Body Ink

Tattoos were once apart of a taboo culture, revered as symbols from gangs, warriors, and criminals. Now it's an integral part any culture, especially mine. I see so many people walking around the streets proudly strutting with their tattoo scratched across their arm, neck, or leg. What interests me is the categories upon which certain tattoos appear. You have the Boagan style, dodgy back-yard job, which generally involves some kind of tribal pattern, name of and ex-girlfriend, dreadful skulls engulfed in flames, or something not very well thought out. 

Then there is the other side of the fence. With the scene dudes and dudettes getting tattoos that are stylish according to the genre of music that they are involved in. Which is OK. Some of the tattoos look sweet, but it tends to become repetitive and annoying when you see the five pointed star splashed across the numerous bodies of the public. What's wrong with getting a six pointed star? And when you see the cute little sparrow with a love heart on girls. It looks awesome, but a little unimaginative. Some people get skin-ink sometimes without thinking of the meanings, and the obligation of having that tattoo. But if that's what you want, go for it!

I quite often get stopped and questioned about my tattoo, that's on my arm. Questions involve: What does that say?

What does it mean?

Is it Asian? (A form of Chinese/Japanese script)

Oh, that's cool, did it hurt? 

And, Have you anymore?

Well, from these responses from my tattoo, i quite enjoy telling people about the concept and whole idea behind the word on my arm. When people step back and go: Oh, i see it now; and, Wow, that's cool; i feel quite happy that my tattoo isn't something that i've regretted getting engraved. 

What is it? Well, for those who haven't had the pleasure of seeing it, i'll explain.

The initial idea of the tattoo is based around a philosophy that i have always undergone. This has been throughout my youth, learning and playing, through the education system and in general daily life. I see, hear and experience situations all the time, and make a general synopsis of the matter. 

Anyhow, itching to know what it is? 

The word that runs vertically down my arm spells out LORE. The style is based around a typeface that I created in 2007: An organic and very stylistic approach to a constructive nature. That constructive nature is interaction of Human to it's Environment. The idea, culture if you may, behind the word LORE, and it's a personally modified meaning of mine, is to learn through observation. A short and precise answer that i developed to quickly explain my philosophy; my belief; and my way of life.   

Now, reiterating what i was discussing before hand, was the consideration of getting a tattoo. This is my reason and a very well considered explanation to why i got my ink. I do believe that when getting this life-long scratch, that one does not become ashamed of getting this visual expression, and to know that it represents something true from within that individual. 

However, Tattoos are cool, and they are really a form of art that is respected throughout the community. Well, mine, anyway. It also shows/tells a story of ones life when they get older. I often ask the questions that I get asked, to the older generations, and to hear their amazing or odd story of their life. 

Tattoos for life. Tell a story, and write it in ink.

I should market that. 

- Lore