Sunday, September 12, 2010

Henna Tattoo Parlour

[This is a work of fiction.]


Every year at festival time, I take my place on the pavement with my friends, arrange my tubes of henna paste and pattern books around me, and set up up an alfresco henna tattoo parlour. The moment my customer gives me her hand, my fingers know exactly what to do. The henna paste flows out under my expert guidance, and peacocks, flowers and abstract designs take shape on her palms. Even the most intricate designs take me not more than ten minutes, my clients are always satisfied.

The money is good- it will pay for my canvas and oil paints.

_____
drabble is a story told in exactly 100 words.



15 comments:

Unknown said...

Wow, that's beauty and talent rolled into one. I love those Henna Tattoos.

CD

Anonymous said...

Rayna - Oh, that's a wonderful Drabble! I've always wondered about henna tattoos, and you've shared some fascinating stuff about them in your usual eloquent way :-).

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

How long do henna tattoos last?

Mason Canyon said...

Interesting Drabble. That would take very talented people to do this.

Mason
Thoughts in Progress

Mary@GigglesandGuns said...

The Drabble made me want to zoom in to see more.
Great!

Tina said...

I've had lots of henna tattoos over the years, love them. Then I got a real tattoo and haven't gotten one since. This summer YellowBoy got a dragon on his arm. It didn't last so long because we were at the beach and he spent a lot time in the water.

LTM said...

A photographer, drabbler AND henna tattoo artist! You are amazing... ;p j/k I saw your little disclaimer.

great stuff. Esp. love the artist ref at the end~ <3

Carolyn Abiad said...

I used to get henna tattoos all the time when I lived in Abu Dhabi. They are so beautiful!

@ Alex - Henna tattoos on the hand take about two weeks to fade. I used to get them on my ankles and those lasted longer, maybe a month. Looks good under black hose too...

L. Diane Wolfe said...

So doing the tattoos funded a larger art project...

Deb and Barbara said...

Henna tattoos are so beautiful -- and so sensual in the creating.
B

Anonymous said...

Cool. I don't have any tats. But it doesn't bother me to see other people in tats. To each their own. I didn't know you painted. I love art too. It was my first love. Now its second to writing, but still a very dear friend of mine.

Stephen Tremp

Anonymous said...

Henna tattoos are such lovely works of art!

Theres just life said...

I love seeing the henna tattoos they are so intricate and beautiful. I was surprised at how short a time it takes to get one. Great drabble I learned something new again.

Hart Johnson said...

I love those henna tattoos! They're beautiful! I love the idea too, that for the artisan, they are the bread and butter that support what she sees as her real art.

Natasha said...

@ Clarissa- they are lovely, aren't they? And I love the speed with which they get drawn

@ Margot- hands with henna tattoos painted on them are an intrinsic part of most of our festivals and rituals.

@ Alex- about two weeks, but they colours stay nice and fresh for only about a week. After that it starts to fade, and doesn't particularly look good.

@ Mason- and there are so many unsung but very talented people out there, doing it

@ Mary- during the next festival, I will be sure to take better photographs, so you can zoom right in.

@ Tina- my younger one loves henna tattoos too. Maybe I should try give him a dragon.

@ Leigh - LoL. I can do a henna tattoo if you hold a gun to my head, but they would not be particularly good.

@ Carolyn- they are lovely, aren't they?

@ Diane- one of my friend is an artist, and she did just that.

@ Barbara- and I just love the smell. It smells of fertile earth.

@ Stephen- I will never get a tattoo done either- too permanent (I change more often than any tattoo). But henna tattoos are temporary.

@ Fiona - they are gorgeous, aren't they?

@ Pamela - I love watching the true henna artists at work- their fingers just fly over the palms which they are drawing on.

@ Hart- partially true story- but not me. I am not talented artistically.

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