Nicko McBrain Asian Tattoos

Nicko McBrain is a great English musician, best recognized as the drummer of heavy metal band Iron Maiden.<br /><br />Nicko McBrain has a pair of <a href="http://www.celebritytattoosite.com/2010/07/asian-tattoos.html">Asian</a> themed tattoos, one on each arm. The designs appear to be a <a href="http://www.celebritytattoosite.com/2010/08/dragon-tattoos.html">dragon</a> and samurai warrior.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPSvK_t5hsGi4wAbgqebdk4wBI51UWiO1XY-VVGHFac1MBxVx1DbRwq-bFiPQiDn6jL268Nd-CV_LsWIuvox83PCuWoOXMrgt0D37OVOqIFncIDXBqn_MNCQSiHcGsRZoTUEWPPrDOslja/s1600/nicko-mcbrain-tattoo.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578867253407523154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPSvK_t5hsGi4wAbgqebdk4wBI51UWiO1XY-VVGHFac1MBxVx1DbRwq-bFiPQiDn6jL268Nd-CV_LsWIuvox83PCuWoOXMrgt0D37OVOqIFncIDXBqn_MNCQSiHcGsRZoTUEWPPrDOslja/s400/nicko-mcbrain-tattoo.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 246px;" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzoCEaQAfquOgAFqM5wbm6PDBLRN4RtCVozvvGZnNNFsmPdHkiw7c6BYw1KBLP1QDzH7MtYxp-NZumZOSIBxFdxUXy1eYwAODfAYp_8_Pv0UKYop5ra0NLf-j92sAym6g1GbrMUIKVIrk8/s1600/nicko-mcbrain-tattoo-2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578867248776928386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzoCEaQAfquOgAFqM5wbm6PDBLRN4RtCVozvvGZnNNFsmPdHkiw7c6BYw1KBLP1QDzH7MtYxp-NZumZOSIBxFdxUXy1eYwAODfAYp_8_Pv0UKYop5ra0NLf-j92sAym6g1GbrMUIKVIrk8/s400/nicko-mcbrain-tattoo-2.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 237px; height: 318px;" /></a>

Nicko McBrain Asian Tattoos

Nicko McBrain is a great English musician, best recognized as the drummer of heavy metal band Iron Maiden. Nicko McBrain has a pair of Asian...

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Virginia's Flowers Forecast Spring

This is a quick one for Monday morning, on the last day of February, with spring looming just around the corner. Here's one of Virginia's tattoos:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwuC9kWUGLFii85lEYZkPUinLyO8EKxPlhObSfoE6G414zMthXzGgBeku9JtI_lKn_sFXBtvENOLmLFxhupFhSoEeS-BHDjXYD1O9-ioHZ6tng26dv6nbp02QqKyLvriMzepSMM5_HW4s/s1600/Gingers+flowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwuC9kWUGLFii85lEYZkPUinLyO8EKxPlhObSfoE6G414zMthXzGgBeku9JtI_lKn_sFXBtvENOLmLFxhupFhSoEeS-BHDjXYD1O9-ioHZ6tng26dv6nbp02QqKyLvriMzepSMM5_HW4s/s640/Gingers+flowers.jpg" width="412" /></a></div><br />Virginia is a long-time reader and fan of Tattoosday who I have met on anumber of occasions. This is the first piece she has shared with us.<br /><br />This floral tattoo is at the top of her right shoulder and was done by <a href="http://www.handofglorytattoo.com/pages/craig.html">Craig Rodriguez</a> at <a href="http://www.handofglorytattoo.com/">Hand of Glory</a> in Brooklyn.<br /><br />She explains further, "We are all hoping for an early spring. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narcissus_%28plant%29">Daffodils</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forget-me-not">forget-me-nots</a>. It is a memorial tattoo. I always bring yellow flowers to the cemetery when I honor my family members."<br /><br />Work from Hand of Glory has appeared previously <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/search/label/Hand%20of%20Glory%20Tattoo">here</a> on Tattoosday. A piece of Craig's was featured <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/2009/06/marks-gypsy-tattoo-pays-tribute-to.html">here</a>.<br /><br />Amen to the early spring! Thanks to Virginia for sharing this lovely tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!

Virginia's Flowers Forecast Spring

This is a quick one for Monday morning, on the last day of February, with spring looming just around the corner. Here's one of Virginia...

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Mark's Tattoo is Bound by Faith

I met Mark in Penn Station on Friday, as I was passing through the New Jersey Transit waiting area. It was a rainy, unseasonably warm day, so I spotted his tattoos easily, as he sat in a short sleeve shirt waiting for his train.<br /><br />Mark has six tattoos in all, and he shared this one on his left forearm:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmg1_hWWPmceq462w8ZtW1pNMdtEeCsDZSu7iDvTDwu5gtaW1s4Pr1MVexet_XGE0zWnpovjtv33bc79cDajN_B65A9s7U8V_qkxhnae2KBgZ7a8l-5svCLQMB1V6t-0g2Nys-qDZ9sQ4/s1600/Sinner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmg1_hWWPmceq462w8ZtW1pNMdtEeCsDZSu7iDvTDwu5gtaW1s4Pr1MVexet_XGE0zWnpovjtv33bc79cDajN_B65A9s7U8V_qkxhnae2KBgZ7a8l-5svCLQMB1V6t-0g2Nys-qDZ9sQ4/s640/Sinner.jpg" width="230" /></a></div><br />There's a lot going on here, in this tattoo which was completed in two sittings.<br /><br />In essence, this is a religious tattoo, which Mark considers an expression of his Christian faith.<br /><br />The base of the tattoo may look familiar, as it resembles the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caduceus">caduceus</a>, which is now a symbol of the medical profession.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBix1OzAJKs95L5AnGpxPZ4lUQ2afeOfgfQ36uYYgHC-rMnjF143sMuQDBIrTkO3cuBSlk6oOJNZguFxgw4QphanIV7Nc0PX1QnlbwJH4WrRgM7m_n2GXR-nJPHB1e_Hx9kpheyfdPYg8/s1600/299px-Caduceus.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBix1OzAJKs95L5AnGpxPZ4lUQ2afeOfgfQ36uYYgHC-rMnjF143sMuQDBIrTkO3cuBSlk6oOJNZguFxgw4QphanIV7Nc0PX1QnlbwJH4WrRgM7m_n2GXR-nJPHB1e_Hx9kpheyfdPYg8/s320/299px-Caduceus.svg.png" width="268" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">However, Mark explained that this symbol was originally attributed to the cult of Mithraism that existed in Rome in the first to fourth centuries, before the city became the center of Christianity. The caduceus was originally attributed to the Roman god Mercury, and the symbol also important to the god Mithras. The Vatican in Rome is built over the remnants of Mithraism and Mark bears this symbol that represents that which Christianity replaced.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At the base of the tattoo are the letters "XIVI". This is the Roman numeral for "17". Again, there is more to this than meets the eye. Many may think that the number 17 in Roman numerals is written differently, as XVII. However, Mark explained that this reversal of letters is intentional. According to wikipedia, "In <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_culture" title="Italian culture">Italian culture</a>, the number 17 is considered unlucky. When viewed as the Roman numeral, XVII, it is then changed anagramatically to VIXI, which in the <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latin_language" title="Latin language">Latin language</a> it translates to "I have lived", the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perfect_%28grammar%29" title="Perfect (grammar)">perfect</a> implying "My life is over." (c.f. "<i>Vixerunt</i>", <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cicero">Cicero</a>'s famous announcement of an execution.)". It is this "I have lived" phrase that resonates most with Mark, who told me that the "XIVI" number is often seen on gravestones. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And finally, the word "SINNER," which runs vertically down the caduceus, is the belief that "we are all sinners". Again, this ties in deeply to Mark's faith.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The piece was tattooed by Matt Pope at <a href="http://anothertattooshoponline.com/">Another Tat2 Shop</a> in South Amboy, New Jersey.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thanks to Mark for sharing this cool tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!</div>

Mark's Tattoo is Bound by Faith

I met Mark in Penn Station on Friday, as I was passing through the New Jersey Transit waiting area. It was a rainy, unseasonably warm day, s...

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Tattoosday Weekend Recap

I just wanted to share some interesting tidbits that have come my way over the last few weeks:<br /><br />First, someone has been sharing links in the comments section anonymously on several recent posts. As is my custom, I only approve comments if they are related to the post in question. Nonetheless, the links point to a YouTube channel for Sullen TV. I thought I'd share one here, which features the artist <a href="http://www.nikkohurtado.com/index.php">Nikko Hurtado</a>, and interested parties can explore their YouTube channel <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/SullenTv">here</a>.<br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/HQUb1BbyKbU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">~</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The other day I came across a cool site called <a href="http://freshtrends.com/">FreshTrends.com</a> that has a really nice collection of <a href="http://www.freshtrends.com/">body jewelry</a>, a lot of which would look great with a new tattoo. It's definitely worth a look!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">~</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Last June, I featured <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/2010/06/lisas-guardian-angel.html">this tattoo</a> by artist <a href="http://www.scottcampbelltattoo.com/">Scott Campbell</a>. I was recently told about <a href="http://www.nowness.com/day/2011/2/11">this short film</a> on the site <a href="http://www.nowness.com/">Nowness</a>.Be sure to check it out!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">~</div><div style="text-align: left;">And finally, we're about a month away from April, and our third annual installment of the <a href="http://tattooedpoets.blogspot.com/2010/03/index-of-tattooed-poets.html">Tattooed Poets Project</a>. I wanted to give a shout-out to one of last year's poets, <a href="http://www.maneaterbook.com/contact.htm">Erica Rivera</a>, whose tattoo was featured <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/2010/04/tattooed-poets-project-erica-rivera.html">here</a>. Her new book <a href="http://www.maneaterbook.com/">Maneater</a> is available on Amazon:<br /><br /><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=bill03-20&o=1&p=8&l=as4&m=amazon&f=ifr&asins=B004N626EK" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe></div></div><br />Visit the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Man-Eater-Book/144775237080?ref=ts">Man Eater Facebook page</a> for a taste of Erica Rivera's writing.

Tattoosday Weekend Recap

I just wanted to share some interesting tidbits that have come my way over the last few weeks: First, someone has been sharing links in the ...

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Repost: The World is Full of Kings and Queens

<i>In lieu of something new, something borrowed, or something blue, I am offering up <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/2008/01/world-is-full-of-kings-and-queens.html">a post from three years ago</a>, in Tattoosday's infancy, from January 2008: </i><br /><br />I've been relying heavily on <span style="font-style: italic;">Tattoos I Know</span> since the end of summer, but today, in the chill of January, I spotted a cool tattoo on a stranger and added him to the Tattoosday gallery:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoCFWT-LvAR4INv7I4OfTvPZVs4DDWm-78jCS7fAbpg0NpjPwwat1Bxkhda6rJmOMgoMlDp8CW4czWOtuPZXKWSbwqLR-aTCqqfgvGXmXjADUBpzN5F2kfUDOnmEn0qFNgpKAoJrbvApBp/s1600-h/100_6250.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5157421225683495986" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoCFWT-LvAR4INv7I4OfTvPZVs4DDWm-78jCS7fAbpg0NpjPwwat1Bxkhda6rJmOMgoMlDp8CW4czWOtuPZXKWSbwqLR-aTCqqfgvGXmXjADUBpzN5F2kfUDOnmEn0qFNgpKAoJrbvApBp/s400/100_6250.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />It was in the mid-30's when I asked Frank about his tattoo. He gladly offered up his newest piece, this playing card queen.<br /><br />Frank is heavily-inked. He briefly flashed a leg and an arm covered with tattoos. But we stuck with this one. This particular piece, his newest, was done by Mike Profetto at <a href="http://www.nyc.com/Yellow_Pages/Designs_by_Michael_Angelo.190614/editorial.aspx">Designs by Michael Angelo</a> in Brooklyn.<br /><br />When I asked him why he had this queen of hearts, he said it only made sense to complement the king of diamonds on the right side of his neck:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmfkFvw3P5GGhosQjBxWZJPQFtP4Vp0TEpHBPXmctyiETpN6XXIiMl4MAKmxnzuPMJ0maIUis3JeIHXk6Zt7VQeOeAaFqT_UEmH7KK_tLmKSehkGggsuIVEt9CXnjB75PnL8RHgu73LUDc/s1600-h/100_6252.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5157422771871722562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmfkFvw3P5GGhosQjBxWZJPQFtP4Vp0TEpHBPXmctyiETpN6XXIiMl4MAKmxnzuPMJ0maIUis3JeIHXk6Zt7VQeOeAaFqT_UEmH7KK_tLmKSehkGggsuIVEt9CXnjB75PnL8RHgu73LUDc/s400/100_6252.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />Incidentally, that's a spider on the back of his neck, between the two royal tattoos.<br /><br />The queen, being the newer piece, is much brighter and crisper.<br /><br />Frank is the first Tattoosday subject to offer up side neck pieces. He gave me his contact information, so I hope to feature Frank's work again in the future, with more detail about his tattoos, and the stories behind them.<br /><br />Thanks again Frank!<br /><br />*******<br /><br /><i>February 26, 2011: Alas, we never heard from Frank again....</i>

Repost: The World is Full of Kings and Queens

In lieu of something new, something borrowed, or something blue, I am offering up a post from three years ago , in Tattoosday's infancy,...

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Misty May-Treanor Lower Back and Shoulder Tattoos

Misty May-Treanor American professional volleyball player, perhaps best known for winning the gold medal at the 2004 and 2008 Summer Olympics alongside her teammate Kerri Walsh.<br /><br />Misty May-Treanor has a pair of tattoos, including the Roman numeral 5 along with her grandmothers initials on her <a href="http://www.celebritytattoosite.com/2010/05/lower-back-tattoos.html">lower back</a>.<br /><br />The gold medalist also has her mothers initials along with a small <a href="http://www.celebritytattoosite.com/2010/06/angel-tattoos.html">angel</a>, located on her left shoulder.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZgOzz3i7OgnhkkA4w7HJUXpLAFzoWgloer17dl_JqocAMBfV72euBqG8CuGRv-xHd0v-7MVebbBF6z7ch-SPDfqrBpUTfFSGyjie4LbtH7XJwe2pnxIjEF-1u8u_nCJVIUxERWKWDzjT4/s1600/misty-may-treanor-tattoo.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577754661752458690" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZgOzz3i7OgnhkkA4w7HJUXpLAFzoWgloer17dl_JqocAMBfV72euBqG8CuGRv-xHd0v-7MVebbBF6z7ch-SPDfqrBpUTfFSGyjie4LbtH7XJwe2pnxIjEF-1u8u_nCJVIUxERWKWDzjT4/s400/misty-may-treanor-tattoo.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 279px;" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic-lrUA7PDtB167PmDarxi5INpZhVai4btCU7hL7Zl7GjJkAISpUG-2hM-Rw-oX6Uf5q4_DMjmTGq0QXjOGlDaOzY7BtL2Ao_uzds6SKPwWvcpuQiZCtiVJL7nkzlB-lClmSGP-49atTAk/s1600/misty-may-treanor-tattoo-2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577754657381995346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic-lrUA7PDtB167PmDarxi5INpZhVai4btCU7hL7Zl7GjJkAISpUG-2hM-Rw-oX6Uf5q4_DMjmTGq0QXjOGlDaOzY7BtL2Ao_uzds6SKPwWvcpuQiZCtiVJL7nkzlB-lClmSGP-49atTAk/s400/misty-may-treanor-tattoo-2.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 340px; height: 400px;" /></a>

Misty May-Treanor Lower Back and Shoulder Tattoos

Misty May-Treanor American professional volleyball player, perhaps best known for winning the gold medal at the 2004 and 2008 Summer Olympic...

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Lost and Found: Toni's Cameo

<span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">I'm calling this a "lost and found" post because it features a tattoo that was a buried treasure in my e-mail archives. I was sitting on my living room couch when the existence of the photo surfaced in my head. "Whatever happened to that e-mail?" I asked myself and, after a brief search I found it. So, let me explain....</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">At the end of November, my wife Melanie received an e-mail from someone she met through her job. She often encounters people with tattoos and, if the work is interesting, and the subject arises, she will act as an ambassador to Tattoosday.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Toni is one such person who checked out the site, took pictures of her tattoo, and sent them to Melanie. She showed me the photos and promptly forwarded me the e-mail, which then sat for a spell in my in box before I inadvertently filed it away until I recalled it two months later.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">So, without further ado, here is Toni's tattoo:</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYgs-oST3uEpiVf_Rb91kQXiPz93Zwxi1OSUu7nN1b1msXiRDUKnFdxHD_5QX08JKX8p3uTnM6QnQAAouzn3-gPEU2R-ddXAeWDDuuYifkQn77aXDRuccjkfVYKgtMJhQDrbm1gEwQD4E/s1600/Cameo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYgs-oST3uEpiVf_Rb91kQXiPz93Zwxi1OSUu7nN1b1msXiRDUKnFdxHD_5QX08JKX8p3uTnM6QnQAAouzn3-gPEU2R-ddXAeWDDuuYifkQn77aXDRuccjkfVYKgtMJhQDrbm1gEwQD4E/s400/Cameo.jpg" width="332" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Not only did Toni send along this picture of the small cameo tattoo on her wrist, she sent along a healthy story to accompany the piece. We'll let her tell us about it in her own words:</span></span></div></span><br /><blockquote><span style="color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></div></span><span style="color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">My mother passed away six years ago on 11/17/2004. For a long time I wanted to get a tattoo in memory of her without doing the RIP MOM thing I’ve seen so many times before. I think it’s nice, but it is not my style. A little over two years ago my sister and I were going out with some friends for dinner and my sister was wearing this very Victorian-style blouse. Pinned to the front collar of the blouse was a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cameo_%28carving%29">cameo</a> that has been in my family for many years. It was passed down from my Grandmother to my mother and now to my sister. As soon as I glanced at it, it hit me! I will get a tattoo of this Cameo and then realized it would not only be for my mom. My mother, my sister, and I are obsessed with the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victorian_era">Victorian era</a>! We love everything Victorian. My grandmother loved the Victorian times as well. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">So I decided to bring the cameo with me to <a href="http://www.twinmoontattoo.com/">Twin Moon Tattoo</a> shop [in Floral Park, Long Island] and had the artist Cindy sketch the cameo ... I love this tattoo so much, not only because it represents an era that I love but it also represents the three most important women in my life: my Grandmother, my Mother, & my sister! [Cindy] thought it was a little strange that I wanted it just below the inside wrist of my right arm and suggested I put it on the back of my neck or make it really big and put it in the middle of my back. I had explained the meaning behind the tattoo and how important it was for me that I see it everyday....That being said, she agreed and sketched it the actual size of the cameo and tattooed it on the inside of my arm right below the wrist. </span></span></div></span></blockquote><span style="color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Thanks to Toni for sending along the photo and the story behind it to Melanie, and for consenting to share her lovely cameo tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!</span></span></div></span>

Lost and Found: Toni's Cameo

I'm calling this a "lost and found" post because it features a tattoo that was a buried treasure in my e-mail archives. I was ...

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