What should I get for a tattoo?

[ryscford]

I only have one tattoo. It doesn’t really matter what it is, but it’s a single word on my right shoulder a few inches above being viewable when wearing a t-shirt or polo. It’s quite simply a mistake I made when I was 19. I’m in my 30’s now and got it well over a decade ago and have grown to hate it.

I’m looking to have it covered up with something larger and partially visible below the shirt line and continuing up my shoulder.

In light of my stupidity the first time around, a tattoo is important to be something I’m going to be comfortable with the rest of my life. I’d like something when people see it, they say “what’s that?” and have a cool story to tell.

After having a consultation with a nationally renown tattoo artist, he was of some help; however, told me I did need to do some research prior to him coming up with a proposed design.

At this point what I have in mind is something that represents the life I had, what I’m living now, and what I want to be.

Here’s a little about me:

I came from complete poverty and made all the wrong decisions in my early years, including a minor criminal history (shoplifting), but never convicted. I was also diagnosed with depression, which was crippling for years.

I had a daughter when I was just out of High School and was a lousy parent. I was very immature. As a result I was absentee for years. She’s now in High School herself and we have a terrible relationship with one another. I’ve been trying hard to improve upon that.

I spent years learning more about who I am and set high goals for myself. I want to be a good father. I want a level of financial success such that I can provide for my family who has zero saved for retirement as well as being able to afford to put my daughter through college.

I’m 5 times the man I used to be and I continue to strive for more.

Ideas presented so far (it can include any combination of these things):

The mythological bird, the Phoenix, which would live for 500 years and at the end of its life burn to ashes and is reborn. Some believe it became a human after.

Devils & Angels (good vs. evil): Not very original.

Handcuffs: to represent a run in with the law

An egg: to represent my daughter

Clouds or a ladder: to represent my goals in life

A rubik’s cube (solved or nearly solved): to represent my own complexity and trying to “solve” my challenges.

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I know it’s a long question but I’m in desperate need of help. So even though there’s just 10 points in it for you… what you suggest just might be worn on me for the rest of my life.

I look forward to your suggestions!

[marlan43]

I only have one tattoo. It doesn’t really matter what it is, but it’s a single word on my right shoulder a few inches above being viewable when wearing a t-shirt or polo. It’s quite simply a mistake I made when I was 19. I’m in my 30’s now and got it well over a decade ago and have grown to hate it.

I’m looking to have it covered up with something larger and partially visible below the shirt line and continuing up my shoulder.

In light of my stupidity the first time around, a tattoo is important to be something I’m going to be comfortable with the rest of my life. I’d like something when people see it, they say “what’s that?” and have a cool story to tell.

After having a consultation with a nationally renown tattoo artist, he was of some help; however, told me I did need to do some research prior to him coming up with a proposed design.

At this point what I have in mind is something that represents the life I had, what I’m living now, and what I want to be.

Here’s a little about me:

I came from complete poverty and made all the wrong decisions in my early years, including a minor criminal history (shoplifting), but never convicted. I was also diagnosed with depression, which was crippling for years.

I had a daughter when I was just out of High School and was a lousy parent. I was very immature. As a result I was absentee for years. She’s now in High School herself and we have a terrible relationship with one another. I’ve been trying hard to improve upon that.

I spent years learning more about who I am and set high goals for myself. I want to be a good father. I want a level of financial success such that I can provide for my family who has zero saved for retirement as well as being able to afford to put my daughter through college.

I’m 5 times the man I used to be and I continue to strive for more.

Ideas presented so far (it can include any combination of these things):

The mythological bird, the Phoenix, which would live for 500 years and at the end of its life burn to ashes and is reborn. Some believe it became a human after.

Devils & Angels (good vs. evil): Not very original.

Handcuffs: to represent a run in with the law

An egg: to represent my daughter

Clouds or a ladder: to represent my goals in life

A rubik’s cube (solved or nearly solved): to represent my own complexity and trying to “solve” my challenges.

---

I know it’s a long question but I’m in desperate need of help. So even though there’s just 10 points in it for you… what you suggest just might be worn on me for the rest of my life.

I look forward to your suggestions!

I would simply get your daughter's name as that should be your biggest priority, but all of these ideas sound very cool and i'm glad you're more mature now! Good luck! All sound meaninful and beautiful.

Answer mine?
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[dana]

State your ideas or this story to a tattoo shop for them to sketch it, with the egg it can include your daughters name or something, getting things sketched out makes you less curious lol

[bardoul]

I like the first two ideas the best (the phoenix and the good vs. evil). I'm not sure what specific design to do with the good vs evil one but for the phoenix, maybe you could have the phoenix rising from the ashes and have it be clutching an olive branch (represents peace) with your daughter's name on it (to show that you're trying to build a better relationship with your daughter). The phoenix itself would obviously represent you becoming a better father/man.

Don't worry about the "originality" since you're going to get it customized to cover-up the other tattoo haha. If this artist is as good as you say he is (nationally renown!) then he'll make any "unoriginal" idea look great!