Roughly three years ago, when I turned fifty-five years of age, I became enamored with a facet of Americana that most people associate with those in their teens and twenties…tattoos!! This new fascination began with the plethora of tattoo-artist inspired TV shows (ex. LA Ink, Inked, Miami Ink) found on cable channels such as TLC and A&E. Having long been widely-regarded amongst their peers, practitioners such as Ami James. Chris Garver, Kat Von D, and Corey Miller have now become household names.
(I know, you’re already thinking I’ve lost my marbles…just wait.)
My newfound interest in the art is shared by many others…if you’ve viewed any of these TV shows, you know that tattoo conventions showcasing many well-known tattoo artists are attended by thousands, and their popularity continues to grow. If you want to get a tattoo by some of the major artists, you had better be prepared to book an appointment, through the artist’s website, at least one year in advance!
What really hooked me was when I saw the cubist artwork by one of the world’s foremost tattooists, a gentleman simply known as “Bugs.” Before we delve into his work, let me provide you a bit of background: Cubism is an art movement that was started in the early 1900’s and is perhaps best-known through the works of Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque. The style is one where various objects are broken up and reassembled in some abstract manner, thereby allowing the artist to present multiple viewpoints of the painting’s subject matter, offering you the viewer greater context in however you choose to interpret the piece. Woman with a Guitar by Braque, shown here, is one of the better known examples of cubist art.
OK, back to Bugs. A native Frenchman, who has been practicing his art for some twenty-five years, Bugs is regarded as a “master” in the tattoo world, and has carved an equally creative niche on canvas as well as skin. He actually began as an art student before turning tattoo artist, and gained fame through his illustrative cubist-style tattoos while practicing in London. While continuing to travel the world, he is currently based in the Los Angeles area at The Tattoo Lounge. His work, in my opinion, is absolutely breathtaking both in scope and design. Here’s a link to his personal website so you can independently judge his art.
By now you’re probably asking why I haven’t followed-through with my desire to get a tattoo. Surprisingly it has nothing to do with the preconceived notion held by many that tattoos are only for the criminal element, athletes and flaky Hollywood celebrities…nothing could be further from the truth. No, my two obstacles are based upon two of society’s bedrocks: religion and marriage.
I’m Jewish and my faith has long held that because the body is a gift from the Lord, and therefore sacred, making any markings is a distinct sign of disrespect. Now while I’m not very religious, I do try to adhere to some of my religion’s basic tenets. I have to admit, however, that my new-found level of respect for the art of tattooing is gradually allowing me to “deal” with this problematic doctrine.
It’s the second obstacle that poses the greater long-term difficulty; namely that I dearly love my wife and wish to remain married! I have been told in no uncertain terms “get a tattoo and you’re out the door!” One tattoo would immediately turn me into Rodney Dangerfield…hey, I tell ya’ I get no respect! Sheesh, what’s a guy have to do? In my case, the answer is to temporarily shelve the idea of getting a tattoo so I can still gain entrance to my own household. Best not to disturb the Gods and my wife (not necessarily in that order), lest I find myself (you got it)…done and done.
-Neal
Truthfully, the tatoo has gone out the window along wih many many many other traditional jewish reasonings for why/how/don’t we do many of what once was sacred. I believe the armed services and the brotherhood of this huge fraternity engaged it for ALL, and just a few, like Jews stopped, but that was possibly WWI and WWII. After those wars, it was a forgotten taboo.
I personally do not like them, especially if they are seen, and on a women who is young and gorgeous, to me only, it is a symbol that unless hidden away for only the one they care about to see is the OK part. But, I still think about when that gorgeous women is 50+ and no longer has the body, not the face, but body to flaunt a tatoo smack on the middle of a bicep that has bone flabby due to many reasons. THIS IS STICTLY MY OPINION. I have a brother in law who has never had any real jewish connection whatsoever, doesnt’ mean he isn’t a jew in his heart, but at age 65 yrs old, he went and had a tatoo that appears as if it’s a bracelet, all filled with jewish stars. I was speechless ad I rarely am speechless. It’s a growing leaps and bounds field of body art. So, if your wife says NO, and I would too, I am not educated enough in jewish laws to know whether G-d would not allow you with the righteous people because of it. I have 4 young women in my life. My daughter, step daughter and 2 very close nieces (like my daughers). Everyone has a tatoo except MY daughter. Granted they are done tastefully and at the base of their neck so it’s rare that it will be seen. My step daughter of course put it where most women do, the standard one right above the crack of the backside. We’re all following trends now, have been, but no one mentions the horror stories and the possibilities that can go wrong, as a surgery, because you think if you go to the BEST where you’re waiting a year for an appointment, that with using all sterile instruments, etc…..nothing can go wrong. WRONG!!!! But when you’re in that frame of hype to get it done, it’s the least of what you will worry about. Oh, and Neal…sounds like you’re bored enough to consider it, but your wife is more important and you’re a bit iffy on the jewish law. I say as a friend of 40 years, if it’s placed where you can see wearing a T-shirt, it cheapens you. And I know, that this is only my opinion. Stay the GQ type of guy you are and find something else to amuse you, like one of the gorgeous cars being engineered…i can give you ones that wash off after a week if you want… just kidding!!!!!!!