THE PERSON: Cesca Nichol, 2012
THE INK: Cherry blossoms and the word “holy,” left foot
THE PAIN LEVEL: 4/5
THE STORY: “The writing 'holy' with the cross is in reference to an orphanage I volunteered at in South Africa, which was called the Holy Cross Orphanage. The experience meant a lot to me and I wanted to get a tattoo to represent it.. The flowers are cherry blossoms, which refer to the name of the neighborhood I lived in for six years in Japan called Sakura Estate. Sakura is Japanese for cherry blossom.”
THE SHOP: No Ka Oi Tiki Tattoo in Philadelphia, PA
THE PERSON: Laura Bowes, 2012
THE INK: Dragon flies coming out of a box, inside right ankle
THE PAIN LEVEL: 2/5
THE STORY: I drew this while on vacation with my brother. That was one of my favorite days and he's my best friend. Also, it's my dream to write and the first little story I wrote was about a bunch of fireflies stuck in a jar all together. They hate each other, but then they become friends and they all start glowing. I want imagination to be something that sticks around, sticks with me. A permanent mark on my body seemed like an excellent way to remember that.
THE SHOP: Portside Parlor in Philadelphia, PA
THE PERSON: Josie Elias, 2014
THE INK: Arabic word for “grandmother,” right outer thigh
THE PAIN LEVEL: 1/5
THE STORY: “My tattoo commemorates both my Syrian heritage and my grandmother, who passed away when I was in 8th grade. My sister, my three cousins, and myself all saw her as our second mom and were very close to her, so we all decided to get the tat.”
THE SHOP: Wizard World III in Emmaus, PA
THE PERSON: Zack Kemmerer, 2012
THE INK: The quote “Let faith reside in blood,” right side of rib cage
THE PAIN LEVEL: 5/5
THE STORY: “To me, this represents a philosophy I hold about people and life. If someone is willing to bleed – or sacrifice - for me, I will do the same in return. Those are the people I put my trust and faith in.”
THE SHOP: Everlasting Art in Philadelphia, PA
