008 @ 12:09 am | delete
    Thanks Gil for the glimpse into your personal life and the stories behind your ink.
    I was particularly taken by The Raft. It's amazing how hardship contains blessings in disguise.
  • Roving_Band Mar 12, 2008 @ 10:29 am | delete
    Wonderful history through tattoos - well told. It's great to be in The Tattoo Parlour with you!
  • bookcat Feb 12, 2008 @ 11:19 pm | delete
    Awesome lens, but more importantly, I LOVE the Raft tattoo. Very poignant. May I ask who was the artist on it? (I'm keeping a very hypothetical list of "awesome tattoo artists across the world").
  • Music-Resource Jan 21, 2008 @ 9:14 pm | delete
    Hi Gil, Kewl Tat lens and your tats are sweet. I had a couple of friends who got blasted by Katrina. One guy had a Chiro practice and the other lost a dog plus a house. I have a cousin who is a sheriff and got called to duty for New O. He loved the cops down there. Hey, your next tat ought to be a computer motiff - 0101 and related stuff :) ~Music Resource~
  • Retro_Loco Jan 10, 2008 @ 9:32 pm | delete
    Cool lens, and cool tattoos! I guess I'm too much of a good-two-shoes to get tattooed, or maybe I'm just too much of a cry baby to withstand the pain! :-)OUCH!
  • Lily_Link Jan 8, 2008 @ 4:34 pm | delete
    Looks nice Gil. I have 2: 1 of my APBT's name and paw and the othe of any APBT. I'm going back to get the APBT shaded. And then, maybe get a yorkie. Ha.
  • SemperFidelis Dec 6, 2007 @ 1:30 pm | delete
    Nice lens Gil. My husband nor I have any tattoos! Maybe we should get out more often! lol What's amazing is my husband is a former U.S. Marine and while every one of his buddies got tattoos in Japan, Korea, the Philippines, etc., he declined.
  • Janusz Oct 24, 2007 @ 3:26 pm | delete
    Hi Gil, Cool Lens.. especially liked "The Raft" I wonder if anyone will ever get a Squidoo Squid Tattoo :)
  • CountryEstateBulldogs Sep 18, 2007 @ 9:25 pm | delete
    That's some fancy artwork there, Gil. I especially like that each one has a story. I'm a Leo, too, but I'll stick with my pet cats. Prrrrr.
  • GypsyPirate Sep 12, 2007 @ 1:27 pm | delete
    Great lens! I'm still figuring out what my first tattoo will be, but love reading others stories about theirs. Your "Raft" tat is very powerful, was that your own design?
  • gkygrl Sep 6, 2007 @ 4:55 pm | delete
    Very cool Gil, I just got my first one about a month ago. It does seem addicting. Mine is tiny (2") -- but very meaninful. :)

by

giltotherescue

Gil is a native of New Orleans and a tattoo fanatic.

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