It’s taken a while to decide on a tattoo tribute to Max. I finally felt ready and went to my local tattoo parlor, Ink Ink, in Venice. I talked to a veteran artist named Stephanie, who turned the elements I wanted into the beautiful design you see above.
Stephanie was the best choice I could have made! She was kind, funny, insightful, and takes her work seriously. It is her true calling. I felt so relaxed in her hands that I felt no pain, just a mild sort of friction.. I was delighted to hear her squeals of excitement over the vibrant colors.
We talked about all kind of shit, having discovered that we are the same age. We talked about all the times we’ve seen The Band. When I told her that I used to have a huge crush on Rick Danko, she replied, “Who didn’t?!” It’s great to hang out with someone who shares your history and your culture.
The honeysuckles remind me of how Max used to suck the nectar out of the flowers outside our front door. When Charle was little, Max showed him hwo to do it. The morning glories remind me of putting them over our noses to see how long we could keep them there. Max called them “morning gorlies” and that’s how I still think of them
Some days go by like nothing is wrong. They make me wonder how a human being can just keep plodding along, through habit and conditoning. Other days are crushing, filed with the unbearable heartbreak and remorse.
But the tattoo is a comfort. I really love it. If you’re thinking of getting a tattoo, you can’t do better than Stephanie.
Beautiful in every way. Stephanie did a great job!
I love you!
It’s really lovely.
Awww Congratulations! Even though I didn’t know him, I’m pretty sure he would approve greatly. xoxo.
What a great tattoo. Such amazing colours and a wonderful design.
Also, a belated thank you for providing me with the most delightful selection of images on tumblr. Every evening I look forward that 10 minutes of winding down before bed with beautiful picture after picture.
It’s beautiful. The colors are amazing. I love morning glories because they can thrive anywhere and beautify even the bleakest of places.
GOREGEOUS color work! great choice, sister wolf.
What a touching and beautiful reminder of Max. It’s perfect. I love you!
What’d it run you?
Wow mommy its stunning!! (and Levon Helm was way sexier…) love you
Beautiful colours, fantastic flowers. Steph done good!
Beautiful and touching.
It’s great sister.
Love it Sister! It’s perfect!
beautiful! i love it…
Stephanie has created a beautiful work of art for you and on you.
I’m happy that it makes you happy.
Love.
Memorial tattoos really go a long way to help with healing, Sister. It’s so vibrant and beautiful and the placement’s just perfect.
MAGNIFICENT! Brava !
Never really been into tattoos, but yours is beautiful and I get why you got it. Yea, it is is amazing how humans keep plodding along. That is what I am doing – just plodding along – trying to live on memories.
That’s really so touching. I’ve never met you or Max but I feel a connection because you are so open and honest with your feelings about Max. I hope that this tattoo gives you happiness whenever you look at it.
beautiful and the perfect rock ‘n roll tribute to a rock ‘n roll kid.
It’s beautiful!
The honey suckles are also a childhood favourite of mine and always remind me of my close friend. But the colours, they are just… breathtaking.
Gosh that is vibrant and the flowers are beautiful. I’m very impressed and I’ve not a tattoo on me! A great way to have him with you xx
It is beautiful .. I am a tattoo virgin .. but i think this is a beautiful tribute and as Kate says a way to have him with you at all times xx
Beautiful and touching. Stephanie is a real artist!
What a lovely tribute! “Morning gorlies”, that’s so cute.
i’m scared of getting a tattoo because i might regret the design i pick, or that it might not be meaningful forever. this is not an issue for this beautiful tattoo.
Amazed by how electric the colors are!
Wow, I’d have thought that was painted on, not tattooed. The colours are so vibrant.
So beautifully drawn! The design is perfect; A gentle heart.
the flowers in the tattoo and suspended’s comment about “a gentle heart” reminded me of this:
http://www.amazon.com/Story-Ferdinand-Puffin-Storytime/dp/0142409529/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1310972799&sr=8-1
have you ever read it?
alittlelux – Yes! We had that book when Max was little and I used to read it to him.
SummerAdeline – She actually added that she also fancied Levon Helm! I hope you will let Stephanie do your next tattoo. Maybe we can get one together!
I love great ink, and this, this is great ink. Memories beneath the skin. Makes perfect sense. I have one on my foot in memory of my father. No regrets there.
Also, you have the arms of a 22 year old.
X
yes! my mother used to read it to me too 🙂
It’s beautiful. Long live sweet Max xoxo
that tattoo is so so gorgeous and sweet, and the colours are amazing! my skin repels tattoo ink apparently and I have some fading tattoos to prove it, but yours is very very vibrant and beautiful
what a loving tribute! it’s really beautiful.
It’s breathtaking. Whenever I look at mine, I never fail to think of my parents. And while it’s a constant reminder how I feel I was robbed of a life with them, I also have a permanent reminder of how amazing they were. Yours is so perfect for Max.
What gorgeous piece. Done by an equally gorgeous sounding artist.
xoxoxo
I see punctuation and sentence flow aren’t my strong suits today…ugh.
So beautiful…you’ve made me consider getting my first-ever tattoo as a tribute to Emily (won’t go into it here but SW you’ve heard the details from me directly if you recall).
Thanks, as always, for being a real person going through a real process of healing and sharing it with me/us/everyone. IMO this is a lifetime process and I’m grateful that others can also admit that “Some days go by like nothing is wrong. They make me wonder how a human being can just keep plodding along, through habit and conditoning. Other days are crushing, filed with the unbearable heartbreak and remorse.”
I’m way fucking glad you’re here, on good days and bad days. And I do really looooove that tattoo, it is something quite special indeed…
Absolutely gorgeous! I’m so glad it was a good experience for you
This is absolutely BEAUTIFUL (such amazing colours!), and I’m so glad it makes you feel better, Sister.
Love it! 🙂