Kelsey Cappello- Tattoos Galore

When first thinking up of an idea for this documentary project, I thought I was going to have a hard time. I did not know which direction to go in. Who did I know? What caught my attention? All these random questions popped into my head regarding the project and it seemed as if I was getting nowhere. Then, finally an idea popped into my mind. How about I photograph people with their tattoos! Seems logical right? This idea came to me because while I was home on spring break, I was with my sister and her family. Sitting there, across from me on the couch, was my brother-in-law with his tattoo of my niece’s footprints on his arm. Realizing that it was not the only tattoo he had, and that they all personified him in a way, I quickly knew that it was what I wanted my project based on. Many people get tattoos that mean quite a lot to them, and sometimes they do not have the chance to show them off. Thinking a little more about this documentary project, I found out that a lot of my friends have tattoos. Most of them signifying the way they wanted to live their lives, had special meanings, or something that really interested them. Not only did this show off a person’s way of life, but it also showed the art that will live with them forever on their body. I think I find that part the most special about tattoos. People can come up with their own design to make it their own. I knew that if I had a tattoo, I would definitely want to share it with others. One day I am determined to get one and already have a plan of what I want. The only thing is actually following through and stop being such a chicken. While on the hunt for those willing to help me with this project, I found out a lot of interesting background on why each person got the specific tattoos that they had. It really gave me an insight on who they really are and what they believe in.

David- My brother-in-law and inspiration for the project!

   Throughout his years of growing up David acquired many tattoos, that on first sight, may not seem like much. The barbed wire was his first one, and like any high school student in the 90’s it seemed like a good idea at the time because it was cool and cheap. He has a dog on his arm in remembrance of his old pet, Boomer, because that dog was everything to him and was like his best friend. David also has bagpipes on his arm to show off his nationality and has strong Scottish pride. Since David is a big football junkie, he has the Dallas Cowboys helmet on his upper arm. That has been his favorite team since he was a child, and even though they may not be the greatest, he has always been a faithful fan and cheered for them when they did not have a chance of winning. Finally the footprints on his arm, with the name of his daughter, symbolize the love he has for Kendi. She will always be his little girl and he will see her as his princess no matter what age she is. It also shows the love he has for his child because he will always have a reminder of Kendi no matter where he is and what he does. He is even in the works for next week to get another tattoo for his newest child, Talon. I have known him for most of life, since the age of five. He is my brother-in-law and he has always had tattoos. He was probably the first one I have ever truly known to have tattoos and thought he was pretty cool when I was younger because of it. It really opened my eyes on how people could express themselves through art on their body.

Kristin

   The first tattoo the Kristin got was an infinity sign below her ankle. The significance of this was to express Kristin’s liking for the idea of forever. It reminds her that nothing can really last forever and not to take things for granted. She wants to appreciate what she has instead of wishing for something that she does not. The next tattoo is the word “Fearless” on her hip. This seemed to speak strongly to her because of a quote that she read from Taylor Swift. Not only does Kristin have an appreciation for Taylor Swift, but what she said for what fearless meant to her also expressed Kristin’s belief. These tattoos signify Kristin’s way of living and how she sees the world and what comes from it.

The quote that her tattoo comes from is:

“To me, “FEARLESS” is not the absence of fear. It’s not being completely unafraid. To me, FEARLESS is having fears. FEARLESS is having doubts. Lots of them. To me, FEARLESS is living in spite of those things that scare you to death. FEARLESS is falling madly in love again, even though you’ve been hurt before. FEARLESS is walking into your freshmen year of high school at fifteen. FEARLESS is getting back up and fighting for what you want over and over again… even though every time you’ve tried before, you’ve lost. It’s FEARLESS to have faith that someday things will change. FEARLESS is having the courage to say goodbye to someone who only hurts you, even if you can’t breathe without them. I think it’s FEARLESS to fall for your best friend, even though he’s in love with someone else. And when someone apologizes to you enough times for things they’ll never stop doing, I think it’s FEARLESS to stop believing them. It’s FEARLESS to say “you’re NOT sorry”, and walk away. I think loving someone despite what people think is FEARLESS. I think allowing yourself to cry on the bathroom floor is FEARLESS. Letting go is FEARLESS. Then, moving on and being alright…That’s FEARLESS too. But no matter what love throws at you, you have to believe in it. You have to believe in love stories and prince charmings and happily ever after. That’s why I write these songs. Because I think love is FEARLESS.” -Taylor Swift

 

Mike with one part of his tattoo

   His tattoo that says “Stay Strong” on his wrists are a reminder for him every day that he needs to stay strong throughout life no matter what gets in the way. He even got the words facing him so it is for him to see and does not matter what other people are looking at. He also has another tattoo that says “Unbroken” on his hip that also signifies that he will not be broken with everything that he went through during his life. There may have been ups and downs in his past, and this tattoo is a reminder that he made it through those difficult times. Both of Mike’s tattoos have a meaning for his own personal story in his life and I get a sense that they give him strength.

Kaitlyn

   Kaitlyn is a person who loves to travel and even studied abroad for a semester in Greece. Her tattoo says “Not all those who wander are lost” which is a quote by J.R.R Tolkien, that she identified with. She got it to remind her of the time in the past year where she traveled to many different places. The significance of the swallow that is with the quote is from a fresco found in the archeological sites of Thira, Greece. Also, not only does the saying represent Kaitlyn’s travels, but the author, J.R.R Tolkien, is also someone that Kaitlyn enjoys reading. She is a fan of the Lord of the Rings trilogy so the quote served its purpose for two reasons.  

Jon

   Jon’s tattoo that was chosen for the project says “Love over Hate” because that is a way that he chooses to live. He felt that love contributes to your mental health, emotionally and physically making you and your life stronger and easier. Hate contributes to the breakdown of spirit, body, and mind making you see the world in a more negative way. Because of this, it can cause a person stress in life. In a more simple way, as Jon stated, “love builds and hate destroys.” He chooses to not be a hateful person and see the positive in his everyday life and the people around him. 

Alexa

    The two tattoos that Alexa has really connect with her personally and have a sentimental value. The daisies that are on her ribs are placed there because of her nonnie. Her nonnie’s favorite flowers were blue daisies. When she passed away due to lung cancer and emphysema, Alexa and a few other female family members went and got daisy tattoos in remembrance of her. The middle flower is blue, representing Alexa’s nonnie, and the two other are yellow because Alexa wanted that color combination. Also, there are three daisies because she has an affinity for the number three. The other tattoo that Alexa has is the Latin Catullus poem 5. It says “vivamus atque amemus” which means “let us live and let us love.” She has a love for ancient languages because there are so many more ways to express oneself. When she learned that line of her tattoo, it really struck her and spoke to her. It is a reminder for Alexa to live life to the fullest and not to take everything so seriously since she suffers from anxiety. That is the reason it is on the right side of her, close to her heart. Also it is again only three words, where it shows the affinity for that special number.  

Stephen- One of the many tattoos he does have

   Stephen is a person who doesn’t only have one tattoo but many, that all have significant meanings. The one that was selected for the project is an anchor on his calf that says “I refuse to sink.” This statement comes from the song “Won’t Be Pathetic Forever” by The Wonder Years. The importance of it for Stephen was because he had a rough patch during this time and those words in that song spoke to him the most. It was a reminder to keep going and not to let anything get the best of him no matter what happens. He came up with the design himself and even added a bird onto the anchor, which represents the band’s logo. To this day he still follows the meaning behind the lyrics and tries to keep his head above water.

Kendi- My favorite picture of the group! Just look at that face and pose.

   Though she may only be a four year old, Kendi still has a love for tattoos, probably from seeing them all the time because of her father. Whenever she receives them as part of a gift, or just something that her parents buy for her entertainment, she is never without a tattoo on her somewhere. I remember one time going over to her house, and was surprised to see two princess tattoos…on her backside!! What a laugh it was, yet she loved it and thought it was the greatest thing. Kendi even convinces me, her twenty-one year old aunt, to put temporary tattoos on with her. Those kinds of things bring out the child in me, and I gladly accept the offer because it makes her so happy that we have matching tattoos. Even though she may not have a specific reasoning for the tattoos she puts on other than that they are pretty, she still sees the fun in them.