ClearInk Stories

Scratchers The term scratcher refers to a person who tattoos people without any talent, training or even a license. This will usually be carried out in said persons home (or anywhere other than a studio),  sometimes using a devise known as a "Stick n poke" or a tattoo machine which can easily be purchased online. There are even online courses you can now take that claim to teach you to tattoo. It takes years of hard work for artists to hone their individual style and brush up on their technique. Working as apprentices and earning the right to tattoo the public. This is why there is a staggering contrast between a tattoo done by a professional and that of a scratcher. If you are considering a tattoo, make sure your artist is reputable and licensed (and not tattooing from his or her kitchen). Likewise if you are considering investing in a "Stick n Poke" and permanently marking another person's body please just don't do it!   This first tattoo belongs

Meaningful Tattoos One of the beauties of tattooing is symbolism. This is used in many different ways to represent any number of things to the person wearing the tattoo. When a person is going through a hard time in their life it can be a useful way of pulling them through. A little light in the darkness so to speak. Sometimes a tattoo can be a reminder the kind of person you would like to be or how you would like to live your life.  This is what I was going for with my thigh tattoo. It is a hand mirror with the script "let us be more simple and less vain" , a quote I found online by Jean-Jacques Rousseau an 18th Century Philosopher from Geneva. It summed up what the mirror represented to me nicely. In a time when the world is so obsessed with how we look it is held in higher regard than who we are on the inside and how we as people treat others,  I wanted to remember to be happy with who I see when I look in the mirror as apposed to what I see. I also want to pass

Introduction Welcome to ClearInk Tattoo stories. A page dedicated to tattoos and the stories behind them. Tattooing as an art form is unique in its diversity with a huge range of ever evolving styles. There are many reasons people decide to get tattooed some deep and meaningful and others not so much. While some will spend much time deliberating before they get inked, some will do it impulsively. Whatever the reason there are some great stories to be told.   Maybe not "Always"   I decided to reach out on social media and ask people to send me pictures of their tattoos and the stories behind them, which I intend to put together into a weekly blog. The response was amazing. Hopefully you enjoy reading them as much as I have. Thank you to all of you who have already got involved and sent me your interesting stories. If you haven't already but have a great story you are desperate to share with me, you can do this via email,  clearinkaftercare@gmail.com or si