Interconnected: Tattoos - a coping mechanism, confidence booster and pure intuition
“Interconnected” is a column dedicated to bringing together the thoughts and beliefs of people from around the globe while focusing on a common theme. This time, the spotlight is on tattoos and what they mean to those who choose to adorn their bodies with them. They can be painful, a big commitment and a source of regret, yet they have grown in popularity in the last few years. However, this is not without reason.
Tattoos come in various forms: A painting, a song, a loved one’s handwriting, a set of your desired eyebrows, or a ‘flash’ (designed by the tattooer that you pick from their book) picked out by the drunk you (that the sober you might never have picked out).
The ink people decorate their bodies with is often deeply personal, which is why you might find yourself pondering about the story of a passing stranger’s tattoo and it may explain why the meaning of tattoos tend to be one of the first topics of discussion when meeting someone new.
In this article, you have the chance to learn more about the hidden meanings behind the tattoos of three women, as well as their thoughts on the practice of and the future of tattooing. Meet Bailey Paulson, Róza Geiger and Sara Lowry.
Bailey Paulson
ABOUT me:
I am an aspiring artist, and work as both a baker at a local bakery and a waitress to support myself.
HOW tattoos MAKES me feel:
Tattoos for me really are more of a coping mechanism. Every time I look at a tattoo of mine it reminds me of where I was at that time in my life.
I got my first tattoo when I was 19-years-old, and have been in love with the concept ever since. I use tattoos as a form of humour and aesthetic. A lot of them are comedic and those are some of my favourites. I have drawn up many of my tattoos myself, but the more I get, the more I appreciate collecting other people’s artwork.
The styles I am most drawn to I think would be European style and humorous/pop culture, but I have a wide range. I love hand poke and have a few classic ones too. Mixing different styles is a huge thing for me, getting just the right combination, and having them all come together. There is nothing I would change about my tattoos—I think that is the fun of it. You are able to capture memories and watch them grow and fade with you as a person.
I love that tattoos are a trend and I hope it stays like that forever. Seeing everyone’s different styles you can really get the feel of a person just by their artwork. It is a beautiful thing that brings a lot of people together.
The tattoos below are ones that I have gotten within the last year, I wanted to show you these in particular because they are from my favourite artists:
This one is from one of my favorite artists @meaganberlin I drove all the way from Reno to Seattle because they were guest spotting at a shop. It’s a hand poked piece I picked out. I had been in love with their designs and promised myself if they ever came close that’s I’d make a trip and get one. Took about 3 hours to finish and it is definitely one of my favorites.
This one has a special place in my heart. It was my first hand poked piece by @waxmoth she is my favorite tattooer here in Reno. I saw this piece of flash and needed to get it. It is my all time favorite tattoo.
This one is also a piece close to my heart. @andrewbiddlecome is a close friend of mine and he has done 20+ tattoos for me. He always lets me come in with designs I’ve drawn up. He recently relocated to Los Angeles and I sometimes make special trips just to get tattoos from him. This piece is special to me because this was my first classic tattoo. I went in after years of going to him with my designs and let him draw up something 100% in his style and this is what he came up with. It’s beautiful and captures everything I love about tattoos and our friendship.
Roza Geiger
ABOUT me:
I am studying Fine Arts Theory at the Hungarian University of Fine Arts. It is essentially a Curator BA program, but I want to study web design or something more technical after finishing my current course.
HOW tattoos MAKES me feel:
They make me feel empowered. It is a strong feeling that I have control over my own body and can use it as a canvas.
I got my first tattoo in 2017 and the last one in February. There are not any big stories or great life events behind them, instead, they are a materialisation of different feelings. Still, they all mean a lot to me.
In Hungary, tattoos have become more widely accepted in the past few years, and almost all of my friends have one, but it is far from being generally recognised let alone appreciated. Some people just do not get why I got tattoos in the first place, which is okay until they cross a line and start giving me a hard time about them.
Personally, I have six tattoos: the first was drawn by me of my boyfriend and tattooed by @manna_fta, my very favourite tattoo artist. She is insane (in a good way). The second was also drawn by me and it’s a hand poked flower tattoo by @memma_memsz. The third is the “techno face” illustrated by me and tattooed by @manna_fta as well. The third one I found in a book, unfortunately I can’t remember the title, but it’s Dániel Erdély’s drawing, tattooed by @tattanna_. The fifth is an angel drawn and tattooed (again) by Manna. And the last one is a vase full of angry flowers by @kezigranat.kell. I found all of these artists on Instagram, I think it’s by far the best platform for tattoo-related research. I always choose a tattoo artist very carefully because it matters a lot who puts ink on your skin. It’s kind of an intimate action.
Others were found while scrolling through social media and thinking to myself: “yep, that is me, I want that.” In general, tattoos, for me, are very instinctual, I do not think too hard about it, which is strange because I am not a spontaneous person in other aspects of my life.
Personally, I prefer minimalist tattoos which are a bit silly or imperfect – kind of prison-style tattoos, which are drawn instinctively. However, I also appreciate more complex pieces as well, maybe one day I will have one (or more). I think traditional Japanese tattoos, in particular, are wondrous. Regardless, tattooing is such a beautiful way to express yourself. Despite the big commitment, it is a unique way to build an identity.
Sara Lowry
ABOUT me:
I taught myself to draw when I was 21-years-old and have been a full-time tattoo artist for three years. On the side, I also run a clothing line made from upcycled clothing.
HOW tattoos MAKES me feel:
My tattoos definitely make me feel more confident as a person and it lets me experience a sense of self-expression that I otherwise might struggle to attain.
My first tattoo took around 12-13 hours and I got it on my 18th birthday. Now I have lots of tattoos. Most of them are ‘flash’ that I have gotten from trading with other tattoo artists and my left arm is all my husband’s work. Some are designed under my specifications, some are a few drawings my younger sister tattooed on me, and I have a matching one with my husband which is a collaboration of both of our work. I would not really say any of my tattoos have a ‘story’. As a tattoo artist, I simply appreciate them as pieces of art from people I love and respect.
I am not sure my favourite style really has a particular name, but it is something I do in my own work: I love fine line intricate tattoos and tattoos with different textures throughout them. I also love the layering of images in tattooing.
Colour tattoos are not something I am not a big fan of anymore although I have multiple myself. Having said that, I do not regret them as they are all so well done. I only have one tattoo that I want to cover: On my arm, I have the words ‘Never Again’. I was going through a bit of a hard time and got the tattoo impulsively.
The stigma surrounding tattoos has faded hugely in the last few years with more contemporary tattoo styles whilst tattoo artists themselves have also gotten better at achieving what a more broad group would understand as ‘real art’. Additionally, tattoo-themed TV shows (Miami ink/LA ink) has also helped bring serious tattooing to a new audience. I definitely think tattooing is here to stay. I do not see tattooing itself as a trend but I definitely see trends in tattoo styles.
Photo credit:
1-4: Bailey Paulson. 5-8: Roza Geiger. 9-12: Sara Lowry.
Related content
Four individuals sharing their thoughts on their own personal style, the power of fashion and fashion as a form of self-expression.
You might know Cecilia from the postcard inside your pink glossier bag, or from her successful ig account @ceciliagorgon where she captures her life in squares. You’ll see her sporting dewy looks and sustainable fashion, exploring Japan and cuddling with her dog Sigi.
Dianna Lopez: Singer and actress Dianna Lopez talks super-crop tops, pushing boundaries and how she found her true style
Role models, feeling empowered and issues facing women’s rights today.