Artichokes and Silverware
This summer I had the opportunity to do some face painting on kids who were learning about planting and growing produce at a local community garden. I wish I’d snapped a few pictures of the creepy crawlers and garden critters that I enjoyed painting onto sunscreeny, sweaty little faces on that very sunny afternoon. My ‘art’, however, was not the only art appearing on skin by that garden. I was very taken by some refreshingly different and elegant tattoos that adorned one mom’s arms.
Tattoos are as ubiquitous now as Tim Horton’s coffee shops in Canada, if not more so. I do not claim to be privy to all the latest and greatest body art; however, it is uncommon for me to see a tattoo that really impresses me. So many seem to be different variations on the same theme. That doesn’t make them unattractive, but it does make them predictable and therefore somewhat dull to me. There are of course, some pretty ugly ones too, and the infamous collections that contain most regrettable typos – but I digress. What I saw that day was, to me, original, surprising and lovely. It also seemed to fit into the gardening setting perfectly.
Behold, on the woman’s upper arm: the humble artichoke. And on her forearm: a pretty knife and fork, freehanded by Tara Timoon (of New Moon in Orleans). Right away I wondered what the story was. One must have a strong feeling about an image, saying, or decoration, in order to adorn their epidermis with it all their days.
Upper arm articoke (left), forearm silverware (right)
In this case, the possessor of said tattoos (Anne-Marie) told me “I grew eating artichokes, just steamed, ripping the leaves off and dipping the tips in a Dijon dressing. I was the only one I knew who ate them and when my friends came over they all loved trying them. My own kids love them and think of them as a treat equally as exciting as chocolate. So I guess I got the tattoo because it makes me think of my family, like a link between us.” Who knew an artichoke could be an ode to fond family memories and connections? It’s wonderful! As for the cutlery, she said, “Food is a huge passion - well not just food, but more like eating, eating with loved ones. Food was always very important growing up and I have spent the last 16 years working in restaurants.”
I too, love food, although I can’t say I have the same appetite for artichokes as Anne-Marie. From an artistic perspective I appreciate their colour and form. Furthermore, I love old silverware and have some jewelry crafted from various pieces – a pickle fork bracelet, spoon-handle bracelet, and a teaspoon ring. So perhaps my enjoyment of both eating and silverware is the reason that Anne-Marie’s tattoos resonated with me, made me smile and wonder about them.
It was a joy to learn the beautiful story behind the simple and unique artichoke and her elegant friends, the knife and fork.
