widened. Rather than removal, she
chose to have the tattoo enlarged. She
shows it to young women she meets
who are considering tattoos.

9. Be realistic. The stigma against
tattoos is real. By-laws, like those
which restrict the age at which people
can be tattooed, still exist in many
North American towns and cities.
Cautious tattooists will not work on
people under eighteen years of age.
Some even insist that the parents of
younger clients be present throughout
the procedufe.

One of the most notable regrets of
tattooees is having chosen a site that
is readily visible. Tattooees are more
prone to being pulled over and ques-
tioned or having their vehicles
Searched at border crossings than
other travellers. Politically correct or
not, you could even risk job loss if your
hidden passion is discovered. And
wearing long sleeves to work in

  

-. More Deviants
the supernatural
and was also a
symbol of purifi-
cation and mourn-
ing.

Though often
outlawed by
colonialists and
banned by a disap-
proving Church or its
missionaries as
devilry, tattooing was
So strongly adhered to
by many cultures that

  

   
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  

summer does not appeal to
everyone.

10. If in doubt, don’t. This is a
good rule of thumb in making any
important decision. Those funny
feelings or intuitions are often
right. Try to understand them
before going ahead. It can reduce
your chances of regret.

The created clay of humanity
can be a canvas for creative
expression, or a fiery exhibit of
personal pain. The choice to get
tattooed or not is up to you. If you
chose to wear one, wear it well.
@

 

Eric Milner Photo

it continued in
Secret but was
restricted to areas
covered by clothing.

  
  
   
   
  

 

To many tribespeople body
alteration was much more

superficial reasons. Its

demise was considered a
foreshadowing of the end of
than superficial wounding for their harmony with the

outside world, and an affront

 

to a people’s unique ethnic-
ity.

As a social communica-
tion mechanism tattooing
has not yet worn out its
welcome, nor is its message
only skin-deep. Scorned as
the practice of psychopathic
deviants and hypomaniacs,
or embraced as a creative,
innovative art form, tattooing
has enjoyed a vacillating
relationship with the public.
Ateliers operated by artists
with a university or art
school background have
helped it to gain acceptance.
The defacing scratches of
unskilled stencilmen working