I wrote this post last week about a tattoo design that recently caught my eye. Well, things escalated quickly. I contacted my good friend and one of the Twin Cities’ finest tattoo artists, Greg Lehman, and he was able to fit me in yesterday afternoon for a ninety-minute session.
Here’s a brief explanation of the meaning behind the design, as I interpret it.
“The interconnected circles symbolize unity and the cyclical nature of life. The flowing wave pattern reflects the unpredictable currents of existence, while the arrows and lines point to movement, growth, and progress. And that tiny triangle? It represents balance, the perfect harmony between strength, stability, and creativity.”
This was my seventh time in Greg's chair in the last nine years. I can't believe how fast time passes and how much my life has changed since I first walked through the door of his shop in 2016.
The original geometric design for this tattoo was done in a single-needle-style but Greg explained yesterday he prefers to use a triple needle because the ink has less of a tendency to bleed out or spread in the fat layer of the dermis and fade. The end result is pretty much indistinguishable from a single needle drawn piece.
I’m very happy with the end result and have to say even though the skin on the inside of the arm is tender because this one has finer lines it hurts considerably less the day after and I think it will heal a lot more quickly.
Now, I wait six weeks before I go back to Greg's for a final touch-up.
Be well, make the most of this day. Thank you for reading!
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It's one thing to have seen the tattoo on paper and another on your skin. It looks great on your skin! And the blue gives it a magical, different touch.. As for the apartment, the designers did an excellent job: it looks cozy, warm, very nice. The colors chosen are beautiful. And of course the universe will bring you lots of good and productive things this 2025. No doubt about it. Best regards
Thank you! I'm so happy with it and it's, by far, the easiest healing experience I've had. Two days after there's almost zero pain and usually days 2 and 3 are about the worst. I'm a big fan of the finer lined designs after this. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Well hello, gorgeous. That's some beautiful ink my friend, and indeed things escalated hella fast there, didn't they? 90 minutes sounds quick too, so good for you! You were right, it sure fits nicely on the arm.
Great condo. I guess it's a matter of training the eye too. Guess these things get easier to decorate the longer you're at it, no? Good luck with finding someone for it! I'm sure it'll sell like that. Looks amazing.
Thank you! It turned out even better than I had hoped. I'm liking this new, minimalist/fine-line, style. I see a trend on socials of people bragging about NOT having tattoos, the whole topic is being politicized. I kind of feel like it could be the beginning of the end of the golden age of body art. I hope not.
You're right, it's probably just learning the fundamentals and training the eye. I'd like to learn to do it myself because it'd be a whole lot cheaper! Lol. Thanks, I really hope it sells fast. We have a steep HOA fee in our building ($600/mo) so that'll be one of our only stumbling blocks to selling. One positive though is we'll be listing at $270K and the median home price in our area is around $340k so this will be in our favor.
I like the minimalist/fine line style too! Would definitely get something in it if I ever find or come up with one that resonates. Not having tattoos is now political? In which direction? What do tattoos say about us now? I'm out of the loop.
Hmm considering what an old, beautiful tradition it is, I doubt social media's gonna be the thing to eradicate it (thank goodness for that!).
Oh yeah, it sounds like quite a bargain. Especially with the house looking like that! :)
Sadly, there's a growing trend here in America of people on the right associating tattoos with being "woke". You couldn't make this up. This is especially true of women with tattoos. Anything that can be polarized pretty much is these days.
You really can't make this stuff up! Now that I think about it, I have noticed a trend for hipster/left-leaning types here to be more tattoo-y as well. I guess it makes sense, though I wonder how much of it is polarization of tattoos themselves as it's the need to belong to a side. As someone forced to lean more Conservative now myself, I do see a tendency to say "well, this is my side because we all need a side, and these are our colors (i.e. rejection of things like tattoos, piercings, crazy hair, all things more punk-y, alternative, or "woke"), so Imma wear them even if it grates".
Not gonna put me off tattoos, for sure, but I can see where that might come from...
I'm glad there are still some independent-minded people out there who don't fall for this particular brand of "all or nothing" tribalism. I can identify with opinions on both sides, although I find myself leaning more towards the conservative side than I ever have before.
so I'm not surprised that it's been so long since you first visited your friend Greg; I loved the design you chose and how good it looks on your arm.It's amazing how the years go by, dear friend @ericvancewalton,
They have definitely done a great job decorating and presenting the rooms of your condo, it really looks beautiful.
Have a lovely afternoon
They pass so quickly, don't they? Thank you! Enjoy your weekend.
The tattoo looks great and good luck selling your condo! It's hard to find good quality artists sometimes, so it is lucky you have someone you know and can trust!
Thank you! It's traditionally a slower time of the year in the real estate market but we hope less competition will work to our advantage. Yes, I'm thankful to have found Greg!
I've been a bit surprised at how many homes are staying on the market near us. Especially given the fact that during Covid they rarely made it a week before they were gone.
The interest rates are horrendous right now. That's not going to work in our favor.
Ah, yeah. It's a far cry from the 3.75 we got when we bought this house. Good luck!
Oh it turned out so nice. You must be well pleased with it. Love the placing as well, good choice.
Good luck with your condo, it looks great xx
Thanks! I'm more than happy with it. I think this might be my favorite one yet. : )
Nice ink
Thank you.
The tattoo is beautiful and very symbolic, a truly beautiful work was done.
The condo is beautiful too, The interior decorators have really done a very good job of it.
Thanks, we appreciate it!
That's quite beautiful 😍
Both the condo and the tattoo.
The designs are wonderful ✨
Thanks!
It's a unique tattoo, maybe no one else is using it and there's a different meaning deep inside its design.
#hive #posh
Clean work, cheers g.
That looks absolutely beautiful!!! I love the fine line art😍
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STOPLooks good!
It looks much more beautiful. Every human being has the right to try to fulfill every desire in his life. After working day and night, there comes a time when all these desires are fulfilled.
#hive #posh
You mean you have had seven tattoos in the last nine years? You must be a tattoo lover.
This one looks very beautiful, even much better on your skin than on paper. I also love that they are symbolic.
Rock your tattoos!
I spotted the word 😉 but I didn't see it before. It looks great on your hand now. Great tattoo artist and couldn't wait to see the final touch result. Congratulations on your new tattoo!
It's quite an uncommon tattoo for sure! Better than many you see around, it's quite sophisticated and must have not been easy to make for the "drawer"
That is a beautiful tattoo Eric, and only 90 minutes! Tattoos were taboo when I was young, so I never liked it, but I soon changed my mind. My son had a small tattoo on his upper arm many moons ago, and tried to hide it from us😅
The artist is brilliant!