You wince as you hear the soft, slow buzz of the machine turning on, being dipped in the colors that you chose, the ones that were so pretty, or cool, or were someone’s favorite color that was special to you. Your stomach tightens as well as your muscles as you tense when you feel the artist’s gloved hands on your back, or arm, or leg, or where ever you've chosen this piece of memory or meaning to go on your body, and the needle hasn't even penetrated the skin yet. You feel the gentle stretching of your skin via artist, the humming of the machine starts, and the ink ridden needle pierces your skin. This is the start of a tattoo, which may take minutes, hours, days, or even weeks depending on size, detail, color, and your pain tolerance, as well as your ability to sit for extended periods. But all of that is worth it to have a memory, passion, picture of a loved one, or philosophy permanently etched into your skin. Yes there are many criticisms and stereotypes towards people who have tattoos, but with criticism from one source, comes love and acceptance from another, and that is what art is all about.