Common Ground

Common Ground is a visual commentary on life in our community. Every 12 weeks a new Virginian-Pilot photographer will begin his or her series of photographs based on a topic of their choosing.

The current series, Greetings from Ocean View is a photo column aimed at exploring life in "OV," a Norfolk neighborhood full of pride yet seemingly always teetering on the edge of change. Photojournalist Preston Gannaway hopes to tell some of the stories that make this community so unique. If you have any feedback or ideas, you can email her at preston.gannaway@pilotonline.com.

Category: Photos

■ 01 August 2008 | 3:45 PM

My First tattoo

To play audio slideshow - click on the arrow in the bottom, left-hand corner of the viewing window.

Eastern Shore resident Arnold Stephens, 68, of Pocomoke City, Md., decided it was time to get his first - and second - tattoo. One for each of his late wives.
A Tasmanian devil for his first, who he lost to breast cancer after 33 years of marriage. A Playboy bunny for his second, lost to kidney failure after 10 years of marriage.
The tattoo session included another first. Stephens got inked by his daughter, Becky Barninger, who recently opened Forever Yours Tattoo in Temperanceville, the first tattoo parlor in Accomack County.
As for her dad’s decision to get body art, Barninger “never thought this day would come.”

And if you want the back story on why Arnold chose these characters to represent the special women in his life - you'll have to ask him.

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