“wear your heart on your skin in this life”
― Sylvia Plath, Johnny Panic and the Bible of Dreams: Short Stories, Prose, and Diary Excerpts
I quite literally took Sylvia’s advice and had Joey Singleton at Ethos Tattoos in Saline, Michigan etch hearts into my skin.
There is an intimacy to tattooing. I let Joey touch me in places that no one but lovers and doctors have ever been. I trust him completely. Our conversations during my appointment range from sarcastic jokes to secrets I wouldn’t share with anyone else. He holds my words in his heart, they travel down his arm into the needle and under my skin. They are trapped there forever. Sometimes I hear them whispering to me in the middle of the night.
The act of tattooing is therapeutic. A gentle buzzing that sets me on edge, but somehow brings peace. I like to see the redness of my raised skin and the stippling of blood. How it runs down my arm. Joey rinses it off and softly wipes it away. His needle bites my skin and more of the design emerges. Its beauty and pain, and I want more of both.
Frequently, I remember what it was like to sit in Joey’s chair, I hear his voice and feel the adrenaline course through my bloodstream. My skin becomes covered in goosebumps and I wish I could see him one more time. Have him keep tattooing me till I feel normal. Whatever in the hell normal is. I’m done with tattoos for now though. My story continues, but in the written word. For the time being anyway.
The work I had done is an original. No one will ever have it. Andi Schoenbaum is the artist that graciously shared her work with me. Please check out her website. I’m honored to have her art tattooed on my skin. The print spoke to me in ways you can’t imagine. It’s a part of me now. Forever. Thank you Andi. Thank you too Joey. You both are fabulous artists and individuals. I’m proud to know you both.
Renee Writes Here 
My daughter says she’s addicted to tattoos!
Oh yes, they can be very addicting. My daughter has 5 and so do I. I’ve asked that she not put any on her face and neck. My husband has asked me the same courtesy. We’ve promised not to. 🙂
Wonderful tattoo. I’ve been craving more myself lately.
Do it B. Do it. No pressure or anything. 🙂
I’m hoping to soon
Email me your design soon. ❤
Will do xx
Lovely tat…I’ve been thinking about getting my first one
Sweetheart go for it. What’s a little pain, when beautiful art is the result?
Soon, I have a special day coming up which might be the time I jump in and do it. 🙂
Good. I hope you share it with us. 🙂
So Pretty – Sylvia Plath = Wise Woman ! x Sending Love and Enjoy your new
decor 🙂
Thanks love. 🙂
This was an awesome post. I got a tattoo with amy sister that spelled out FU! It was great fun. Your a bad ass !!! I have more to say but Ill just annoy u on twitter with it 🙂
Yes baby, I am a bad ass bitch. With a sparkly heart. I’m not much into twitter, but I promise to reply to your tweets. You are one of the reasons I post there. I’m more of a FB whore. Giggle, snort. Thanks for the props Mr. I do indeed love your words!
Ouch!
Ouch yes, but oh so worth it. I had the work done in March. It’s healed completely now and gorgeous. I do indeed wear my heart on my sleeve….
Beautifully done. He has my praise. I do not wish to have a tattoo on myself, but I have no problems with others who have it done. Those poor thoughts, I think, are a stigma that needs to go away. Perhaps, by end of next generation, they will.
Scott
Joey is a talent. He comes by it naturally because is father is also an artist. One of the interesting things about him is he never went to art school. Everything he does is self-taught. The more he practices his craft, the better he gets. He’s most definitely a treasure. I share my feelings on his gifts that he has bestowed on my skin, to as many people as I can.
Fantastic! This is simply beautiful art. Love the colors – they match your skin well.
Thank you very much. Joey, my artist tells a story with the needle. He is something else. I’m glad you liked it. It’s completely healed and so vibrant. I’m sure to wear sunscreen every time I’m out in the sun.