Inked by Simon Morse, healed by Tinkture
I’ll admit it – I am addicted.
Through my friend Gillian, I got an appointment for a drawing and a session with Simon Morse (at Alc Headquarters in Wellington).
Simon’s drawing skills are legendary and his shading is to die for.
I had been thinking about a piece that combined a fabulous statement I had come across with a moody sea and sky and a sailing ship – but not a clique old style sailing ship. I wanted the sails of a yacht that I would actually own.
I had an idea of the ratio of sea to sky, of the style of sail and of the colors (so that they would match my sting ray on my left arm).
Simon took this and worked a wave and a sail in to the overall concept.
Simon's drawing
The sitting with Simon
I took my ideas in to Simon on the Thursday and left it with him for a few days.
On Monday, I cruised in to Alc Headquarters on Cuba Street to see what Simon had come up with and it was pretty much perfect.
We played around with the font a little and then spent a good half an hour working on placement – mainly to avoid tattooing my ankle.
as it was - the fresh canvas
organic Coca Cola - my recommendation to everyone who is getting tattooed
all laid out (to conveniently avoid my ankle)
Simon is a master of shading
As soon as he was finished, Simon wiped me down and applied Tinkture.
I had an afternoon at work and then a flight back to Auckland so we wrapped it in Gladwrap and I set off on my way.
Healing with Tinkture
Background
Tinkture - fabulous packaging
Gillian is the creator of Tinkture Tattoo After Care ( Tinkture Website | Tinkture Facebook )
I like to tell the story of Tinkture as if I was the muse … last year she created a blend for my other ink to keep it fresh and bright even with all the sun and water it is exposed to. But in reality, Gillian is an amazing Aromatologist and she has more pieces of work than I do – I know … we counted!
Tinkture contains therapeutic grade olive oil and jojoba oil – and some secret ingredients to aid the healing process.
I have used Bepanthen in the past – and whilst I admit an oiled tattoo looks absolutely lovely – I’ve found that most of my pieces, especially the larger one, took two weeks or more to heal.
Gillian gave me a bottle of Tinkture to care for my new work and I was really excited to see what the results would be.
(if you are interested in what other goodies Gillian has come up with through her brand Le’Esscience – take a look at the post on the issues I was having sleeping and how a natural blend helped me out big time!)
Also check out the interview that Rochelle did with Gillian after she tried Tinkture on her new piece (also by Simon Morse).
How did it work for me?
When I got home that night, I was very excited to take the wrapping, give it a wash and see the results.
I have to say – I was stunned!
The first wash often smarts a little and while you don’t want to rub it, you need to give it a little once over to rinse off the ink.
I immediately noticed that most of the redness had gone down and only the top of my foot (the one time I winced) was a bit sore.
It is actually pretty hard to take a photograph of your own foot (and leg) … so we’ve got the best of the bunch with a flip added.
Left - straight after / Right - 8 hours later
The following day, there was no redness at all.
3 days later – no bruising, swelling on the top of my foot going down.
5 days later – swelling almost gone, a little scabbing.
Its nearly seven days later and its mostly the color that is scabbing. Even then, its only a little.
I’m being a very good girl because it has been super super super itchy! I’m very sure that you don’t want to look at pictures of it in its current state but I think you need to see it.
So here is a small one. And only my foot as I can’t shave all of my legs yet 
very little scabbing on the text. last Tinkture application was an hour ago
Suffice to say that I am still very impressed with Tinkture and how it has helped the healing process!
Alc Headquarters in Wellington stock Tinkture – and the artists use it.
You can find Tinkture at other tattoo shops around New Zealand otherwise get in touch with Gillian on Twitter or Facebook and tell her Tara sent you.
A final note – to my Mommy. I’m still very sorry I didn’t tell you first.
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