Body Art

The week after I turned 18 I went to go get my first tattoo. My nerves were calm and I was anxious to get my new addition. I've loved angels ever since I was little and I knew that this was the perfect tattoo for me. Girly, yet beautiful and much more deep and meaningful to me than a simple flower or heart, I realized that angel wings were meant to be a part of my body. My back was the ideal place for my creation since my body figure is tall and I have kind of broad shoulders. My arms are long and the wings my tattoo artist created were big, yet not too big; placed directly in between my shoulder blades. The wings I have are enclosed rather than open, since this is how I feel I am as a person. I decided to add my nickname, "Schatzie," which is German for sweetheart, above the wings on my back. I chose to do this since I've seen others who have wings tattooed on their backs as well, but no one would have the same enscripture along with them as I did. More importantly, this name represents my culture and who I am. This is what would set my art work aside from the others, being unique yet significant simultaneously.
Today, it is rare to see someone who doesn't have any piercings or tattoos, when years ago it was shocking to see an individual who did have body art, even when it was just pierced ears. This shows that body art has transformed over the years and has become more accepted. I personally think that tattoos are beautiful because they mean so much to the person who has them. Behind every tattoo is a story, some deeper than others, yet they still withhold some kind of meaning to their owner.
Although I don't have a problem with body art, I do believe in the idea that there are those people who go overboard with tattoos and piercings. I find individuals who have tattoos covering every inch of their skin unnecessary. Same with facial piercings all over their face, I believe this is excessive and tasteless. It may be valuable to them, but to me, I think there is a fine difference between something being tastefully done and meaningful and something being over done and tacky. When there are less pieces of art on one's body, they stand out more and withhold more significance, whereas when there are so many tattoos on a person that you can't focus on one, they seem to lack meaning. It all relates to the popular expression: Less is more.