Agony in Art

By: Tracy Porch

Posted: 3/9/05

People have decorated the human body for thousands of years, and tattoos still are a huge part of many people's lives. Tattoos are becoming more socially acceptable and people are running to get them, whether it is their first or their fourth. Only those who have tattoos can really understand the craving to get more, despite the pain.

Tony Chrobak, junior general orientation major, comments on the fascination of getting tattoos and why people go back to get more.

"It is a sick addiction, but I love them. After a while you forget about the pain and want more," Chrobak said.

The meaning of a tattoo varies with each person, depending on what he or she gets and for what reason. Scott Miller, owner of Tattoo Blue located on the Square, tells of the still-popular styles he sees.

"Butterflies and Chinese symbols are still pretty popular as well as the tribal designs. The lower back is the usual place for a girl to get a tattoo, and armbands are still common with guys," Miller said.

People get tattoos for a variety of reasons. Sometimes that tattoo itself is important to the person, like Tessa Ii, junior music major.

"I have two tattoos. One is of a koala bear holding a yellow rose, and the other is of a rainbow," Ii said. "The koala bear I identify with my stepdad who is from Australia, and the yellow rose is my mom's favorite flower ... My other tattoo is a rainbow with a treble cleft under it, which I identify with my grandma who passed away."

Many people consider tattoos a way to emphasize their religious views.

"I have a tattoo of a cross with the sacred heart on it," Chrobak said. "I am Catholic and wear my cross 24 hours a day, but even if I were to take it off, I would still have one embedded on my arm."

Miller said people should get a tattoo that has a symbolic meaning for them.

"You should get something that has significant meaning to you, not just because it's cute," he added.

According to Clinton Boomer, a tattooed junior English major, there are three rules for getting tattoos. The first rule deals with placement.

"Number one, whenever you get a tattoo, you have to make certain that it can be covered by a regular work shirt ... otherwise get 'don't hire me' tattooed across your forehead," Boomer said.

He added that people should not take their tattoo from the examples on the wall of a tattoo parlor.

"The stuff on the wall is called flash. You don't want to go in and randomly grab flash. Ten million people are going to have the exact same tattoo. You're going to look like an idiot," Boomer said. "Have some alteration. Make it personal. It's going to be on your body for a very long time."

Boomer said his third rule is the most important.

"Whatever you want. Make sure you want it for at least a year," Boomer said.

This allows people to avoid hastily getting a tattoo they might later regret, he added.

According to the McDonough County Health Department, it is important to be sure the tattooing facility is clean, sanitary and orderly. Be sure to insist that the tattoo artist wear disposable gloves, and always feel free to inquire about the sanitary procedures and standards of the facility. It is important also to make sure the skin is clean before it is punctured and make sure to follow all instructions given regarding care for the new tattoo.

In Illinois, a person must be 21 years old to get a tattoo, and the prices vary depending on the size and detail of the tattoo.

Whether it is the adrenaline rush of the buzzing needle etching into your skin or the finished product, tattoos are more common than ever, and show no sign of going away anytime soon. After all, they are permanent.

- Craig Finlay, assistant photo editor, contributed to this article.