rainbow tattoo - Caela from Wales

Who: Caela

From: Wales, UK

Tattoo: based on my drawing rainbow types

The story: "I'd been looking for something to commemorate my gran who passed in 2008 at the tender age of 53. I wanted it to be something positive and happy though and so I began my rainbow search and then I stumbled across your wonderful 'types of rainbow' collection. I knew as soon as I saw the bold rainbow that she was the one for me haha! It's perfect, thank you so much. As for the word 'mam-gu' underneath, I'm Welsh so this is what I called my grandma. I stole your letters and jumbled them up!! Hope you dont mind!"

Don't mind at all. Thanks for sharing Caela! I'm sure your gran would be honoured.

See more tattoos. If you've got a tattoo of one of my drawings, send it along, and tell me the story behind it! Email me at marcjohns [at] gmail [dot] com. By the way, I'm still WAY behind in posting tattoo photos. I put them up in the order they come in, but I'm about 6 months behind.

For the non-commital: get temporary tattoos of some of my drawings over at Tattly.

bird with balloon tattoo - Larissa from New Jersey

Who: Larissa

From: New Jersey (USA)

Tattoo: based on one of my drawings from the what birds do when we aren't looking series 

The story: "This cute little birdie is now taking the ride of his life forever on my forearm. I loved the drawing because it makes me laugh. When people ask me why I got it, I say I love your work...but if I have to make a meaningful excuse, I just say 'you don't need wings to fly, bitch.' "

Take that. Thanks for sharing Larissa!

See more tattoos. If you've got a tattoo of one of my drawings, send it along, and tell me the story behind it! Email me at marcjohns [at] gmail [dot] com. By the way, I'm WAY behind in posting tattoo photos. I put them up in the order they come in, but I'm about 6 months behind.

For the non-commital: get temporary tattoos of some of my drawings over at Tattly.

don't forget to play tattoo - Ben from Arkansas

Who: Ben

From: Fayetteville, Arkansas

Tattoo: don't forget to play drawing

The story: "Don't forget to play really stuck with me. Mainly because I love playing with kids and have some nieces and friends' kids that mean a whole lot to me. It's also easy to get caught up in my daily life and start to take things too seriously. This helps me remember not to do that and there are way more important things in life. Finally, I liked how after drawing this you thought about changing it, but then decided to keep it just how it was. It was perfect when you drew it and I think recognizing that is really amazing."

Thanks so much, Ben!

See more tattoos. If you've got a tattoo of one of my drawings, send it along, and tell me the story behind it! Email me at marcjohns [at] gmail [dot] com.

For the non-commital: get temporary tattoos of some of my drawings over at Tattly.

jogging bird tattoo - Anna from Italy

Who: Anna

From: Italy

Tattoo: based on my drawing jogging bird

The story: "I choose this tattoo because many times I feel like a bird or I wish I was a bird and I could fly!"

Yup, sometimes we feel like birds, like we should be able to fly. Thanks for sharing Anna!

See more tattoos. If you've got a tattoo of one of my drawings, send it along, and tell me the story behind it! Email me at marcjohns [at] gmail [dot] com.

For the non-commital: get temporary tattoos of some of my drawings over at Tattly.

skateboarding sandpiper tattoo - Stephen from Glasgow

Who: Stephen

From: Glasgow, Scotland

Tattoo: based on my drawing the world needs more skateboarding sandpipers 

The story: I wanted a new tattoo but was unsure of what to get. I've liked your drawings for a while, and going through them again I thought that the sandpiper would be an awesome thing to get tattooed, but far too ridiculous. The more I thought about it, the more I thought that the very fact that it was totally inappropriate meant that I definitely should do it. The world needs more tattoos of sandpipers on skateboards.

I agree wholeheartedly, Stephen. Thanks for sharing!

See more tattoos. If you've got a tattoo of one of my drawings, send it along, and tell me the story behind it! Email me at marcjohns [at] gmail [dot] com.

For the non-commital: get temporary tattoos of some of my drawings over at Tattly.

bird with balloon tattoo - Sarah from New Hampshire

Who: Sarah

From: New Hampshire (USA)

Tattoo: based on one of my drawings from the what birds do when we aren't looking series 

The story: "the short answer is that I like how cute and playful it is. I really like the idea of birds having secret lives from us, and hobbies, and that maybe they get tired of flying everywhere and like to travel by balloon sometimes.

The long answer is that for a while I had been considering getting a tattoo of a balloon, because I liked the sense of freedom and adventure. And I also wanted a tattoo of a bluebird, both because they are the symbol of happiness and as a reference to the Charles Bukowski poem "Bluebird." But I've seen a lot of sailor-style bluebird tattoos, so I wanted something more unique, and the Bukowski poem is a little dark and so I had trouble coming up with a design I liked that wasn't too melancholy. So when I saw your illustration I first liked how fun and whimsical it was, and I thought it would be cute to have a tattoo of a little bird finding a new way to fly. And then I realized that if I added color it could incorporate a lot of the elements I had been thinking about already.

Also, some artists are not fans of having their work copied, so when I went to your website and saw that you allow tattoos of your work, I was thrilled and knew that was just what I would do. So thanks!"

Great story, Sarah. Thanks for sharing!

By the way, you can read Bukowski's poem Bluebird on this Brain Pickings blog post.

See more tattoos. If you've got a tattoo of one of my drawings, send it along, and tell me the story behind it! Email me at marcjohns [at] gmail [dot] com.

For the non-commital: get temporary tattoos of some of my drawings over at Tattly.

boombox with antlers tattoo - Paula from Argentina

Who: Paula

From: Argentina

A tattoo of: boombox with antlers, part of a series of things with antlers.

The story: " I just love your art work and this drawing fit perfectly with what I wanted to express: my love for music and also my love for illustrated art, drawings, paintings etc. I also included your handwriting to complete the drawing with a phrase I like."

Fantastic, Paula. Thanks for sharing!

See more tattoos. If you've got a tattoo of one of my drawings, send it along, and tell me the story behind it! Email me at marcjohns [at] gmail [dot] com.

For the non-commital: get temporary tattoos of some of my drawings over at Tattly.

"fish with beard" tattoo - Mike from Florida

Who: Mike

From: Florida

A tattoo based on: fish with beard

The story: "I always respected your amazing work and I was inspired mostly by your bearded fish. It reflects my dad perfectly because he was a fisherman and had one sweet beard, so I had to get one in honor of him. Keep up the awesome work and thank you!"

Thanks so much Mike. And here's to your dad!

See more tattoos. If you've got a tattoo of one of my drawings, send it along, and tell me the story behind it! Email me at marcjohns [at] gmail [dot] com.

For the non-commital: get temporary tattoos of some of my drawings over at Tattly.

"I have a crush on trees" tattoo - Kate from New York

Who: Kate

From: New York

A tattoo based on: I have a crush on trees

Tattoo artist: Brandon Bender

The story: "One day I was looking through your archives and stumbled across 'I Have A Crush On Trees'. In August I moved to New York from Northern Florida, where trees were in abundance. I'd been a bit homesick and really missed having nature around me. I wasn't looking for a tattoo idea but as soon as I saw all those little pine trees I just had to get them on me!!!I went back to visit in January and my talented friend Brandon (who's opening his own tattoo shop soon) was kind enough to actually trace 3 of the trees and tattoo them on my arm. Here are a couple pictures. I hope you like them as much as I do. Thanks for being awesome!!"

Thanks Kate. Here's to trees!

See more tattoos. If you've got a tattoo of one of my drawings, send it along, and tell me the story behind it! Email me at marcjohns [at] gmail [dot] com.

For the non-commital: get temporary tattoos of some of my drawings over at Tattly.

"God made me do this" AND "world famous drawing" tattoos - Alison from San Francisco

Who: Alison

From: San Francisco

Tattoo of TWO drawings: God made me draw this and world famous drawing

The story: "I've been a fan of your work for a while, and 'world famous drawing' has always been a particular favorite. I love to draw, sew, and create, but have struggled with what our society considers 'art'. It's such a subjective experience, and love that your drawings evoke a humorous side to art, which fits with my style completely. I also just identified with the drawing itself--who hasn't furiously scribbled a similar design over a mistake, or in the margins of a notebook? I loved the idea of having an unconventional "scribble" (although a deliberate and detailed one at that) as a tattoo.

As for 'God made me draw this,' I had been playing around with the idea of geometric shapes and designs for a more abstract tattoo. Again, I love the imperfection/disorganized quality and how asymmetrical the triangles are/fit together. It's a beautiful design--it almost feels like a confused honeycomb. I was looking for a-less-than-traditional-style-tattoo and you helped me get just that! Thanks!"

I love the stories, Alison. TWO drawings tattooed! Fantastic. Thanks for sharing!

See more tattoos. If you've got a tattoo of one of my drawings, send it along! Email me at marcjohns [at] gmail [dot] com.

For the non-commital: get temporary tattoos of some of my drawings over at Tattly.

"this mustache is dangerous" tattoo - Jonathan from Sweden

Who: Jonathan

From: Sweden

A tattoo of: this mustache is dangerous

The story: "I got it done in Phuket, Thailand. Made by a great guy at Golden Needle Tattoo. The only real reason I got it is that I liked it so much and it's hilarious!"

Thanks Jonathan!

See more tattoos. If you've got a tattoo of one of my drawings, send it along, and tell me the story behind it! Email me at marcjohns [at] gmail [dot] com.

For the non-commital: get temporary tattoos of some of my drawings over at Tattly.

"let's be optimistic" tattoo - Ariel from Portland

Who: Ariel

From: Portland, Oregon

A tattoo of: let's be optimistic

The story: "Here is the lovely tattoo I got of one of your lovely drawings. It reminds me to keep my pessimism (well, I call it 'realism') in check. That is, unless I'm wearing sleeves."

I love it Ariel. Thank you.

See more tattoos. If you've got a tattoo of one of my drawings, send it along, and tell me the story behind it! Email me at marcjohns [at] gmail [dot] com.

For the non-commital: get temporary tattoos of some of my drawings over at Tattly.