Constructing one's self : becoming a tattooed person : an honors thesis (HONRS 499)

Before getting a tattoo, a person generally goes through mental processes that include deciding to become tattooed, locating a tattooist, and choosing a meaningful design and a location of their body. They must also consider the consequences that a tattoo may have on future career opportunities and relationships with family and friends. Research from Clinton R. Sanders’ book, Customizing the Body: The Art and Culture of Tattooing, as well as the author’s personal experiences, are used to explain and exemplify the mental process that members of the tattoo community have in common.Three appendices accompany the written portion of the project. The first is a piece derived from a speech by the author, entitled Things to Consider Before Becoming a Tattooed Person. The second is a small portfolio of the author's tattoo designs accompanied by explanations of the relevance to the tattoo culture. The third is a brief pictorial describing the transformation of a paper design into an actual tattoo.