Anybody have a parrot(bird) tattoo?

[Sterling1113]

So, my boyfriend and I are both big on piercings/tattoos. (He has more tattoos, I have more piercings.)
I'd already decided for my birthday in July I want to get a half-sleeve done. I was originally thinking of getting an owl, but lately I've started thinking of drawing up my own and basing it off of Kiwi. She's got some lovely colors, and I personally would be really happy if I could capture her beauty in something like a tattoo.
I've seen parrot tattoos from doing a google search and most of them seem to be on the back/shoulder blades. Well, my back is already reserved. I have a work-in-progress that is paused, and I plan to finish it some time this year(maybe).
Soo.. I was wondering, does anyone here have a parrot/bird themed tattoo?
My only worry is that I myself have a rather difficult time drawing parrots. Something about their body structure/facial features is somewhat difficult for me to put on paper. So my concern is I'd have to look really hard for a tattoo artist who has done parrots before, just so it doesn't look 'off' or awkward. :52:

 

[Kiwibird]

I would have a very good tattoo artist come up with the sketch based off your ideas. Some of those guys are so good they can do real looking portraits, so I'm sure they can do a parrot. But, I would personally NEVER get another tattoo unless it was from someone who had a stellar reputation and HUGE portfolio of stunning work before they put something permanent on my body. Tattoos are forever, so paying more to have a better job done is of the upmost importance IMO. Even if it means saving up longer to have a better artist do it.

Funny story about my one and only tattoo (and a good warning to others lol)- I was 16 and had a friend with a tattoo gun. Decided to get a flying parrot, on my hip where it was hidden from my parents because at the time, I was underage and they certainly didn't consent to it. Well, we drew up what I wanted (which didn't look half bad on paper), which started out as a elaborate design with a parrot and flowers and all kinds of stuff. Well, I wanted to do just the parrot first to see how it came out (thank god). It didn't even look bad when he traced it on. When I, uh, took a look at the outline after it was done, it looks like the seagull that is the Hollister clothing brand. No joke. He swore it wasn't intentional, but ya, I basically have a seagull tattoo outline on my hip for the rest of forever now. It would be a lovely tattoo- IF I had wanted a seagull Never have cared to have it fixed because it's not as bad as it could be, but it demonstrates the importance of a good tattoo artist lol.

 

[Sterling1113]

I feel you. The work-in-progress was started by my (at the time)coworker who had been doing tattoos out of his home for years. I've seen him(in person) do some amazing work, so I didn't doubt his skill. I gave him my drawings and he traced them and pretty much put my own drawing on me. Which was cool. He didn't have to re-draw it himself, since I'd drawn it a few different ways. (Outline, black and white, in pieces, and color.) Unfortunately I ran into some financial issues and couldn't have it all finished, so I figured I'd stop while it's small and pick back up on it someday. Currently it's just 3 sea turtles(colored) on my right shoulder blade, and some outline in the middle-top of my back. The outline is pretty well hidden by anything I'm wearing(swimsuit, etc) and the turtles look pretty so I can't complain. Haha. But one day it'll be my whole back.
I'll probably draw the picture of Kiwi in a way that I'd be happy with, bring it to the artist, and see what they can do based on my drawing. (Or even based off a photograph.)
It doesn't have to be realistic, like you'd have a portrait of a person. It can be bright and cute.

 

[Mekaisto]

I can't help you with artists, since I don't live near you, but here's my tattoo.
Terrible photo, I really must have someone take a good one for me, it's not so good when you use your phone XD

In case you can't tell, it's on the back of my left arm.

My next bird tattoo will probably be a peregrine falcon, but I want to wait a while until I know the exact design I want

 

[Sterling1113]

Super cool!! I love the details. Feathers are just so pretty, in any kind of art form.

 

[RavensGryf]

April, your story cracked me up about the "seagull". You know, you can get it lasered off if one day you decided you just couldn't live with it. It is a bit pricey to do, but being such a minimal tattoo, it shouldn't cost too much I wouldn't think.

I'd LOVE some removal, but unfortunately, until I come across some EXTRA many thousands of dollars....
Mine STARTED with some of my own artwork on one shoulder blade. THEN, one day I wanted some ocean scene designs. This time I left the artwork up to the artist. When he was done with the drawing, I must have looked like this :52:. It was MUCH BIGGER than I had expected. In a moment of impulse, instead of having him scale it back, I told him to go for it!! One of the biggest mistakes of my entire life. I think the mural that is now my back is awful looking. :26: I have put up with it now for about 17 yrs. I try not to have it show in public, but sometimes like at the gym it may have a little bit showing and people always have to comment "ooh, what is your tattoo of?" Ugh!! Then occasionally when wearing a swimsuit I just have to think 'oh well, who cares!' People do see it of course, which makes me cringe. Though I try not to turn my back towards people while wearing a swimsuit haha (when at the beach It's sort of difficult to do unless I walk to the water backwards, which would end up calling even more attention toward me). People do complement it, but I HATE it. I DO want back tattoos, but less and in a more attractive pattern. SOME DAY we can get this taken care of!

Believe it or not... Even though I'm absolutely desperate to start laser treatments on it, when I do manage to have the extra money, I bet you can all guess what the priority is... goal of 1-2 more birds, cages, bird accessories, vet fund, etc. The tattoo removal will just have to wait even longer I guess...:20:

 

[Pinkbirdy]

I would love to get some too. This is one of the best ones ive seen.

 

[RavensGryf]

Wow, looks 3D. Thought it was you at first haha

 

[Pinkbirdy]

Wow, looks 3D. Thought it was you at first haha

Ha ha ! they would have to knock me out to do that . I just have a butterfly that I would like them to turn into a parrot and add to it.

 

[Terry57]

Holy cow, that mac tattoo is amazing! I also thought it was yours, Terri
I can't even imagine the hours that would take (and cost!).

 

[Sterling1113]

I've seen some really cool tattoos like Pinkbirdy posted, but, as mentioned, I have no place on my back to put it.
And I'd really not get a tattoo on my thigh, being somewhat younger, I feel like that's one of the parts of my body most subject to changing over the next 10~ years. I'm not so worried about gaining weight on my back/arms, I'm fairly active. But I can't control what goes to my legs. ._.
I'll probably post here again when/if I draw something I'd like on my arm. I didn't have any issue with having my shoulder blade done, and apparently that's one of the more painful areas(cause of the bone.) I feel like I'd do okay with my upper arm getting done. Just soreness for a week or so.
However, I feel like I'm in the same boat as Raven.. if I saved up enough $$$ to get my back finished, I'd probably crack and add to my flock instead..(If I live in a house by then.)

 

[RavensGryf]

Lol, your thighs don't have to change, especially when you start working out or running at your age and keep it up through the years (after the baby of course)!

I found it's not necessarily the place on the body that makes it hurt more or less, some artists have a "heavier" or "lighter" hand than others.

 

[Kiwibird]

April, your story cracked me up about the "seagull". You know, you can get it lasered off if one day you decided you just couldn't live with it. It is a bit pricey to do, but being such a minimal tattoo, it shouldn't cost too much I wouldn't think.

It's not *that* bad, is really small and because it's on my hip, it doesn't show at all unless I'm wearing a bikini. I don't think the pain of laser treatments is worth having it removed

Not *quite* a parrot, but also not the worst thing that could have happened!

As you can see, they are quite similar. Hollister was really popular when I was in high school, so people actually thought I got a clothing brand tattooed on my body:headwall:

Pinky- that tattoo is amazing! Are you considering getting one like that?

 

[RavensGryf]

People thought you had clothing brand tattooed on your body hahaha that's funny.
Yes... It does bear undeniable resemblance to a seagull. Still, I'd rather have that than all of mine

 

[MikeyTN]

I'm allergic to ink so no tattoos here.....that 3 D one is neat though!

 

[RavensGryf]

I don't think the pain of laser treatments is worth having it removed

Successful removal takes a series of several treatments on the same area. Some colors take many treatments or can be lightened but not completely removed.
I had ONE session on part of mine. I don't think the "numbing cream" worked...
I will say that it was one of the maybe top two or three "ALL TIME MOST PAINFUL" experiences of my life. I must have made it difficult for the doctor doing the removal. He needed me to be still, but for the life of me I literally could not be. It felt like he was taking a red hot soldering iron to my skin. It actually does burn the image out and smells like burnt skin I came out with my eyes all bloodshot from straining against the intense pain!

Hopefully nowadays, or by the time I'm able to get it done again, there is an advance in technology or better numbing creams!

So now, not only do I still have this big ugly thing that I hate, but part of it's blurry now too cause of that one treatment :17:

 

[Kiwibird]

Laser removal sounds so painful The person who could come up with a really effective and pain free tattoo removal would be a billionaire lol.

If you aren't looking for a super realistic tattoo, I've always loved these animations, so maybe something a little more along these lines-

And I thought the idea of the heart was cute too-
http://th07.deviantart.net/fs49/150/f/2009/159/c/d/Sun_Conure_with_Heart_by_ursulav.jpg

 

[RavensGryf]

I LOVE that Sun conure with the heart! SO cute.

 

[sonja]

RavensGryf, you have me SO curious now!!! Please, oh please post a photo of yours!!

 

[JerseyWendy]

Not a parrot, but Hummingbirds.....