Jessica Beatty

Connect What inspired your most recent tattoo?

My most recent tattoo was inspired by a lot of internal pain. It has deep meaning to me; I have to put my happy face on for the world as no one knows the pain that lies beneath.

If your ink could speak, what would it say?

I’ve used tattoos as a form of therapy from past traumas. A lot of folks find therapy in different ways, each tattoo reminds me of something I have overcome in life; in a lot of situations I thought were my ending. I had my first tattoo done at the age of 19 and I am now 45. I am a DV survivor who recently went through another DV situation; I thought I’d never experience this again (it triggered a lot of PTSD). This next round of ink will be apart of my new healing journey from that.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I’d donate 5k of the proceeds to Brian’s family. I know they are still dealing with a lot he passed. The remainder would be used to relocate as I am a firm believer that “you cannot heal where you are broken.” The last domestic violence situation has me craving a new environment so I can feel safe again. I’d love to tell my story one day in the near future as I’ve been dealing with DV since the age of 19. I need all of my ladies to understand pain is not love;