I have a friend – one of my BG’s, in fact (I’ll let you guess what that stands for) – who always used to show up with the chicest hair. I suffered from serious hair envy…until one day I asked her if she would share her stylist with me. Of course, she acquiesced…a BG would do nothing less. That’s when I met Lora H., an amazing stylist who had just partnered with Tera C. (see the previous interview) and opened up Blush Creations Salon in San Diego. I was with Lora for several happy – and stylish – years…until I contracted a case of “island-itis”. That’s when you move to a small island, walk almost everywhere and develop a serious aversion to driving motor vehicles (with the exception of golf carts…but, I refuse to to do that ;)). Thank goodness for Facebook, which maintains those kind of connections that might otherwise just fade away. I was thrilled she agreed to be interviewed…
WHAT IS THE FIRST WORD THAT COMES TO MIND WHEN I SAY TATTOO?
Art
WHEN DID YOU GET YOUR FIRST TATTOO? HOW OLD WERE YOU?
I was 21…it was for my 21st birthday. I had wanted one since I was 14. I could’ve gotten one…we knew people and all my friends were getting them. (We used to hang out with the tattoo artist.) But, I didn’t want to be one of those people who just got some tattoo. There was nothing that I really wanted…I wanted to be sure what I wanted it of before I decided to get it, so I waited a long time.
WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO GET A TATTOO?
I just always liked the way they looked. I liked the fact that you could have a symbol on your body permanently. For me, personally, it’s things that represent something…a kind of constant reminder of something.
HOW DID YOU PICK THE DESIGN FOR YOUR FIRST TATTOO?
It’s actually just a star, but it was during a really dark time of my life and the only bit of faith that I had was in the stars. So, it represents a real turning point in my life.
WHERE IS IT AND HOW DID YOU DECIDE YOU WERE GOING TO PUT IT THERE?
It’s on my lower back. At that time, it was really the only option. I had seen a star that I really liked on a wrist, but I thought “No way could I do that…I’ll get sick of it. What if I want to hide it?” So, my back just seemed like the only option.
WHO DID IT? WHY DID YOU CHOOSE HIM/HER?
I don’t even know. I drove up with friends to L.A. [Los Angeles] and went to some shop my friends went to. They knew the shop, but I don’t even think we had an appointment…we just walked in.
HOW DID YOU PICK THE DESIGN OF YOUR SECOND ONE?
My wrist tattoo…that’s my “Trevor Tree”. [Trevor is Lora’s little boy.] I knew it had to be something to represent my son because it would be a constant reminder of having him. I was all over the place with what I wanted to get…all over the place. I didn’t want to just get “Trevor” across my wrist. The tattoo artist came up with the idea of the tree. It was something I could afford and get done now.
WHEN DID YOU GET IT DONE?
Just about two months ago, I think.
WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO PUT IT ON YOUR WRIST THIS TIME?
The funny thing is that I went out with some girlfriends – we went out dancing. We were eating afterwards and I had a stamp on my wrist and I said “I really want a tattoo there!” I’m 30 now and I’m going to be in this career – doing hair – so there’s no impact.
WHO DID THIS ONE AND HOW DID YOU PICK HIM/HER?
Ron Stan…he’s in El Cajon. Witchdoctor’s Tattoo Emporium is the name of his place. I saw a girl (she teaches swim to Trevor) with a tree tattoo on her back and she gave me his website. I checked it out and I really loved his philosophy…he’s an artist with a private studio. So I emailed him and I got scheduled in about a week later. It was quick…I wanted it done!
WHICH TATTOO IS MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU?
That’s hard to say because [the tree] is of my son, but the other one really represents the beginning of my belief in a God and my whole life how it is now. It looks just kind of like a sticker tattoo, but to me it definitely reminds me of a lot.
HAVE YOU EVER REGRETTED GETTING YOUR TATTOOS?
No…absolutely not.
DO YOU HAVE PLANS TO GET MORE?
Eventually I want to get a big back piece done. That was originally my goal when I lost weight…before I had Trevor. Well, then I had Trevor and I gained all my weight back. So, when I lose it again that will be my reward!
Portrait of a Tattoo 