Ana reached out to me about a project (The Tattoo Project) that was in their orbit and had some parallels to mine. I was elated to see that someone else was giving careful consideration to what people do with their skin. I will often do some narrative writing and put the shoot into some sort of context through story but Ana's eloquent response is best left to tell its own story. I send participants a short block of questions or prompts to work from and their response was magnificent, as you'll read below. I'm leaving the prompts in and bolded so you can see the catalyst for the answers.

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What do you refer to your uniqueness as? (In cases with scars or surgeries, etc, tell me your story, some details about how it came to be)

I am what most would consider "heavily tattooed," with around fifty tattoos that cover full sleeves, most of my legs, stomach, and back of neck. I first started getting tattooed in 2016, and was immediately enchanted with the art form. I view each tattoo as representative of specific life events and moments that create a visual archive of the aesthetic and symbolic qualities I value(d) through my life. These range from important artists such as Hieronymous Bosch to silly little visuals that make me smile, such as a mouse plague or a snail with legs. Most notably, perhaps, are my upper sleeves, which are direct and life-size recreations of etching prints done by my late mother, who was a professional artist. My perspective when I first began the project with the highly respected artist Steve Baker was that these were not commemorative in nature - I didn't view them as related to her loss insomuch as I felt that I would have had her work tattooed on me regardless. As I have had the opportunity to read and engage with scholar Deborah Davidson (and her archival project on commemorative tattoos, The Tattoo Project), I realized a motivating force behind the urge to inscribe her work on my body was to create a form of permanency for these works, which have largely been relegated to storage due to volume of paintings, prints, drawings, and creative projects a life's work of creation has generated. I wished to make her life's work visible and indelible for my own lifetime, and to reflect the visual world I have grown up surrounded by.

How would you describe your relationship and feelings for it?

I am currently a tattoo researcher doing a PhD in art history on contemporary Canadian tattooing, which has allowed me to delve into some of the research surrounding the reasons people choose to get tattoos. As Michael Atkinson notes, the choice to get a tattoo ranges hugely, from rites of passage in society, to communication of in-group identity, to simple aesthetic values among many others. My initial tattoo choices were largely informed by the artwork I saw around me - as an art historian, I became a form of gallery for artists and images I most valued. It was also an important step in re-connecting to my body in a positive way. As someone who has struggled deeply with gender identity through my whole life, I was especially negative towards my body following a series of long-term chronic pain issues related to endometriosis. Not only did I struggle with the consequences of a health system that devalues "women's" health conditions, but I felt trapped in a gender binary I didn't even believe in. Tattooing and body modification has allowed me to create a new relationship with my skin, and while not always positive, I feel it has contributed deeply to my development of body neutrality. That is to say, bodies are not good or bad; not a territory to own, conquer, or revoke, but instead intrinsically "you." Further, commemorative tattooing has been an invaluable way to visualize and express my mother's work both for the labour and creative vision that has influenced my whole life.

A short note about where it has had a positive impact on your life.

One of the most magical things, which I only discovered once I became visibly tattooed, was the human connection that tattooing both creates and facilitates. While there is still stigma around tattooing, I have found that tattoos create an avenue for connection, curiosity, and understanding for the majority of people. I would argue this is in part because tattoos do not hold the same immediate and recognizable social signifiers that other modes of self-expression, like clothing, often have.

Any words you'd like to say to people who are curious.
 

The overwhelming question I get is most certainly, "does it hurt?" The answer is, of course, yes! Make no mistake, getting both my elbows tattooed back-to-back was a decision I'd probably not repeat. At the same time, Tamara Santibañez argues that tattooing is a form of intimacy - as she calls it, social work - that I believe holds an important role for people who wish to be tattooed. Body modification can be an important method for reclaiming bodily agency and for the creation of increasingly varied transformative changes. And as with any major stressor, proper rest, food, drink, and frequent breaks will greatly help your ability to deal with the pain. 

Any additional thoughts to educate the general public.
 

Tattooing is still highly unregulated, for good or bad. Take your time in choosing an artist that you trust both to execute a permanent piece of art, but also who you feel safe and comfortable with. Do lots of research, and just walk out if your artist isn't wearing gloves!