I am the only person in my family with tattoos. My tattoos tell many stories of pain, working endlessly, grief, and self love. They are me.
You decide who will appear in Inked Magazine and take home $25,000!
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My most recent tattoo is a symmetrical rosemary piece on my collarbones. After my dog of 11 years passed away, I was struggling back and forth with grief. His loss was sudden and a shock to my family. Rosemary has a symbolic meaning of remembrance and protection. He always acted as our little protector.
If your ink could speak, what would it say?My ink would tell so many stories of the person I was at the time I got that specific tattoo. But, all of them have a consistent theme of protection. I feel like my tattoos are like battle armor and make me feel confident and safe inside my skin. My first tattoo came from wanting to feel protected after I encountered a really rude customer in the service industry. My second tattoo holds memories of when I got my heart broken, becoming a pledge to never fall for similar tactics again.
What would you do with the $25,000?I would put all the money back into local tattoo artists. They are all so talented and skilled! Without them, I wouldn't have been able to submit pictures to this competition. My current artist has done 3 of my pieces so far and his attention to detail and care is incredible. He is such a kind and down to earth person (@senocular on insta). Most artists are so sweet and have been through a lot. My tattoo journey is just beginning and I'm happy to meet more incredible artists along the way.
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Body art deserves to be shown off.
