Tattoos - you either love them or hate them.
Without a doubt tattoos are certainly very popular these days and it is far more common for women to be showing off some amazing tattoos, remember Mistress Aveline's and Sarskia's ? if you saw them once you would never forget them.
Tattooing has roots that are deep - spanning thousands of years and all types of cultures. It is a primative act, an ancient practice. A tattoo is an affirmation: this is my body, mine to enjoy. No one else can control what I do with it. It often leads towards a more positive self image. A display of exercising that control. An act of freedom. A freedom to express in a most permanent and open way for all to see. The perfect tattoo should internally spring from a person. Tattooing has come a long way from the days of "Death Before Dishonour" and the dreaded "Swallow with the word 'Mum' like a worm caught in its mouth" or "Hate and Love" on the fingers of each hand. It has become an art form in its own right embracing new innovations, new techniques and quite often new styles. If you look at the "Dancing Hula Girl" and compare it with todays tribal, living colour or even the Graffiti inspired artwork that is emerging they are aeons apart. Bit like the paper bi-plane and the 747 Jumbo Jet. Although some tattoos are still just this year's fashion. Like all things that get embraced by the culture at large they tend to lose their originality, they are made more palatable - cute-ified, safe, the fire is gone. They become kitsch. I think you have to think on the fact that the tattoo you chose becomes part of you are, a window. The wrong tattoo is a violation. Bit like "Born to Lose" and its negativity closely akinned to self-mutilation. Don't be mad at yourself when you decide to get a tattoo just make sure you choose the right one for you, it has to feel right.