Tattoos and Body Modifications

[Mermaid Kalliope]

Okay, not sure if this is in the right thread. This seemed to be the right one. Please feel free to move it if it isn't!

So, I've noticed that in some pictures of mers out there (men and women) you guys are sporting some body art!

How, as a performer, does that affect your look? Do you feel it detracts from your work or adds to it?

I have two tattoos, but both are hidden by a tail. I plan on doing both children's parties and events that may be just a gathering of adults for a fundraiser to just going to the beach, and also doing a bit of modelling.

Those of you out there with tattoos (or piercings) - How does it affect you? Do you use make-up to cover them up if at a gig? Or do you use them as part of your mersona?

[Nashoba]

I'm Native. You can see the tattoos on my collarbones and my back. I plan for the theme of my outfit to incorporate this heritage and all my tattoos are Native symbols, so I don't think it'll be an issue for me. And, if someone mentions them, I'll explain the meanings. They all relate to the earth and to healing, so shouldn't be a big deal . . .

[Mermaid Kalliope]

Oh wow! I'd love to see pictures of those. <3

[Mermaidmechanic]

I have a huge tattoo of a Benu bird on my back. It goes down below where a tail would sit so I'm thinking of just covering it with a netting top and thick belt.

[Mermaid Kalliope]

Ah... That would work! I am hoping to get more tattoos, but I plan on getting them on my legs. I do want to entertain children, and I don't know how they would take to that, well, more how parents​ would take.

[Mermaid Nerinae]

I have a tribal tattoo of my own design that goes from my neck all the way down to my tailbone. I plan on having my tail fit around that so I can incorporate it into my mersona. I also have a tattoo on my hip, and the beginnings of a sleeve on my right arm. :>

All of my tattoos are family-friendly, and I definitely have NO problem or qualms about showing them off.

[MermaidHyli]

I have four and only one of them is covered by my tail. The one on my ring finger goes mostly unnoticed because it is hebrew and my engagement ring covers it. The second is on my wrist and says still alive (from a song done by Flyleaf) that I dont mind the kids seeing it. And latestly is my large scales patches on my hip/side I feel like that really helps my performances because the kids who say I'm fake then see the tattoo and take it back

[Mermaid Kalliope]

Awww the scales sound cute!

[Mermaid Nerinae]

Ah, scales on the hip is nice! I want to get an octopus on my hip/thigh area and have the arms going up my side and down my leg a bit.

I'm addicted to tattoos! XD

[Mermaid Annariea]

i have a celtic triquetra knot on my left hip, but it's covered by my tail. it looks just like this picture: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...interlaced.png but with shading at the overlaps.

i have NO issues showing it off though.

[Mermaid Kalliope]

Oh my! I love those! ^_^

I wouldn't want to get scales, just in case I chose to get multiple tails and the scales don't match... Maybe just "skin tone" scales would work?

[MermaidHyli]

I thought about that too, technically the scales on my tattoo dont match my tail because there is more yellow, green, and different shades of blue.. but I love it anyways becausw even when I dont have my tail on people still think I'm a mermaid the long red hair helps too haha

[Mermaid Kalliope]

I am so jealous of your hair. It's the EXACT colour that I dye it and everyone thinks I'm a natural. haha I think I'll just start using your pictures at the salon. "What colour of red are you going for?" "See this mermaid? Yeah, her colour."

Haha

I might get the scales. Like a "greyscale" colour in patches on my sides. That'd be awesome! ^_^

[Dacora]

I love mers with ink. I think it looks so cool, it looks cooler when the tail and tattoos match.

I haven't finished my tail but all the kids I swim with see my belly ring and either go "ooh pretty!" or shrug it off.

I plan on getting a blue ringed octopus on my shoulder and when kids ask ill tell them I saved an octopus from a fishing net. So he used his ink to give me a tattoo as a thank you.

[Mermaid Kalliope]

OH MY GOSH THAT IS ADORBLE, DACORA! <3 I love the blue ringed octopus!!! I just don't know if I'd wanna get it inked. I will get an octopus, but I just don't think my skin will take to colour well. (My little red heart for my treble clef is kind of meh. )

[Mermaid Nerinae]

To be honest, too, I haven't seen very many octopus tattoos. A blue ringed octopus sounds like an awesome tattoo~
As far as skin taking to color: 3/4 of my tattoos are in black and white because I was worried about how color would look on my skin. My sleeve, however has started with koi and turbulent water and the color is FANTASTIC. Vibrant and clear. You can make it a point to tell your artist that you want colors that are going to be vibrant and pop. It'll make all the difference. :>

[Mermaid Kalliope]

Hmm... I'll have to remember that! I'm working on a tribal "sleeve" it's more of a trail haha going from (right above) my left ankle (outside) and going up the side of my calf, then possibly thigh. It's of animals that are important in my life. Also, it will all be my artwork. I am seriously considering scales though, but in a way that they would look "skin tone" because I like my tails to have that "blended waistline" y'know? haha

[Usagi]

Ah, scales on the hip is nice! I want to get an octopus on my hip/thigh area and have the arms going up my side and down my leg a bit.

I'm addicted to tattoos! XD

I've been wanting a really big tattoo of an octopus where the head/body is on my lower back, and the tentacles wrap around my stomach, and maybe my thigh and like, cup under my boobs. It wasn't until recently that I realize that's actually kinda creepy. Haha

[Mermaid Harmony]

I have four tattoos, three are on my legs and feet, and one is on my shoulder. I say that many mermaids have tattoos to show where they come from, or which clan they are a part of. :-)

[Mermaid Kalliope]

That's neat! I have thought about tattoos that could be considered an origin tattoo, but I feel weird about it because I don't really have much of a "where I'm from" thing. Bit of a mutt. :-P

What about piercings? I heard about 1 belly button ring. What about multiple ear piercings? Yea or nay?