Interview with a tattooed blogger - Illustated Teacup

I did an interview with Illustrated teacup aka my big sister Rachel Bradford. As she has two sleeves which is unusual for a woman to have. I asked similar questions to what I asked John.
This shows just how different people's perspectives can be. 

What made you want to have tattoos? What was your first tattoo?

I've always loved art, and what better way to show that, than with tattoos. I find them really fascinating and the each have a story to tell. My first tattoo was a swirling R on my ankle on my 18^th birthday.

What influences did you have?

My style has changed a lot over the years, but I started off small and simple to ensure it would be something I loved for life.

Did you have any concerns before your first tattoo?

Nope, none at all. I took my time to work out exactly what I wanted and where to have it done.

Do you regret any of your tattoos? If so which one/s and why?

No, not really. I have one on my shoulder I would like to have covered but it’s purely because it’s not really my style at all any more, but I wouldn’t say I regret it.

Do you plan to have any more tattoos? If so where and what?
I’d like something for my son/daughter when they are born and I would like to finish my left sleeve but haven’t got any definitive plans.

How do you feel about being able to have your tattoos on show at work?

I think everyone should have the right, whether in front of customers or not as I don’t really think they make a difference to a person’s ability to do their job.

Do you think more workplaces should be allowing tattoos to be on show or not? And why?

Yes, and generally society is heading that way, but there is still much more room for improvement.

Did you feel it necessary to hide your tattoos during interviews? If so how did you dress?

I always do to ensure that employers know I am flexible and will cover them if required for a job. I just tend to wear long sleeves and trousers, or tights with a dress.

In any previous jobs did you have to cover up your tattoos? If so how did you feel about it?

No I've been lucky that I've never had to cover for work, unless for a client meeting in which case I covered with a blazer. I'm happy to cover for work if requested, though I think it a shame that people judge on something so insignificant.

Do your tattoos affect how you dress now? E.g. to show them off or not.

Not really. It’s more dependent on my mood.

Do you consider your tattoos when you buy new clothes?

Not really. Though I do tend to avoid heavy patterns on sleeveless clothing as I think it looks too much with two full colour sleeves.

Do you have any concerns about what your tattoos will look like in the future? Do you think this will affect how you dress?

No I know a good tattoo will last, and to be honest I think how my tattoos look will be the least of my worries when I'm 60. No again I think society being more accepting of tattoos will make having them on show as I'm older more accepted too.

Would you ever consider having any removed in the future?

No I think all tattoos have a story to tell and honestly I don’t think I could sit through laser treatment.

Do you think that men with tattoos have them to make themselves look/feel more macho?

Not really, I think that would be far too generalised.

What is your opinion of women and tattoos?

I think women should be able to do what they want with their bodies, just like men, so really women and tattoos shouldn't be as big of a deal as they are still.

Do you ever worry about what other people think of the amount of tattoos you have?

No. it’s not their body, they don’t have to live with them so I don’t care. People should be more concerned with their own problems than with how other people look.

Do you get asked randomly about your tattoos on a regular day? If so what kind of things do they say?

Depends on the situation. I do often get asked about them, or given compliments, especially in more social situations. Mostly people ask where they were done and mention how good they look.

Are there any of your tattoos with particularly deep meanings to you? If so which and what?

A few yes. My rose tattoo on my foot is in memory of my late grandfather. The swans on my arm are for my marriage and for my home town which is pretty significant. And I have my sister’s initials on my back.

Would you say getting a tattoo can become an addiction?

Not really. Addiction implies a lack of control and the need to do it or something bad will happen. I think you can be drawn to them and definitely want more after one, but I wouldn’t describe it as addicting.

Is there anywhere you wouldn’t get tattoos?

Face and hands, and definite no-nos.

How much are you willing to pay for a tattoo?

It depends on the size and the skill of the artist. But I generally wouldn’t pay more than £400 for a day session. And about £80 an hour for smaller works.

Would you encourage you own child/ future kids to have tattoos?

I wouldn’t stop them if they wanted them, but I would advise and make sure they are making sure they were making good choices for their future and were being safe.

What kind of advice would you pass on to them?
Make sure you choose a reputable tattooist and cheap doesn't mean good do save for it. If you want it enough then it'll be worth the wait.

Interview with a college lecturer

I interview a college lecturer, John in visual arts.Asking his opinions and his thoughts on tattoos in work and everyday and in general.
He has a lot of tattoos, two sleeves and a few on his legs, some of them he designed himself then the tattooist did the design in their style.

What made you want to have tattoos in the first place? What was your first tattoo?

My first tattoo was a family tree; it was done by one of my favourite artists called Scott St. Claire whose done work for one of my favourite bands. And I saw this work and I thought I’d really like to have this done. It goes all the way to the top; it’s got all these weird characters like, myself, my brother, my mum and my stepdad, and at the top is a dark cloud. So despite the fact we got through rough patches we hold it together, that’s why there’s a string there.

What influences did you have?

I’d say there more inspired by life events, or stuff that’s happened or stuff I want to do, places I’ve been. I go for more of that.

Did you have any concerns before your first tattoo? If so what where they?

So the one thing I always consider when getting a tattoo is the line work of the artist. So I always make sure to check that their work is good.

The pain you get used to, the inside of the arms hurt, elbow didn’t really hurt, top of the shoulder hurt for some reason. And tendons hurt even more if they are more prominent.

Do you regret any of your tattoos? If so which one/s and why?

Thinking about it I did cover up one on the back of my leg, was the initials for a band I used to play in. Due to a falling out I decided to get it covered up, so if there is regret I try to cover it up. There’s roses covering it up now, but you can still faintly see the lettering.

Do you plan to have any more tattoos? If so where and what?

Both of my arms are now full, I do have some on my legs, I've got 3 cat tattoos on my legs, and a fox on my shin. I recently did a sketch of a raccoon wearing suit saying “Stay humble” underneath; I want to have that done. Animal with human characteristics, my legs are next.

How do you feel about being able to have your tattoos on show at work?

I’m always a bit funny about it, when I had my interview here I wore a suit, so my shirt covered them. When they said do you have any questions that’s when I say how do you feel about tattoos? For an educational establishment I was a bit funny having them on show because we work in a creative environment, so as a graphic designer/illustrator a lot of people have full sleeve tattoos. At one point they wanted us to wear a suit but our line manager said it didn’t suit the creative area as they’re a bit funny about having them on show. Students are more okay with it.

Do you think more workplaces should be allowing tattoos to be on show or not? And why?

I think yeah they should be as long as they’re not offensive. I think they should be a bit more relaxed.

Did you feel it necessary to hide your tattoos during interviews? If so how did you dress?

I always cover them up, because it’s people’s perception. It doesn’t matter what your profession is as long as you’re good at your job the tattoo shouldn’t be a reflection of that. So for me, yeah, I cover them up and then ask how they feel about them.

In any previous jobs did you have to cover up your tattoos? If so how did you feel about it?

I’ve never had to cover them up actually, I’ve never really had a problem with it never been asked to cover them up. Even working in bars, is very common these days, it’s very relaxed on that front.

Do your tattoos affect how you dress now? E.g. to show them off or not.

Not necessarily, I mean with the kind of music I listen to it’s common to have tattoos, the checked shirt look is in every band I like. So it’s more a reflection on my interests rather than my tattoos.

Do you consider your tattoos when you buy new clothes?

Not really, with white shirts it shows through bright. With checked shirts they contrast nicely. I’m shopping more “ooh that looks nice” rather than “will it match my tattoos.

Do you have any concerns about what your tattoos will look like in the future?

That’s a question I get asked a lot, I know that the new inks have a plastic resin so that it lasts longer. I will hang out with other people who have faded tattoos have the best time, reminisce of stories from years ago, it’s not really a concern.

Would you ever consider having any removed in the future?

The one that I probably would have removed is the one on my arm, it’s the first line of the first album that I ever released, as I no longer speak to my old band mates it’s got a sour edge to it. If anything it’s a song I wrote, it belongs to me. And the meaning to that is, no matter what we do its always another chapter a part of your life that is gonna give you stories to talk about.

Do you think that other men with tattoos have them to make themselves look/ feel more macho?

I’d say going to the gym you see the guys with full sleeve tattoos, who’ve made themselves really hench, they probably do it for that. I have them because as a graphic designer/illustrator I love art; each tattoo has a meaning behind it. It’s more a talking point than anything. You can always spot the macho ones walking round in tight shirts normally in their 40s.

What is your opinion of women and tattoos? Is that a possible reason for being attracted to someone else?

Some people do get a bit funny about it “such a beautiful girl ruining herself” “why you get them done”. For me, my ex-girlfriend had a full sleeve, if anything it’s how we met. It’s not a problem. It’s how we express ourselves and I think tattoos are the way to do it.

Do you ever worry about what other people think of the amount of tattoos you have?

I have had some funny looks before, where they don’t look you in the eye they kind of eye your arm up and down. I’ve worked in a bar where they’ve “can I have a pint of larger please” and it’s like “yes I have tattoos, no I don’t regret them” that kind of thing. So I don’t really mind what people think, it’s not for everyone, lot of people are anti-tattoos, so I don’t really care what people think.

Do you often get asked randomly about your tattoos on a regular day? If so what kind of things do they say?

Normally they ask where I’ve had them done, sometimes they ask the meaning behind them, they’re really the only questions I get asked other than will you regret them when your older. But that’s just a standard one.

Are there any of your tattoos with particularly deep meanings to you? If so which and what?

On the top of my shoulder is an antique clock with the time of my birth. I’ve got the girls that are on my arms one for each of my guitars, one Rose for my acoustic guitar, and Taejon for one of my electric guitars, and on the back of my leg I have Clara is another one of my electric guitars. Got a compass pointing to the west from when I moved to America for a few months.

Would you say getting tattoos can become an addiction?

Oh yes, absolutely. After I had my half sleeve done, I was planning the next one, then had to move to my other arm then when that was full moved on to my legs.

Is there anywhere on your body you wouldn’t get a tattooed?

My chest and ribs, I’ve noticed that those with chest tattoos wear the “dougebag” low V-neck tops, also the ribs are the most painful area, everyone I know whose had it done has had to keep going back to continue it even the most smallest tattoo. Never the face, neck or hands.

How much are you willing to pay for a tattoo?

I’ve probably already spent about £2500 on them, which is a lot but they do have meaning behind them. The guy I go to now is really good and you have to book about 6 months in advance, it’s almost impossible to get in there. He normally charges about £200 for about 4 hours. This is really good as he is really quick, he’s done all the background work on my sleeves, the fox on my leg, the sea captain on the back of my leg all in one session.