Photos From The First Session For My New Polynesian Tattoo Designed by Me, Inked By Rod Medina

Having had my first tattoo done on Valentine's Day 2009, I thought that would be my fill. This time last year I started getting the itch for another. Originally it was going to be a mural style piece based off my musician name, but for a variety of reasons I changed my mind. I then designed a tattoo of a roaring lion the mane of which I had shaped into the African continent. My intention was to have it designed so that it looked like the lion was ripping out of my back. However when I shared the photo with friends online, many decided they wanted to rip the design off. Whilst appreciating its popularity I was put off by the idea that so quickly so many were happy to take away what I had designed for myself.In early 2010 I started to research the tattooing culture in Polynesian islands such as Tahiti, Marquesas, Fiji, Samoa, Hawaii and others. Whilst I had (and still am) only scratched the surface; understanding the motifs their meanings, and the significance of their positioning on the different parts of the body, I started to create my own talisman tattoo. My first attempts were extremely crude, and clumsy and at times I got frustrated with how I couldn't express myself. Realising that what I was attempting to do was trying to fluently speak in another language, I decided to dedicate myself to studying much more, I got in touch with anthropologist Tricia Allen, who also happens to tattoo and I would send her my work and she would educate me on my fluency as it were. There were others such as Samuel Morgan Shaw, and my eventual tattooist who also helped me to sharpen my understanding.My designs improved over time as my understanding of the language and culture has grown, I am still studying and researching, I know shall continue for many years after my tattoo is finished. Anyhow, here is where I have gotten to thus far.Thank you for reading,I hope you'll enjoy.