I feel like I'm stalking people with tattoos, especially when they are random people on the bus or train. It's really hard for me to approach people to ask them about their tattoos. I'm actually quite a shy person in real life - I'm not the same person who gets up on stage to perform her own songs. I do get incredibly nervous talking to strangers. So, a couple of these photos were taken in secret.
There are 13 more tattoos in this blog bringing the total to 30.
18 & 19. These two tattoos are quite possibly my favourites so far for obvious reasons. I was on a night out last June with friends in Islington at the Wenlock & Essex but needed to get money out first. My mate, Phil and I walked down the road to the cash machine and bumped into his friend, Linda, at the same time that I noticed the tattoo on her leg. We chatted about them and she let me take a photo of her lower leg. She then said she had another tattoo I'd like on her other leg on the thigh. So brilliantly tattooed.
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| THE BEATLES! How amazing and lifelike are these?! |
20. This next tattoo is my cousin (in-law)'s brother, Tim's tattoo. Tim got this tattoo after his granddad, Francis McDonnell, passed away in 2004.
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| For Tim's granddad |
21. My first "stalking" tattoo. A lady on the bus - I was very impressed with the content on the lady's arm. I was too chicken to ask her what everything meant.
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| Lots of lovely colours |
22. Someone who is also a Beatles fan is fellow musician, Stephen Gilsenan. I noticed this tattoo on his arm when we were doing a gig together at Bar Vinyl for Zarathustras Live Events. Stephen said it was a spur of the moment decision. He'd just completed a drug trial which meant he actually had some money to finally get a tattoo done. He chose the heart tattoo and instead of it saying "Mum", he asked for "Ringo" as Ringo Starr had been a big influence in his life; given that the reason he moved to London from Ireland was to study drums. He does also love The Beatles as much as I do.
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| I get by with a little help from my friends... |
23. I knew my colleague, Claire, had a tattoo on her leg (noticed it through her tights once) and at our Annual Congress in Brighton last year I asked her if I could get a photo of her tattoo. When she finally kept still for one second, she let me take a photo (although she said she had better ones she could email me but she forgot and so did I...until I started typing this blog). I think she was wearing tights so the colour is lighter than it's supposed to be. This is a better than average skull.
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| A pretty skull in a weird way |
24. At a Halloween party at Matheus's house, I spotted that his housemate, Sara (dressed as a pretty sassy Cruella De Vil), had a tattoo on her arm. At that point in time I didn't realise how into music she was. After I took this photo I later found out she was quite musical herself - she plays piano and sings.
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| Treble Clef |
25. My friend and songwriting collaborator, Mark Holland, invited Matheus and I to his "Around the World" themed birthday party. Everyone had to dress up as a particular country. If I recall, I had a gig earlier on in the day so couldn't meet up with everyone else until later. We finally caught up with everyone at a pub on Charing Cross Road. I was introduced to Mark's friend, Caroline, and as she put out her hand to shake mine, I spotted the tattoo. I had to have a closer look and then I asked for a photo.
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| Impressive Owl |
26. Another random person - this one was a lady (possibly from India) on the train. I'm pretty sure she's Indian, especially from looking at the tattoos as well. It's an Indian elephant and part of what looks like a Hindu Deity.
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| Intricate detail |
27. The next tattoo was taken on the same day. Matheus's housemate, Sara, had organised a baby shower for a colleague at their house and we joined them after jamming in a tree (long story). We chatted to everyone and I saw part of her other colleague, Siobhan's tattoo. She showed me her whole arm but said she had a better photo on her phone she could text me (which she did). It's of a gypsy head and roses. It took five hours to design and shade and a further five hours to colour in - hardcore. She did have other tattoos but I didn't want to drive her mad!
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| Gypsy head with roses |
28. The next one I received in the last few days. Randomly, Phil who I mentioned in my previous tattoo blog post messaged me. His tattoo was the one of Dante from the game "Devil May Cry". He asked if I was still blogging about tattoos so I said I was. He sent me a few. I'm posting this one as it's a follow-up from Dante. This is a symbol used in the game "Devil May Cry". He also has another tattoo which isn't quite finished but I reckon it will be epic. I hope to include it in the next tattoo blog.
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| Devil May Cry |
29 & 30. The last one (well 2 - 1 on each arm of the same person) I took a photo of just this weekend gone. I did a gig for Beatnik Events at The Old Queen's Head in Islington. The girl on the sound desk (Jo) had some amazing and colourful tattoos. Her left arm was inspired by the fact she studied classical music and her favourite was Tchaikovsky. Her right arm was because she loves sailing.
If you have a tattoo, let me know. I'd love to hear all about it and hopefully see it.
Only 10 more tattoos to go!
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| A tattoo on each arm |
Only 10 more tattoos to go!
