Hello hello,
Contrary to what you might think, I am not dead (a little on the inside after uni but what’s new). Like always at this time of year my blog has been very much on the back burner of my priorities, but my degree is done (I cannot believe it) and I am looking forward to paying some attention to the creative parts of my life that don’t involve my theology degree - what a wild concept.
In true Hannah fashion I thought what better way to resurrect the blog than a classic post on tattoos and piercings, because I have a lot to update you on. Let’s do itttt.
Brief piercing chat first. For the most part my piercings remain the same - I never change the jewellery on any of my cartilage ones, so changing my lobe ones is as exciting as it gets. In terms of new additions, I got my first ever outer conch piercing (pictured below) as a present to myself for finishing my dissertation. This was not the piercing I planned to get, but on arrival to my regular piercing place Underground in Enfield, I was told, much to my surprise, that I don’t have the right ears for an industrial/scaffold piercing?!?!
Being something of a piercing aficionado I was shocked that this was something I did not know to be a thing, and whilst pretty disheartened that it wasn’t meant to be, the piercer suggested that I got an outer conch, in the area where I wanted the industrial one, and I’m happy I went ahead with it. On the pain scale it was preeeeety up there being a thick part of the ear, but whilst the healing process isn’t quite over yet, it’s overall been an easy one to get and I am happy with how it looks too. I would recommend as it is more unique than most cartilage piercings. It was £15 as every piercing is at Underground which is far more affordable than places closer to central London - definitely worth the trip as I have said many a time on these posts, and I have always been happy with their service.
Also, quite a while ago now I decided for the first time to take out a piercing and let it totally close up. It was my surface tragus, the one and only surface piercing I ever got (I have a whole post on it if you’re unfamiliar with what a surface piercing is). Whilst a really unique piece to have it was extremely temperamental and often quite painful. Surface piercings, being under the skin, are also not permanent as eventually the skin over the bar thins so much that the jewellery comes out. The timeframe in which this will happen is different for everyone and I decided that mine probably did not have much time left and it just looked a bit gross. I’m sad to have let something so cool and unique go and wouldn’t say no to getting it again, but for now I am grateful to not have the constant upkeep of it to deal with.
As for piercings, that’s all the updates I have, and no plans for anymore for a good while I think.
Tattoo time and I’m super excited to discuss my new additions. Last update I had just gotten my Led Zeppelin tattoo by Jessica Brown and that still remains very loved by me and those who see it. Since then I discovered a new tattoo artist that I am absolutely in love with - the art, the person’s vision and the empire he has managed to create.
The man in question is Patrick, or @european.son.420 on Instagram, who I discovered on my explore page, boasting a massive 150k followers - the most by far of any tattoo artist I follow or have ever come across online. Simply tattooing, using the stick and poke method, words and sometimes small symbols and drawings in his own handwriting, he has built up an enormous following which has allowed him to break out of his studio bases of London and Brighton, to travel the world to do guest spots and visit the thousands of fans he has across many countries, desperate to get inked by him. From the seemingly high demand he has it was a long shot when I contacted him, asking when he would next be in London, I was surprised to get such a quick response from Patrick and within days I was getting tattooed by him.
The first of two pieces I have now had done by him, which I got back in February, are the words ‘SHE’S NOT AN UNFORGIVING GIRL’ on my right arm. These words come from a song called ‘(She’s Not An) Unforgiving Girl’ by band Car Seat Headrest. This band quickly became one of my all-time favourites after getting into them only late last year, and seeing them live in November. I find myself deeply relating to lots of their music, often themed around teenage heartache and the general trials of being young. These lyrics in particular were my choice, not only because it is probably my favourite song of theirs, but for the meaning I personally attach to them. Over the last year I’ve done a lot of growing up and have also learnt a lot about myself, as well as the people around me. Forgiveness has been a theme that continues to crop up in the difficult life lessons that have been thrown at me and whilst I now feel like I am coming out of that difficult stage of life, I have learnt that above anything else, I want to be as forgiving of people’s mistakes as I possibly can be. For that reason, these lyrics will permanently be there on my body to remind me of that goal.
This was my first experience of stick and poke, having only ever experienced normal gun tattooing. It is a completely different sensation and this particular placement did not feel nearly as painful as a gun. Sometimes the skin makes a popping noise as the needle is poked in and out which can be a little unsettling, but I would recommend, especially with this arm placement, that if you are nervous for how painful a tattoo is going to be, then this is a great place to start.
Being so popular, coupled with it being done in London, Patrick charged £100 for this tattoo - pretty pricey I would say, but I wasn’t surprised, nor did I really mind knowing how much I loved and looked up to his art. It’s my most visible tattoo to date which was a bit of a scary prospect at first, but now I honestly can’t imagine being without it.
A few months later, only about 10 days ago now, I gave in again to getting another tattoo by Patrick - this time, one of his colour pieces. Whilst mainly doing lettering in black ink, Patrick is well known for and posts frequently about his work with coloured lettering. After seeing an under-boob coloured tattoo on his feed, which alternated between four colours, I was overcome with ideas of what I could get in the exact same colours and placement.
My head is always full of tattoo ideas and following so many different artists I am constantly full of inspiration. As this was going to be words, the idea I decided on was something that had popped into my head a few months back, which are the words ‘OK NOT OK’. The meaning is ridiculously specific and makes me sound extremely pretentious, I know. I’ve spoken about my love for the previously unreleased songs on Radiohead’s iconic album OK Computer, which they released for the 20th anniversary in 2017, under the title ‘OKNOTOK’. I knew I wanted a tattoo that commemorated these new songs, but none of the lyrics, even from my favourite song ‘Man Of War’, felt right to get done. So, with this phrase I could dedicate something to those songs I love so dearly, without it being too obvious and a unique thing for me personally.
Though done with stick and poke again, this area was significantly more painful than my arm. It is a sensitive area, and whilst I didn’t quite flinch away, I was gritting my teeth constantly and would not call it an enjoyable experience to say the least, maybe one of my most painful to date. Nevertheless I love the end result and think the colours as well as the design are so fun and different and it feels very much like it is a classic example of Patrick’s work. Being colour, this one cost £120 - a pricey one again but it’s hard to be annoyed when you love the end result so much.
Not that he needs the promo, but I would really recommend a tattoo from Patrick, and he is by far one of the most interesting people I’ve ever had the pleasure to meet. With every part of his body minus the soles of his feet covered in ink I can’t imagine the stories he has and the life he’s led so far. I almost want more done by him just to chat and pick his brain some more.
Well, not even a year after my first tattoo I now have six. It’s been a bit of a whirlwind and I think my friends do worry about the shocking amount of spontaneity that goes into my tattoo decisions, but as of right now, I don’t regret a thing. Tattoos are such an insight into what people deem to be important to them, and I love hearing the reasons behind why people get what they do - I hope people feel the same about these posts, because I really can’t talk enough about mine.
Thanks for reading guys, it’s good to be baaaack,
H x
P.S. I have made an account solely for my blog to keep it separate from my personal, so it would mean the world if you gave it a follow and supported it, cheers @hannahcampbellzblog
Contrary to what you might think, I am not dead (a little on the inside after uni but what’s new). Like always at this time of year my blog has been very much on the back burner of my priorities, but my degree is done (I cannot believe it) and I am looking forward to paying some attention to the creative parts of my life that don’t involve my theology degree - what a wild concept.
In true Hannah fashion I thought what better way to resurrect the blog than a classic post on tattoos and piercings, because I have a lot to update you on. Let’s do itttt.
Brief piercing chat first. For the most part my piercings remain the same - I never change the jewellery on any of my cartilage ones, so changing my lobe ones is as exciting as it gets. In terms of new additions, I got my first ever outer conch piercing (pictured below) as a present to myself for finishing my dissertation. This was not the piercing I planned to get, but on arrival to my regular piercing place Underground in Enfield, I was told, much to my surprise, that I don’t have the right ears for an industrial/scaffold piercing?!?!
Being something of a piercing aficionado I was shocked that this was something I did not know to be a thing, and whilst pretty disheartened that it wasn’t meant to be, the piercer suggested that I got an outer conch, in the area where I wanted the industrial one, and I’m happy I went ahead with it. On the pain scale it was preeeeety up there being a thick part of the ear, but whilst the healing process isn’t quite over yet, it’s overall been an easy one to get and I am happy with how it looks too. I would recommend as it is more unique than most cartilage piercings. It was £15 as every piercing is at Underground which is far more affordable than places closer to central London - definitely worth the trip as I have said many a time on these posts, and I have always been happy with their service.
Also, quite a while ago now I decided for the first time to take out a piercing and let it totally close up. It was my surface tragus, the one and only surface piercing I ever got (I have a whole post on it if you’re unfamiliar with what a surface piercing is). Whilst a really unique piece to have it was extremely temperamental and often quite painful. Surface piercings, being under the skin, are also not permanent as eventually the skin over the bar thins so much that the jewellery comes out. The timeframe in which this will happen is different for everyone and I decided that mine probably did not have much time left and it just looked a bit gross. I’m sad to have let something so cool and unique go and wouldn’t say no to getting it again, but for now I am grateful to not have the constant upkeep of it to deal with.
As for piercings, that’s all the updates I have, and no plans for anymore for a good while I think.
Tattoo time and I’m super excited to discuss my new additions. Last update I had just gotten my Led Zeppelin tattoo by Jessica Brown and that still remains very loved by me and those who see it. Since then I discovered a new tattoo artist that I am absolutely in love with - the art, the person’s vision and the empire he has managed to create.
The man in question is Patrick, or @european.son.420 on Instagram, who I discovered on my explore page, boasting a massive 150k followers - the most by far of any tattoo artist I follow or have ever come across online. Simply tattooing, using the stick and poke method, words and sometimes small symbols and drawings in his own handwriting, he has built up an enormous following which has allowed him to break out of his studio bases of London and Brighton, to travel the world to do guest spots and visit the thousands of fans he has across many countries, desperate to get inked by him. From the seemingly high demand he has it was a long shot when I contacted him, asking when he would next be in London, I was surprised to get such a quick response from Patrick and within days I was getting tattooed by him.
The first of two pieces I have now had done by him, which I got back in February, are the words ‘SHE’S NOT AN UNFORGIVING GIRL’ on my right arm. These words come from a song called ‘(She’s Not An) Unforgiving Girl’ by band Car Seat Headrest. This band quickly became one of my all-time favourites after getting into them only late last year, and seeing them live in November. I find myself deeply relating to lots of their music, often themed around teenage heartache and the general trials of being young. These lyrics in particular were my choice, not only because it is probably my favourite song of theirs, but for the meaning I personally attach to them. Over the last year I’ve done a lot of growing up and have also learnt a lot about myself, as well as the people around me. Forgiveness has been a theme that continues to crop up in the difficult life lessons that have been thrown at me and whilst I now feel like I am coming out of that difficult stage of life, I have learnt that above anything else, I want to be as forgiving of people’s mistakes as I possibly can be. For that reason, these lyrics will permanently be there on my body to remind me of that goal.
This was my first experience of stick and poke, having only ever experienced normal gun tattooing. It is a completely different sensation and this particular placement did not feel nearly as painful as a gun. Sometimes the skin makes a popping noise as the needle is poked in and out which can be a little unsettling, but I would recommend, especially with this arm placement, that if you are nervous for how painful a tattoo is going to be, then this is a great place to start.
Being so popular, coupled with it being done in London, Patrick charged £100 for this tattoo - pretty pricey I would say, but I wasn’t surprised, nor did I really mind knowing how much I loved and looked up to his art. It’s my most visible tattoo to date which was a bit of a scary prospect at first, but now I honestly can’t imagine being without it.
A few months later, only about 10 days ago now, I gave in again to getting another tattoo by Patrick - this time, one of his colour pieces. Whilst mainly doing lettering in black ink, Patrick is well known for and posts frequently about his work with coloured lettering. After seeing an under-boob coloured tattoo on his feed, which alternated between four colours, I was overcome with ideas of what I could get in the exact same colours and placement.
My head is always full of tattoo ideas and following so many different artists I am constantly full of inspiration. As this was going to be words, the idea I decided on was something that had popped into my head a few months back, which are the words ‘OK NOT OK’. The meaning is ridiculously specific and makes me sound extremely pretentious, I know. I’ve spoken about my love for the previously unreleased songs on Radiohead’s iconic album OK Computer, which they released for the 20th anniversary in 2017, under the title ‘OKNOTOK’. I knew I wanted a tattoo that commemorated these new songs, but none of the lyrics, even from my favourite song ‘Man Of War’, felt right to get done. So, with this phrase I could dedicate something to those songs I love so dearly, without it being too obvious and a unique thing for me personally.
Though done with stick and poke again, this area was significantly more painful than my arm. It is a sensitive area, and whilst I didn’t quite flinch away, I was gritting my teeth constantly and would not call it an enjoyable experience to say the least, maybe one of my most painful to date. Nevertheless I love the end result and think the colours as well as the design are so fun and different and it feels very much like it is a classic example of Patrick’s work. Being colour, this one cost £120 - a pricey one again but it’s hard to be annoyed when you love the end result so much.
Not that he needs the promo, but I would really recommend a tattoo from Patrick, and he is by far one of the most interesting people I’ve ever had the pleasure to meet. With every part of his body minus the soles of his feet covered in ink I can’t imagine the stories he has and the life he’s led so far. I almost want more done by him just to chat and pick his brain some more.
Well, not even a year after my first tattoo I now have six. It’s been a bit of a whirlwind and I think my friends do worry about the shocking amount of spontaneity that goes into my tattoo decisions, but as of right now, I don’t regret a thing. Tattoos are such an insight into what people deem to be important to them, and I love hearing the reasons behind why people get what they do - I hope people feel the same about these posts, because I really can’t talk enough about mine.
Thanks for reading guys, it’s good to be baaaack,
H x
P.S. I have made an account solely for my blog to keep it separate from my personal, so it would mean the world if you gave it a follow and supported it, cheers @hannahcampbellzblog
Comments
Post a Comment