Foot Tattoos

While tattoo enthusiasts can become virtually addicted to the experience of tattooing, and treating their skin like a veritable canvas of self-expression or living art, there are many who would like to have the experience of a tattoo without needing to invest so much dermal real estate in getting one. This isn't just for matters of looks, or aesthetics. There are considerations of public exposure, and whether or not having a tattoo in appropriate in a given workspace, or other settings. For this reason, foot tattoos have become increasingly popular.

So, why foot tattoos? Well, for a number of reasons. First, it's much easier to control visibility. Because they are on one's foot, by definition they will only be seen when it would be customary for one to go barefoot. This automatically precludes the boardroom or the typical PTA meeting. Odds are with whoever you are comfortable enough to be barefoot with would be someone you wouldn't mind seeing your tattoo, or, likewise, in whatever setting you are comfortable enough to be barefoot in, or perhaps wearing flipflops, you wouldn't mind your tattoo being on display.

Second, they are usually much simpler, as you are working with a much more confined space. This is one of those cases or situations where less definitely is more. In fact, from a design or aesthetic standpoint, more often than not, the simpler the better. Having, for instance, a Chinese character, a simple glyph, a spot of tribal, or a simple celtic knot, can be very elegant, where as a much more pervasive design can prove overkill. It's doable, but a good deal more thought and consideration would need to into the execution of said design.

Third, based on this inherent simplicity, they are generally much less painful. Simply put, less skin used equals less pain. That's a fairly good rule of thumb. Less Skin = Less Pain. If you are new to tattooing, then you may want to remember that as you start thinking of about grand motifs covering the entirety of your back, for instance.

Fourth, despite their small size, or perhaps because of it, the can prove to be rather sexy, perhaps surprisingly so. There is something very subtle and understated about a foot tat that has an alluring, ephermal appeal, much like its cousin the lower back tat. There is something rather bohemian about it that can appeal to the imagination. Much like meeting a young lady who looks to be in all respects a traditional sort, if you notice a lower back tattoo as she bends down to pick up her purse, it can have quite a disarming effect, as if reveal a wild side that she keeps hidden. That surprise can be quite stimulating. Seemingly straightlaced on the outside, who knows what wild streak lurks underneath!

Fifth, as alluded to before, the sky's virtually the limit when it comes to potential design motifs. We mentioned Celtic and Tribal already, along with Chinese characters or Japanese kanji. Well, since the sky's virtually the limit, let's not forget celestial designs such as stars, suns, moons, and, since we are on the subject of suns and moons, there are also the various zodialogical sun signs of astrology. As long as they are discrete, simple, and elegant all these and more can work with foot tattoos.

In future articles we will go more into the logistics of foot tattoos, and some points to consider, but for now just realize the possibilities that exist, especially if you are contemplating your first tattoo and had been reticent to take the plunge. As they say, now may be the perfect time to put your toe in the shallow end and get your feet wet . . . literally.