Tattoos, a subject that could be quite controversial depending on where you are from. DC/Metro area, even though the city is home to go-go music, Wale and once held the title of Murder Capital…the predominant part of DC is the conservative and political suits. Having tattoos here versus having tattoos in San Diego is very different. Especially if you’re a career driven business professional such as myself. No one ever says tattoos could make or break you, they always say that it will break you, especially if you want to be taken seriously in business. Luckily for me, art and business mix, and people are lot more lenient on me if a tattoo peeps out because well, “she’s an artist.”

It might sound weird, but I am a little self conscious about my art. I consider myself to be very professional and I can’t help but expect people to make judgments and lump me into a category. For that reason I keep it all covered up as best I can at work…and in general. My art is for me, so I don’t feel the need to shove it in other people’s faces all the time.

I also get the, “you don’t seem like someone who would have tattoos,” when they do see some inked skin poking out. Which of course makes me challenge them, asking what a tattoo’d person would be like. Being a designer, I do judge a book by its cover, and I understand that people will do the same, so I am conscious of that, which makes me conscious of myself.

But then why would you get them then?

Good question. The art is part of you, and you will always carry it with you and it will never wash away. Just like memories fade, so will tattoos, but it will always be there, as a reminder of what you’ve been through, and what you’ve overcome. At least that is what it is to me. In the end its for me, and not decoration for you to look at and comment on.