Note the medal in the middle: the Meritorious Service Medal! Awarded in my case for continuous & constant, sustained support and work throughout 4 years at the United States Air Force Academy: 60 - 80 hours each week, & no 0vertime pay for uniformed military! It is depicted here in the correct order of precedence between the DFC (Distinguished Flying Cross) and the Air Medal.
I was awarded 8 other medals & multiple Oak Leaf Clusters, but I want to highlight my career with just these 3 highest here! They attest to the fact that I served my country well & honorably!
colors) from sunlight; I had been incorrectly told SPF 50 was sufficient. This forearm band appears to be a Celtic design but it has a military/naval history. This is a very simple version of the Turk's Head Knot that ancient mariners used to while away the hours by tying them around the wooden masts of the old sailing ships. The US Navy used them for ceremonial decorations until very recently. General Lord Baden-Powell adapted this knot as a neckerchief slide for recognition of his highest trained Scoutmasters, those graduating the "Wood Badge" course. [I'm proud to be a "Wood Badger," myself.] 
Here's how they all look together:
Tommy is the artist at Mike Sizemore's "Kill Em All Tattoo" in Clearwater, FL who re-inked the armband. Mike did all the other work seen here + my Gangster Girlie portrait on the inside of the arm; with 15 years' experience & excellent portrait ability, he's worth the $150/hr charge.
But Tommy ($100/hr) & I have figured out how to finish this half-sleeve with a consistent patriotic theme: All visible parts open around these tatts will show red & white stripes like the US flag unfurling as the background. My shoulder will be topped by various size negative (white) stars at the top surrounded by bright blue outside the stars fading out further away. I'd like to have a few stars closer to the neck and a few falling off on the sides of the flag. FREE stars, not in any tight pattern! (Now that I am finally fairly free in my life.)
Only a very special reason will lead me to add anymore tattoos beyond this half-sleeve. If a new girl I love gives the OK, I'll probably add a small, anonymous portrait of her perfect breasts to one corner of my chest so I can enjoy her beauty whenever I want! Proof that I will NEVER forget her! A tattoo's forever!
6 comments:
Fabulous ink! Happy HNT!
I'm sure a set of perfect breasts would be a lovely addition!
HHNT! :)
MOOSEKAHL - Thanks 4 checking it out! After years of seeing it & knowing you're close with Os, I just "got" how your monicker is so "Musical." Cheers & HHNT!
JAS - Oh my! YOUR perfect breasts are a lovely addition HERE! Thanks for sharing the beauty & the love! XOXO HHNT
great work. i can picture the finished product in my head complete with the falling stars and it is going to look amazing!
JOBTHINGY - Thanks, Sexy! Hope it comes off as I'm picturing it, too. I've had an ironic epiphany since discussing it with the artists @ my shop.
The MEDAL tats (w/ which the artist wanted more freedom in drawing) need to be exactly representational to retain their meaning for every vet who sees them, & look exactly like the real medals in shape & colors.
In contrast to my artists' initial ideas of making the flag look exactly like a flag, this "flag art" needs to be LESS representational and reflect the term "Our Colors" for the flag. This is especially due to the longstanding US tradition of NOT using the American flag, itself, as a form of decoration like for parties or celebrations. Bunting & cockades were developed for THAT purpose. I just remembered the old US Standing Liberty half-dollar and recent dollar coin with the same Standing Liberty lady wrapped in a large, billowy American flag. I'll show a pic of that to my artists for inspiration, too. XOXOX HHNT
Glad you could be inspired. If your read far enough down you will have found the inspiration for my love for camping. When my ex-husband left me I knew I couldn't give up on camping just b/c he wasn't there to act as protector. An ax, a handgun and a dog are just enough and I love knowing I can pitch my tent about anywhere and be happy. It's an easy way for me to check out. Take care!
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