The Emerald Dragon
Perhaps someday, but probably not. A couple of years ago, I was actually in the process of opening my own tattoo shop. Nyx and I spent almost a year researching and planning. It was an exciting time, but terrifying as well.
Rather than The Emerald Dragon, it was going to be Incarnations In Ink and cater to the pagan crowd in general. It was great. We wrote a ton of business plans until we had a finalized copy we could bring to the bank in search of a loan. We had our top three site choices picked out and had spoken with the companies renting them. We were in the process of getting a Body Modification license for working within Denver.
The list goes on and on. Through all of it, I have to thank Heather for being so unconditionally supportive and happy for me. Nyx and I threw ourselves into it completely, and it certainly consumed every waking moment I had. So much so, to the point of pretty much exiling everyone else around me. And the planning was just the beginning. The amount of constant hours that would be spent in the shop began to concern me. Not because I wouldn't love to be there, but because I know that's the only place I would be.
As much as I love/loved tattooing, it might actually be a bit unhealthy to my mental stability. There are a lot of things that I truly love about it and that's where the worry begins at times. When I'm working, nothing else in the world exists. It's a great escape, to completely lose yourself within a piece of art - to pour the essence of your soul into a piece of art that someone will carry for the rest of their days. The joy of escaping the world is impossible for me to explain. It's a rush and I loved it... maybe a little too much.
Maybe it was a fortunate turn of events in a truly twisted Karmic sort of way when we ran into funding problems. Karma has a weird way of helping things work out the way I think they should in the end (although sometimes I hate the trip, hehe). Companies we were dealing with would either be willing to give me the money, but only for the sole purpose of paying off my car (yes - they can have a condition like that in a refinance), or not give me enough money to make the tattoo venture worthwhile.
At times, the dream is still alive. I hadn't been that excited about anything since I was tattooing in Yuma. Thinking about those times though, there are some definite disadvantages in opening a shop as well though. Mainly, they include having to do virtually every dumb and boring tattoo that came into the store, and having to deal with some of the people in general. I think the stress of knowing my house was also riding on everything would have given me an early heart attack as well.
There are still days I dream of it though. The truth of the matter is that I simply can't afford to. We have too many bills, and not enough cash. As much as I’d like to, I can't drop everything to start an apprenticeship again - too many responsibilities and not enough time. I still hope to find a group of guinea pigs someday though, haha :)
Rather than The Emerald Dragon, it was going to be Incarnations In Ink and cater to the pagan crowd in general. It was great. We wrote a ton of business plans until we had a finalized copy we could bring to the bank in search of a loan. We had our top three site choices picked out and had spoken with the companies renting them. We were in the process of getting a Body Modification license for working within Denver.
The list goes on and on. Through all of it, I have to thank Heather for being so unconditionally supportive and happy for me. Nyx and I threw ourselves into it completely, and it certainly consumed every waking moment I had. So much so, to the point of pretty much exiling everyone else around me. And the planning was just the beginning. The amount of constant hours that would be spent in the shop began to concern me. Not because I wouldn't love to be there, but because I know that's the only place I would be.
As much as I love/loved tattooing, it might actually be a bit unhealthy to my mental stability. There are a lot of things that I truly love about it and that's where the worry begins at times. When I'm working, nothing else in the world exists. It's a great escape, to completely lose yourself within a piece of art - to pour the essence of your soul into a piece of art that someone will carry for the rest of their days. The joy of escaping the world is impossible for me to explain. It's a rush and I loved it... maybe a little too much.
Maybe it was a fortunate turn of events in a truly twisted Karmic sort of way when we ran into funding problems. Karma has a weird way of helping things work out the way I think they should in the end (although sometimes I hate the trip, hehe). Companies we were dealing with would either be willing to give me the money, but only for the sole purpose of paying off my car (yes - they can have a condition like that in a refinance), or not give me enough money to make the tattoo venture worthwhile.
At times, the dream is still alive. I hadn't been that excited about anything since I was tattooing in Yuma. Thinking about those times though, there are some definite disadvantages in opening a shop as well though. Mainly, they include having to do virtually every dumb and boring tattoo that came into the store, and having to deal with some of the people in general. I think the stress of knowing my house was also riding on everything would have given me an early heart attack as well.
There are still days I dream of it though. The truth of the matter is that I simply can't afford to. We have too many bills, and not enough cash. As much as I’d like to, I can't drop everything to start an apprenticeship again - too many responsibilities and not enough time. I still hope to find a group of guinea pigs someday though, haha :)
posted by Sandcatt at 6:26 AM
2 Comments:
I'm sorry to hear it all fell through. I know you once loved tattooing more than I thought you loved breathing at times. To know that such an idea and great plan couldn't be achieved, by you, of all people, is heartbreaking. In my mind I guess I kind of always looked forward to seeing you opening your shop and bossing people around. HA! I'm sure one day however you will find a happy medium that allows you to embrace your tattooing skills as well as do everything else.
You are so lucky to have Heather, she seems to compliment you in everyway you need to be complimented. I find myself knowing that she too is lucky - to have a grounded husband who knows what ought to come first.
And, when I come back to Colorado, probably for Christmas - You'll have at least one guinea pig. Me! Also, much as I know you might laugh - I'm sure Foo would let you take a needle or two to him for the sake of art. Course, it'd be His first. He's an ink virgin. HA!
Hey, I want my tat done by you...and I want it as soon as possible....so there -grins- you cant do anyones till you do mine...lol
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