So here's my update....
The most highly recommended tattoo place here in Portland is Sanctuary Tattoo. My daughter did a job shadow there last year and her friend Eryn's mom is *very* good friends with one of the artists, Jenn. I went online and looked at Jenn's portlfolio and then gave her a call and left a message. That was a few weeks ago.
Finally, tonight, she called me back. I kept meaning to call her and a combination of forgetfulness and "do I really want to go through with this" held me back.
Anyway, we started talking and I explained why I wanted to get a tattoo and Heath and etc. She said, "Oh my God, when Heath Ledger died, I cried for two days." I took this as a good sign of being on the same wavelength.
While we were talking, I emailed her the pictures of the leaf I want. We discussed placement and I ruled out on my hand (like Heath had) because I just think that might be too much for the first time out. Right now, I am pretty much decided on upper right shoulder blade. Jenn said we could size it up a little bit to be in proper proportion for the site, but she also said it is such a pretty and delicate tattoo, she didn't want to make it too big.
She had an opening next Tuesday at 5 pm (most of her appointments are booked out til June) so I am slotted for that. I realized after I got off the phone this is the same DAY (not the number date) that I left for my Euro-Brokies trip last year (and seeing the play in Holland). I flew out of JFK airport on Tuesday evening March 13th, so this is probably a good sign, don't you think? Same day? I pay attention to dates.
Now my dilemma, and this is where I welcome my BBM friends' input: how to do it. First is placement. Do I want the stem up or down, the leaf turned right or left? Then, color. Jenn had several suggestions: 1) exactly the same as it is; 2) more starkly monochromatic (black and white); 3) similar to what is already there, but adding more grey shading; 4) adding some color--maybe brown, for a leaf, or red, for Canada (and maple leaves--they turn red in the fall).
I have one week to ponder this. She did say that she can certainly offer good advice on size and positioning, but that color is much more personal. That is much more my decision--so.....
I welcome all of your comments and look forward to hearing from you!
L