Upper back, lower neck symbol of acceptance and healing tattoo

Summary:

Looking for a design that resonates in my soul

Description:

Both my older brother and my younger sister have a genetic disorder called Fragile X Syndrome. It is caused by a gene mutation on the X chromosome, and one of the end portions of the chromosome actually looks like it is about to fall off (thus the "Fragile X"). Growing up as the middle child between them was very difficult. I keenly felt the separation from "normal" activities their disorder forced on my family: hated having friends over, really hated when my parents brought them with to pick me up from school, really really hated when others would stare. But I am now so thankful for them because the patience, compassion, and selflessness I saw in my parents while caring for them as I was growning up has helped me become the person I am today. I want to honor them and embrace the very thing I hated for so long. We may not have been a normal family, but we were a family.

I found a logo from a research institute webpage that I want to modify. I don't want the chinese character since it isn't my language, but have been told that it translates to something like "heal" or "recover" and I like the idea of that alot. The X has to be have a section that is really pinched on the one section at the bottom like it is in the image right where the chinese is located, but the chinese character needs to be replaced with either the word fragile, something that represents fragility, or as an alternative, something that represents health and strength. There is another image attached that shows picture of actual chromosomes displaying the difference between a healthy one and one with Fragile X.

Concepts I love: the silhouette of birds in flight, shadow effects and shading, a feather breaking off into birds, translucence (see the flower tattoo), use of negitive space; clean thin lines; and those that have a feeling of lightness and etheralness to them. I am not into fairies or fantasy looking things.  

I would like to keep the X in black ink but want color for the other element.

Additional Details:

• Contest Length: 16 Days
• Gender: Female
• Size: 5 x 5 inches
• Detail: Medium Detail Design
• Winning artist must provide stencil / line work at completion of contest

Appended Description (July 31 2012 7:54pm):

I realized that the only think I am married to is the fact that there needs to be a X. How the X looks, it's composition, it's substance or lackthereof is completely up in the air. You can stick with the calligraphy idea and just tweak it or go with something completely different. As long as Fragile X Syndrome is represented I will be happy. Please feel free to ask for more details.

Appended Description (August 8 2012 6:31pm):

I also love stipling tattoos

Example Images:

Payment Methods:

This contest has been pre-paid. The winning artist will be paid directly by CreateMyTattoo via Paypal.