I had a vision in my mind of a new tattoo I wanted but, unfortunately, I am not gifted at drawing. Often, pictures I have in my mind, if I try to draw them, look something pretty similar to stick figures or blobs and not at all close to the picture I have in mind.

A friend recommended a tattoo shop called OxBlood Ink and I decided to check them out to see if an artist there could capture my vision on paper and then ultimately tattoo it on my arm. I walked in to the shop and on my right was large windows illuminating the shop, in front of me a merch room, and to my left a large desk area. Across from the desk and down the hall were offices. The aesthetics of the shop immediately captured my attention and I felt comfortable.

I was greeted and asked how I could be helped. I explained I was looking to get a new piece of art drawn up and then tattooed. He asked me to look through 3 portfolios and then let him know which one spoke to me. So, I began looking through the artwork in portfolio #1, it was nice, but I didn’t really feel drawn to that one. I looked at portfolio #2 and felt like that was the one, but decided to look at portfolio #3 just to be sure. I went back and examined portfolio #2 again and decided, yep, that was the one for me.

I chose the portfolio of Frankie “Tank” Baker. The person behind the desk went and got Frankie and, after introductions, he and I began to chat about my vision and I was able to give some visual reference via Pinterest – gotta love Pinterest! Frankie made a great suggestion on the placement of the tattoo – something I had been struggling with – and that’s when I knew he was the artist for me! We communicated via email for the next few weeks to get the design details worked out and a rough draft drawn up. Frankie was very responsive and he offered honest advice and great feedback with all of my ideas, questions, and concerns. His professionalism, and the professionalism of the shop, was something I hadn’t experienced at other tattoo shops before. The bar was raised to a whole new level!

Ink Day!! Frankie and I discussed and looked over the final details of the design, made a few tweaks and then he printed the tattoo to transfer paper, placed it on my arm – got perfect placement first shot! – and we begin!! 6 hours later I have the tattoo pictured below. What a masterpiece! Frankie took my vision and made something more beautiful than I had ever imagined!

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A Lion and a Lamb… So, what does it mean to me?

Jesus’ first coming, He came as the Lamb. He is the sacrifice for our sins. Our ransom payment for all who will believe in His death, burial, and resurrection. Jesus’ second coming, He’s coming as a Lion, to destroy evil once and for all and to take His beloved to the place He has prepared for them. The compass… Jesus is always my True North… Whenever I lose my way and I choose to look to Him, He brings me back to where I should be.

I am not ashamed of the Gospel (Good News) of Jesus Christ. Which is why I am proud to have this piece on my arm. I hope that it will spark open conversation with people. Jesus has shown His love for me in the most lavish way and His love is amazingly and, for me, bafflingly unconditional – nope I don’t think that is actually a word. 🙂 Jesus is continuously working in my heart to grow me and show me how to love others the way He does. And He always keeps His promises. He’s the hero we all long for to fight and destroy evil and love us in a way no one else ever has before or will do again. If you haven’t experienced this type of love, I challenge you to give Jesus a chance. And if you’re looking for some new ink and you’re in MD, get over to OxBlood Ink! I highly recommend Frankie!

On to the next piece!