Fern Rodriguez

Connect What inspired your most recent tattoo?

My recent tattoo is a Lily of the valley flower, done in a hand poke style by an upcoming artist. Since I love sticker slaps and taking pictures of them in the city, stumbling upon this design from the artist made it feel like taking a picture of a sticker slap. But instead of keeping it on my phone, I used my free will and made it a goal to explore various artists art and to pridefully embrace their art. The Lily is very graceful but is considered an invasive plant, which I found to be ironic.

If your ink could speak, what would it say?

It would say “live, laugh, love.” Since my very first tattoo, they have all been some sort of impulse and earn the meaning after the session based on how I reflect on them. They live that impulsive decision, laugh with me and love with me, which I find to be motivating. They would also say “please work hard to add more company,” right now my canvas is open and I have been motivated to work hard and get even more art on me.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would invest the money on my mom, who is the most hardworking and motivating person I know. She sacrificed her own passions and also learned to embrace who I am in order to make us happy. I would also invest on my dream to start my journey as an artist, I have been drawing for years but due to school and work never gained the opportunity to invest on that dream. I love embracing other artists work but to also have my work be seen and appreciated is an aspiration I hope to accomplish one day.