Each octopus on my sleeve holds a piece of my heart—family, love, career. Inked with soul by the amazing Karly Cleary.
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My latest tattoo addition is a swirl of water flowing through my sleeve—teal fading to black as it moves up to my shoulder. It ties all my octopi together, representing movement, emotion, and the flow of life. Water felt like the perfect backdrop for a sleeve that honors my past, present, and what’s still to come.
If your ink could speak, what would it say?My tattoo is a living timeline. It began when I became an NP—marked by a blue octopus holding a caduceus. Each octopus represents a loved one: my mom (a lawn flamingo), dad (Colombian coffee), brother (a dumbbell), husband (a blue-ringed octopus with a monstera leaf from our wedding), and my aesthetic career (a syringe).
What would you do with the $25,000?With $25,000, I’d invest in something that blends passion and purpose—like expanding my aesthetic practice or diving into advanced trainings. I’d also get an octopus tattoo to represent my foster son—adding him to my sleeve of loved ones. Always building, always evolving, always honoring the journey.
Vote for Adrian Benjumea to be the Inked Original while supporting a great cause! Cast your daily vote below, or make a tax-deductible donation to help provide financial and emotional support to families of children with cancer.
Body art deserves to be shown off.
