Tattoo artist that doesn't tattoo a woman's back

[Ace!]

I didn't know where to post this and have spent a LOT of time googling.

I read a story about a woman, seems she was self-conscious about her body and a tattoo artist asked to tattoo her back. I don't believe he tattooed it but really just wanted to spend time with her.

Anyone ever read a short like that or have any idea what I'm talking about?

[Cella]

I don't get it.

You are saying you read a short story about this and just want to know where to find it again?

[Ace!]

To be honest, I think I read it, but maybe I wanted to write it. I don't want to write a story that's been written, especially if I've already read it. Does that make sense? So, I'm trying to find out if anyone else has read a short story where a woman that has a negative self-body image is tattooed, on her back, because it is such a great canvas for the tattooer. After a great deal of time he is finally done with the tattoo, but in the end he hasn't actually tattooed her at all, her back is bare. So, anyone read this story, or is this my story I haven't yet written?

[Cella]

I say go ahead and write it and worry about the rest later. I've never heard of it but think it sounds sweet

Go for it! Don't hold back !

-Cella

[NewKidOldKid]

Originally Posted by Ace!

To be honest, I think I read it, but maybe I wanted to write it. I don't want to write a story that's been written, especially if I've already read it. Does that make sense? So, I'm trying to find out if anyone else has read a short story where a woman that has a negative self-body image is tattooed, on her back, because it is such a great canvas for the tattooer. After a great deal of time he is finally done with the tattoo, but in the end he hasn't actually tattooed her at all, her back is bare. So, anyone read this story, or is this my story I haven't yet written?

Tattoos hurt. What is he doing all that time she's just sitting there, thinking she's getting a tattoo? Pinching her with needles? That seems a little sadistic. And I can't believe she wouldn't realize nothing's actually going on.

[CatSlave]

Reminds me of a Ray Bradbury collection of short stories, The Illustrated Man.

But I recall reading another story about a woman and a tattoo artist.
It's out there somewhere. Let me put on my thinking cap.

[scottishpunk]

I'm confused. Why does she want a tattoo done, and why does the artist not give her one?

[jinkang]

Originally Posted by scottishpunk

I'm confused. Why does she want a tattoo done, and why does the artist not give her one?

May be it's a magic trick. see, the tattoo artist is actually an angel sent from heaven to help boost women's self esteem.

And these women don't really need tattoos...they just want to go through a process, the pain, the whole nine yard, because it's like a trial of fire for them. A ceremony of rebirth... that and have someone to listen to her life story.

See, this angel wasn't really an angel at all, but a devil who listens to stories of people's hardships. That's how s/he grows/survives.

Perhaps this devil should look into hair salons (where more gossip happens)...but there're less pain there. That just doesn't work. No pain, no gain.

[Ace!]

If it's a story I read, I don't know all the answers, just what I might remember. But to answer at least one of the questions, I don't think she necessarily wants a tattoo, I think the artist sees her as the perfect canvas. If it's something I read I could be remembering it wrong, but that's the way I remember it. He doesn't give her a tattoo because once it's done she will have no reason to be there and he'll lose her.

[steampunkette]

Originally Posted by Ace!

If it's a story I read, I don't know all the answers, just what I might remember. But to answer at least one of the questions, I don't think she necessarily wants a tattoo, I think the artist sees her as the perfect canvas. If it's something I read I could be remembering it wrong, but that's the way I remember it. He doesn't give her a tattoo because once it's done she will have no reason to be there and he'll lose her.

I say go ahead and write it.

But if you're going to do that, you need to stop trying to "remember" it and go ahead and imagine it for yourself. Make up the details you're missing.

Also, it might be an issue getting the reader to believe she isn't getting a tattoo if she thinks she is. As another poster pointed out, the tattoo artist would have to be hurting her the whole time to make it seem real. That seems a bit weird.

[heatheringemar]

I think I remember reading that story too.

I believe it appeared last year in either Farrago's Wainscot, or maybe Rose & Thorn. The title was something about beauty...

She was (essentially) a broken woman, emotionally and maybe even physically abused, but couldn't remember anything that had happened. And she walked into a tattoo parlor, and the guy offered to help her remember -- I specifically remember him saying something about her being the perfect canvas. And as he worked on her, he was drawing the scenes of everything that had happened in her life on her back, helping her remember.

I can't remember how it ended, though.

[heatheringemar]

I also read a story in a horror anthology where a woman got a tattoo to get back at her cheating lover. (the tat had magical properties of possession, and I'm not saying any more. )

[CatSlave]

Originally Posted by heatheringemar

I think I remember reading that story too.

I believe it appeared last year in either Farrago's Wainscot, or maybe Rose & Thorn. The title was something about beauty...

She was (essentially) a broken woman, emotionally and maybe even physically abused, but couldn't remember anything that had happened. And she walked into a tattoo parlor, and the guy offered to help her remember -- I specifically remember him saying something about her being the perfect canvas. And as he worked on her, he was drawing the scenes of everything that had happened in her life on her back, helping her remember.

I can't remember how it ended, though.

At some point, all of her skin was covered in tattoos.
Did he have to remove some to continue working?
I think that was the conflict: no more 'perfect canvas' to work on.

[Manuel Royal]

Originally Posted by CatSlave

At some point, all of her skin was covered in tattoos.
Did he have to remove some to continue working?
I think that was the conflict: no more 'perfect canvas' to work on.

That sounds like "The Illustrated Woman", a Ray Bradbury story. (If I recall; read it about 30 years ago.)

I'd bet there are quite a few stories with some variation on this.

[CatSlave]

Originally Posted by Manuel Royal

That sounds like "The Illustrated Woman", a Ray Bradbury story. (If I recall; read it about 30 years ago.)

I'd bet there are quite a few stories with some variation on this.

Yes!
I think you are correct.

The Illustrated Man is the title of a short story collection.

"The Illustrated Woman" is a short story in the Machineries of Joy collection.

[Justin91]

Sounds like a great idea...go ahead and write it and see where it leads you!!!