My New Tattoos

The old paw, of Vinpaw fame...

About fifteen years ago I got a tattoo of a bear’s paw on my upper left arm. I got it in San Diego when I was doing a show out there at the Diversionary Theatre in the Hillcrest neighborhood. It symbolized that time in my life, when I embraced the animal inside me… I felt it was time to get it covered up. While I still embrace the bear inside, I didn’t want it outside anymore.

Two months ago, I was taking a bus tour of the Hawaiian island of Maui and we drove through the Hippytown neighborhood. I was instantly enamored of the small town of Paia and vowed to get back there on my next visit.

Paia Tattoo Parlor

In fact, when I saw the Paia Tattoo Parlor sign on that first visit, I decided that’s where I’d have the paw covered up. and that’s where I’d get the tattoo to represent the grand voyage I’m currently on.

At first I was going to get the Nasca Monkey, but felt that would only represent the Peruvian leg of my voyage and I wanted something a little broader to represent the nautical journey. Now, I could have gotten an anchor or a ship wheel but, those things, while certainly nautical just aren’t me. After careful debate and various internest searches I fell in love with a compass rose – the center part of a compass, don’t worry Jew and Gentile reader, pictures are posted, if you can’t wait to see, scroll down…

So, on the island of Maui, in the city of Paia, Billy, the owner of the Paia Tattoo Parlor gave me two amazing tattoos; one to remind me I’m a star and one that lets me remember where I’ve been and where I’m going…

The outline - it's amazing how off center the paw actually was...

It took only about ten minutes using the needle he called the Magnum to fill in and cover up the paw.

Baby, I'm a star!

And now, the Compass Rose:

The outlining, I feel is the easiest part of getting a tattoo. But I'd forgotten exactly how painful an ankle tat is. I screamed like a very masculine young girl...

the outline is complete - you'll notice, I stayed with my theme of stars, replacing the "N" of north with a star. The North Star...

The fill, makes all the difference. Billy had the steadiest hands and when I saw the North Star and how perfect it was I decided to leave it as just an outline.

I’m very pleased with my new ink and what they symbolize. I have a feeling, I’m going to get more…