I mentioned in my first blog entry that writers like Carl Zimmer have inspired me to start my own blog. It was while reading Carl’s blog that I first came across a call for scientists with tattoos at the ‘Science Tattoo Emporium’. I was intrigued to learn that biologists were sporting tattoos of the DNA double helix, and physicists had inked Rutherford’s image of the atom. The tattoos were accompanied with a personal story from the tattoo holder (generally all scientists), who were deeply passionate about their chosen subject. Since, I also had picked up my own science related tattoo, I decided to send Carl a copy of it for his site. Carl later contacted me and asked if I would grant him permission to publish my tattoo and a little biographic piece about why I chose it and how it related to my passion and interest in science. It was subsequently published in Science Ink, a beautiful book about scientists and their many nerdy, beautiful and somewhat strange tattoos.
My tattoo was of a white calochortus lily (Calochortus eurycarpus); a species that grows on the Zumwalt Prairie NE Oregon, where I had volunteered as an undergraduate student with The Nature Conservancy. I worked as a plant technician for two seasons and one of my favourite species was the calochortus lily that stood bold and elegant in a very harsh environment. I decided later on that I would like to get a tattoo, and subsequently thought that this flower was as nice as any of the other lilies that I had seen inked on skin, and it also represented a great experience in my life, where I decided that I wanted to pursue a career in conservation.The flower also features in the background of my blog and I use it on my Twitter account.
My tattoo artist is Ian Flynn who works out of JMD’s Body Art in Waterford. In my opinion, he is a great artist, with a passion for interesting and intricate tattoos. I couldn’t recommend him highly enough.
