Observational Essay: First Tattoo

Buzz, buzz, buzz, the sound of a tattoo gun. Ink Tattoo’s appearance is like most tattoo shops. The white walls are filled with large framed paintings. The front of the shop is set up with couches. A sitting area that forms around a table, the table holds the portfolios of the artists. There is a countertop which contains body jewelry behind glass. The top row of the jewelry case is a layout of navel rings. They are assorted by color and design. The next row is of gauges, they are arranged by size. In the back of the tattoo shop there are several larger rooms for tattooing and piercing. Each working tattoo artist has their own space. The noise of the tattoo gun is coming from those back rooms. The tattoo gun is repetitive to the point that the noise seems to continue infinitely. The rooms in the back are full of meaningful paintings by the artist’s. These are the rooms which the noise is seeping from. These are the rooms that hold the meaning to this place.


There is not may people in the shop, two men behind the counter. One of them walks towards the front of the store. This man is very tall; he has a mohawk which is a greenish color. He has no piercing but his legs, neck, and arms are overtaken by tattoos. His neck is a black and white piece. There are two pillars which are symmetrical in shape and graphic detail. These pillars on his neck are symbolic of Italy. That was the inspiration and place were the tattoo is from. He also has a tattoo on his leg of a character from x-man. This was the first tattoo that he has ever gotten and also the first one he has given. “Can I help you with something” Michael asks. “I am looking to get this tattoo on my back” I said. Michael takes the book in which the painting is in and makes a photo copy. He takes about five minutes examining the painting before saying “Yea I would be able to create this tattoo for you but it will need to be a full back tattoo, the tattoo will need to be as big as this paper”. I already know how big the tattoo would need to be but wanted to see what he would say.

The scream by Edvard Munch is composed of intricate colors which intertwine. In the painting the sky is a mixer of different shades of orange; light orange, red orange, and varying colors between. Along with white, off whites, teal, and some grays. The detail is complex for a tattoo considering a tattoo artists work with needles and not a paint brush. The few outlining lines are not even straight. The water is made up of different whites and varying shades of blue. There are also greens and oranges mixed in. Tattooing the painting The scream is not an easy task. Most tattoo artists would say that it can not be done. There are artists who know they can recreate this painting in the form of a tattoo like Michael.

Michael’s portfolio is extravagant, his color blending is unreal. The boldness and vibrancy of his colors brings his customers tattoos to life. There was one tattoo in his portfolio that is unforgettable. The colors in this tattoo are colors often seen in a pink sunset. They are ranging from pink, to purple, to vibrant blues. The tattoo is reflective of a tribal influence. The figure is wearing a device that elongates the neck. In the tattoo the figure also has gauges in the ears; the hair is all shaved off except for a small section in the back that is put up into a ponytail. In the tattoo the figure is holding a flame in one hand and in the other he is holding a staff with a head on it that has a bone through the nose.

Michael understands that a tattoo of a painting should not be treated the same as any other tattoo. Michael explains, “There is only so much of the tattoo that I can out line. The majority is going to have to be free hand.” He is an art fanatic so the idea of tattooing the painting intrigues him. “This is a great idea for a tattoo and I would really like to tattoo this” says Michael. He is hoping to have a chance to tattoo Edvard Munch’s The Scream. “The thing is if I do not find the right artist then it could end badly” I voice strongly. Michael is qualified, has been tattooing for sixteen years and wants to work on the tattoo. I continue questioning, hoping he will say something reassuring. “How much will this tattoo cost?” I ask. Michael says “I charged $100 dollars an hour. It is hard to say how long this tattoo will take but I am guessing about $1000”. “What about touch ups”. “My work is guaranteed so if you need touch ups they are free” says Michael.

Michael is a great tattoo artist. Some of the tattoos in his portfolio are inspiring by their beauty. Michael is a fan of Munch’s and would take it as an honor to work on the tattoo. In viewing Michael’s art I am not sure that I have gathered enough information to make a decision on having him tattoo The Scream. He has the qualifications to work on the tattoo. The decision is not finally and needs more investigation. Now leave the parlor and enter the parking lot, thinking of my decision I can see Michael and I can hear the gun all over again.