My sleeve is the start of a bigger story—one of struggle, rebirth, and strength rising from darkness left behind.
You decide who will appear in Inked Magazine and take home $25,000!
Join now for your shot at $25,000, a tattoo session with Bang Bang, and a feature in Inked Magazine!
Enter For FreeMy sleeve marks the start of a full-body story, rooted in pain, survival, and rising strong. Each Greek god reflects traits I have lost, rebuilt, or am still chasing, like identity, purpose, or control. This piece is the light: the strength I fought for after being emotionally chained, forced into a life I never wanted, and shaped by the wreckage I am still learning to grow beyond.
If your ink could speak, what would it say?I am not the pain that tried to define me. I am the stone it broke against. These gods etched into my skin aren’t decoration; they are declaration. Power reclaimed. Identity reborn. I wear survival like armor. This is only the beginning. The rest of my body will tell the story of everything I fought through to get here.
What would you do with the $25,000?I would use the $25,000 to pull myself back to the surface and rebuild my future. I’d invest in research toward a cure for my vision loss, support my specialist’s work, and fund projects I’ve been planning and creating to help others facing the same fight. This isn’t just about me, it’s about honoring the struggle, building the life I deserve, and giving back to a community that needs hope as much as I do.
Vote for Austin Linton 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.