Discrimination - Is it right?

We've all heard of people getting discriminated against in some way or another. This is an argument that has been going on for an eternity, and everyone knows it. This is why I was avoiding posting about it and continuing the same rant once again. However, this month's issue of Skin Deep made me think a lot, and they came up with a very, very good point: Employers are not allowed to discriminate someone where their 'condition' is out of their control.

Vic Peters, Aurora Tattoo, Lancaster

I absolutely 100% agree that if someone is unfortunately in a wheelchair, you can't turn them away, the same way you couldn't turn someone away with different coloured skin. However, by reading it this way you could employ someone who didn't have a choice when it came to modifying their appearance. In other words, you could argue that if someone had their eyebrow pierced against their will, they could get the job instead of someone who did it on their own accord.

So, is this right? I don't think so, but hey, I'm biased towards tattoo acceptance in the workplace. (Of course I am, I have four.) Sure, I can understand when someone comes in covered with ink from head to toe, metal all over their face, claiming they're a rocket scientist who can pretty much do anything. Reality is, they can do jack-shit.

However, when a perfectly good candidate for the job comes in with a hand tattoo which is, admittedly, uneasy to hide, where is the good in declining them for the person who isn't as qualified just because of their art? Sorry, that I don't get.

This discrimination has gone on for years, and will continue to do so. There was a time when I was thinking of doing a performance degree in Conservatoire on my violin. However, the impact of biased opinions in the music industry is huge, the main one being looks. My appearance would have killed my opportunities of getting any further than my audition. Realistically, the only people who can be covered with tattoos and get away with it (well, most of the time) are rock stars and tattooists themselves. That's the cold, hard truth of the world.

Andy Groves, Hidden Jewel Tattoo, Carmarthen

When getting a tattoo, it's sad to think that this is all stuff we have to keep in mind. I want sleeves oh-so badly, but I know that, in the real world, that can never happen, or won't be able to happen for the foreseeable future. But hey, let's keep praying, and being the best at what we want. Surely, they can't decline us then, right?

Age - Does it Matter?

A point raised a thousand times in such a short amount of time in my life - 'You may like it now, but will you in forty years time?'

In other words, people think that I'm gonna regret my decisions because I'm too young to make these ones yet. Well, why else would you be able to get tattooed when you're eighteen? That's what I've never understood.

This got me thinking. When is a good age? Twenty, forty, sixty? When does that element of regret diminish in someone's mind? If you ask me, if you don't regret it within a few months, then chances are that regret will never come. (That's actually been psychologically proven, too!) As long as you're sure, you should be able to have a tattoo at any age. You never know, in a few years you may not be able to have it for some unknown reason, so why wait?

I've spend £160 so far (being away from my parents, it would have been much, much more) on my three tattoos, soon to be four. I've been 18 for less than a year, yet I love my ink more than anything! I get so excited when someone comments, even if it's negative. That reputation thing people keep talking about within the points about regret is absolute bullshit, and I can prove that. I love every comment I get, and when they're negative, I talk the person down with my reasoning. Some people have even converted their thoughts!

I guess the age thing is a generation movement at the end of the day. All these people who are subjective with their thinking about young people getting tattooed have probably been brought up that way, whereas we've grown up around a building tattoo acceptance. Moreover, I really do think it's easier when you're young. Sorry world, we win this battle.

Carl Löfqvist

I have believed for a very long time if you want a tattoo, you must put in your research. You must take the time to shop around and, although this could somewhat be heartbreaking, be prepared to hand the money over.

To this last point, I have known stingy people with tattoos. Needless to say, they've been disappointed. To be passionate about a tattoo means forking out a fee. After all, a cheap tattoo isn't good, and a good tattoo isn't cheap.

The reason I say all this to introduce Carl Löfqvist is simple - I found this absolutely incredible Alice in Wonderland sleeve that I'm desperate to share, and have been wanting to know the creator of this masterpiece for months. Tonight, I spent time searching and finally found him!

Mr Löfqvist is based in Wicked Tattoo, Sweden. His work is phenomenal, so to have something by the likes of this done, the serious tattoo collector would travel out to get a tattoo done by him. I, for one (if I had the money), wouldn't think twice. To have something done in this style you would have to travel, because everyone's style, no matter how similar, is unique. After all, isn't a tattoo for life?

So here it is, Carl Löfqvist's Alice in Wonderland sleeve. The rest of his work is DEFINITELY worth checking out on:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Carl-L%C3%B6fqvist-Wicked-Tattoo-Sweden/249079708437873

True Meaning

I would like to firstly explain the purpose of me creating this blog - I have had many, many comments from people around me for what may seem like an 'unhealthy obsession', my parents in particular. They constantly say how upset they are about my ink (and piercings), and how they wish I wouldn't do this to myself. They claim they just don't want me to regret it, but you can tell by the way they say it that that's, well, bullshit.

I apologised to my mum the other day for being me. I've tried to get her used to who I am, but with no such luck. I don't think she's ever going to accept it, so I'm just going to have to keep hurting her. That may sound harsh, but it doesn't mean I don't feel guilty about it - I've learned, these last few months especially, to live life as I want, and this is how I wish to do so.

I've tried to explain to them that their subjective viewpoint of tattooing is unreasonable, that not everyone just wants a skull on their neck to say 'Look, here, I have a tattoo,' or 'Hey, I got bored' (not that there's anything wrong with that). Some people (like me) have them to symbolise something deep and meaningful to them. I have three (soon to be four), and they are all more than simple images. They provide me strength when times get tough, they are permanent reminders that things can be okay in the end, they represent the good and bad times in my life, and I will take their beauty to my grave. I love them more than anything, and I will never regret them, when I'm twenty or forty.

None of this sunk in, of course.

Another point I tried raising was that it's a form of artwork. Art has always been a part of my life, and a part of my life it will remain. Tattooing is a special type of artwork that allows for people to wear their favourite form permanently. I don't see it in a negative light, I see it as a gift to be able to showcase something meaningful within a picture. It's a beautiful, beautiful thing.

This brings me back to my main point - this is a blog for those tattoo lovers who struggle like me. For those people who adore the art of tattooing for any/all of its values, be it for the art, meaning or simply because it's awesome, this is dedicated for you. Enjoy!

Alicia x