Getting inked, an experience to remember

I was nervous but filled with excitement.

Thursday was the day I would have one of my dreams fulfilled.

I was going to have a portrait tattoo of Roxy, my and my daughter Gabrielle’s horse done.

From the moment I met Roxy I have always wanted to capture her beauty and free spirit in a tattoo.

Now I had the opportunity, thanks to Dungeon Ink, in Howe Circle, Sunnyridge, owned by Nicole Barlow.

The tattoo shop is soon to hold a tattoo marathon, in anticipation of breaking the Guinness World Record, in a two-artist tattoo marathon.

The first will be held on May 31 and June 1, from 9am to 9pm.

The artists, Adam Steel and Riaan Roos, want to build up their stamina to be able to reach the 60-hour mark in the world record attempt.

So I decided to visit the shop and experience a Dungeon Ink tattoo for myself.

And I’m so glad I did; I haven’t stopped smiling since seeing the result – Roxy in all her glory.

Adam was my tattoo artist and I couldn’t have asked for better.

For we women, who are a bit scared, he is gentle and caring, stopping throughout the process to ask if you are alright – so don’t worry girls, you will survive!

Adam qualified in the UK and returned to SA five months ago.

He has been a tattoo artist for four years and is aiming to be the best in his field on the East Rand.

“I want to work hard, hone my skills and become the best,” he said.

The first stage in the tattoo process was for Adam to make a stencil of my photo of Roxy.

He then placed this in the position we had decided on – on my shoulder blade.

Then it was time to begin.

I took a deep breath and got ready for the pain.

But it was actually not as bad as I had anticipated.

He did “blood lining” to start with (a light outline of the tattoo), so that if the stencil smudges the lines are still there and the stencil does not have to be reapplied.

Adam said that he also always works from the bottom right-hand corner up to the top left – this ensures that the stencil does not get smudged.

He told us that he likes to work on the darkest areas first, and then move onto the lighter shaded areas.

“It is different for all tattoo artists, some like to do it from light to dark, just personal preference I guess,” Adam said.

If you want to have a tattoo you need to have patience, as you must be prepared to sit still for a long period of time, depending on the size of your tattoo.

I sat for almost four hours, with a few breaks in between.

And, I must admit, it did start getting quite painful towards the end.

“Every person’s pain threshold is different and you also have different pressure points (areas), which might cause you more pain,” said Adam.

But remember: your patience will be well rewarded if you sit still, don’t fidget, relax and enjoy the process.

This was the first horse portrait Adam had been asked to do and he showcased his artistic skill admirably.

He knows exactly what he is doing and I was at ease right from the start.

I never once doubted that I would not get exactly what I had asked for.

After Adam finished the tattoo he wrapped it, and I was given very specific care instructions.

Each artist will have their own specific set of care instructions.

You need to follow these instructions to the letter, to ensure proper healing of your tattoo.

Dungeon Ink is a wonderfully friendly place to visit and I can’t wait to return to have my next piece of art inked.

I was thrilled with my tattoo and I think Adam was happy with his work.

I have been smiling ever since.

To find out more about tattoos or the tattoo marathon, call Dungeon Ink on 011 822-7669 or 076 543 3455.

With regard to the R10 donation per tattoo, which Dungeon Ink wanted to hand over to the Germiston SPCA after the tattoo marathon, they were told that, unfortunately, they could not use the SPCA’s name in their promotion of the event.

Dungeon Ink regrets this misunderstanding, and will be donating the money raised to an animal welfare organisation.