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This Dad Has Been Tattooing His Son’s Drawings On His Own Arm Since He Was 5
Keith Anderson, a devoted dad in Ontario, has found a unique way to remember his son Kai’s childhood – his right arm is covered in tattoo designs based on drawings by his son that he has been getting every year since Kai was 5 years old.
“The first one of these cool tattoos was the daisy- I had it done when he was in kindergarten,” Anderson told Chance Faulkner, a photographer who had an interview with him and took these pictures. “Then we went back and did his name and the house from when he was 4.”
“Recently, my son was there with me and he did some of the tattooing of his drawing ideas himself. He loves it. No one I know has ever heard of tattooing original kid’s drawings before, and it’s a lot of fun… People ask me what will happen if I run out of space for new unique tattoos; I guess I’ll just get him to draw smaller pictures.”
More info: chancefaulknerphotography.com | Twitter
RELATED:
Every year, dad Keith Anderson gets another tattoo based on his son’s drawings
Kai drew this seahorse when he was 6 years old
They did this robot when Kai was 10
“We will keep going until he doesn’t want to do it anymore”
Keith’s son drew this patriotic maple leaf when he was 7
“No one I know has ever heard of tattooing original kid art before, and it’s a lot of fun”
Kai drew this tattoo, Keith’s favorite, when he was 8
Kai drew this house when he was just 4 years old
The very first tattoo, which Keith got when Kai was in kindergarten
“People ask me what will happen if I run out of space; I guess I’ll just get him to draw smaller pictures”
“Recently, my son was there with me and he did some of the tattooing himself. He loves it”
Turning a child’s doodles into permanent ink is one of the sweetest gestures we’ve seen. Find more meaningful and emotional tattoos in our full tattoo guide.
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What do you think ?
DanielleBrown 10 years ago
I think all tattoos should have meaning and this is great way to remember his son at these various ages. Love it!!!
RafoCastro 10 years ago
I did this in my arm since my son was 2 years old. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5aqPkQTT7 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5aqPkQTT7I
EsterTataje 10 years ago
Showed the video to my 5 yo, she wants to tattoo me now. =) Her goal is to one day work in her papa's shop as a tattooer, just like him!
Load More Replies...
KellieFlores 10 years ago
My daughter and I got Harry Potter tattoos together. Mine is Fluffy, the three headed dog, that she drew when she was seven. Love it!
MartinEdwards 10 years ago
im 50 soon,i have loads of drawing from my children - i've never had a tattoo - gonna be rummaging through old boxes of stuff.brilliant idea
DebFoley 10 years ago
Me too Martin. I've always fancied a tattoo but believe you should have a strong and meaningful connection to the design. X
Load More Replies...
DawnWithaPlessel 10 years ago
My next one might just have to be one of my boys drawings! Love the idea!
KristinaKelly 10 years ago
I think this is awesome That's a great way of always having your memories with you.
ChandrayeeBiswas 10 years ago
I have no words.. Hey Dad .. You rock!! and Kai.. Ur Dad is special !
JoannaNasiłowska 10 years ago
Totally understand this Man:) Got my son's drawing tattooed on my arm 2months ago,when he was 2. People say, I should've frame it instead;)
LillianaHoffman 10 years ago
This is very sweet! I think I'm gonna do this too when I get the money. One more nail to the "you're unsexy" coffin but I con't give a f**k.
JohnBowden 10 years ago
I think this is the coolest thing ever and really makes me want to start doing something like this with my 4 year old
InveterateArtist 10 years ago
I like it, what better tattoos to get, some of the most meaningful ones ever.
DuaneLawder 10 years ago
I think this is a awesome example of what a Dad should be God Bless America !
10 years ago
lol I think he's doing this so that his son will be nice af doing tattoo's and then he can live off of him doing topnotch tattoos ;p
KellieBlake 10 years ago
I think its a beautiful idea, I have the drawings my daughter did of their favourite bears tattooed in to my sleeve x makes me smile x
TabathaGoed 10 years ago
I was diagnosed w a illness that had a expiration date. I was sent to dozens of hospitals away from son. I am covered w his art.
DonnaSweeney 10 years ago
Wow, Awesome stuff, I love it, Great job on the Tat's, looks just like a copy of the original :)
LorraineSt-Amand 10 years ago
This is what Fatherhood is all about. It's not about the interactive art of tattooing but rather the love between a child and a Papa.
SuzanDeCendlove 10 years ago
Heartwarming.... I've never heard a more eloquent reason for getting tattoos!!
VickiRussell 10 years ago
Better than some drunken mistake.. Perfect reminder of his boy growing up x
ChelseaHamilton 10 years ago
People get meaningless tattoos everyday so if this father wants to have tattoos of his sons drawings then all the power to him! It's awsome
NikkiClaire 10 years ago
I asked my boyfriend if he would do this. He said no and that its stupid. His not the one.
ComedianMichaelGabriel 10 years ago
I have always thought that children's art had a unique quality to them. I was pleased when a museum once held a showing that featured them.
ChristophSchrodare 10 years ago
I think I have been doing the same thing for the last 7 yrs and it's WICKED AWESOME !!!!!
RobinStratton 10 years ago
This brings a fathers love to a new level! And to think I just put my sons art work in a folder!
CoreyCallahan 10 years ago
He put them all places people cant see them. So what does that tell you he thinks of the kids art?
DinaSalmon 10 years ago
Though I am not a fan of tattooing I think this is pretty awesome. What a beautiful expression to his son of his love for him.
RachelBrewer 10 years ago
That's a great idea, I bet your son really enjoys seeing his pictures on his arm to! Very creative :)
RachelBrewer 10 years ago
Wow, that's a great idea, and I bet your son enjoys seeing your arm covered in his drawings! :) A very good meaning to!
KristenStrong 10 years ago
What a sweet man. Those tattoos are great, and not just because they're his son's. (Seriously, that sea horse is adorable.)
LoriClark-downs 10 years ago
I love it, I let my daughter pick out one of mine, it's a smiley face with pink butterfly wings and her name now she hates pink lol
NickBrilla 10 years ago
I've been doing this for years!! Respect!! http://instagram.com/p/e2onmUkSA2/
MaryellenJaynes 10 years ago
you'll run out of room eventually but you will be a walking time capsule of your sons life :-)
MaryellenJaynes 10 years ago
you will run out of room eventually but you will be a walking time capsule of your sons life ;-)
PaulaStephenson 10 years ago
Awesome! Makes me think about doing this, with six grandchildren I will be covered in no time.
AegonVITargaryen 10 years ago
if a tattoo has meaning to the beholder, especially as his does, i think its definitely worth it! oh and epic beard dude ;)
MohamadRamdan 10 years ago
Meaningful & loving way of showing a great bond between a father and son.
JenniferBaez 10 years ago
he could've just gotten his drawings laminated or conserve them in a photo album. this is not a good look. sorry.
DebFoley 10 years ago
Photo albums are so last year! ;D Seriously though, it's not your skin or your 'look' so I wouldn't concern yourself. X
Load More Replies...
DanielFlynn 10 years ago
Its easy for the kid to say 'Aww, please do it Dad, aww it so fun!', he's not the one getting covered in weird, druggy kids drawings!
DanielleBrown 10 years ago
I think all tattoos should have meaning and this is great way to remember his son at these various ages. Love it!!!
RafoCastro 10 years ago
I did this in my arm since my son was 2 years old. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5aqPkQTT7 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5aqPkQTT7I
EsterTataje 10 years ago
Showed the video to my 5 yo, she wants to tattoo me now. =) Her goal is to one day work in her papa's shop as a tattooer, just like him!
Load More Replies... KellieFlores 10 years ago
My daughter and I got Harry Potter tattoos together. Mine is Fluffy, the three headed dog, that she drew when she was seven. Love it!
MartinEdwards 10 years ago
im 50 soon,i have loads of drawing from my children - i've never had a tattoo - gonna be rummaging through old boxes of stuff.brilliant idea
DebFoley 10 years ago
Me too Martin. I've always fancied a tattoo but believe you should have a strong and meaningful connection to the design. X
Load More Replies... DawnWithaPlessel 10 years ago
My next one might just have to be one of my boys drawings! Love the idea!
KristinaKelly 10 years ago
I think this is awesome That's a great way of always having your memories with you.
ChandrayeeBiswas 10 years ago
I have no words.. Hey Dad .. You rock!! and Kai.. Ur Dad is special !
JoannaNasiłowska 10 years ago
Totally understand this Man:) Got my son's drawing tattooed on my arm 2months ago,when he was 2. People say, I should've frame it instead;)
LillianaHoffman 10 years ago
This is very sweet! I think I'm gonna do this too when I get the money. One more nail to the "you're unsexy" coffin but I con't give a f**k.
JohnBowden 10 years ago
I think this is the coolest thing ever and really makes me want to start doing something like this with my 4 year old
InveterateArtist 10 years ago
I like it, what better tattoos to get, some of the most meaningful ones ever.
DuaneLawder 10 years ago
I think this is a awesome example of what a Dad should be God Bless America !
10 years ago
lol I think he's doing this so that his son will be nice af doing tattoo's and then he can live off of him doing topnotch tattoos ;p
KellieBlake 10 years ago
I think its a beautiful idea, I have the drawings my daughter did of their favourite bears tattooed in to my sleeve x makes me smile x
TabathaGoed 10 years ago
I was diagnosed w a illness that had a expiration date. I was sent to dozens of hospitals away from son. I am covered w his art.
DonnaSweeney 10 years ago
Wow, Awesome stuff, I love it, Great job on the Tat's, looks just like a copy of the original :)
LorraineSt-Amand 10 years ago
This is what Fatherhood is all about. It's not about the interactive art of tattooing but rather the love between a child and a Papa.
SuzanDeCendlove 10 years ago
Heartwarming.... I've never heard a more eloquent reason for getting tattoos!!
VickiRussell 10 years ago
Better than some drunken mistake.. Perfect reminder of his boy growing up x
ChelseaHamilton 10 years ago
People get meaningless tattoos everyday so if this father wants to have tattoos of his sons drawings then all the power to him! It's awsome
NikkiClaire 10 years ago
I asked my boyfriend if he would do this. He said no and that its stupid. His not the one.
ComedianMichaelGabriel 10 years ago
I have always thought that children's art had a unique quality to them. I was pleased when a museum once held a showing that featured them.
ChristophSchrodare 10 years ago
I think I have been doing the same thing for the last 7 yrs and it's WICKED AWESOME !!!!!
RobinStratton 10 years ago
This brings a fathers love to a new level! And to think I just put my sons art work in a folder!
CoreyCallahan 10 years ago
He put them all places people cant see them. So what does that tell you he thinks of the kids art?
DinaSalmon 10 years ago
Though I am not a fan of tattooing I think this is pretty awesome. What a beautiful expression to his son of his love for him.
RachelBrewer 10 years ago
That's a great idea, I bet your son really enjoys seeing his pictures on his arm to! Very creative :)
RachelBrewer 10 years ago
Wow, that's a great idea, and I bet your son enjoys seeing your arm covered in his drawings! :) A very good meaning to!
KristenStrong 10 years ago
What a sweet man. Those tattoos are great, and not just because they're his son's. (Seriously, that sea horse is adorable.)
LoriClark-downs 10 years ago
I love it, I let my daughter pick out one of mine, it's a smiley face with pink butterfly wings and her name now she hates pink lol
NickBrilla 10 years ago
I've been doing this for years!! Respect!! http://instagram.com/p/e2onmUkSA2/
MaryellenJaynes 10 years ago
you'll run out of room eventually but you will be a walking time capsule of your sons life :-)
MaryellenJaynes 10 years ago
you will run out of room eventually but you will be a walking time capsule of your sons life ;-)
PaulaStephenson 10 years ago
Awesome! Makes me think about doing this, with six grandchildren I will be covered in no time.
AegonVITargaryen 10 years ago
if a tattoo has meaning to the beholder, especially as his does, i think its definitely worth it! oh and epic beard dude ;)
MohamadRamdan 10 years ago
Meaningful & loving way of showing a great bond between a father and son.
JenniferBaez 10 years ago
he could've just gotten his drawings laminated or conserve them in a photo album. this is not a good look. sorry.
DebFoley 10 years ago
Photo albums are so last year! ;D Seriously though, it's not your skin or your 'look' so I wouldn't concern yourself. X
Load More Replies... DanielFlynn 10 years ago
Its easy for the kid to say 'Aww, please do it Dad, aww it so fun!', he's not the one getting covered in weird, druggy kids drawings!
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