A little photo dump of some special events since 2021 started.
My relationship with my body has always been complicated, a love hate relationship. Learning to love a body that has kept me alive, yet also threatened my existence multiple times, is a delicate concept. Since I got sick the phrase “peace within” has carried me through it all. Reminding myself, as long as I feel peace and serenity in my soul, the level of chaos and suffering in my own life will never hold me back from living my life. Since I was 16 I knew I wanted these little phrases on my body. My mom, sister ClaudiaRose, and I all held onto the symbol of a lotus flower. They stand for so much- they bloom into this stunning flower out of murky and dark waters. Rebirth, growth. A reminder that out of the most trying times something special can occur and thrive out of the suffering and doom.
We researched for quite some time, searching for an artist who captured the vision we had in our minds. Dainty, fine lines, and delicate. Someone with compassion, skill, and expertise in single needle/fine line tattoos. Once we discovered Kayla and her private tattoo studio “K Inx”, we knew we had found the person who could bring our visions to life.
It was a therapeutic process for all of us. Celebrating persevering through all we have endured, the hardships and trying times, and to now look down at our wrists and see everlasting messages. It gave me back a sense of autonomy and control over my own body. Finally a mark that was not a surgical scar, medication change, or sign of disease. A mark of hope, art, of creativity. This was not a mark dictated by a surgeon or a scalpel as I was under anesthesia for surgery. It was a phrase that I used to keep myself strong. A lotus image perfectly crafted and chosen by ClaudiaRose. Each of us getting personal symbols, signs of living. It was my own mind, awake and aware, calling the shots. Most of all, it was beyond powerful for us to experience this together, with my mom and sister- two of my biggest role models.
Little messages of magic, forever on our bodies. A tribute to the experience that is living. A drawing that connects all three of us. Art on the canvas of our own skin.
A tiny bit of magic,
Isabelle
Beyond grateful to have been given the gift of meeting and working with Kayla. Below is the link to her website, with information about her work and tattoo studio. If you are ever in the Milwaukee area, and are interested in seeing someone who is truly a profound and gracious artist for a tattoo, I do not have enough words to speak highly of Kayla. She made our first experience comfortable, safe, and transformative.
Her instagram handle: @k_inx