Meaning behind my tattoo

I have two tattoos on my back. Sometimes I forget that they exist since it's not in a visible area. They remained covered until the summer heat reaches me. When they are out in plain sight and then suddenly revealed, I get surprised reactions from those that I'm just becoming familiar with. I am very petite so I think it's the size that comes as a shock. 

The artist who created this beauty was Reime Jahr, a local Minnesotan. You can find her at Evolution Tattoo in Bloomington. I met her through an acquaintance and have always admired her style. Overall, she's a fantastic artist with a great personality. She's also a gigantic dork like I am! 

I wanted this image to have a whimsical feel to it. I trusted Reime and gave her full artistic freedom, which is difficult for many. She's shared stories of clients who would micromanage her from start to finish. 

Reime was actually the one that suggested that I place an animal in the center. I chose the fox, which has similar attributes to my own. 

• Wisdom
• Cunning
• Strategy
• Cleverness
• Adaptability
• Quick-thinking

The frame represents the expectations that are placed on us. The forest [which are dreams] cannot be contained within that frame. I paint outside of that frame. As you move further from the center of the frame things because more realistic. 

I plan on getting my entire back and maybe my hips tattooed. It's kind of annoying to have so much negative space open, but I don't want to carelessly add art. I've only ever thought of tattooing things that hold significant meaning to me. 

The ideas I have so far are to add in landscape with a waterfall on my upper shoulder. Cascading flowers and a pond to incorporate the existing lotus flowers that I have on my lower back. I've thought about adding nymphs, but I probably wont have the space for the details. 

Thanks for reading.