Mariska Ross

Connect What inspired your most recent tattoo?

My most recent tattoos were my neck tattoos. I had been wanting these pieces for months, but kept feeling fear I wouldn’t make it as a tattoo artist. The other artists in my shop were hyping me up one night, & I decided to send it. I had been wanting a traditional tiger (the Chinese zodiac the year my sister was born) on the left side because she’s left handed, & dragon on the right side (Chinese zodiac year I was born).

If your ink could speak, what would it say?

“Get whatever you want even if it’s silly because we’re all gonna die” I think for a while I got caught up on overthinking my ink (waiting for when I could go to Korea for the right artist, meaning, etc.) But, I realized there’s SO much skin, black blast overs look rad if I ever want a more refined look, & I’m gonna turn to dust anyways- might as well let bestie drunk tattoo my knee.

What would you do with the $25,000?

If I were to win $25,000, this would be a tremendous help. From grinding to stay above water during my apprenticeship, into my second year of tattooing- I accrued a little more debt than I would liked. I neglected things I need to get taken care of (car registration, windshield broke, need new equipment, taxes, medical debt, etc.). I basically would invest it in getting my feet fully below me once again, & perhaps use a thousand of it to go on a trip because YOLO.