Lauren Devolin

What inspired your most recent tattoo?

My most recent piece is my half sleeve of a tiger with lotus flowers. Tigers are the strongest mammals on earth, and I have lived through enough hardships to be labeled just as strong. The symbolism of the lotus flower, of overcoming the mud and dirty water to bloom perfectly beautiful on the surface, is representative of my life. My sleeve isn’t finished, but this was a phenomenal start for what I want to get done.

If your ink could speak, what would it say?

It would tell you the story of me. From my Gemini symbol to my Māori kirituhi to the awareness ribbons on my ankle, every single tattoo I’ve had done gives just a glimpse into who I am as a person and what I’ve lived through. If we ever get the chance, I’ll sit you down and walk you through them and what they mean.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would start with finishing my sleeve. So far it only has the tiger done, but I have plans for the rest of it. Afterwards, I have some more ideas for getting tattoos for my children. And if there’s still money left after that, I would get one done for my dad, who passed away last July. I’m an absolute daddy’s girl and he was my best friend; his loss is not something I will ever truly get over and I’d love to get something for him to remember him by.