Lina Tomoyasu

Connect What inspired your most recent tattoo?

This tattoo is full of symbolism. The dancer is performing my favorite pole move, the "Crescent Moon." It's a move you'd see in many of my more complicated combinations. Her hair is a scorpion's tail, representing my zodiac sign of Scorpio. The background is inspired by an artist's rendition of the "Strength" card in Tarot, for the sign of Leo, representing my best friend, which also had a crescent moon. Finally, the purple heart represents our deep soul bond and friendship.

If your ink could speak, what would it say?

My ink would be shouting, "Lina finally did it! She's breaking free of barriers set by generational ideals of perfection and fear of shame, judgment, and familial disappointment. She's finally doing something that she's always wanted to do just because she wants to. It's for no one but Lina. She's showing her daughters that art doesn't only exist on a canvas or computer, and that it can exist on our bodies to carry with us to remind us of why we keep going."

What would you do with the $25,000?

Put it all on black? Just kidding! Aside from saving some for a future tattoo, I would make sure that I treated my family to something special. Not sure if that would be a vacation, or many fun local experiences, but I would make sure we all have a grand time no matter what we do! Also, I would probably do some grown up thing like install a new a/c in our house or save the rest of it for a rainy day.