Native American tattoos

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Mon May 02, 2005 9:42 pm

I am contemplating my first tattoo. I have been all over the web today, looking for Native American images, and I get freakin' lost in all the sites. I have found a few interesting patterns and designs, but nothing to really grab my eye yet. I'd like to stick to Blackfoot or Cherokee designs, those being the tribes I am from. Do any of you know of a good site or a better way to search for this? I have tried so many different places, I think I am going blind. HELP!!!!

lady cop · Post by **lady cop** » Mon May 02, 2005 9:45 pm

i don't know any sites BR, but be very very sure before you choose one. i know you will be. hey. i'm part cherokee too!

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Mon May 02, 2005 9:50 pm

I have been thinking about doing this for several years, LC. Nothing elaborate, nothing huge, or highly detailed, but something meaningful. I'm just going nuts now, trying to find it since I have decided to do it!

Where does your Native blood come from LC? I get the Blackfoot from my mom, and the Cherokee from my dad's side.

lady cop · Post by **lady cop** » Mon May 02, 2005 9:55 pm

my Dad pure Italian. my Mom a real 'gone with the wind' southern belle from NC and lived at Tara essentially. a beautiful woman, was miss NC in miss America pageant one year, she told me there was a cherokee in the woodpile, so i am about 1/8....you can tell by my high cheekbones.

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Mon May 02, 2005 10:01 pm

Yup, I've got them cheekbones too! I know there are at least two other members here who are Native, and I'm hoping they will come along and maybe have some ideas. Damn, but I can't remember which ones they are! (Sorry guys!)

john8pies · Post by **john8pies** » Tue May 03, 2005 3:57 am

How about a scale map of the States, with only wheat fields and wigwams visible..........?

greydeadhead · Post by **greydeadhead** » Tue May 03, 2005 4:30 am

Hey BR...

check this out. Good luck.

http://www.manataka.org/page209.html

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Tue May 03, 2005 10:40 am

Grey, that is a great site. Even if I don't find my tat there, there is so much other stuff to see. Thanks for the link!

greydeadhead · Post by **greydeadhead** » Tue May 03, 2005 10:55 am

Hey BR...

ur welcome.. just if you do select a design... make 100000000000000000% shure it is what you want. If you have even the littlest doubt don't do it. I have 4 tats and I always tell people this. there is only 2 ways to get rid of a tat.. lasers and dermabrasion.. both of the them are expensive and painful.. worse than gettting a tat in the first place.... If ya got any other questions drop me a line.. be glad to anwser them for ya....

be well and have a great day

Jives · Post by **Jives** » Tue May 03, 2005 11:03 am

BabyRider wrote: I am contemplating my first tattoo.

NOOOOoooooooo! Don't DO it Babyrider! A tattoo is a permanent fashion statement, and fashion is never permanent!

Well, OK. I won't be able to stop you, but here are a couple of things to consider:

1. Put it in a place where you can show it if you want to, but cover it up if you need to! Some of the older generation, like me, still consider a tatto low class at best and a sign of a convict at worst. Business is conservative and a tattoo can cause you trouble in business meetings.

Also, be aware that extremely complicated tattoos will fade and blur. Mrs. Ives' has a little ladybug on her hip, but it's only a blue splotch now.

2. Make sure you go to a licensed tattoo artist. and make damn sure the needles are clean and sterilized. 80% of all cases of hepatitus A in New Mexico came from tattoos. Once youhave Hep A, you never get rid of it, and it'll killyour liver eventually.

You can't live without a liver! Hahahahah! Get it?

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Tue May 03, 2005 11:05 am

Hey, thanks for the concern Grey! That seems to be the most common input I'm getting, "Just be SURE!" I'm sure that I want a tattoo of something representing my heritage. But if I don't find something really meaningful to me, it won't happen. I'll get back to you if I have more questions. Thanks again! :yh_peace

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Tue May 03, 2005 11:14 am

Hey Jives...Where I put this tattoo will depend on what it looks like. I don't even know that yet. I don't plan on a large, elaborate tat, or even a lot of color. And you're right; you can't talk me out of it! :yh_bigsmi

The stereotype that comes with tattoos is, to me, outdated at best and narrow-minded at worst. Bullet has several, and he works in a white collar job, they can be seen, and have never caused him a problem.

As for the cleanliness aspect, he has gone to the same artist for all of his, and that is who I will be using. I'm well aware of the risk of using a questionable needle. I appreciate your concern, Jives, and have considered this long and hard. I'll post a picture when and IF I get one. (And, of course, if it's on an area of my bod that's appropriate to show in FG.) :yh_rotfl

greydeadhead · Post by **greydeadhead** » Tue May 03, 2005 11:17 am

Stop scaring people Jives. I am not white trash.. or a lowlife.. or an ex con..or low class.. and I don't know if the tattoo parlors in NM are underground or above board. Here they fall under the Department of health. They are inspected yearly, the artists have to be licensed. I am not saying that there are not underground parlors but anyone that goes to someone without interviewing the artist, touring the facility, making sure the artist uses new needles, new ink, wears gloves, and disposes of needles after each piece needs to have thier head examined.

Each of my tats means something to me and are custom pieces. they are not flash. that is paint by numbers designs off the walls of the parlor. yep.. the business world is conservative and I would never tell anyone to get a tat that would be conspicuous, but then again it is none of their business if I have one in the first place. And if anyone wants to judge me because of it then they are the one that has the problem.. not me... It is closed minded narrow views like yours that continue to promote the myth that anyone that has a tattoo is from the wrong side of society...

okay.. rant over..

Jives · Post by **Jives** » Tue May 03, 2005 12:01 pm

BabyRider wrote:

The stereotype that comes with tattoos is, to me, outdated at best and narrow-minded at worst.

You're right....those people are narrow-minded, and they are out there.

Bullet has several, and he works in a white collar job, they can be seen, and have never caused him a problem.

And yet at the same time, I almost lost my job as a teacher for having one ear pierced.

The guy that came to talk to us at Career day, a lawyer, told the kids that if they had tattoos not to even bother to apply at his law firm.

Jives · Post by **Jives** » Tue May 03, 2005 12:09 pm

greydeadhead wrote: Stop scaring people Jives.

Hey, I'm just being a realist. Many of the older generation still feel this way. Surely you don't disagree with that, do you? I don't judge people with tattoos..(OK Maybe I do, if they have every vsible part of their body tattooed, or they have made their face look like a tiger's) But lots of people do.

I am not white trash.. or a lowlife.. or an ex con..or low class.. and I don't know if the tattoo parlors in NM are underground or above board.

Ok, I never said you were white trash...but I know people who would consider you so, thanks to your image. Oh, and almost nothing in New Mexico is regulated.

yep.. the business world is conservative and I would never tell anyone to get a tat that would be conspicuous, but then again it is none of their business if I have one in the first place. And if anyone wants to judge me because of it then they are the one that has the problem.. not me...

True, they have a problem, but if they don't hire you, then you have the problem. Like we tell the kids, it's your right to dye your hair bright red and get a Mohawk, but don't expect to get a job that way.

It is closed minded narrow views like yours that continue to promote the myth that anyone that has a tattoo is from the wrong side of society...

I never said that, although I must admit that I find body-piercing and tattoing kind of gross. I was raised that "nice people" don't do that. So sue me. :p

minks · Post by **minks** » Tue May 03, 2005 12:15 pm

Geeze Jives nice work.....

teee heeee heeee

BR try your local library for Native american art,

As well try art.com online and you can pick a subject and choose native american art.

And try dogpile.com and type in native american art. There is some cool sites out there as I considered that for my tattoo (Haida mind you) but since changed my mind so am afraid I lost the sites.

Or try native american artists. There could be something there.

BMzine.com may be helpful but I must warn you It includes Body Modifications and last I checked some was grim as hell.

If you check out tattoo's don't ... reason being is folks already have those designs and yours won't be original.

Good luck in your search.

And a tat is a great thing when it is dear to your heart and means something for life.

I can't wait for my other 2 to be done, as a matter of fact, Raven is designing my next one for me. Can hardly wait to see the result.

minks · Post by **minks** » Tue May 03, 2005 12:17 pm

ah Jives you would be amazed at how many "nice people" have tattoos

greydeadhead · Post by **greydeadhead** » Tue May 03, 2005 12:29 pm

ahhh well Jives.. perhaps realism is just not for me.. even though I do work a white collar job.. at a conservative company... anyway.. to me tattooes are personal expression.. they are part of who and what I am.. so, because I guess I am alittle be more of a free spirit than most.. I would be more likely to hire the guy with the red mohawk and the killer work ethic.. than the one in the button down suit and the I'll work when I want ethic....

no worries.. we can agree to disagree.. hahahaha... course. if you are interested, I know a good artist, works clean, licensed.. etc.. he would be glad to introduce you to your new addiction, if you are willing to give it a shot..

Jives · Post by **Jives** » Tue May 03, 2005 12:41 pm

lol. Well, I expected to get flamed for that comment, but it's good that you know that it's really not that big of a deal to me, I just don't think I'll be getting one.

My point is that it's still a big deal to some people.

And as for my getting a tattoo....other than a few freckles and some scars.....I'll be taking this skin, exactly like it was when I was born, to my grave.

Jives · Post by **Jives** » Tue May 03, 2005 12:43 pm

greydeadhead wrote: I do work a white collar job.. at a conservative company.

Do your tats show at work? Have they ever said anything to you about them?

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Tue May 03, 2005 12:50 pm

Jives wrote: I never said that, although I must admit that I find body-piercing and tattoing kind of gross. I was raised that "nice people" don't do that. So sue me. :pBut you said that you didn't get a job because of having an ear pierced. I thought "nice people" didn't do that sort of thing?

Hey Minks...thanks for all the great info on where to find what I'm looking for. I'll get back here when I get home from work tonight and poke around.

Jives · Post by **Jives** » Tue May 03, 2005 12:55 pm

BabyRider wrote: But you said that you didn't get a job because of having an ear pierced. I thought "nice people" didn't do that sort of thing?.

You got me! I'm a total hypocrite! Actually, I got my ear pierced in the Air Force. A bunch of pilots and myself were totally drunk and had it done at a mall. So I succumbed to peer pressure.

I did get a lot of flak about it when I applied to teach, and to this day kids still tell me, "You have your ear pierced and you're a teacher?!!"

That's what I'm trying to tell you, people do judge you by your looks, it isn't fair, but it is reality. Grey is right, though,times are changing and it isn't as socially unacceptable as it was before.

Oh....and the piercings that I think are gross are :

Tongue

navel

eyebrows

nose

cheeks

chin

gentials

etc.

lady cop · Post by **lady cop** » Tue May 03, 2005 12:56 pm

every cop i know has a tattoo of some type. hardly low class people either. but i know there was once a stigma attached, no more. i will say this, some of the skinheads i arrest have HUGE swastikas on their chests or backs, and it makes me want to use them for target practice.---- a lot of the other woman deputies have barbed wire tattooed around their upper arms, that i don't like at all, too masculine. but it seems to be a fad among cops.

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Tue May 03, 2005 12:59 pm

Note to self: Nix the swastika idea, and no barbed wire. :yh_rotfl

lady cop · Post by **lady cop** » Tue May 03, 2005 1:03 pm

of course my shark is VERY feminine!

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Tue May 03, 2005 1:03 pm

Jives, I don't really think you're a hypocrite, I'm just playing devil's advocate. Obviously you will never get a tattoo, or multiple piercings. For the record, I have nothing pierced. Not even my ears. The thought of getting up in the morning and impaling my lobes with metal posts just never appealed to me.

The only thing that bothers me is that people out there think if you have a tattoo, you're a weirdo, ex-con, white trash, trouble-maker, freak. Yes, they are out there, no, I don't like it. Do you still wear your earring, Jives?

minks · Post by **minks** » Tue May 03, 2005 2:52 pm

BabyRider wrote: Note to self: Nix the swastika idea, and no barbed wire. :yh_rotfl

I would like to share my tat artist story, while he was doing my tattoo i asked if he ever turned anyone down he said sure, this was his art he didn't want junk out there with his name on it.

A guy came into see him and get a swastika and he turned him away. Another guy came in to get a black guy in a noose done and the "artist" said no I don't tattoo crap, the guy wanting the tattoo started to get riled and kept asking and finally the tat artist said how about I do your wife .... the black guys .... and the guy wanting the tat coldcocked the artist but he stood his ground and never did the tattoo.

greydeadhead · Post by **greydeadhead** » Wed May 04, 2005 3:38 am

hey Jives..

My tats don't show when I am at work.. but we do have a gym on premises and sooo.. when I am working out yes they are visible and of course I have had to anwser the usual questions.. "did it hurt".. "why did you get them" .. etc... so.. most people know that I have them.. including the ultra conservative tight wad management types ..and honestly I don't mind anwsering intelligent questions.. it is the sterotypical ones that are a pain in the a**.

Nope.. why should I have flamed ya. Agreeing to disagree is no problem.. and the only time I really get tempted to flame someone is when they can't discuss something on an intellingent level. Your views on body art and piercings are your own.. maybe oldfashioned and formed in another era.. so what..

I do agree.. the skinhead crap and prison tats look like s***... and they do brand a person perse... but comparing my tats .. and what BR is thinking about getting to those is like comparing a Yugo to Vette... totally different things... and a reputable artist doesn't do that kind of work.. trash

Jives · Post by **Jives** » Wed May 04, 2005 6:54 am

BabyRider wrote: Do you still wear your earring, Jives?

Yep! My son gave me a nice big diamond for Father's Day last year, not too gaudy, and I wear it proudly.

I'm also considered the main rebel / firebrand of our school system, partly thanks to it. (Of course my outrageous and eccentric behavior has nothing to do with it.)

I guess I have more in common with you guys than I'd have thought.

greydeadhead · Post by **greydeadhead** » Wed May 04, 2005 8:45 am

now if we could just convince you to get alittle ink.. you would really be considered a rebel with a cause.. bhwanahahahahahahaha.....

Jives · Post by **Jives** » Wed May 04, 2005 10:58 am

skittles2004 wrote: "nothing that can hurt another student"!!!!!!!!!!

WHAT'S MR IVES' #1 RULE?!!!!!!!

Hey, Skittles CAN be taught! Yay!