Tattoo Tour!!

Summary

In this tattoo tour video, the creator walks viewers through their unique collection of tattoos, sharing personal stories behind each piece. From an antique key and a David Bowie-inspired lightning bolt to sentimental tributes like a portrait of their late cat, the tattoos reflect deep personal meaning and a love for history and art. The creator also discusses the evolution of their tattoo style and experiences with different artists. With humor and heart, they invite viewers to share their thoughts and even consider getting matching tattoos, emphasizing a lifelong passion for ink and artistry.

Takeaways

• 😀 Started getting tattoos at 16, now 23 — tattoos are a huge part of my identity.
• 😀 The tattoo tour includes a variety of personal pieces, from meaningful memorials to spontaneous flash tattoos.
• 😀 Tattoos are a way to express love for art, sentimentality, and nostalgia, with a mix of styles like traditional, neotraditional, and illustrative.
• 😀 Bad Sandy Tattoo is the go-to artist for most of the tattoos, especially for intricate and detailed work.
• 😀 The first major tattoos were done around the age of 18, including a lipstick with a heart and a traditional love letter.
• 😀 Tattoos like the David Bowie Aladdin Sane lightning bolt and sacred heart symbolize different phases of life and music interests.
• 😀 Many tattoos are influenced by antique jewelry and personal collections, like the Georgian-inspired scissors and mourning jewelry.
• 😀 The most sentimental tattoo is a memorial piece of a cat, Winston, who passed away — a Victorian mourning portrait.
• 😀 Ankle tattoos were painful but meaningful; some are flash tattoos, like the anchor and the Friday the 13th hand with an eye.
• 😀 The tattoo journey is about collecting pieces of art over time, and the idea of completing a sleeve or full limb tattoos is a labor of love.

Q & A

What inspired you to start getting tattoos at such a young age?

I started getting tattoos when I was 16, which was illegal at the time. My tattoos have become my favorite thing about me, and they make me more interested in being alive. It's just something I’ve always loved doing, and they've become a huge part of who I am.

Why did you choose to get a key tattoo on your arm?

The key tattoo was done by Bad Santi Tattoo in Liverpool. I originally wanted crossed keys, but there wasn’t enough space. I just thought the key looked cool, and there’s a bit of symbolism to it too—like having a 'secret' or 'access' to something.

Can you tell us more about your David Bowie lightning bolt tattoo?

I got this tattoo of David Bowie's Aladdin Sane lightning bolt when I was 17 or 18. It’s a pretty recognizable tattoo, but to be honest, I don’t really remember why I got it. Bowie was great, but I was more into T-Rex at the time. Despite it not aging perfectly, it’s staying because I still love it.

What’s the significance of the Sacred Heart tattoo you have on your arm?

The Sacred Heart tattoo is actually the Immaculate Heart of Mary. It was done by my usual tattoo artist, Bad Santi. It’s part of my collection of religious and antique-inspired tattoos, and I really appreciate the illustrative style she uses—it’s so detailed and beautiful.

Could you explain the meaning behind the lover’s eye tattoo?

The lover's eye tattoo was also done by Bad Santi, and it features a tulip behind the eye. I collect antiques, and one of the things I collect is lover’s eye rings, so this tattoo is a reflection of that interest. It’s part of a broader theme of mourning jewelry and vintage aesthetics that I adore.

What is the story behind the embroidery scissors tattoo you have on your arm?

This tattoo represents a pair of embroidery scissors that belonged to my great-grandmother. They’re styled after Victorian jewelry, with a lock of hair being snipped by the scissors. It’s very sentimental to me, as it connects to my family history and my love for antique objects.

How did you feel about your first big tattoo, the lipstick with a heart?

I got this tattoo when I was 18, and it was my first big piece. It’s a neotraditional style tattoo. Surprisingly, it wasn’t painful at all! The forearm is a relatively easy spot for first-timers, and it was a good introduction to larger tattoos.

What’s the meaning behind the mermaid tattoo on your arm?

The mermaid tattoo was one of my most recent additions. It’s a tattooed mermaid with a shiny, holographic tail. This one took about six hours to finish. The mermaid is just fabulous and adds to the eclectic nature of my arm sleeve. I really enjoy how vibrant and bold she looks.

Can you explain the personal connection to your cat Winston in your tattoo?

This tattoo of Winston, my cat who passed away, is my most sentimental. He was my first pet, and the tattoo is a Victorian-style mourning portrait of him, framed by flowers. I even included his collar, which was a leopard print bow tie he hated but still wore. This tattoo means a lot because he was so special to me.

What’s the significance of the tattoo you got as a graduation gift from your mom?

I got a little black cat wearing a sailor's hat as a graduation gift from my mom. The cat represents good luck, and it’s a nod to my mom’s side of the family, who had a yacht named after her. I thought it was the perfect way to commemorate both my graduation and my mom’s influence in my life.

How do you feel about flash tattoos compared to custom designs?

I love flash tattoos just as much as custom ones. Some of my best tattoos are from flash days, like the rabbit tattoo across my ankles. Flash tattoos are great because they’re often spontaneous and sometimes can turn out to be the coolest designs. I never judge tattoos based on whether they’re flash or custom—they’re all amazing to me.

How has your tattoo collection evolved over time?

I started my tattoo collection when I was young, and over time, it’s evolved into a mix of sentimental pieces, antique-inspired designs, and random fun tattoos. I used to get tattoos on a whim, but now I try to have more of a cohesive theme, even if it's a bit of a patchwork arm sleeve. I love how each piece tells a different story.