HOME | DD

Published: 2005-12-06 21:43:27 +0000 UTC; Views: 308179; Favourites: 1600; Downloads: 96669
Redirect to original
Description
*Tattoo done by Durb [link] *Click [link] to see the second view of the back
Click [link] to see the front
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...
Related content
Comments: 381
CynthT In reply to ??? [2008-09-27 03:13:01 +0000 UTC]
Yes, I love the idea of a book on the subject!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
CyberKittyPsycho [2008-08-27 01:14:57 +0000 UTC]
Did you design it yourself? If so: I'm would be so willing to pay you to sketch up this thought in head of my next tattoo. It's also a tree, but it's gonna be on my arm to combine with a piece I'm getting on shoulder.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
LaughingTree In reply to CyberKittyPsycho [2008-08-28 15:52:50 +0000 UTC]
Thanks. The design was a collaboration between myself and my tattoo artist. I strongly feel that you should consider having your tattoo artist do the designwork. It will make him or her a lot more connected to the piece, thus causing them to put a lot more emotion and feeling into the work. I'm afraid I don't really do freelance designs.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
CyberKittyPsycho In reply to LaughingTree [2008-08-28 21:57:33 +0000 UTC]
With my other work I went in with a general drawing and then he fixed it to the way he thought it should and both of my pieces turned out amazing. So I pretty just want a rouch sketch. Which my boyfriend is not working on. Thank you though ^_^
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
xZeldaxAmaterasux [2008-08-15 15:40:42 +0000 UTC]
Absolutely stunning. Gorgeous piece of art. I'm jealous.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
darkwitch123098 [2008-08-10 18:15:25 +0000 UTC]
That looks to awesome, it just makes me want to get more
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
OctopiNightmare [2008-08-06 02:15:16 +0000 UTC]
that's sick! insane!!
I read the whole description...that's amazing.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
TQuickVStopD [2008-08-04 03:50:29 +0000 UTC]
Totally wicked! Deep story dude
So happy to see you part of the feature [link]
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
TVDsSoulMateAngel [2008-07-28 03:12:40 +0000 UTC]
WOW! Over 100 hrs?!? Insane! Saw this here [link]
Congrats on the feature!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
TVDdemondragon [2008-07-28 00:16:30 +0000 UTC]
"I think I am TVD's greatest supporter. If they choose this piece as a selection of Top art, regardless if it is not vampyric in nature, then their choice is sound.
As a believer in what TVD promotes I feel that it would not only do them an honor to add this piece to my favorites but it will help promote you in other galleries as well. To me TVD = and support of others.
I wanted to let you know this because I went back through the journal on TVD on DA page: and notice a lot of our members have left comments, added this piece to their favorites and watched you. I think you should know where it came from.
It is interesting how one little journal entry can give so much attention.
Did you know that this entry will also be permanently published here: [link] Just like the last weeks features: [link]
I know the site at this point is not that impressive as compared with our previous homes with over 12,000 members, but it will be something to blog about after it is complete. I know this.
As you can see you have family in TVD. You should check us out a little more. The navigation is pretty fun:
[link]
I wish you the best of luck because your work is obviously impressive enough to catch the eye of Don Henrie and Sarah Lester. They are the ones who lead our community to better understand what beauty, intelligence and acceptance is.
They rock!
You should get to know them better, that I must say.
Hopefully I get to see another posting in the TVD empire from your gallery. Keep up the good work.
Jeannette
p.s. I think it would be great if you gave our little corner of the world a journal shout out. And let us know about it by dropping off the link here:
[link]
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
TVDdemondragon [2008-07-26 19:14:55 +0000 UTC]
I came across this here [link]
and I had to comment. This rocks
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Blackittyrose004 [2008-07-26 00:13:38 +0000 UTC]
That is such a wonderful tat! I love to see designs that come to life like that. And your background story was very fascinating! Thank you for sharing that
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
alucard07 [2008-07-25 04:32:18 +0000 UTC]
thats awesome, the amound of detail is amazing!! im glad ive found this in [link]
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
TVDzombie [2008-07-25 02:59:08 +0000 UTC]
awesome piece and congrats on the feature here [link]
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
weareminion In reply to ??? [2008-07-25 01:52:57 +0000 UTC]
CONGRATULATIONS YOU HAVE BEEN FEATURED HERE:
[link]
BY:
We think this piece shows an excellent example of your work and who you are as an artist. We want you to have every opportunity for the world to see this piece, even if it is in another artists journal.
We hope that this feature brings your work more attention and the promise of more positive energies in the future.
We hope you visit the featured work journal [link] and view the other pieces that have been selected as well. We would like to know your views on the other artists we have chosen.
You will hear from us again in the future because your work is being watched by not only =weareminion but all the supporters who watch TVD on DeviantART.
Thank you for being true to your art and posting this piece.
~Until then
D.
=weareminion
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
kamikazequeer In reply to ??? [2008-07-08 10:39:05 +0000 UTC]
THAT is SO FUCKING PHENOMENAL. I mean...there's good tattoos, great tattoos, and THAT. Whoa...speechless. You definitely got your $ worth, whatever it was.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
chrisvpr86 [2008-06-16 22:32:59 +0000 UTC]
That is the sickest tat i've ever seen. I got a sleeve with a tree but that blows mine away...
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
kitten9000 [2008-06-06 17:39:55 +0000 UTC]
This is very beautiful! And such a touching story to go with it. I am planning on getting a tree on my left top arm that extends to part of my chest. I love trees as well. They are so beautiful and symbolic of life to me. The deep bark lines within them also strike me as very beautiful.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
EcceFeminaInsana In reply to ??? [2008-05-21 01:05:07 +0000 UTC]
That tat is absolutely amazing.
Kudos to you and your artist.
I am not old enough for a tat, but I'm going to get one for my graduation present, to me from me.
Hehehe....
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
BlackMurano In reply to ??? [2008-05-13 23:35:15 +0000 UTC]
that's incredible! oh my god, that's probably the raddest tattoo i've ever seen.
kudos!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
samanther-panther In reply to ??? [2008-05-12 19:11:16 +0000 UTC]
really amazing, just beautiful
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
angellic18 [2008-05-08 07:12:26 +0000 UTC]
This one is insane! I thought I had an obsession with trees seeing as my art is mostly trees but my gos is this good...I had thought about getting wings or a tree. This is purely amazing.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Neverwhere-Man In reply to ??? [2008-05-07 00:59:51 +0000 UTC]
o_O Thats so cool! I love the fact that its kind of a swamp tree and that you actually had a really good reason other then "i dunno, it looked pretty cool at the time..."
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Neverwhere-Man In reply to ??? [2008-05-07 00:58:59 +0000 UTC]
o_O Thats so cool! I love the fact that its kind of a swamp tree and that you actually had a really good reason other then "i dunno, it looked pretty cool at the time..."
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
hexedeswassers [2008-04-28 20:29:02 +0000 UTC]
How everyone's tatoo should be: a life-changing expierence, an accomplishment, a reflection, and a living piece of art.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
pyroman46 [2008-04-22 13:21:47 +0000 UTC]
Dude thats an amazing tat
how many sessions did u do that in
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
LaughingTree In reply to pyroman46 [2008-04-22 14:49:20 +0000 UTC]
It was probably somewhere in the 16-20 sessions range... I stopped counting.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
pyroman46 In reply to LaughingTree [2008-04-22 19:36:08 +0000 UTC]
wow i dont think i could spend that much time and money on one tatoo even though it is the most awesome thing ive ever seen.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
echohaze [2008-04-12 14:33:22 +0000 UTC]
You bear this beautiful work of art on your back... There's so much symbolism, too... As though you're carrying life, or your own history on your back.
Anyway, the tattoo is absolutely beautiful.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
cjbridle [2008-03-28 17:04:56 +0000 UTC]
very very nicely done. but even so. 100hrs seems VERY excessive. most could do it in 16-24 hrs maybe less under the needle
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
SeasideRendez-Vous In reply to ??? [2008-03-22 02:07:43 +0000 UTC]
This is really beautiful.
I'm researching different tree tattoos, because I'm sure I'm getting one (full back) but I don't know what, and I'm not happy with any of the sketches I've done...
I have two years to wait though. And I'll probably wait longer than that.
Was this your first tattoo?
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
LaughingTree In reply to SeasideRendez-Vous [2008-03-23 06:10:59 +0000 UTC]
Sure was! Anything worth doing, is also worth waiting for... I'm glad to see that you're not in any rush!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
SeasideRendez-Vous In reply to LaughingTree [2008-03-26 20:50:56 +0000 UTC]
Wow...I know this is going to be a stupid question but is it like dreadfully painful? I have a pretty high tolerance to pain so I'm not wicked worried about it.
An how much would something like this cost? I figure I'll ask someone who's had it.
Thanks for the answers :]
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
LaughingTree In reply to SeasideRendez-Vous [2008-03-27 01:09:43 +0000 UTC]
Well, it obviously wasn't unbearable... But it sure did not feel good. It's worth it in the end... As for price... well, my artist charged $100/hr. And it took over 100 hours. But luckily he cut me a deal since I was getting such a huge piece. And also, I only paid for the first 1/3-1/2 of it and traded some work for the rest!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
SeasideRendez-Vous In reply to LaughingTree [2008-03-27 20:23:38 +0000 UTC]
Mmhmm...Ouchh. I mean for price. Not totally rich right now. I'll start saving? Maybe that's good though, I can take more time to think about it/ sketch while I get money/go through college...
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
<= Prev | | Next =>