Sandy Hugo

Connect What inspired your most recent tattoo?

My thigh tattoo with Maria Izquierdos painting “ Dream and Premonition” was inspired by this journey of healing I am on. I realized my past selves served their purpose but were in the way of my growth. Cutting off those heads (parts of me) is crucial to be who I want and need to be.

If your ink could speak, what would it say?

My ink speaks to powerful women& an even more powerful self. Culturally, tattoos were seen negatively as my family identified the body as belonging to a higher power. These sleeves are me reclaiming my body& carving space for beliefs that align with how I feel. Both artists in my painting tattoos were wildly brave & strong women- and my abuela , was one I had to praise as well. In her final days, medics couldn’t make sense of how she wasn’t brain dead. She controlled her

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would use it to travel and do some pro bono work in South America. I’m a social worker/therapist who was working at a suicide hotline before funding was pulled. Going elsewhere and absolutely getting tattooed wherever it is - would be an incredible way to cheers to 9 years of crisis work despite the loss.