How many times have you had someone ask you about the meaning of your tattoos as if all of your secrets are somehow hidden in plain sight and they are just missing the secret decoder ring? Tattoos are a form of personal expression and can hold great significance or simply just be fun or because we got bored. With everyone and their brother curious about the meaning of your tattoos, you'll get questions. Here are some ways to answer questions about the meaning of your tattoos

1. Be sincere and serious - tell them your pre-rehearsed story about what it means to you. Omit details that are irrelevant and pretend that all of your Ink was part of your plan to begin with.
2. Be a smartass - give them a snarky response that will make them regret ever asking in the first place. "That's the question I've been asking myself. One day they just started to appear and I don't know what they mean, maybe you can help me figure it out??"
3. Be vague - say something like "it's personal" or "it's just for me"
4. Tell them the honest truth - this is probably the best option, but be aware that some people may not like hearing the harsher realities of life
5. Make up a story - if you don't want to tell them the truth or you just feel like being creative, make up a story about what your tattoo means
6. Ignore them - if you don't want to talk about it, just pretend like you didn't hear them and keep on going about your day... If they are persistent revert to #2
7. Say nothing - another option is to just stay silent. Give a little smirk and/or wink and walk away. Just imagine the stories they will be telling themselves about the mystery that is YOU.

Just like the ink you've chosen, you are in control! But now when someone asks about the meaning behind your tattoos, you'll have a few new ways of answering to try on. Whatever direction you decide to go just be authentically you and remember, Life's too short to be boring...

10 BADASS REALISM TATTOO ARTISTS

Though classic realism has been a part of the fine art since as far back as the Renaissance, it only found its way to the world of tattoos recently, cropping up around the latter half of the 20th century. Since then, this new tattoo style has become increasingly refined and extremely popular. As it now stands, you can find jaw-dropping color and black and grey portraits of pretty much any celebrity you can think of as well as realistic depictions of nature and just about anything else imaginable, even the surreal.

-- Justine Morrow "Essential Guide to Realistic Tattoos"

Many realism tattoo artists use the foundation built and inspired by Pop Art.

Using the technique of mapping shadows in photographs, realism tattoos are created.There is not one specific style or visual to realism tattoos. Practically anything can be turned into a Realism tattoo—from video stills, photographs, animals, flowers, paintings, and even memes, there is an artist out there who can do virtually anything. Below we have cultivated a list of some of our favorite Realism tattoos and artists. We know you guys are willing to go just about anywhere for your next ink, so check them out and get inspired!

From left to right, top to bottom:
@yunusonergenc
@snuffy.nyc
@comma_ttt
@shooby_tattoo
@antmikes
@ponywave
@douglasprudentetattoo
@robdansontattoo
@mihail_kogut
@fountain.nyc

1. To Express Yourself

You’re a really awesome person with cool likes and interests, and you want to express yourself in a permanent, easily recognizable way.

2. To Honor Someone’s Memory

You lost someone close to you and want to keep a part of them with you forever as a reminder of who they were and how much you loved them.

3. To Commemorate Important Events

You had an unforgettable time on vacation in France getting to see the Eiffel Tower for the first time, you fell in love with your child on the day they were born, or you persevered and are celebrating one year being sober. You want to remember the moment forever.

4. To Bond With Friends or Loved Ones

You and your bestie want to hold each other close for years to come with matching tattoos and the fun experience of getting them together.

5. To Cover Up Scars

You’ve got a big scar from breaking your arm, or from a surgery. You want to dress it up with a cool design so that your tattoo is the focal point instead.

6.To Stand Out From the Crowd

You’re a unique, badass individual and you want everyone to know it. Life is too short to blend in.

7. You’re Addicted After Getting One

You got one tiny tattoo just for fun and now you’re addicted and need more ASAP. We get it, it happens.

Pentagram Black Widow tattoo by @artbymario

Every day is Halloween with this tattoo by @corycraft

"This is my costume. I'm a homicidal maniac, they look just live everyone else." -Wednesday Addams tattoo by @isabelleblacktattoo

Trick or treat, spooky and sweet tattoo by @shaemotztattoos

Carebear Bride of Frankenbear by @tattoosbyjaclyn

This Halloween pinup tattoo by @badmanazzz doubles as a costume idea!

One part creepy, one part cute, Halloween tattoo by @tattoosbydigger

When you're spooky year round... Beachside Dracula tattoo by @tattoosbymeri

Hexcellent work by @maseflip

We may have outgrown Trick-or-Treating, but this fox by @willwilsontattoo keeps us young.

What would Halloween be without some old school cartoons? Casper Halloween tattoo by @rachaelsnydertattoos

What's not to love about this traditional pinup witch by @jessbakertattoo

This graveyard scene by @joeltruaxtattoos manages to be cute and creepy at the same time.

Want more Halloween tattoo designs? Check out the designs artists submitted to our INK x Halloween Artist Battle. Designs will only be sold until 10/31/18, so pick yours up now!

Customizable Options

Now when you shop on mercedestourism.com, you have more options than ever for a uniquely customizable shopping experience. No matter what category you select on the site, you’ll notice multiple ways you can refine your selection to ensure you receive the exact item you envisioned. You’re now able to refine your selection based on Type, Garment Type, Garment Color, Print Color, Design, Size, and/or Price.

You Spoke, We Listened

We took our best-selling items from the last 5 years and made them better than ever. Now you can select designs you love, in a variety of garment style, colors, and print colors, determined by you! Celebrate the current season, local sports team colors, event colors, or any other color profile that fits your life. 

Customizable options include original INK, INK 2.0, INK Meas, INK Hearts, mercedestourism, Expensive Skin, Tattooed As Fuck, & Tattooed AF, as well as limited runs of other designs, available seasonally. 

Ink Experience

If there’s one thing we know you love, it’s getting tattooed. That’s why we wanted to create a shopping experience that is as close to the process of walking into a tattoo shop and getting a tattoo as possible - but far less painful. Plus, it can be done from the comfort of your couch!

Step 1) Pick your Garment Type - Similar to picking the location of a tattoo, you have (almost) as many options as you have tattoo-able body parts! Pick from Hoodies, Tees, Tanks, Long sleeve, Bottoms, Underwear, Hats or Socks.

Step 2 & 3) Pick your Garment & Print Colors - We liken this to choosing the style of tattoo you want. Spanning from bright and bold like neo-traditional tattoos, to classic black, white, or grey. Since these are separate options, it’s highly customizable. You’re sure to find a unique garment and print combination that matches your personal style.

Step 4) Pick your Design  - Pick a design that speaks to you, like you do with your tattoos! We brought back your favorite mercedestourism designs from years past, as well as newer versions for you to pick from.

 Just like tattoos, you can refine your choices in any order you like. Pick your design first, or garment color and go from there. It’s your apparel, made your way.

 *Not all designs are available in all colors or garment types. 

 We're always interested in what members of the mercedestourism nation have to say. If you have feedback about the new Ink Experience, let us know in the comments below. Happy shopping!