Zaina’s Zany Adventures
“Get Your Tattoo On”
at Infinity Tattoo in Portland, OR
August 2007
Outside of Infinity Tattoo
Tattoo (def.): A mark or design made on the skin by pricking and ingraining an indelible dye or by raising scars. Also referred to as “Tat or Tats”.
Gone are the days of “sailors” only getting tattoos. Oh no, now everyone is participating - -and to any level in which they choose. What is the draw (no pun intended) to wanting to have one’s body marked in such a way? And why, is there still often a “stigma” that comes with tats and piercings, especially when there are so many tattoo shops/parlors out there and you see so many “main stream” folks with tats these days? Am I the only one who can’t stand to pull into the local burger joint only to find the guy or gal at the drive-thru window with a king size bandage over his/her wrist, and another over his/her nose? For sanitary reasons my eye! Personally, I would rather see the tat or piercing than wonder what horrible sight is behind the bandage that would require such a large covering. Better yet, why when someone is so completely covered in tats do people ask “why so many?” Well, why not, you get to carry “art” with you 24/7. Score!!!!!
Infinity's Fabulous Artists
Tats are clearly a very personal statement, whether to oneself or to the world around us. Many of my friends as well as my children have tattoos, my daughters seemingly addicted to a new one every few years, with my son stopping with the two large sets of talons placed and curled around his shoulder blades. The symbolism in their choices is always clear. My oldest daughter got her first tattoo after a tragedy in which her best friend’s three month old son died of SIDS. The girls went and had small purple hearts placed just above their own hearts, so they would assure to never forget this precious gift that was taken so soon. And every time I see that little heart on my daughter, I do think of that little bundle of baby boy.
Amanda Working on Zaina's Tattoo
Infinity Tattoo, Portland
Soon after my daughter’s first tattoo, I went in and had a small 3 inch flaming feather placed on my right shoulder - - my affinity with the Phoenix and what it represents. I always wanted to have the full bird, hoping it would soon follow, but I just never seemed to make it to the chair, and that first tat was done over 15 years ago. Over those years, I have watched my daughters and their friends as well as my son, go in for their tats, each one with special meaning. I continued to long for the perfect picture of a Phoenix Bird, searching for one that I could better identify with. Intensity in color, feminine, yet powerful, not too big, not too garish, etc., etc.
Now, while I searched I heard from some of my dancer friends about Amanda and Paul at Infinity Tattoo in Portland, and what wonderful artists they are. Jim Boz has a flaming Phoenix Bird on the calf of one leg - - done by an artist at their studio, and it truly is a remarkable piece of art to see – masculine, powerful, colorful. I have talked to dancers with tats that Amanda has done and they are beautifully and artfully done.
And then, I finally found my bird - - after my granddaughters were born, she just seemed to present herself because, after all, here was a new stage of life for me. A new birth/awakening - - becoming a grandmother. And I new what I wanted to have represented (my babies) and so I made the call to Amanda at Infinity. Because her work is so very good, Amanda as well as Paul and the other artists at Infinity are highly sought after. I had to wait for several months to get in, first for a consult (as the old tattoo was in bad shape and would need covering) and then the appointment for the work. Amanda seemed to understand immediately what I was looking for. She never tried to dissuade me (as others did years ago) from what I wanted represented with this ONE, single tattoo. She took the time to listen, and came back with a wonderful drawing of the combination of work I had asked for – and it simply blew me away. And, I did not ask for anything easy - - oh no, if I was going to do this I wanted it all in that one symbol.
A Phoenix Bird, (me) holding a Scarab (Brandey), from its talons (Talon), and dangling from the scarab was a necklace with a crystal at its end (Krystal). The tail feathers of the Phoenix would need to represent the granddaughters, Sophia and Gabriella via S and G in the eyes of the feathers. That was it, my family and life represented in one piece of art. As I said, I wanted intensity of color, (the scarab is Sophia’s favorite color – chartreuse), wings are purple and blue with a bit of pink (Krystal and Brandey’s favorite colors), and there are the trailings of fire (Aries is a fire sign you know) that represents the burn out I often get to and the re-birth afterwards. I asked that the bird be given delicate little eyelashes – so she would remain feminine and Amanda, didn’t bat an eye at the request, but rather was happy to add them – she even added some light blue shadowing around the eyes for an even more feminine look.
To my complete delight and absolute amazement, Amanda has given me all that I asked for in this beautiful piece. As more grandbabies are born, I can return to Amanda and have more tail feathers added. What a gift I get to carry with me everywhere I go. And to Amanda, I will be forever grateful.
Now, while some may cringe, thinking to themselves, ooohhh, tattoo parlors, those little seedy back alley tattoo parlors - - - ewwww. Not so these days, and especially not so with Infinity. The shop is open and friendly as you walk in - - lots of light, and everyone shouting out greetings. What stuck with me the most walking in is that fact that this shop is squeaky clean. From the counters to the floors, and the chairs to the tables CLEAN CLEAN CLEAN. Even the bathroom, which was not only clean but decorated and smelled wonderfully of near exotic scents. Add to this that Amanda’s hubby was in and out (that day bringing in a brand new mop and mop bucket that staff was oohing and awing over) with their children. For this grandma, in the middle of what I will tell you with no hesitation, was a painful tattoo to get, it made me feel so good to see “little ones” walk in the door. Back to center, balance and such a wonderful feel.
Inside Infinity
Infinity Tattoo has helped to change the image of what people believe a tattoo parlor or shop has been in the past. They are a family friendly, exceptionally clean, shop of artistic creation. The day I was there seemed to be Belly Dancer Day because when I walked in Tanya was getting new color placed in one of her tattoos. And Amanda has been a dancer/performer with Gypsy Caravan and Circle Dancers at Euphoria with Jane Archer one of her close friends. So we got to talk a bit o’ shop (albeit I talked through gritted teeth – ouch).
Now, if you are wondering, and I already alluded to this, YES it hurt. Even brought tears to my eyes a few times. Amanda however, is patient, and didn’t make me feel like a big baby in the least. It was a nearly three hour process with outlines and color all in one sitting. I am hearing from my girls that this was not such an easy sitting and I have nothing to be ashamed of (<giggle>), but I can tell you tats are not for the faint of hart (again no pun intended).
So, if you have that symbol in mind, the one you have wanted for years, but were not sure where to go, who to see, who to trust, I cannot give a higher recommendation than that of Infinity Studios, and specifically Amanda. If you are coming in from out of town, make an appointment ahead of time and spend some time with these wonderful people. And while I thought this was my last tattoo, hmmmmmm, I just found a killer eye of horus I would like to have on my ankle. So goes the addiction part of tats.
To find Infinity Tattoo, in Portland, OR, go to: http://www.infinitytattoo.com