question for a tattoo

I am in the middle of getting another tattoo but im kind of stuck in one spot. I am trying to get a tattoo that has a representation of life or aspects of life, and death. I have always been a fan of grim reaper tattoos so i have chosen the reaper as my death representation, afterall he is death too. But im kind of stuck on a good idea for the representation of life. My first idea dealed with a skyline at the top of the tattoo and an angel just under it to give the appearence of flying around the heavens, and then as the tattoo progressed further down the colors would become slightly less colorful until you got to the grim reaper which would be black and gray in some spots. The colors representing the thrill of life and the darkness surrounded around death. I was all set until i thought about the angel, i feel the meaning isnt fully being shown. Instead of life and death it looks like a heaven and hell thing and to me the grim reaper has no connection to hell, it is a being that is needed to take the souls to the after life, where ever you go after that is completly based on your life choices. So I was just wondering if anyone had any ideas that i may not have thought of just to get the creative juices flowing. I am having a tattoo version of writers block.

Hmm... Immediately, what comes to my mind are trees..... And from there, the Tree of Life. You could have a tree of life done, all in verdant color, with the same kind of concept..... Above, bright, spring... fading into autumn, turning to winter as you follow down into the root system etc. Not sure if I'm aptly explaining what I see in my head. (this is where someone likely tells me to draw it up instead of trying to put it into words :P )

Sounds like a great idea. It wouldnt be a bad idea to find the custom tattoo artist who will do the tattoo and let them take your ideas and thoughts and run with em. Where abouts do you live? here are a few links to life photos and google search. I would really concentrate on finding the custom artist and working with them for ideas, the more involved the artist is with the art, the more inspired they will be to do the tattoo!

Something I just found on the tree of life idea. http://www.nickbaxter.com/Tattoo_Galleries/tattoo_2747.html It is picture of a tattoo. Katwoman

yea thats what i thought too gabe, i do have a tattoo artist that will draw it up and do it for me so i think i will go to him next. I just wanted to make sure i had every idea coverd before going to the shop. Thanks for the help so far guys