So, this past Saturday I drove out to Hau'ula and met with Miss Laura with Polynesian Tattoo Factory. She is a fantastic artist as well as a tattoo artist and her work is all one of a kind original. I chose to go to Laura after seeing some of her work on flickr and it all just fit.
I arrived at 3:00pm, ink started at 3:30pm and we finished at 10:30pm. Yes... it took 7 hours! I could have done it in 2 sessions, but I figured what the hell... just go for it. I would have been really irritated with myself for not having it completed and I am happy I decided to go on!
She created exactly what I was looking for! And here it is!
The 3 hibiscus flowers represent my children, they also represent my family. My great grand uncle bred hibiscus plants and actually came up with many hybrid species! He named one after my great grandmother Charlotte Keala.
I also have my children's names added, which of course was the most important aspect of my tattoo. They are the reason for this tattoo. I got the ink done on the left side of my ribs so that my children will always be close to my heart and under my arm for love and protection.
And the last part of this tattoo is the Polynesian design. I am of Hawaiian descent and wanted something to represent that. There is weaved Lauhala, Sharks Teeth, and a freehand tribal.
My artist Laura did a fantastic job and the only thing she stenciled on was my kids names. Everything else she freehand sketched on my body. You can see that the design flows with the curve of my body, which makes it look fantastic!
I am just so happy with how it came out!! It was worth every moment of pain and I would do it again this instant... if I had the money!!!
