I’ve been in this tattoo world since before I remember, so it just seemed natural that when I began my ascent into adulthood that I would get tattoos and it be normal and no one say too much about it..
This was when I was 16, and no one took me seriously of course…
After years of begging my father (who has over 25 tattoos mind you) and discussing every minor or major tattoo idea that came into my head I finally turned 18 and was free to permanently place whatever I wanted to on my body.

Luckily for me growing up like I did I was immune to the stupidity of most people in my generation that suddenly see tattoos as a “fun thing to do at the time” and I had carefully planned out what I wanted, where, and who I wanted it from.

My very first tattoo was captured in these photos:

Nothing too big or exciting, but it was my first and I was excited.
Now, the meaning…
My father and I were at one point, addicted to the online crack known as World of Warcraft.
My screen name was Pawfoot (oh lookie there)
Later on we hiked the southern part of the Appalachain Trail, and for those that don’t know you usually are given a “trail name” that people call you.
My fathers was “White Wolf” and I adopted the tradition and took on “Pawfoot” as my name.
So, even though you can’t tell because I don’t “take” white ink well, the paw is supposed to be white, for my father…
Yeah, there you go.
Took 4 hours with a couple “pussy-out” breaks (because I’m a wimp and it was my first tattoo)
(Dwayne Matthews, Magick Dragon Tattoo)

Now, my second tattoo took the longest, simply because I (and my artist) wanted it completely perfect.
The story here comes before the ink.
My mother passed away when I was three years old and before her death, this tattoo artist (whom I affectionately refer to as my “uncle”) was working on putting this on her left shoulder. After her death he took the picture and put it away in a cabinet and swore that no one else would ever receive that tattoo… that was, until I turned 18 and came knocking at his door.
He happily dug this beaut out and did some minor edits to the water and foliage and began the long (5 6 hour sessions) process of this “memorial” piece for my mother.

Here she is:

(I am sorry for the crap quality here, I cannot find a photo of it that is not giant….)
(Dwayne Mathhews, Magick Dragon Tattoo)

And lastly but not least, my third tattoo.
Long story short since I know you are all bored of hearing me go on..
I used to have a speech problem (like all children) and when my uncle would call me a little boy I would reply “nu-uh I’ma gir!”
Years later my father and I fall in love with a show called Invader Zim, and a character on the show happens to be named Gir..
So we have “matching” tattoos.

Here:

Mine is the left, father’s is right…
(Brianna Smith, Magick Dragon Tattoo)

So that is my collection so far.
I am itching for more, so keep expecting more 🙂