Stacey Lipkin

Connect What inspired your most recent tattoo?

My most recent tattoo is a work in progress on the front of my hips as I am working on completing my torso. It is a traditional sun on one side and a traditional moon on the other with a banner on each side to frame my sides. This tattoo, as well as the rest of my torso, is inspired by my battle with body dysmorphia and a history of eating disorders. The work represents the beauty that my body holds and there is no such thing as a “perfect body”.

If your ink could speak, what would it say?

If my ink could speak, it would tell the story of my strength through my struggles. I began my torso section of my body with a moth piece under my chest in between the bottom of my ribs. While this is a common area to get tattooed, mine is unique as the body of the moth goes along the bottom half of a seven inch scar from two open heart surgeries I had as a baby. I was born with a heart defect and luckily, am doing much better these days, but am reminded of how far I have come by these tattoos.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would get more tattoos of course! Well, at least for some of it. The rest I would plan to put towards my education as I am in the process of going back to school to get my doctorate in Physical Therapy. I love being a healthcare professional with ink! I have always stood for self expression in the workplace and actively fight against the stigma that having tattoos and piercings is unprofessional.