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LaughingTree — Tree tattoo backpiece 2nd view

Published: 2005-12-06 21:46:32 +0000 UTC; Views: 29404; Favourites: 99; Downloads: 5792
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Description *Tattoo done by Durb [link] *

Click [link] to see the front
Click [link] to see the first view of the back
Click [link] to see the first session video

Alrighty. She's FINALLY done! After over 2½ years and over 100 hours of work... DONE! It's hard to believe. But it is finally done. I'd grown so used to my monthly trips to the shop. I'd seen a lot go down in those 2½ years. I imagine some people might be curious so I shall explain the significance of this tattoo....

So originally it started out as me knowing I wanted a tattoo, and being pretty sure I wanted it on my back, but then not knowing what I wanted… So I started thinking… What would be something I’d want on me forever… I came up with a couple ideas. Mostly geometric type things. But they didn’t strike a chord or anything. I don’t exactly remember how I came up with it, but eventually I thought of a “tree” and it just clicked. At the time the reasoning was just because I really liked trees mostly. My name means tree. I loved climbing trees. And I just like nature in general really. It was something that I have always liked. And so that kind of had a couple months to sink in.

After a couple months I still liked the idea of a tree and started doing some sketches… This is when I really got serious about it. I happened to be reading a book at the time, and this is where the true and current meaning of the tree really comes in to play. The book was "Jungian Archetypes" by Robin Robertson, which is a really great book, by the way. Anyways, in the book it talks about a 14th century alchemical illustration in which a man is shot in the side with an arrow and a tree grows from his genital region…. The arrow represents some sort of pain or trauma. The man is forced turn on himself, acknowledging this arrow, and through that he is then able to access his anima (A Jungian concept) which is represented by the tree. The anima is the generally repressed feminine characteristics in a male (while the animus is the generally repressed masculine characteristics in a female). So for instance, sensitivity, creativity, passion. These sorts of things. So to make a long story short, essentially, this tattoo is a memorial for my mom and the acknowledgment of who I am as an artist, and what I’ve gone through to get to where I am.

I have a vivid memory of my dad explaining how my mom is buried under a tree, and how they specifically picked that spot so it could give her shade in the summers and provide shelter from the snow and rain...

I couldn't be more pleased with how it turned out...

* I have given permission to *Full-Back-Tat to post this tattoo in their club. They've got some nice work in there. Check it out...
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Comments: 54

LaughingTree In reply to ??? [2011-09-13 06:33:15 +0000 UTC]

Thanks! One of my biggest problems now is thinking up another tattoo that has any reasoning anywhere close to this one... Don't think it'll ever happen.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

SuicidalMarshmallow In reply to LaughingTree [2011-09-16 21:52:00 +0000 UTC]

Haha, I wouldn't worry about another super-duper meaningful tattoo. I think that tree is enough. But life has a way of throwing unexpected twists at us, so if something really meaningful crosses your path, go for it and get another. ^.^

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ceruleansuicide [2010-10-04 01:00:16 +0000 UTC]

This is the most extraordinary tattoo ever!! Seriously, it is incredible. I've been wanting to get a tree tattoo in this sort of style, have one sketched and ready… but this fucking blows my mind dude! PS, I am also impressed your other art. I love the glass and metal work, and the sketches and paintings are great too!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

LaughingTree In reply to ceruleansuicide [2010-10-10 00:21:42 +0000 UTC]

Thanks much! I couldn't be happier with how this turned out!

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

a88amm91 [2010-06-07 21:01:21 +0000 UTC]

dude. ur style is everything i cant be but i want. luckyyy

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

cappicinoromance [2010-04-18 04:36:30 +0000 UTC]

That's an EPIC tattoo man. I love the symbolism of it when I turn 18 I'm getting a full back tattoo. Hopefully mine will turn out as good as yours.

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

clearcloudedmind [2009-09-30 03:58:10 +0000 UTC]

sooo amazing! seriously. and i know that the rib cage is not the most fun place to get work done...so- of course it would take a while... well worth it huh! beautiful!!!

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Karthette [2009-08-20 17:50:53 +0000 UTC]

That is an amazing piece there. So very detailed right to the end.

I love the whole story behind it too, really meaningful.

Very inspiring.

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

djRimzi [2009-03-17 19:37:21 +0000 UTC]

Your work has been featured @ this [link]
If you would like me to remove this feature, please let me know and I will kindly remove it.

Have a beautiful day,
Kadriye

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

downtoearthstudios [2009-02-09 01:08:12 +0000 UTC]

beautiful piece.

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

Akai-Ink [2008-04-13 01:42:45 +0000 UTC]

While the tattoo is beautiful, the story behind the selection is even more so. Thank you for sharing it with us.

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

berf [2008-01-28 05:07:40 +0000 UTC]

what an amazing tattoo.

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

teh-bloodhawk [2007-09-24 23:36:41 +0000 UTC]

It looks amazing - certainly worth the time and patience. Congratulations here!

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

childofthecedars [2007-09-20 01:08:50 +0000 UTC]

That is one of the most beautiful tattoo stories I have ever heard. I want to get a tattoo of a cedar tree on my back, and my sister a citrus tree, and have it done so if we are side by side, the branches cross over.

Lets hear it for symbolic and well thought out tattoo art! WOOO!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

LaughingTree In reply to childofthecedars [2007-09-20 03:19:38 +0000 UTC]

I'll cheers to that!

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

SanguineWraith666 [2007-08-08 02:29:45 +0000 UTC]

Thats bad ass love it!!!!!!!!

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

pavingslabs [2007-07-29 18:15:49 +0000 UTC]

Woahya! fin love that. That is a lovely tatoo!

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

dizzy-tea [2007-07-29 11:35:50 +0000 UTC]

amazing. honestly thisis the most beautiful tattoo i've ever seen. wonderful.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

LaughingTree In reply to dizzy-tea [2007-07-29 15:35:02 +0000 UTC]

Thanks very much! I seem to have grown quite attached to it myself :]

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

ToyahMabel [2007-07-22 09:27:06 +0000 UTC]

Whoa.

And I thought my entire 2hr 15 mins was tedious.

Beautiful and amazing tatt, I'm sure you'll be proud of it till the end of your days.

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

nara-obscurart [2007-05-07 08:32:49 +0000 UTC]

actually this is a pretty fucking awesome picture altogether. The angle is cool.

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

nara-obscurart [2007-05-07 08:31:51 +0000 UTC]

I, love, your hair so much. I would marry you for your hair.
haha

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

LaughingTree In reply to nara-obscurart [2007-05-07 09:46:40 +0000 UTC]

Well, That hair has been gone for over a year now I'm afraid to say... And I hadn't cut my hair since. Until last week... So I'm back to short hair once again. The weddings off!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

nara-obscurart In reply to LaughingTree [2007-05-07 11:15:31 +0000 UTC]

haha damn it. I'm sure you still look handsome.

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

yui [2007-01-26 05:06:46 +0000 UTC]

wow, The story behind it is very touching, not to mention it looks great!!

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

guirireyes [2007-01-26 04:55:26 +0000 UTC]

great eork man!

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

Lucidlywaking [2007-01-11 04:49:38 +0000 UTC]

beautiful...I adore it.

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

gracieandeve [2006-09-24 02:53:01 +0000 UTC]

I love your tree and even more I appreciate that you took the time to explain the meaning of it in detail. It really helps to appreciate it even more. Thanks for sharing.

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

savagedryad [2006-07-17 10:44:07 +0000 UTC]

I love your tat.. and let me just say them dreds make this picture just sexy

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

hobbitfreak [2006-05-22 01:48:57 +0000 UTC]

This is so awesome. The detail is fantastic, and it fits your frame really well. Beautiful work.

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

Nonakelly [2006-04-24 23:05:51 +0000 UTC]

your colored dreads underneath are amazing

my dreads will look like that one day..
when i get them
except with purple underneath
not the cool colors you have..

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

LaughingTree In reply to Nonakelly [2006-04-25 03:16:13 +0000 UTC]

Oh we'll see... They may start out purple... But that'll evolve into something else...

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Nonakelly In reply to LaughingTree [2006-04-26 04:04:48 +0000 UTC]

haha
im sure of it
as everything evolves itself into something else.

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

silverhart [2006-04-19 01:36:46 +0000 UTC]

I was looking through one of my old tattoo magazines amd i swear i saw your tree! my only qualm is that it wasnt a full page picture! with all that detail, it should have been one!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

LaughingTree In reply to silverhart [2006-04-19 07:33:40 +0000 UTC]

Thanks very much! You should write a letter to your tatto mag telling them so! Haha. It's funny, I didn't even know my artist was putting it in magazines, until people starting seeing it in them and telling me about it

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

silverhart In reply to LaughingTree [2006-04-21 04:28:23 +0000 UTC]

he wouldve been crazy to not have submitted it to at least a couple mags...its brilliant work! you both should be proud

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palegothicangel [2006-03-22 12:20:58 +0000 UTC]

i love it

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

tinysherpa [2006-01-31 04:56:38 +0000 UTC]

Double sweetness!

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

exkulak [2006-01-05 15:11:03 +0000 UTC]

Hey that's pretty cool, your name means tree?

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

LaughingTree In reply to exkulak [2006-01-08 07:27:47 +0000 UTC]

Yup. In hebrew.

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

Thedarkone88 [2005-12-23 13:55:56 +0000 UTC]

That's awesome...I don't think I could stand having all that work done...sure it's in sessions but...ow...

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

Amandiar [2005-12-14 17:45:48 +0000 UTC]

That's the single most wonderful tattoo I've ever seen. It's beautifully done!

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HellCatRampage [2005-12-10 17:25:48 +0000 UTC]

wow 2 and a half years?? damn. well it looks excellent!

I want to get a small tatt on my back but I'm too scared of needles. I guess you must be used to them by now

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

LaughingTree In reply to HellCatRampage [2005-12-14 11:44:17 +0000 UTC]

You don't even see the needles they're so tiny and moving so fast... Just think of all the people who have tattoos... If they can do it... So can you.

I'll bet you could handle it!

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

the-pupik [2005-12-08 14:47:59 +0000 UTC]

Totally amazing! the hair too :]

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zavitka [2005-12-07 17:45:34 +0000 UTC]

it looks very cool but this must have been SOOOO painful!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

LaughingTree In reply to zavitka [2005-12-07 17:57:49 +0000 UTC]

The linework over my collarbones was probalby the most painful thing I've ever experienced in my entire life! It was excrutiating!

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

kyraal [2005-12-07 01:55:23 +0000 UTC]

Oooh, it's beautiful! The design and concept are wonderful...and your artist was so talented! I hate to think what it cost...but it was worth it. It's a beautiful piece with great meaning.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

LaughingTree In reply to kyraal [2005-12-15 00:13:36 +0000 UTC]

Thankfully, I only had to pay for the first third of it. The rest I traded some artwork for. I made my artist two lamps in exchange for the rest. THANK GOODNESS for that! Otherwise, it would probably woulkd've never been finished!

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

nemfx [2005-12-07 00:12:27 +0000 UTC]

I wonder.. When your like 80 and all wrinkly and stuff, what would it look like then? *is thinking of it being like a mad magazine fold-in*

👍: 0 ⏩: 1


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