My tickle-themed tattoo: your opinions

So. I already have one tattoo, and after my next one, I'm going to be getting a tickling related tattoo to celebrate one of the biggest parts of my life.

I'm almost positive it will be a feather. I'm pretty sure most of you would agree that if there was a symbol for tickling, it would be a feather.

However, I'm not sure:

a) what kind of feather to get - feel free to post a picture of a feather
b) what color it should be - also, let me know what color you would choose
c) the placement - I really need help with this - if the foot, how and where?


I was thinking:

a) see first two attachments
b) maybe a burgundy with some darker areas? (see third attachment) or even a rainbow (don't judge me)
c) a large feather down my side leading up to my underarm (see fourth and fifth attachments), or somewhere around my foot (also a placement somewhat symbolic of tickling)


Anyway. I would love your opinions on it addressing my questions. And if anyone has anything else they think would be a good tattoo for me, aside from a feather, I'm definitely willing to consider those. I'm not just looking for you to tell me which of what I posted you like better, although that is appreciated, too. Those are just some of my more liked ideas. Please feel free to give me your suggestions. This is all up in the air.

I DO NOT WANT blatant tickling, or a pair of feet. I want something symbolic, and beautiful. Remember: I am choosing to share with all of you something very special to me, and very personal to all of us, that is PERMANENTLY going on my body! So keep it serious, please. This is really important to me. 🙂

Thanks for your responses. It means a lot to me.

I gotta go with the second one there.....

I like the first multi-colored feather.
As for placement, on the side of your foot below the ankle would appeal to me. 😀

Hmmm....maybe the second one on your tummy, with the tip touching your navel?

The Sean Man said:

Hmmm....maybe the second one on your tummy, with the tip touching your navel?

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That's a good idea, but I'm afraid it would look too cluttered.

I guess I should have posted where my other one is and where the second one will be.

Just FYI for everyone else: My first tattoo is a medium sized rubber duck on my inner left hip. The second tattoo will be a tiny Care Bear heart on my right butt cheek/outer hip.

I would prefer the tattoos not to be too close together, as I don't want them cluttered.

euphoricstrokes said:

That's a good idea, but I'm afraid it would look too cluttered.

I guess I should have posted where my other one is and where the second one will be.

Just FYI for everyone else: My first tattoo is a medium sized rubber duck on my inner left hip. The second tattoo will be a tiny Care Bear heart on my right butt cheek/outer hip.

I would prefer the tattoos not to be too close together, as I don't want them cluttered.

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Alrighty then...I choose placement option c...down your side leading up to your underarm

Thanks for asking, Euphoric',

I vote for #2 next to the navel as suggested or on the ankle....ok, ankle first, then navel! Final answer!

I personally vote for #1 on the left side and #2 for the right.

I like the second feather pic you have.

As for location, the feather could run along your ankle with the tip of it pointing towards your foot....maybe with a location simmilar to the pic below.

Thanks for sharing this decision with us and good luck!!! 😀

cool....

I have a ring that symbolizes my tickling interests.. it's silver with mother of peal in the middle with afeather going up the side...I too am getting a tattoo...same idea... feather personally I like the rainbow one or bright pink would be cool ..mine is going to be on the top of my foot with some vine like design going from my ankle ending with the feather pointing at my big toe.. I'll show you when I scan my pic!!! good luck my sister!!!! ~Iris

Euphoricstrokes

I would get a red feather tattoed on the sole of your foot that says "Tickle Me" somewhere on the feather.....

TicklesFemales

Attached is a completely original feather. It is my own creation for a tickling endeavor never pursued. It is unpublished to my knowledge, and has been sitting in a folder doing nothing for a long time.

I'm too backlogged on art projects to do any modifications or play with the color. I may use it sooner or later for a tickling project or two, and retain all rights for its use in digital and print media as well as apparel (I'm very picky), but if you want to use it as a tattoo, feel free.

I'm as sure a competent tattoo artist could work up a suitable color iteration for you as I'm sure you'll make a lovely canvas.

Enjoy.

Capnmad said:

Attached is a completely original feather of my own creation. It is my own creation for a tickling endeavor never pursued. It is unpublished to my knowledge, and has been sitting in a folder doing nothing for a long time.

I'm too backlogged on art projects to do any modifications or play with the color. I may use it sooner or later for a tickling project or two, and retain all rights for its use in digital and print media as well as apparel (I'm very picky), but if you want to use it as a tattoo, feel free.

I'm as sure a competent tattoo artist could work up a suitable color iteration for you as I'm sure you'll make a lovely canvas.

Enjoy.

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That's gorgeous. Thank you for your contribution. I really appreciate it. 🙂

I like imapler's idea. I also like the placement.
I noticed you seem a bit torn between a flower and a feather.
I like the Cap's design, and I like the burgundy flower, but ultimately, you will decide what is best. Cap's design could be filled with burgundy! Perhaps different shades. LOL
I love flowers and feathers, also.

Just as a side note, euphoric: rubber duckies are adorable. Tickles to you.

Helena said:

I like imapler's idea. I also like the placement.
I noticed you seem a bit torn between a flower and a feather.
I like the Cap's design, and I like the burgundy flower, but ultimately, you will decide what is best. Cap's design could be filled with burgundy! Perhaps different shades. LOL
I love flowers and feathers, also.

Just as a side note, euphoric: rubber duckies are adorable. Tickles to you.

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Actually, the flower is just there for a color scheme (the burgundy shades). I'm pretty sure I want a feather, unless someone has a better idea. 🙂

Until I saw Cap's work, I was going to say the first feather, not too big...either on your side or some other ticklish spot . But, if you wanted to go with something a bit larger, a colorized version of his feather would be really nice...multi-color like the first feather in your selection.

Hello Euphoric,

Thanks for opening such an important personal choice up to discussion with the forums membership. I’m watching with interest.

Oh? You want my opinion also? Ok. But lots of words will happen. Get popcorn.

Back? Ok....

It took me a number of years to come to an understanding of why people get tattoos. When I was your age in the era of Regan, wine, and New Wave, they were pretty uncommon. It took another generation to shift them into something widely seen and accepted. I, and I feel, many of my generation simply didn’t get the reasons why people seemed so ready to mark themselves thusly.

So when I was figuring it out, I fell back on two aspects of my background. Psychologist and Historian. Why did people get them in the past?

One reason was you were part of a tribe. You took on the symbols of your tribe to mark yourself as an adult member of the group. Sometimes you needed to earn them. Military tattoos fall into this group in the modern era.

Another reason was because of religious or spiritual significance. Tribal pattern markings, god symbols and such fall here.

The last was personal definition. Our bodies are our only true possession. So by placing something of our own choosing upon them, we are making a mighty statement on several levels. We are saying “I am this”. “When you see me you are seeing what I believe.” It acts as a commitment to what we believe in. By marking ourselves we are saying to ourselves that “THIS matters.” and “I’m committed to it.” In fact it’s a way of taking ownership of a non physical aspect of our lives, displaying our faith so to speak. Proving to ourselves that we are committed.

It is this last class that I believe you are acting upon when you began to think about making the choices for this tattoo. It’s your way of showing the world (in as much as those that will see it where you place it) your comfort and acceptance that tickling is a part of your life, and self. It’s a symbol of personal meaning, that you are making manifest.

Ok. Then the question becomes how manifest? Size and location are going to be the factors that speak to this question. How easy do you want this to be seen? How intimate is the reveal of this information? A large work will be harder to ‘keep covered’ so to speak. Smaller ones in more apparent places will also draw attention. So your intent becomes very key here.

What are you looking to say Euphoric? And how loud?

And now to more specific opinions.

I have seen a lot of body art over the years, and I’ve come to a firm opinion that the pieces that make the best statements are of simple crisp design, and basic in color. Mono-color, often black. Color in my opinion often over complicates a piece of body art, and makes it less, rather then more. The daisies in the pictures you show are good examples of this. One looks like a coloring book drawing not finished, the other which is colored, is busy, and detracts from the message. A stark, geometric flower, done in one color would have made for a much bigger impact, and conveyed the message much better. So I tend to be for mono-color works in the dark hues.

One is not trying to paint a photorealistic image on oneself. One is working to express a concept. Graphic design has to play a big part.

Tribal design always works best for larger works. In this case as it would be a feather (which also is the symbolic item that is used to weigh a soul in Egyptian mythology) so I would look to the art deco era for design inspiration. Sharp clean geometrics. If it is to go on your side, then you have many options, where it starts and stops, if it curves under you breast, how far down your ribs it goes. With a deco design you’ll have distinct segments of feather, this opens the design up to having a specific number of segments, and allows for numerical significance to be added into the design. This could add meaning for you. What it points at/touches will matter. How does it touch body lines? Energy points? So forth.

See, to me, since it represents something important, the final design and execution is highly important. It has MEANING. Thus it has power. As a result of this it needs to be carefully considered.

This would be a very large piece of body art, and thus it would have a large impact on you. Are you ready to show it off if you wear a bikini? A short top? And so forth. How much of the world are you projecting this to? And what will you tell those who ask? Because they will. Like a piece of jewelry, or clothing, this work will make a statement and invite discussion. What conversations do you want to start? That speaks to the design, placement and size.

If you are going small then you have more options. I’d avoid words, and again stay with mono-color dark. Someplace around here I have the design for a anklet that I did for a person in the community that was executed in silver. It was a ring of feathers that interlocked. Very simple design, and it would translate well into a subtle ankle loop tattoo. I’d avoid the tops of your feet. Very painful are to have work done on, and many artists will not do it there. I’d avoid the soul of the foot for other reasons, do you really want to be walking on an important symbol all day? If pressed, I’d say small would be best on one side of your waist, or on the back under a shoulder blade/around side where your bra would normally cover. In both cases subtle, fairly well hidden from most, but seeable by those that you choose. The ankle loop is common enough that most people would never look at the detail work, and the idea would hide in plain sight.

If you go big, hire a real graphic artist to do the design. Invest in that. You’ll have talks with them, and do a lot of give and take. Go get some body paint, and put it where you think you want it, in the size you want it. And let it dry, then live with it for a bit. See how well it covers. See how you feel about it being there. If you decide to do the work find a top level artist to put it on you. Research them like you would a plastic surgeon. They will be changing you forever. Big tattoos are serious stuff. Much different from the duck and heart. (Though both of those are no less important)

I realize that I am coming across as over thinking the thing. But I do consider such things as important works of art, and thus feel they should be done right. And you only get one shot.

Happy to expand on any aspects of my thoughts, or even do basic design work if asked.

Myriads

blimey myriads, i ran out of pop corn hours ago! 😛 euphoric, my personal taste is saying foot tattoo, if you've got a decent foot to put it on anyway, i've seen some manky feet with tattoo's on...*shudders* The area and tattoo need to compliment eachother. If you go with the foot i'd say along the mutter side, cause as myriads said, the top really hurts! And personaly they sort of look abit on top, and the sole's a no go for defo, you'd have to get it re done so never due to year and tear on the area, plus its the most tender part of your foot to, it would total hell to get it done, i'l offer my opinions on design when i get home as i'm posting of me phone right now and cant fiddle around with attachments 🙂

Do Not get it on the Sole of your Foot.

As this would probably destroy the tickleness of your foot.

I prefer Colored Feather #1 to be placed on your ankle. I am starting to find this to be sexy and alluring.

Gin = Colorful.

Rainbow = Colorful.

Gin should get a rainbow feather. 🙂

Myriads said:

If you go big, hire a real graphic artist to do the design. Invest in that. You’ll have talks with them, and do a lot of give and take. Go get some body paint, and put it where you think you want it, in the size you want it. And let it dry, then live with it for a bit. See how well it covers. See how you feel about it being there. If you decide to do the work find a top level artist to put it on you. Research them like you would a plastic surgeon. They will be changing you forever. Big tattoos are serious stuff. Much different from the duck and heart. (Though both of those are no less important)

I realize that I am coming across as over thinking the thing. But I do consider such things as important works of art, and thus feel they should be done right. And you only get one shot.

Click to expand...

Who can argue with that, or anything else he said? I agree with the "simplified" view, as well -- tribal stuff and the like. Art decos a little stuffy and too rigidly controlled for me (I'm more an art nouveau guy), but look around and see what you like. And as much as I like my own work, I would actually strongly advise against using my design as is (hence the suggestion of someone -- tattoo artist, maybe, or someone else -- working up a simpler version). All the little veins for the feather are far too close together. Over time, the ink in tattoos bleeds, and my feather as is wouldn't hold up well. It was designed for other purposes.

If you like the general concept and form, cool, but have someone work out a simplified/modified version first. It'll look dramatically different, I assure you. See if that sort of thing is still to your liking. And heck, if Myriads is offering, take him up on some design work and see what he comes up with as well. More choices aren't a bad thing.

Keep in mind also the great variety of feathers. Some better suited than others, of course:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...plumes._-_Larousse_pour_tous,_-1907-1910-.jpg

One should always take time on decisions that will be bonded to them for life. I look forward to seeing how this evolves.

I have to say that I'm really a fan of the first, multi-colored feather. I'm not exactly an artist when it comes to placement, however. Of course, the final decision is up to you and I just hope that you're ultimately happy with it. I just think it's cool that you want to do this. Major props to ya. 🙂

Myriads said:

What are you looking to say Euphoric? And how loud?

.....

This would be a very large piece of body art, and thus it would have a large impact on you. Are you ready to show it off if you wear a bikini? A short top? And so forth. How much of the world are you projecting this to? And what will you tell those who ask? Because they will. Like a piece of jewelry, or clothing, this work will make a statement and invite discussion. What conversations do you want to start? That speaks to the design, placement and size.

Click to expand...

Firstly, thank you for taking so much time to consider my situation and respond in such depth. I'm not surprised - it's definitely your nature. But thank you, nonetheless.

As for your questions: I don't care about the questions that will be asked. I'll either answer truthfully, or I'll tell them it's private. I've never cared too much about how others perceive me, or what's on my body. And I don't care how "loud" (large) my tattoo is, either. I just want it to be tasteful.

By the way, I really don't mind if you call me by my name on here. 🙂

Myriads said:

Tribal design always works best for larger works. In this case as it would be a feather (which also is the symbolic item that is used to weigh a soul in Egyptian mythology) so I would look to the art deco era for design inspiration. Sharp clean geometrics. If it is to go on your side, then you have many options, where it starts and stops, if it curves under you breast, how far down your ribs it goes. With a deco design you’ll have distinct segments of feather, this opens the design up to having a specific number of segments, and allows for numerical significance to be added into the design. This could add meaning for you. What it points at/touches will matter. How does it touch body lines? Energy points? So forth.

Click to expand...

This was wonderful, and a great help. I'm definitely going to look into that a.s.a.p.

Myriads said:

If you are going small then you have more options. I’d avoid words, and again stay with mono-color dark. Someplace around here I have the design for a anklet that I did for a person in the community that was executed in silver. It was a ring of feathers that interlocked. Very simple design, and it would translate well into a subtle ankle loop tattoo. I’d avoid the tops of your feet. Very painful are to have work done on, and many artists will not do it there. I’d avoid the soul of the foot for other reasons, do you really want to be walking on an important symbol all day? If pressed, I’d say small would be best on one side of your waist, or on the back under a shoulder blade/around side where your bra would normally cover. In both cases subtle, fairly well hidden from most, but seeable by those that you choose. The ankle loop is common enough that most people would never look at the detail work, and the idea would hide in plain sight.

Click to expand...

I don't think an anklet is really what I'm looking for, although that seems very pretty. I don't want it to be subtle. I want it to be bold, and beautiful. It's nothing I will ever be ashamed of. I don't want to ever hide it behind my bra, or make it so small as it won't be noticable so that people won't ask questions. This is such a huge part of myself, and I want it to be accurately expressed. I'm certainly not ruling out a smaller tattoo. If I get it somewhere around my foot it would have to be smaller. But I don't want it to be hidden.

Myriads said:

Happy to expand on any aspects of my thoughts, or even do basic design work if asked.

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If you're offering, I would love to see what you could come up with. Or if I come up with something I'm wanting, I'll run it by you and see what you think. 🙂 Like I said, I really appreciate this a lot.

Capnmad said:

Who can argue with that, or anything else he said? I agree with the "simplified" view, as well -- tribal stuff and the like. Art decos a little stuffy and too rigidly controlled for me (I'm more an art nouveau guy), but look around and see what you like. And as much as I like my own work, I would actually strongly advise against using my design as is (hence the suggestion of someone -- tattoo artist, maybe, or someone else -- working up a simpler version). All the little veins for the feather are far too close together. Over time, the ink in tattoos bleeds, and my feather as is wouldn't hold up well. It was designed for other purposes.

If you like the general concept and form, cool, but have someone work out a simplified/modified version first. It'll look dramatically different, I assure you. See if that sort of thing is still to your liking. And heck, if Myriads is offering, take him up on some design work and see what he comes up with as well. More choices aren't a bad thing.

Keep in mind also the great variety of feathers. Some better suited than others, of course:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...1907-1910-.jpg

One should always take time on decisions that will be bonded to them for life. I look forward to seeing how this evolves.

Click to expand...

I'll check into the art nouveau, as well. You're all coming up with such brilliant suggestions. I do love your feather ... I'm not entirely sure about the twist, if that's something I want in my feather. But it is gorgeous and I adore the bottom half... Definitely something to consider.

And thank you so much for that wiki page on feathers!

dalekfire said:

Gin = Colorful.

Rainbow = Colorful.

Gin should get a rainbow feather.

Click to expand...

I was really considering one. My boyfriend says it might look cheesy, though. 🙁

Haribish! said:

i'l offer my opinions on design when i get home as i'm posting of me phone right now and cant fiddle around with attachments

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Looking forward to it. 🙂

I'll be more than happy to volunteer as your tattoo artist; I have a bunch of magic marks I can use. 😉

Hello Gin,

Gin said:

As for your questions: I don't care about the questions that will be asked. I'll either answer truthfully, or I'll tell them it's private. I've never cared too much about how others perceive me, or what's on my body. And I don't care how "loud" (large) my tattoo is, either. I just want it to be tasteful.

I don't want it to be subtle. I want it to be bold, and beautiful. It's nothing I will ever be ashamed of. I don't want to ever hide it behind my bra, or make it so small as it won't be noticable so that people won't ask questions. This is such a huge part of myself, and I want it to be accurately expressed.

Click to expand...

Ok, This provides a solid starting point in how you are thinking, and what you feel about the planned work. You desire to make statement about yourself, and are open to the results of making that statement. That makes things simpler.

So we start with location.

I'd rule out the back, as it's not a traditional ticklish area, and symbolically wouldn't suit. The same goes for the arms, calves, and though they are ticklish, backs of legs. Feet are too small to do a large bold work upon. So they are out. Take out the arms from bicept down. Again, smaller, and symbolically not great.

I tend to feel that staying off the neck is a good idea, as is the cleavage that would be shown by an average scoop top. Once Tattoos move into such primary visual areas, they start to define the person, rather then simply make a statement about them. And that is the opposite of what you clearly seem to desire. Your like of tickling is part of you, but it does not define you.

You do wish it to show some. So that takes your backside out of the running. Not the best place anyhow.

Stomach is a possible, but I don't see it as a good venue for the sort of design you want, a feather, which is better suited for a linear body part. And again, we are staying away from small, so feather realted chains and rings that one would use in this area are not what are desired.

That leaves three good candidate areas. One of your sides, one of your thighs, or one of your hips.

The inner thigh would be the most intimate loaction, probably running from knee to groin, so it would offer the least viewing options. Some parts would show with shorts. As it would be close to your sexual center, it would hold greater symbolism there possibly. It would the most discrete of the three areas.

On the outside of the hip; The piece would probably curve along the path that the bottom of a bikini would, running along the line of the oh so ticklish 'hip crease' and it would probably end wrapped around the lower waist. This still allows for the sexual symbolism, based on location near your sexual center again. It would again, be less shown, but the parts that made it to the waist would often be very seen, and thus open to comment.

Last, we have along the ribs. This allows for the piece to range from hip to armpit, include the side of a breast, and/or start in the hip crease area. This would be a very large work, that would cross a lot of your body. Very visible in a variety of clothing. Not subtle at all, but also, not overpowering into body areas that are eye focus' in interpersonal interactions, which is important.

An aside based on this point. Gin, you do have a long life ahead, and getting a large work will close some doors that you may wish to have open. A large body work will close down lots of modeling work if you ever hope to go that way. It can also make public jobs such as teacher harder to get. People still react to the WAY people make personal statements with tattoos, moreso then the content of the art.

/start somewhat preachy psychological lecture

I know that tickling is a very important part of your life, and how you are coming to define yourself as a individual sexually. Your emergence here shows that. But take some time to think about the life and needs of the 30 year old Gin, then 40 year old one and so on. You are making choices for her also. Ones that may have impacts on her that are not always going to be the best.

This sort of thing is a core adult choice. Balancing Want and Need.

You CAN do it, no issues.

That you WANT to is not in question. this conversation is proof.

But do you NEED to? Is this the best way to express this aspect of your sexuality? Are there other paths that can, and not provide issues in future days and places?

How much of your WANT to do this is based on a NEED to?

You are just becoming open about this part of yourself, and one of the first instincts that many people have once they start to become comfortable with being open about fetish tastes is to shout it to the sky. To challenge the world to take or leave oneself.

I honestly see you in that transition phase right now. And the impulse to get this work is 100% in the realm of normal desires that come with it. You may want to pause and let yourself grow into your newfound freedom of self before making lifetime choices regarding talking about it.

I'm not saying do not do it. I am saying take some time to see where the impulse to do it is arising from, how it may be something of the moment.It may well turn out that it's the right choice for you Now, tomorrow, and forever. But take time to see.

/end of somewhat preachy psychological lecture.


Ok... my rant aside. We have three possible locations. Design will be very impacted by which one you go with. (or another area not listed by I) So before anything can be done, you need to pin the location down.

As most of the choices offer a left side/right side option that will also become one of the first chocies you will also need to make. There is a lot of symbolism in right/left concepts. Doing basic web research on that one symbolic aspect will keep you busy for a bit. There is the connection to what side of the mind controls what, there is the conection to your own left/right handedness. And so forth.

So where and what side become the first place you need to go. Then the rest will start to follow from that.

And you can consider more then one site in this planning phase, to see more before a final choice is made. So if you can't fix a location that is cool. But you do need to fix a side.

Over to you.

Myriads