Portraits from an Artist as Young Woman

On May 4th I had some ink done. I'd been nervous about the concept, and wasn't sure I'd actually go through with it. But I am glad I did.

I don't think I will ever be able to ever tell the tattoo artist just what his brilliant work means to me. These girls are obviously not my children, so this was not a "happy occasion" portrait. It is a memorial.

I'm not one for emotional outpourings in public, or in private for that matter. So as I was getting this tattoo done, I purposely steered the conversation from talking about why I chose to have two girls tattooed to my forearm. I wanted the experience to be lighthearted and fun, and I didn't want to weep until I was alone. I knew if I began speaking about their tragic ends, it would have altered the mood, and there fore would have altered the stunning artistry from the man who is sure to become a master of his craft.

(Amber - upper right. Lisa - bottom left.)

In January of 2006, Amber was shot in the head with an AK-47. Then in August of 2007, Lisa took her life in a very violent fashion similar to Amber's death. I'm blunt about their deaths, because I need it to be understood that these horrific images haunt my mind constantly in a very Quentin Tarantino and Stanley Kubrick Fashion. I've seen the Hollywood version of their deaths everyday since they have occurred. And now, if/when I am plagued by the violence, I have the perfect weapon for a counter-attack - A permanent picture of the greatest friends I have ever known smiling at me.

The man who inked my arm captured the essence and carefree spirit of my friends perfectly, and he'll more than likely never know how deeply moved I am by this. He created a beautiful representation of probably the most magical time of my life. Amber and Lisa are forever caught in a moment when we were at our best, and when our friendship was all that mattered to the three of us.

I could never thank him enough for the gift he has given me. In by etching on my arm two friends that will remain young forever, I too, will remain forever young with them.