My Early Christmas Present

A forever gift to myself!

Spoiler alert: I got a tattoo…

AND I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!

It’s been almost 7 years since my last tattoo. Getting another hadn’t crossed my mind until a year or two ago. Then I started dreaming of designing something special, with the desire growing stronger and the vision getting clearer with each passing month.

I knew I wanted a lake, a desert and a bridge - but what elements of each were important to me? Would they be separate or together? Where would they fit and what style would the design be?

I’m a planner and I definitely didn’t want to rush into anything, but I also knew I wouldn’t be able to bring the idea to life or decide some of those things without the help of an expert. So I continued my research, jotting down ideas, following studios and artists online until there was no more thinking that could be done…only action.

As I prepared for the New Zealand leg of my travels, I realized Queenstown could be a great place to get a tattoo. I’d be there for a month, wouldn’t be swimming, had connections who knew a bit about the studios in town and tattoos are very much part of the local culture. So the next question became which artist would be a good fit? And would they be available during my visit?

I heard good things about Otautahi Tattoo Queenstown and started following their Instagram. There are a bunch of talented artists that work out of their studio so I knew I’d be in good hands. But in trying to choose who could take the ideas in my head and transform them into something unique and beautiful, something about Kieran stood out. I loved that his work combined fine line, black & grey realism with geometric elements and was somehow delicate & bold. I was PUMPED to hear back from Otautahi that he not only had space for me, but that I could get an appointment my first week in NZ!

And so, I was lucky enough to get this masterpiece done:

1. THE LAKE is my favourite place in the world.

   1. If you’ve been to my family’s cottage (or even just follow me online) you’ll recognize “Pete’s Retreat”, my grandparents’ boathouse. 30+ years of visits and I never get tired of this view. It is my refuge. My solace. My happy place, filled with countless joyful memories. It feels surreal to be able to look at my arm and be transported there!

   2. I’m thrilled to have the night sky featured as well, because I’ve never been more in awe of the universe than staring up at the Milky Way above Lake Clear. This is where I’ve seen the brightest stars, the biggest moons, felt the most creative and the most connected to myself (& God). The natural beauty consistently fills me with inspiration.

      Just as the day starts with night, energy starts with rest.

2. THE BRIDGE is the centerpiece.

   1. It connects chapters in my story and seasons of my life.

   2. It also represents my purpose. A few years ago, the word bridge just kept coming up for me until I felt a deep clarity on what that imagery meant for me:

      I am a bridge. I help get others get to where they need to go.

      I make this world a better place by connecting people, places and ideas.

3. THE DESERT has become a significant setting and symbol for me, both literally and figuratively.

   1. Over the past 3 years, Arizona has come to feel like a second home; it has been a place where I’ve experienced a lot of growth. And even though my time there has mostly been spent around Phoenix, I fell in love with Sedona - with Cathedral Rock being my favourite hike so this iconic skyline holds a special place in my heart.

   2. The desert has also come to the forefront of my spiritual journey. It is the wilderness (midbar/eremos) Jesus retreated to for prayer & wisdom. It represents solitude, silence and stillness - necessary elements for peace and wellness (shalom). It is the environment that moulded the first figures of the Jewish & Christian faiths and informed their understanding of God. The desert is a place of hardship & hope, of rugged beauty & perseverance, where you can learn to appreciate the value of simplicity.

      The desert teaches by taking away.

      But solitude is not absence, it is presence.

      It is something to encounter.

***Bonus element - THE TAMARISK is the branch hidden behind my wrist, but visible in the top right of the tattoo design. It is a tree that symbolizes life, hope, strength, patience & provision. Found in desert environments, the tamarisk tree survives harsh conditions thanks to its deep roots and leaves that use moisture in the air to grow and provide cool shade. These benefits are not immediately available; they take time to grow but then live for a long time, benefitting generations to come.

A podcast I listened to recently asked the question - How many “tamarisks” have you planted? Meaning…what have you done today that will make the future a better place for those who come after you?

Blessed are those who plant trees under whose shade they will never sit.

I am beyond grateful to have this piece of art filled with so many meaningful reminders that I now get to carry with me wherever I go!

Live different. Lead different.

Sincerely,

Clare