Women 'growing old disgracefully' by getting tattoos (From The Oxford Times)
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Women 'growing old disgracefully' by getting tattoos
7:00am Saturday 16th July 2011 in News By Debbie Waite
THE news TV presenter Fern Britton has just got her first tattoo at the age of 53 may have raised some eyebrows, but it seems that being ‘inked’ is a growing craze among the fairer sex.
While tattoos were once only for men – and usually those in the military – some tattoo studios in Oxford say females now represent the bulk of their customers.
Of course women have always had tattoos, although up until quite recently they have usually been of the more discreet variety: angels, flowers or butterflies on a shoulder, perhaps.
But tattooing has evolved into ‘body art’ and is stretching across the generations, with mothers and even grandmothers dedicating large areas of their bodies to the tattooist’s needle.
Jacqui Moore, 41, from Cutteslowe, Oxford, is a living, breathing work of art.
The mum-of-two had tattoos in her teens and like many people who were tattooed so young, grew to dislike the designs.
When her marriage ended in divorce in her 30s, she went for a new tattoo to hide an old one.
There, she promptly fell in love with her tattooist and embarked on a mission to turn her body into an art gallery.
Now in her 40s, she is almost covered from head to foot. She explained: “In my teens, having tattoos was a form of rebellion. But later in life they have become a way of expressing myself.
“I met Curly at Lionel’s Tattoo Studio in the Cowley Road. Eight years on I am tattooed all across my back, my front, my arms and one leg. Only one leg is clear and we are working on covering that.
“It’s not about drawing attention to myself at all. In fact, I get quite a lot of bad reactions to my tattoos and some people even cross the road when they see me coming.
“I love the art and feeling like I am a living, breathing and continually adapting piece of art.
“Curly and I discuss the designs together, and, of course, having my own personal tattooist has saved me a lot of money.”
Jacqui’s partner, and tattooist, Curly Moore, 45, from Oxford, said: “I love Jacqui’s tattoos. I love that they are my designs and that they are beautiful and that she really stands out from the crowd!”
* Sam Lucas loved tattooing so much – she bought the company!
Mrs Lucas, 39, from Bicester, opened Abingdon Ink Body Art three years ago.
She said: “I love tattoos – I have a full back piece, a sleeve (where your whole arm is covered) and I even have a tattoo on the inside of my lip. I am now working on my thighs.”
She continued: “I suppose it is pretty unusual for a woman to own a tattoo studio, but having tattoos de-stresses me and I love to see others having them too. I actually started as a tattooist, but when I was given the nickname “the butcher” I decided to give it up.
“The oldest woman we have tattooed here was an 87-year-old. But we have lots of mums and daughters coming in together.
“I think tattoos were once taboo for women but now they are more accepted while still reflecting a bit of naughtiness!”
Sharon Hansard, 51, from Abingdon, is a regular at Abingdon Ink. She said: “Attitudes are changing. My daughters think it is great, but my elderly aunt thinks it’s shocking.”
Comments(21)
Lord Palmerstone
says...
9:01am Sat 16 Jul 11
old lady
says...
11:54am Sat 16 Jul 11
Lord Palmerstone wrote:As a silly old biddy with a tattoo I can assure BOTH of you I DO NOT regret mine. As you say each to her own. Typical male attitudes if you ask me! Good for you Fern!!
Skin graffiti is actually pretty gross, and these silly old biddies will live to regret their decision. But it does create a new business opportunity which I will share with you at no charge. Look at the words of "Tie me kangaroo down sport" and you will know instantly what I mean
Darkforbid
says...
2:53pm Sat 16 Jul 11
Its your skin go for real art
And who finds tattoos "disgracefully" now?...
Lord Palmerstone
says...
5:38pm Sat 16 Jul 11
old lady wrote:Is your husband's name Clyde then? Immortality!
Lord Palmerstone wrote:As a silly old biddy with a tattoo I can assure BOTH of you I DO NOT regret mine. As you say each to her own. Typical male attitudes if you ask me! Good for you Fern!!
Skin graffiti is actually pretty gross, and these silly old biddies will live to regret their decision. But it does create a new business opportunity which I will share with you at no charge. Look at the words of "Tie me kangaroo down sport" and you will know instantly what I mean
In passing when I go past graffiti parlours I see lots of males with heart-attack faces who have bathed in Lynx, so I think you will find favour amongst the seedier sort of malekind.Not male attitudes, just social class. Don't worry about it.
Niko Bellic
says...
6:39pm Sat 16 Jul 11
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Good on you Jacqui, and its nice for once to see a positive story in the OM :)
Lord Palmerstone
says...
8:53am Sun 17 Jul 11
I used to work in the Cowley Road so I've been as near to any of those seedy places as anyone would want to be. But the Illustrated Bellic is right. The graffiti can be very useful. One of the Parfitt Twins of Blaina had his name and NI number etched on his neck, in case he forgot either. Sadly, he was the twin who was banned from driving so after the etching he could no longer be his brother when stopped by the constabulary.
old lady
says...
9:19am Sun 17 Jul 11
ShellyTattoo
says...
3:06pm Sun 17 Jul 11
Don't you guys know what to write about?
Shelly, http://tattoodesigns
ideasforgirls.com/
King Joke
says...
8:48pm Sun 17 Jul 11
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So is narrow-mindedness and poking your nose in where it wasn't requested; Palmerston you're miserable old git.
Lord Palmerstone
says...
8:47am Mon 18 Jul 11
OXFORD02
says...
12:41pm Mon 18 Jul 11
Lord Palmerstone
says...
3:56pm Mon 18 Jul 11
Lord Peter Macvay
says...
6:53pm Tue 19 Jul 11
Lord Palmerstone wrote:I noticed the two pictured, eating and drinking in Jericho on Saturday night, if they can afford that then there must be money flying about somewhere. P.S. It wasn't a few tinnies from Londis, and a Burger from Peppers either.
Well how did all the good folk who sit in Oxford Magistrates Court daily waiting to be called pay for their graffiti then? Did the blue and yellow lady in the picture actually have to pay to look like a vandalised public convenience? Well.... perhaps more like an anorexic Homer Simpson.Did you have to pay to be made to look ghastly, Oxford O2, or was it natural?
oxfordborn
says...
8:05pm Wed 20 Jul 11
However, tats can be regarded as offensive and intimidating for many and there should be a right to object to being served in any capacity by someone with visible OTT tats. (So they should be a valid reason for dismissal)
Further, there should be no public money spent on removing tats that the owners realise they should never have had done.
A_G_B91
says...
8:45pm Wed 20 Jul 11
oxfordborn wrote:Why should people have the right to refuse to be served by someone with tattoos? If somebody has chosen to spend their time & money getting pictures inked into their own skin then why is it anyone elses business? If you are being served by them then isn't it quite obvious that they are not about to lynch you? Shouldn't you just be happy that they are working & not dossing around scrounging of the government?
If people want to do it so be it. Many are quite reasonable. However, tats can be regarded as offensive and intimidating for many and there should be a right to object to being served in any capacity by someone with visible OTT tats. (So they should be a valid reason for dismissal) Further, there should be no public money spent on removing tats that the owners realise they should never have had done.
In many ways I'm glad a lot of society have this narrow-minded view on tattoos as it means those of us who do love the art can stay unique rather that blending in with everyone else. There is a bad stereotype around tattoos but only to those types of people who instantly judge a book by it's cover. Lord Palmerstone is the very kind of person who would come to the establishment in which I work, have a lovely long chat with me & think I was great. However if he saw what I wear & the tattoos I have outside of my workplace he would be disgusted. Sad really as I'm the same girl only I look different. It gets my back up a bit but I just hold on to the thought that soon enough all these old biddies with their outdated & stereotypical ideas will be long gone & the new generation with their open minds & adventurous spirits will take over! Tattoos are quickly becoming the norm in this country. Get used to it. And for all those who thought women having tattoos was a new thing... http://www.smithsoni
anmag.com/history-ar
chaeology/tattoo.htm
l
Lord Palmerstone
says...
9:40am Thu 21 Jul 11
Female "circumcision" is still the "norm" in some African countries and of course the Nazis tattooed people enthusiastically. Skin graffiti is, and will remain,unpleasant, but I accept your point; women dress to please themselves, not others, so why not have visible representations on yourself which please you?
"Stereotype" is a word from printing which has no particular use in modern English, though it is beloved of socialists. I can think of nothing more outdated than socialism but I expect you'd call it "retro". You are the illustrated lady in the picture I take it.I recognise by the way that working and middle class females sometimes have a discreet daub , visible only in the swimming pool, but the stuff visible when fully clothed is pretty downmarket and speaks of some mental problems not infrequently.
AlexF
says...
11:57am Thu 21 Jul 11
As for the old stereotype about criminals or mentally ill being the only ones with tattoos, this can be debunked as of immediate effect, most people I know who have been tattooed are extremely intelligent and articulate people, some of them have exceedingly good jobs and take home a good figure.
Also, in what is supposed to be a tolerant society, the childish, derogatory behaviour and language used here to denounce people who have decided to decorate themselves with tattoo art is pretty shocking, personal choice such as body ink should not be attacked, after all, no-one is being harmed, plus if it looks stupid in old age, then so be it, it's not as if we're on this planet perpetually, is it?
Lord Palmerstone
says...
1:15pm Thu 21 Jul 11
MrBonion
says...
2:53pm Fri 22 Jul 11
oxfordborn
says...
4:10pm Fri 22 Jul 11
But not all tats are art and some are downright offensive and include offensive words. If the later are on view then the bearer must accept the consequences - that is all I am saying.
I don't for one moment think tats are becoming the norm, not do I associate them with prisoners- though now you mention it I believe that tats are more common in that group than the general population.
I take it that none of those scorning my opinion- which I am as free to make as their are to have tats- object to my suggestion that the NHS do not pay for any tat removal costs.
YellowMilton says...
9:01am Sat 16 Jul 11