Got a great story to tell about your ink? Do you have any regrets? Tell us all about it — and show us a photo if you dare — and we’ll feature our favorites in the photo gallery below!
Not ready to share just yet? Here’s a little light reading instead (links open in new window):
- Meet our four favorite tattoo artists right now.
- Learn the 10 things you need to know before getting a tattoo, courtesy of Graceland Tattoo’s Adam Lauricella.
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- Inked: Maggie D., Poughkeepsie When: July 11, 2014 Where: Neck The story: “Elliot. Jade Elliot. Jade is the coolest. And she might be my soulmate. But in seriousness, I talked to her for a few weeks about the location I wanted to get tattooed. I had a thousand ideas, but I was just so excited I couldn’t decide between them. Knowing my tastes (and of considerably awesome tastes, herself!) she came up with an amalgam design that was just perfect. I showed it to my boyfriend, who was jealous, but conceded that it was so awesome he couldn’t begrudge me getting more ink before he did. So I did. On top of the design being custom and perfect, I did not expect Jade’s hand to be so gentle. I take pain really well, so I knew it wouldn’t exactly hurt. But it was borderline therapeutic. In short, Jade is the best. I love her and you should too.”
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- Inked: Angela H., Poughkeepsie When: Summer 2012 Where: Inner shins The story: “These particular tattoos are dedicated to my mother and my father. They are kewpie portraits of them from when they were younger. Drawn and tattooed by Joe Pepper at Graceland Tattoo in Wappingers Falls, NY. Pepper has tattooed 15 of my 16 tattoos.”
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- Inked: Gloria D., Saugerties When: August 2013 Where: Right shoulder The story: “I have a few tattoos — all that have a story, or at least I thought they did at the time. This particular piece was done at Pat’s Tats by Emma who is an artist with her own shop in NYC. She now resides in the Hudson Valley and would occasionally use this location. I always wore a heart and key with my sons’ names engraved and photos inside. I took it one step further and put it in ink forever.”
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- Inked: Barbara H., Kingston When: May 2014 Where: Inside right forearm The story: “Obviously I am a huge ‘Sound of Music’ fan. In June my husband and I were in Salzburg, Austria. At the fountain where Maria splashes the water while singing, we encountered the Fraulein Maria bike tour. I showed [my] tattoo to the guide and he flipped — he was so excited! He took a photo of my arm with 2 guys dressed in lederhosen in the background. Some of the tourists gathered around to take a look and one girl exclaimed ‘Now that is true love.’ That moment was one of the highlights of our trip.”
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- Inked: Peter H., Poughkeepsie When: Approx. 1989 Where: Right forearm The story: “This was my first tattoo. It was my best choice out of all of my tats. Family business was towing/recovery/mechanics, so a tow truck tattoo was appropriate all the way. Never regretted this one nor any of my ink!”
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- Inked: Dan B., Hyde Park When: 2013-2014 Where: Right forearm (full lower half sleeve) The story: “After months of searching for the right artist with the right color palette to bring my idea to fruition, I flew to Boulder, Colorado to start what not only turned into a awesome tattoo full of bold colors, but it also turned into an amazing experience that took place over the course of the past year making tons of great memories with so many great people along the way. My first session took 4.5 hours, and that was only the outline. This was March 2013. Dustin, or hhlittlesky (hhlittlesky.com) then came to my house in Hyde Park with his wife in September 2013 (while visiting family in Philly) to complete more work. My first shading session I spent 8 hours on the table getting tattooed, trying so hard to complete it and we barely finished half of it. Then roughly two maybe three weeks later, while Dustin and his wife were still in town we decided to finish the rest of my owl which took roughly another 6.5-7 hours (keep in mind my skin was still healing from the previous sitting rather than waiting for my next trip out west… Not fun at all). My last sitting on my lower arm was in April 2014 when I flew back to Colorado with some friends for a quick getaway. I had a idea for a diamond since it was the only thing that I could come up with that would work considering the colors I choose for the owl, and everything that was going on in my life at the time. We were able to complete the diamond start to finish in roughly another 6 hours. All in all, I love the tattoo. For many years Dustin was an animator in NYC so his style is somewhat ‘cartoony’ in a sense but has so much talent in every aspect of tattooing that my design doesn’t do his work total justice, because he really can do it all whether it be portraits, cover ups, black and grey… Everything. I must say that wherever I go, still to this day I am complimented on the flawless execution of colors and shading on my arm and feel truly blessed to have a piece of art of this caliber on my arm forever. It was an amazing experience that I’ll never forget. My only regret is that he’s not closer or else my whole body would be filled with his artwork.”
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- Inked: Diane S., Rhinebeck When: April 2014 at Pop’s Tattoo Emporium Where: Back The story: “My tattoo represents Cystic Fibrosis 65 Roses. I got my tattoo to honor my mom who’s 62 years old living this disease. It makes me proud when somebody asks about the meaning of my tattoo and to share with them how my mom is my hero and fighting her battle everyday with a smile.”
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- Inked: Tomas D., Poughkeepsie When: July 2014 Where: Neck The story: “This is a tribute to my baby girl who didn’t make it.”
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- Inked: Julie L., Cottekill When: 2015 Where: Lower back The story: “I wanted to honor my son by getting his name tattooed on me in Hebrew. I’m Jewish. Sounds nice? Well… I got one done by a ‘friend.’ As a tramp stamp. Yes. My son’s name is in Hebrew as a tramp stamp. The shame is awful.”
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- Inked: Kaitlin D., Palenville When: December 2013 Where: Left foot The story: “This is my favorite tattoo I have, as I have quite a few. I received the opportunity to get this done, as an early Christmas present from my parents. Paul O’Donnell, from INKsane Asylum Tattoo Studio located in Lake Katrine, NY, did this tattoo for me. As a single parent, my son keeps me grounded like an anchor. He drives me to move forward, and be the best person I can be, and to follow my dreams. Seeing this reminds me of how lucky I am, and how far I have come.”
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- Inked: Aaron B., Fishkill When: April 2014 Where: Right forearm The story: “Represents my heritage. I’m Dutch [who were] one of the biggest settlers of the Dutchess County. This tattoo was done by Adam Lauricella of Graceland Tattoo in Wappingers Falls”