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These are some of the ways the women interviewed for this story view their tattoos. In fact, each of these women chose tattoos that had deep personal significance to them.
Of course, people also get tattoos on impulse -- say, when they're on vacation in Cancun, as McCane Saunders noted. And some get tattoos simply because they've become fashionable. All the TV, movie and sports celebrities who have tattoos have certainly contributed to the rise in the art form's popularity. Not surprisingly, our five interviewees share something of a disdain for "frivolous" tattoos. A classic case destined for certain tattoo regret, Lauren Mazur told the story of an 18-year-old woman who had her boyfriend's name emblazoned across her upper chest -- and the ensuing conversation Mazur overheard among the tattoo artists, who were certain the girl would be back. Discriminating and proud The women interviewed here are all proud of their tattoos and see them as an important part of their identity. "When I look at my tattoos I feel happy, proud," said Kate Slowinski. "They express who I am on the inside, but make it visible on the outside." The fact that Lauren Mazur's tattoo has spurred many lengthy philosophical conversations increases its value to her. "[A tattoo] becomes a part of you," she said. "I don't like my bare skin at all. It's bland, boring -- I want to decorate it." -- Jackie Rumsey Nevertheless, most chose to get tattoos in places where they could opt to have them show or not, mainly because, as they say, people tend to pre-judge you if you have a tattoo. Sally Dear told of the time she dressed in a particularly "prim and proper" outfit the day she held a discussion about body art in a sociology class she taught. At one point, she asked, "Can you imagine anyone like me having tattoos or a pierced belly?" In response to their vehement "No!" she was delighted to refute their assumptions and reveal that she, indeed, had both. Slowinski also has a love of what she calls smashing stereotypes. "People make assumptions based on tattoos: you're a rebel, not serious about work, not smart, disrespectful," she said. "I like to do things like hold the door open at a store for little old ladies, for example -- they're so surprised." In addition, all have a certain tattoo threshold, or point at which they would draw the line regarding the placement or number of tattoos on their bodies. Even Rumsey, who has one full sleeve, one half sleeve, a large piece on each leg, two chest plates, and a small piece on her back, said, "I will never go onto my neck or my hands, because of society's view. I don't usually hide my tattoos, but people are judgmental, and I don't want people's impressions of me to be stereotyped or categorized by that. I can hide everything if I need to." For each of these women, tattoos are a means of sharing a part of themselves with others. Their stories are as unique as they are. Jackie Rumsey, a graduate student in biological anthropology, terms herself "an avid tattoo collector" and is very discerning in choosing artwork for her skin. She's a veritable connoisseur, in fact, knowledgeable not only about specific tattoo artists, but about the history, inks, techniques and design styles. "I attend tattoo conventions whenever possible and often travel quite a distance to get work from artists whose work I admire," she said. Most of her tattoo art reflects her interest in the work of Art Nouveau poster artist Alphonse Mucha and in Japanese art. She also chose Egyptian and Islamic images that are inspiring to her. "I've been collecting for 11 years," she said. "I don't like my bare skin at all. It's bland, boring -- I want to decorate it."
Rumsey, who used to show horses for a living, has worked for eleven years at a group home for developmentally disabled adults in Cortland. She is interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement as a forensic investigator. Assistant Professor of Anthropology Dawnie Steadman, a skeletal biologist who specializes in forensic anthropology, bioarchaeology and paleopathology, is Rumsey's adviser. Jan Becker, a junior majoring in creative writing, has tattoos on each ankle. She got her first one, a fairy, when she was in her early 20s. She did it to claim independence and ownership over her body, she said. "In traditional Irish folklore there is a saying that Faerie people can't wear iron," she said. "As a symbol of independence, I thought the fairy would be emblematic of my struggle to find personal freedom." Becker also chose the fairy to protect her right ankle, which she had broken twice and sprained eight times. Remarkably, she hasn't had any problems with her ankle since. Becker's left ankle, tattooed in December 2003, depicts the symbols that make up the Chinese word for "poetry." She got a pin with that image on it at the writers' workshop (led by Marvin Bell, Iowa's poet laureate) that inspired Becker to choose writing as her life's pursuit.
The inspiration for Slowinski's flame tattoo came from her favorite movie, Foxfire, based on the book by Joyce Carol Oates. In it, "a female gang of friends protect each other and learn and grow together," she said. In one scene, the central character gives herself and the others a small tattoo of a flame. For Slowinski, her flame tattoo signifies the "dichotomy of womanhood," as she put it. "It allows me to say, 'I am woman, hear me roar!' but also represents my warmth as a human, a woman, a lover and, someday down the road, a mother. "I want my tattoos to be a scrapbook of my life," Slowinski said. "My tattoos are symbolic of experiences that changed me." Slowinski's parents aren't at all upset about her tattoos. In fact, to her delight, both of them got their first tattoos after she got hers! "I want my tattoos to be a scrapbook of my life," -- Kate Slowinski
Mazur is interested in journalism and writes for the Release section of Pipe Dream and for Traffic, a student-staffed online arts and entertainment magazine. She's also a founder and president of REALM (Reflect, Explore, Appreciate, Love Music), a Student Association-chartered discussion group that meets once a week to listen to and discuss music. Sally Dear, visiting assistant professor and graduate student in the School of Education and Human Development, went with her oldest daughter both times she got tattoos. The rose on her shoulder represents Sudanese Black Rose, a favorite perfume oil she terms her "signature scent", the three leaves stand for her three daughters; and "the thorns stand for the 'thorny' marriage, which they figuratively sprouted out of, and that I left to come to graduate school at BU," she said. The heart and flowers tattoo on her lower back was designed by her youngest daughter. Explaining its significance, Dear said: "I believe everything (goals, values, love, etc.) should come from the heart and that everything that comes from the heart (the vines) will have beauty (the flowers)." Dear is pursuing her PhD in sociology and has taught a variety of classes focused on marriage, children and family law at SEHD, including two she created -- Divorce Culture: Relationships and Developmental Issues, and Women and Education: Life and Career Transitions at Mid-Life.
photographs by David Tuttle
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"Getting a tattoo is often
the result of a well-thought-out process, not a whim," said Bridget McCane-Saunders,
MSEd, health education coordinator for University Health Service. That's
certainly true for the women interviewed here, who really gave serious
thought to whether they'd still want the images they chose 30 years later.
Moreover, they have all educated themselves about tattoo safety and chose
tattoo studios they were confident about regarding safe, hygienic conditions.
Rumsey
advises anyone who's thinking about getting a tattoo to first get temporary
tattoos to try it out. If you decide to go for it, "Make sure it's something
you want day in, day out," she said.
Kate
Slowinski, a freshman, has four tattoos in all: a flame on her
chest and stars on her hip, ankle and back. Arcing over the star
on her back
are the words "a fire inside" the name of a band she loves. "Stars
are important to me," said Slowinski. She wasn't raised in any
religion, but feels an affinity for the pagan star, or pentagram, because
it is a symbol
of protection, and for its connection to nature and to her spirituality,
she said.
Lauren
Mazur, a sophomore and English and political science major, chose
an image inspired by a couple of lines in a poem by Jim Morrison -- "Let's
recreate the world. The palace of conception is burning." It was drawn
by Mazur's friend and fellow student, Angela Wynne. In it, the vibrant
purple flower growing out of the bottom of the palace represents a purer
world growing out of the ashes of the current one, she said. Mazur acknowledges
it could be interpreted as anarchistic, but that's not how she sees it.
To her, it's hopeful, and points to "the natural world as a blueprint
for the recreation of a purer human world . . . [one] we could start afresh
in, sculpting institutions and traditions with knowledge of our history."
