Amber needs some ideas

Well, since everyone else seems to need ideas.. I thought I'd put out my request.. Well, I'm looking for some ideas for a memorial tattoo.. Next February marks the 10th anniversary of my uncle's murder, and I want to memorialize him on my skin. I don't want a portrait of him, because to this day, I can't even look at a picture of him without bursting out in tears. His murder is something that completely destroyed my life for many years.. I've only recently been able to visit the graveyard to visit him, and every time I do, I burst out in tears. I want something somewhat small, because my back is already taken up by my idea for my backpiece.. I'd appreciate any ideas you guys have to offer.

What were some tangable things that you remember about your Uncle? Was there something that both of you enjoyed doing? Is there a specific memory about him that sticks out in your mind? Try writing some of these things down when they cross your mind. Not only will this help in finding an idea by giving you something concrete to look at but it will also help to re-enforce the good times and thoughts about him and perhaps help you to heal as well. Just my opinion as ever....J

I was barely 9 when he was killed.. Mostly what I remember is that he liked to pick me up and twirl me around, and that I talked to him on the phone a lot.. and that he liked to drink beer.

okay.... size and placement?

That's what I'm saying.. placement, I'm not really sure of, but I want something kind of small, and nothing below my hips.. I personally find leg/foot tattoos kind of tacky..

this is a completely random question but just go with me on this.... were you born in the winter, spring, summer, or fall?

I was born during a fuckin' blizzard.. no birthday pool parties for me..lol.. any particular reason?

Well the idea that was in my head was revolving around the idea of a leaf being swept up by the wind (as in being twirled around). That would give the semblance of your uncle swinging you around and the wind would be his voice (much like you talking to him on the phone. I asked what season you were born in because the leaf (as in spring; flower petal and summer;green leaf, autumn; (see Jason Tyler Grace's tattoo entitled "maples leaves" on the artist link at the top of the page. It's the very last picture out of 50) or snowflake since you were born in a blizzard =) ) would represent you and then obviously the other elements would represent your uncle... That way you have something beautiful to remember him by and not just your standard, old english, "In Memory of...." My own thought is that something like that also would have very feminine look to it. The first instinct that comes to mind as far as placement is just a little below your collar bone, close to your heart.

Wow.. that's really beautiful.. seriously, thanks.

We'll have to see about the placement of this one.. I might have a really nasty scar I'd have to cover up in the next couple of months..

No problem. =) ....J

How well do you think something like that might look on the outer side of a breast, right above a koi fish tattoo? Because I may have to have a lump removed there... This being the koi: http://s20.photobucket.com/albums/b235/deathlily/?action=view¤t=DSC00332.jpg&refPage=20&imgAnch=imgAnch26 Oh, and while I'm at it, I said I'd post a picture of my dragon painting when I was finished with it.. http://s20.photobucket.com/albums/b235/deathlily/?action=view¤t=DSC00667.jpg&refPage=&imgAnch=imgAnch8

Amber, I can't see the picture because of a filter they have on the computers here at work. I will look at it when i get home.... But for right now, which way it the koi facing?

Well.. it's kind of hard to describe.. The koi is swimming upwards, but you can see it's belly.. it's a butterfly koi, fyi.. The face it pointing in towards the center of my body.. lol.. I know the rules of tattoos.. never tattoo something facing away from the body.. it's on my ribcage, on the right side.. On the other hand, I'm doing a quick sketch right now..I've remembered some small details that I'd like to have in it..

...just thought of something. Since your photos are on photobucket, instead of posting the address that appears in the address field, when you log onto photobucket use the url address that is underneith the picture....Look at the thread entitled "summer projects" to see what i am talking about. For some reason i can look at those images....

Alrighty.. I'll try it.. http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b235/deathlily/DSC00332.jpg And the dragon: http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b235/deathlily/DSC00667.jpg

Sweet! It worked.... I don't see why that wouldn't work....My only reservation about it is that you would have two conflicting things going on... the memory of your uncle and the removal of the lump.... Not exactly one and the same but I could also understand it from the standpoint that you would want to put something there to pull the focus away from the scar.... What do YOU think?

I'm just keeping in mind that I MAY have to have a lump removed.. I think.. that they may be far enough apart.. especially since the blossom theme would be similar.. I may just put some waves there, and find someplace else for this.. maybe you can help me once I finish up the drawing.. once I find something.. I'll take a picture of my sketch, and post it here..

That would be cool. I would love to lend a helping hand! =)

Okay.. so here we go.. in looking further into my memory, I remember that my uncle used to call me Little Owl... so: http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b235/deathlily/DSC00698.jpg A little bit better image of detail: http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b235/deathlily/DSC00699.jpg And a picture to show you how tiny it actually is.. I drew it on a piece of computer paper: http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b235/deathlily/DSC00700.jpg The kanji means "Owl" or.. fukurou.. it's important for me to have the kanji, because losing my uncle really dedicated me to learn a difficult second language, knowing how proud he would be of me.. and the H.J.O. are his initials.. Henry James Osterholt.. Tell me what you think, what I should change, et cetera.

I think you have the right idea going. To keep things simple I would use just one blossom in the wind. That would help keep everything from looking too cluttered. I think that it would be really neat to have the owl's wings spread open (as if it were about to take to flight) and the wind effect around the owl. That would be a really cool way to show how the death of your uncle turned to your inspiration to grow personally. (Soar to new heights, if you will.) Plus that builds on the elements that we talked about earlier. The Kanji in the piece is a good touch. The initials, however, I think clash just a little bit....

Thanks.. I'll get on that.. tomorrow, maybe.. Unless I catch my second wind.. I'm just gonna be chilling out right now.. I'll post it to show you when I get it done..

BTW...If you get a chance to, look at the artist list again and look at the tattoo entitled "tree" by Dee Dee. That will give you a pretty good idea of what I have in my head as far as the wind effect I am talking about.

How about something more like this? : http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b235/deathlily/DSC00703.jpg And once again, to show how tiny it is..: http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b235/deathlily/DSC00704.jpg And now I must feed..

Closer.... I'll draw something up while I am at the shop tomorrow to show ya what I have in mind.... Yea! I love show and tell.... okay, back to the guitar....

Man.. that reminds me.. my poor guitar, she never gets any lovin'...

I appreciate all your help on this, by the way.. especially since it's so far away from today..

Amber, Just to let you know I am throwing a few ideas for you and will get with you just as soon as I can!....J

Thanks a million.. honestly.. I went and talked to my artist today.. about my mom's shitty little tattoo..

And what did they say?

Well.. he's not sure it's even worth touching up.. it's on her toe, you see.. and I've been begging her to get it touched up for the past two years.. I have to bring him a better/bigger picture sometime in the next week.. Her birthday's at the beginning of Sept. and I like to either get her tattoo touched up for her, or get her a new one.

I would go along the lines of helping her get a new one. I think that would be a cool experience for both of you. ... It's not like the one on her toe is going anywhere you know?

Yeah, but then I still have to look at the one on her toe.. lol.. going on a date now..

Dear you, I am in the same pool you are in. My step brother died when he was 3 years old...here's my idea--but it's not small. maybe you can relate mine from my brother to yours to your uncle--(((also I'm very sorry)))--here we go. It's a banner and it says Richard Austion Ray Smith Then under that is the faith symbol in Japanese and on one side is Buzz Lightyear and the other Woody. (((My step brother loved Toy Story. Woody & Buzz were his favorite--in the movie they're sent away to Japan but they have "faith" to be together=my brother was sent to heaven but I have "faith" that we will be togethe.))) Then under that is a banner with the dates october 10, 1997 to february 6, 2000. Maybe that will give you some ideas. I hope I have helped. Sincerely, me

Amber i wouldnt advise getting a tattoo over a scar, as a scar is very hard to tattoo, the scar wont take to the ink, and if the tattoo artist tries to put the ink in deeper it will just inded up "bleeding" (ink running or "smudging") any good tattoo artist wont tattoo a scar as it will look like crap, i haev a tattoo on my calf and a little peice of it went over a tiny scar i had and it looks as though it has been smudged.... good luck with your memorial tattoo Amberise

I have been tattooed over some pretty sever scars and they came out GREAT!

Talented experienced artists can tattoo over scars. Its not as nice as unscarred skin, but depending on the scar and its age and your location you can probably find artists to put quality tattoos over it.

Hey Honey, It's Dad. Your uncle's middle name is Jerome. He used to love to fish. I remember the very first big fish he caught. There was no containing his excitement. Put a water splash detail with your Koi. I think you'll find it most tackful. Love you Honey!

hi amber im amber :) i just wanted to throw a little idea out there in the owl drawing with kanji and his initals it does kinda clash just floating around but i was looking at it and what do you think of leaving the kanji where it is and put the initals in the branch kinda like a carving i thought it would keep both in there and also keep the theme going good luck with the tattoo ~Amber

You Could Have His Name As A Tatoo Or Some Thing He Used To Enjoy Or You Could Have UNCLE As A Tatoo You Could Have A Tatoo Of A Special Memory That You Shared With Him Just some Suggestions xX

Hi--Can't believe I found this web page. I am Henry's cousin and recall fond memories of our reunions together, the three of us were pretty close (myself, TomO, Mark and Henry) played baseball together, drank beer and most importantly did things as a family. Unfortunately we only got together a few times a year. Henry is forever etched in my mind as someone with a lot of energy and fun loving, still miss him. Tom Osterholt