Hearts for Carmen

Heart tattoo

Many of us want to carry tattoos to represent something important. We know that for this we will have to invest some time, money and go through the painful process of tattooing and taking care of it. This is important, of course, as well as choosing a good artist and finding the best way to capture an idea on the skin.

However, it is not only the skill of the tattoo artist and the precautions taken by the tattooed person that define how beautiful and meaningful it is.

Although there are some pieces that exhibit great technical excellence, I think that the true beauty and value of a tattoo is in its history.

Countless times I have seen tattoos worn by time on wrinkled skin, simple or tiny tattoos that I found really beautiful when I knew their reasons. And as many other times tattooing, I enjoyed making drawings that I considered precious mainly because of everything they symbolize for those who want to wear them for life.

This is a story of tattooed hearts. Hearts are a classic in the world of tattoos and art in general and throughout history, in addition to visual works, there are countless philosophical, religious, literary and musical records that help to give shape and symbolic charge to this organ on which our lives depend.

Although these pumps that drive our blood have an extensive symbolism with diverse nuances, in many cultures it is associated with the spirit, feelings, emotions and all forms of love.

This is why when I see a heart tattoo or when someone asks me to tattoo a heart, I know it is one of these beautiful tattoos of great value.

MamenVane and Carlos in the past year I have been entrusted with hearts. All three are my former colleagues from MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) and BJJ (Brazilian Jiu Jitsu), and we are all good friends. They also love tattoos and are my regular customers.

Vane is a former client who later became my training partner. That's where she met Carlos and Mamenwho have been a couple for more than ten years. They wanted to start a family and after a lot of wanting and waiting have had a baby December 15, 2015.

Her name is Carmen and she brought a lot of joy to all of us. Six months into the life of this precious little girl who emanates energy, we received news that surprised us. In the heart of the little girl was detected something called patent ductus arteriosusThis is a communication between arteries that exists in fetal life and usually closes at birth. Would need to undergo surgery supposedly simple to close this conduit between arteries.

The fact that Carmen had to undergo surgery worried usThe procedure was a common and low-risk procedure. Especially Carlos and Mamenwho had previously suffered a miscarriage because the baby had a heart condition incompatible with life. Vane was also very sensitive to the situation. I was so close to them.

The couple, like so many others, already had the illusion of celebrating the birth of her daughter by marking the skin. And with the wait for surgery, the desire to represent the love they feel had grown stronger. To depict these intense parental emotions and the moment they were living, nothing better than the very expressive image of a heart.

Vane

On the other hand, Vane had been thinking about the idea of getting a heart tattoo for a long time.. One day, looking at some old sketches of mine, she noticed an armored iron heart and told me that was what she was looking for. She and Mamen decided on this drawing.

Vane wanted to accompany the heart she wears on her forearm with the word ¨Carmen¨, in honor of the girl and her mother, who has the same name, and also her friendship with Mamen. In fact, many of his tattoos are dedicated to the people he loves.

Mamen

Mamen wanted to add to the armored heart for her daughter the word Life, She wears it on the front of her left shoulder. It is evident that she longs to protect her little girl... this woman I am lucky to have as a friend has always had a strong maternal instinct. Carmen was already loved long before she came into the world.

Carlos

Carlos decided for a more realistic heart, and asked me to make it incandescent. By adding fire to another element in a tattoo, it gains strength, makes the image more impressive, because of the bright colors and the very nature of fire, which symbolizes among many other things, life, heat, passion and sacrifice. In addition, fire is considered magical or divine in various civilizations.

I have tried to take advantage of Carlos' good musculature to shape the tattoo, and at times you can see how the flaming heart that accompanies the daughter's name on the side of his neck beats.

There are tattoos that function as prayers or mantras, a wish that we repeat every time we see an image on our skin.

Remembering feelings that we believe and always want to have, such as the feeling of loving a child, a mother or a friend.

These are good models of beautiful tattoos.

Carmen had surgery when she was eight months old, her heart is perfect.