Marked Magazine Vol. 1 by markedmagazine

MARKED A

Bodies of Subversion Challenges and Tattoo Discrimination

Marked Anjelica Balatbat Jonathan Pereira Kasy Pertab Varsha Ramdihol

WHICH TATTOO IS FAKE? Our editors shared their respective tattoos, but one of them is fake. Can you guess which one it is?

Answer: Mandala tattoo, bottom right.

Table of contents 8

science of tattoos

asian themed

soundwave tattoos

memorial tattoos

mandala tattoos

botched tattoos

temporary tattoos

apprenticeship

microblading

wedding bands

cover-up tattoos

columns

discrimination

meet the editors

The Science and Lasting Powers of Tattoos Do you know what makes tattoos permanent? Doctors and artists break down the science, process, and the effects By ANJELICA BALATBAT

Part of the appeal of tattoos is its permanent nature, yet it’s also the reason many refrain from getting one. Toronto-based tattoo artist Glen Hartless, of The Shop Tattoo Co., recalls a time when a bodybuilder cancelled an appointment just days before receiving a custom designed sleeve. “Sometimes we get some people who are really nervous and looking for a way out. If I see this I go along with it,” Hartles said. “The last thing anyone should do is go ahead with something they aren’t a million percent sure about.” Similarly, Alejandro from Chosen Ink Studios in Scarborough finds that it’s sometimes the artistry that makes clients reconsider. “The design might not be what they’re looking for so they must reschedule another appointment until the artist creates another design to the customers liking,” he said. But what is it that makes tattoos permanent? Neuroscientist, mind-body expert, and TED-Ed educator Dr. Claudia Aguirre has the answer as to why. The process of tattooing involves a mechanized needle piercing the skin multiple times. A hypnotising sensation that is comparable to sharp stings or elastic bands repeatedly hitting the skin. Through this technique, the skin is perforated up to 3,000 times per minute. As the needle penetrates the body, part of the ink is left in the dermis, the layer of skin beneath the surface. This is where cells known as macrophages begin a process called phagocytosis -- the ridding of bacteria, as Dr. Claudia explains. “When you get a tattoo, each time the needle penetrates is a wound to the skin. So you’re doing a lot of injury to tissue that’s meant to be highly sensitive to environmental injury. So macrophages come in and they clean up the mess -- that’s their job.”

The interior of The Shop Tattoo Co., an award winning studio which is home to some of Now Magazine’s best artists. (Photo courtesy Glen Hartless)

But as her TED-Ed video ‘What makes tattoos permanent?’ indicates, some macrophages carry dye into the lymph nodes as they travel through the lymphatic system, while others remain in the dermis. Similarly, a common query on tattooing is if a healthy person’s body sheds skin cells constantly, why don’t tattoos disappear with them? This is because the pigment from tattoos goes deeper than the outer layer of the skin known as the epidermis. “The skin is our outer most organ, and because it’s constantly our communicator and our sensor to the external environment, it does need to regenerate because it’s going to have more wear and tear than our internal organs,” Dr. Claudia said. A regeneration process that she describes as being necessary for humans to accept the environment around them, changes in wind, temperature, and heat. Though for Hartless, clients are drawn to the perennial aspect of tattoos for many reasons. “People love attention. When you have tattoos, it’s something to talk about. It’s an expression of

yourself and something that you are sharing with the world.” Hartless said. “Sometimes, people love the experience. I’ve had many clients over the years that over and over again swear ‘this is my last one.’ But they keep coming back. It becomes something of a routine, like a social club.” As for tattoo artist and piercer Martine from Freedom Ink, the appeal of permanence stems from the pride of permanent body art. “It’s like a badge or a medal, or honour that you can’t lose. Instead of having a trinket in your house you wear it on your skin,” Martine said. But for those considering getting a tattoo, Hartless advises to find an artist you love on Instagram and to keep an open mind. “If that artist is posting a ton of work you love, reach out to them. Don’t blindly go into a shop. Sometimes you will be lucky, sometimes not. Second, trust your artist,” Hartless said. For Nina Hang, an advertising art director,

planning her friendship tattoo with four of her closest friends was a thoughtful process. After being recommended to an artist by her brother and following multiple tattoo accounts on Instagram, Hang got her first tattoo at Chronic Ink. “I really wanted to make sure that it had meaning and that the tattoo was something I had full control over. I work in a creative field so I felt like I wanted to be really particular with how it looked,” Hang said. Instagram has grown to be an important platform for artists and tattoo shops. Most artists use it as an online portfolio to display their completed work and designs like Alejandro. “It’s our number one tool to get customers, to get ideas, build things, see different styles and learn from other artists,” Alejandro said. Tattoos are exemplary of a combination between artistry, skill and science. But when you’re choosing a tattoo, think before you ink.

Tattoo artist Glen Hartless tattooing a client at The Shop Tattoo Co. in Toronto, Ont. Hartless specializes in New School, Japanese and detailed grey and black tattoos. (Photo courtesy Glen Hartless)

The Tattoos You Can Hear Families can now hear the voices of their passed loved ones on their skin forever through new technology By KASY PERTAB

It’s dark, it’s bold, it’s inked on your skin, and with the right tools, you can hear it too. Soundwave tattoos are a new, innovative trend that has found its way into the ink industry. This unique idea has piqued the interest of many, especially artists and clients across Toronto. Soundwave tattoos are done by inking the digital soundwave of a person’s voice (or other sound) and scanning it back through a mobile application to hear it. The idea was founded by Nate Siggard of Skin Motion studio in Los Angeles, Calif. in 2017. His app allows people to upload their audio file on the site and go back and listen to it whenever they please. Most clients who receive the tattoo will get soundwaves of loved ones who have died in memory of them. Some people also keep recordings of their grandparents saying loving messages and get the soundwave tattoo of their voice. However, a 24-year-old woman from Brampton got a tattoo of her horse whinnying instead. Francesca Bruno said her horse, Singita, has a special place in her heart, and now on her skin as a

Francesca Bruno’s soundwave tattoo of her horse Singita whinnying, located on her rib. (Photo courtesy Francesca Bruno)

well. “Every time I look at it, I remember it and I feel like my horse is with me,” Bruno said. “I think about how far we’ve come together and the six years that it’s been, and it’s just a nice reminder that I have that kind of person, or thing, in my life.” Bruno, who has loved horses since she was little, currently works at a therapeutic riding barn in Caledon. “When I was really little, I was always that crazy horse girl growing up,” she said. “But when I was younger and old enough to go, my mom signed me up for riding camp. I started as a camper, then did lessons, and I never stopped since then.” Many tattoo artists in Toronto say more and more clients have been requesting these unique tattoos. Livia Tsang, an artist from Chronic Ink Tattoos, shared her experience of inking one of these tattoos on a well-known Canadian celebrity. In June 2016, Tsang tattooed a soundwave piece on singer-songwriter Shawn Mendes. The tattoo featured a guitar design with a forest, a skyline of Toronto, and the soundwave of his parents saying ‘I love you.’ When asked how she felt about the experience, Tsang said that she and Mendes worked together for the perfect design. “The whole process was collaborative from the get-go,” Tsang said. “Even now, I’ve done a couple more tattoos for him and whenever he gets an idea, he sends me references and we go back and forth about the design.” Tsang has been a professional tattoo artist for over three years now, and she focuses on grey, black, and coloured realism. Mendes’ tattoo is the only soundwave variety she has attempted so far. “I think that if they are done correctly, they can be really interesting, but I do think that they are really hard to execute,” Tsang said. She explained that the tattoo of the soundwave itself needs to be big enough in order to be scanned back. If it’s too small, the tattoo most likely won’t read as a soundwave. It would also need to be legible to scan, and the smaller the tattoo, the more it would fade or distort over time.

Shawn Mendes’ soundwave-designed tattoo done by artist Livia Tsang at Chronic Ink Tattoos in Toronto. (Photo courtesy Livia Tsang)

“

Subconsciously I would even touch it every now and then and be reminded of how much it means to me.”

When it comes to the technical side of the tattoo, a local product designer, Erhan D’Silva, explained exactly how the scanning process works. “Ideally, you’d capture a sound byte based on whatever it is you’re trying to capture, and you’d take it to a computer program like Adobe Audition,” said D’Silva, who has a bachelor’s degree in technology and has worked in the field for three years. “Essentially, you’d get the wave pattern, and you can either take a screenshot out of that or clean it up on Photoshop, create a print out, and you can take it to a tattoo artist to get it done on you.” While having such a close connection to her horse, Bruno added that the tattoo is a great reminder of that bond. “I love looking at it, and I love seeing it every day,” Bruno said. “Subconsciously I would even touch it every now and then and be reminded of how much it means to me.”

Shawn Mendes after getting his soundwave designed tattoo by Livia Tsang. (Photo courtesy Livia Tsang)

Jay Krishna adapted a mandala design for a client who wanted to tap into her south Indian background for a tattoo with a subtle look. (Photo courtesy Jay Krishna)

Artistry and Meaning of the Mandala Design the practice of tattooing, but others such as Tibet The art of mandala design takes on difBuddhists, believe it to be an act of desacralization ferent interpretations. It ranges from englightenment to therapeutical practice towards the body. By VARSHA RAMDIHOL Combining culture and religion with tattooing is as old as the art practice itself. For some, a tattoo physically embodies meaning the actual design. The mandala is just one example of a specific art form that is especially known for expressing a particular meaning. The mandala is a Sanskrit word for ‘circle’ which expresses balance and harmony through the interconnectedness of each line. Some cultural sects are more lenient toward

“You are not supposed to harm yourself,” the co-founder of the Tibetan Youth Alliance Committee in Toronto Chemi Lhamo said. “Because we [Tibetans] believe in rebirth and that your mind and consciousness is the only thing that gets passed on, we believe you must respect your body…which is why some elders view tattooing as a form of harming the body.” The Tibetan Youth Alliance Committee in Toronto is dedicated to young Tibetans that want to deeply engage with their roots as a result of experiencing an identity crisis as a by-product of being a di-

asporic community. such intricate designs on the body is a carefully conWhether you view Buddhism as a religion or a way sidered practice for artists as well as designers. of life like Lhamo personally does, the mandala is “Being a tattoo designer for the past five interpreted and shaped into what people desire it to years, the one thing that I always make sure is that symbolize. all my tattoos always have a meaning and if they do The mandala is an art form made from conot I won’t make them,” Krishna said. “What fuels my lourful sand. Tibetan monks would spend days creatartwork is pure emotion from other people.” ing very detailed and intricate designs that could be Krishna is someone who has a personal conruined from the slightest air of your breath. nection to mandalas because of his own research into Once these beautiful creations are finished, Asian-themed art and background in Hinduism with they are subsequently destroyed. The reason for this roots in Kerala, India. is a very simple lesson: life is impermanent. During his time at the Adrenaline Tattoos shop “The only thing that is constant in this world is on Queen St. W., Krishna was asked to design a manchange,” Lhamo said. dala tattoo for a customer. He said what was initially a So how, then, did this spiritual lesson from a consultation meeting turned into three days of repractice that is meant to be intrinsically impermanent search which ignited his personal interest in mandala become a permanent art form? designs and their history. According to Lhamo, people have gone as far Now mandala tattoos can be seen on social media as to say Buddhist tattoos are a form of appropriation. to depict the level of artistry required, from people However, the mandala design is meant to exhibit har- who have travelled to Thailand to receive them from mony and balance from its symmetry and never-endmonks, to celebrities such as Rihanna who have some ing capability. This interpretation is not meant to be form of mandala-styled tattoos. limited, but rather enlightening to the individual. For others artists, such as Shamya Jaffer, drawing the mandala is therapeutically beneficial by clearing the mind and getting lost in the practice of creating the art. “The mandala is important to a lot of religions and is a part of art and history, we are just not entirely aware of it,” Jaffer said. “It can be used as meditation and for art therapy.” As an Ismaili Muslim currently living in Calgary, Jaffer commissions her work as well as designs mandala tattoos. Her adaptation of the mandala includes religious sayings written in Arabic script. “You can see in Islamic art there is a lot of sacred geometry which is what mandalas are. This is just a different form of mandala,” Jaffer said. For tattoo designer Jay Krishna, the mandala is a reflection of balance, eternity, and humanity as well. Designing mandala tattoos is distinctly different from simply This is a rendition of a simpler mandala that a client of Jay Krishna wanted. drawing them, Krishna said. Inking They gave him creative freedom for the design (Photo courtesy Jay Krishna)

No Pain for Temporary Gain Temporary tattoos are a new way for people to experience tattoos without the permanent commitment and pain By JONATHAN PEREIRA

Dorota Clifford has been yearning to get a large-scale ‘tree of life’ tattoo on her back for quite some time now. For her, it’s a big commitment. Even though she already has some smaller tattoos, she was hesitant to take the leap to a large tattoo. Fortunately for her, an alternative was available--a temporary tattoo. “Having a temporary tattoo first, I think it’s the best choice for everybody. For people who are getting their first tattoo, it gives you comfort,” she said. “I think it’s better to take the time and think about it instead of just running into a tattoo parlor and saying I want to have a tattoo. Try a temporary tattoo first, because then you can always get a real

Dorota Clifford founded Dorota Medium, where she offers specialized healing services, and spiritual guidance. (Photo courtesy RANDOM MOMENTS PHOTOGRAPHY)

one in the same spot if you are comfortable.” Dorota is the founder of Dorota Medium, where she practices healings, spiritual consultation, and meditation for her clients. She initially asked for five full sheets of temporary tattoo pages for her company logo which would display an image of the ‘tree of life’ across her back. After falling in love with the initial temporary design, she went to Dragon Ink Tattoos and made the deposit for the real tattoo. Temporary tattoos, whether they be drawn with ink or henna, are becoming a popular way to test out permanent tattoos without the commitment. Sandi Graham-McWade, a veteran police officer and CEO of Creative and Custom Temporary Tattoos in Ajax, spoke about the similarities between temporary and permanent tattoos. “It’s kind of having to have knowledge of the tattoo world, and understanding that someone is creating a custom piece of art that would’ve been drawn by an artist,” she said. “There could be a stencil involved, or there could be freehanding done. But the act of it being done is very similar in doing that process for you without the normal pain involved, so it’s literally topical.” Graham-McWade added. Her temporary tattoo company was born out of its parent company, Dragon Ink Tattoos. The business offers both inhouse henna designs and Jagua tattoos. The latter are derived from a dye made from the Genipa Americana, also known as the Jagua fruit. Henna is also made from a natural substance, the Lawsonia Inermis plant which creates a stain on the skin. For University of Toronto student Irsah Malik, she says that henna is the best form of a temporary tattoo. She has been applying henna tattoos as a parttime job for approximately five years. “It is ultimately a stain which eventually fades off. I would always recommend the natural cones (tubes) for children and pregnant ladies,” Malik said. The natural cones are often filled with entirely natural ingredients, versus the emerging chemical cones that can sometimes leave a longer stain at the expense of using chemically based henna.

Sandi Graham-McWade is the CEO of Creative and Custom Temporary Tattoos and Random Moments Photography. (Photo courtesy Sandi Graham-McWade)

Malik, who is Muslim, said that she will not get a real tattoo for religious reasons. Henna allows her to create artistic pieces all over her skin time and time again. “It’s not there forever, you can get anything done on your body,” Malik said. If you want to get a tattoo but you’re not too sure, it’s always easy to get a henna tattoo done to feel it out and see if you like it.”

Sumayyah Kamal, a 21-year-old professional henna artist based in the GTA, applies henna on clients regularly. When she was eight, she began the art of henna, and carried it on as a hobby until it flourished into a career. She doesn’t like the idea of permanent tattoos. “The actual ink contaminates your blood,” she said. “Sometimes when you get tattoos, you cannot give blood due to contamination.” Henna is normally used for events such as weddings, parties, and cultural events, Kamal explained. It has been around for over 5000 years, and was first used in Indian and Egyptian cultures with some scientists speculating it may be over 9000 years old. Today, it is making an even bigger impact on western society. Kamal stated that she sees a lot of western Canadians welcoming the tradition of wedding henna. She said that she is often approached by clients who are looking to try out a real tattoo design, but turn to henna instead. “They don’t know if they want to commit to that,” Kamal says. “They don’t know if they want to be seeing that every day of their life on their skin. I think it gives people a bit of a trial or error process to help them actually decide if they want their tattoo or not.”

(Photo courtesy Sumayyah Kamal)

Technicians Trends and Touching Tales: Microblading as Tattooing Imagine waking up with perfect eyebrows. Well, thanks to micrbolade tattoing, effortless beauty is within reach By ANJELICA BALATBAT

From thin and rounded arches in the 1920’s to the bold and defined ‘Instagram brow’ made famous by social media, women and men have incorporated eyebrow grooming into their beauty routines for decades. In an attempt for lastingly defined brows, a form of semi-permanent tattooing called microblading was invented. Though its beginnings are largely unknown, the procedure has become popular throughout Asia over the last 25 years and has since spread throughout the world. The process involves a technician making hair-

like strokes to the brow area with a bladed tool that deposits pigment. The procedure takes two hours whilst the final result lasts anywhere between one to three years. “The procedure does sting a bit, but it is nothing unbearable. Much less painful than any other type of tattoo. The first few days my eyebrows were very dark but after a few weeks they scabbed and flaked off and I was left with my new eyebrows. After the initial appointment, a secondary appointment was scheduled after I was healed to ensure they were perfect,” said digital content strategist and vintage store owner Autumn Hachey. Similar to body tattoos, microbladed eyebrows need to be touched up in order to maintain their shape, colour, and thickness. And it’s recommended that clients revisit their technician a few weeks after their initial appointment. Cosmetic tattoo artist Tess Marti of Studio

(From left to right) Microblade technicians Tess Marti of Studio Artisphere, Tho Dang of Tho Brows, and Trudy Trinh of Trudy Trinh Signature Beauty. (Photo courtesy Tess Marti, Tho Dang, and Trudy Trinh)

Microbladed brows by Tho Dang of Tho Brows in Toronto, ONT. (Photo courtesy Tho Dang)

Artisphere in Vancouver, BC follows a specific procedure when it comes to her clients, “They sign a release form, and we take a photograph of their bare and natural eyes. We do a pre-draw of the eyebrows that we’re going to tattoo and once the shape is set, we’ll put numbing on and choose the colours together before proceeding,” said Marti. For Hachey, “Microblading was a game changer. Eyebrows are such an important part of your face and having a great eyebrow shape really makes a huge difference. It’s like waking up with half of your makeup already done.” she said of her experience at Crista Nicole Beauty in Toronto. Though, Marti says microblading can go beyond individuals seeking to shorten their beauty regime, as the procedure is also suited to people who have experienced hair loss from cancer, alopecia, and scarring from accidents. Toronto-based microblade technician Trudy Trinh recalls a young client in her mid 20’s contemplating microblading at her clinic. Unlike Trinh’s other customers, this particular client was about to undergo her first session of chemotherapy. Understanding that one of the most common side effects of this type of cancer treatment is hair loss, the client wanted to be proactive in keeping a part of herself that made her feel beautiful. Trinh says once the client’s oncologist permitted her to get the procedure, they arranged an appointment. “It was very rewarding to give her that

peace of mind that she doesn’t have to think about her eyebrows while she undergoes that difficult time,” said Trinh. Similarly, cosmetic tattoo artist Tho Dang of Tho Brows in Toronto has a client who was particularly happy with the service she provided. Dang says she has a client with an impulse disorder known as Trichotillomania, or Trich. Those with Trich have an irresistible urge to pull out their own hair. Though the hair can be pulled from anywhere on the body, it’s commonly taken from the scalp or eyebrows which leave the areas visibly sparse. “She found me on Instagram and she booked an appointment with me. During her consultation she was really unsure if she should get it done because she was afraid that during the healing process she’d scratch off the strokes,” said Dang. Trich is common amongst those with anxiety, stress, or obsessive compulsive disorder and can be treated with prescribed antibiotic medication. Dang says after she revealed the client’s new brows to her, she cried tears of joy. Hachey says, “Doing something like getting your eyebrows tattooed seems a bit high maintenance.. but it’s with the long term goal of not having to worry about doing my eyebrows every day that it’s low maintenance.” And for those undergoing chemotherapy or managing Trich, having microbladed brows makes a seemingly difficult step of a beauty routine that much easier.

The Fight for Her Beauty - From Embarrassment to Empowerment

Nina Ruberto’s tattooed piece features a floral design, a seahorse, rosary, and breast cancer symbol - all of which mean something special to her. (Photo courtesy Nina Ruberto)

How one woman’s survival story allowed mastectomy where her breasts were reconstructed. During this procedure, the skin from the nipher to find true beauty in her life through ple, areola, and original biopsy scar are removed. tears, pain, and permanent ink By KASY PERTAB

A beautiful tattooed floral piece featuring a seahorse and rosary sits on Nina Ruberto’s body in a place that used to cause her pain every time she looked at it. Now, she looks at it with admiration and acceptance. Ruberto was living in Thunder Bay in 2012 when she was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer, two days after she turned 40. Her first step was to have a lumpectomy, a surgical procedure where a portion of breast tissue is removed. After that, she underwent intensive chemotherapy. “I did end up losing all my hair, my eyebrows, my eyelashes, everything,” Ruberto said. “It was such a long and tiring process.” She then had to have a skin-sparing double

In Ruberto’s case, however, her surgeons used the fat tissue from her stomach to replace the breast tissue. This tissue was also used to create 3D nipples that were tattooed on. The surgery took about 12 hours and left a large scar that stretched from Ruberto’s left hip to her right. At first, she assumed that she would be proud of her mark, but that wasn’t the case. “I would wear a bikini on a beach, and I really thought I was going to be rocking it. I wanted to say, ‘Hey, I’m a breast cancer survivor and I’m wearing it proudly,’” Ruberto said. “But after the 100th person asked me if I had a tummy tuck, it became so uncomfortable for me. It became a horrible reminder of my breast cancer.” After the mastectomy, Ruberto also had to undergo radiation therapy. When her year-long struggle was over, she decided she had to do something about

her scar. “I was really overwhelmed. I was very emo In 2014, Ruberto left Thunder Bay to begin a tional, but I felt so strong. I felt like, ‘F you breast fresh start in Toronto. It was then that she met the cancer! You’re never coming back!’” Ruberto said. artist Lorena Lorenzo, who worked at Lucky 13 Tattoos “Mostly I was excited for a new chapter in my life.” at the time. Ruberto was determined to cover her Other tattoo artists in Toronto have had difscar, and she knew a tattoo was the way go. She knew ferent emotions when doing coverup tattoos. Some that Lorenzo, with whom she felt an immediate confeel the same emotions as their clients through their nection, was the right person to do it. Ruberto also stories, while others have become used to the routine added that Lorenzo’s creative and colourful personali- of doing the coverups. ty is what made her the perfect artist for the job. Eduardo Gomez has been an artist for over Lorenzo currently works at Black Line Studio, eight years, and he has done a few of these tattoos in but has been a tattoo artist for over a decade. She the past. Although tattoos are great for covering scars, said that she has done several coverup tattoos in the he explains that you have to follow a certain techrecent years, with most clients being woman who are nique while doing them. either cancer survivors or have post-surgery scars. “It’s very technical. You have to make sure you “Ladies come and see me and they want to don’t injure the scar tissue, because if you do, you look beautiful, they want to feel feminine, and they can create a keloid scar,” Gomez said. “The pigments want to look good when they look at themselves in will also fade faster, but making sure the skin is fully the mirror,” Lorenzo said. “No matter what kind of healed is the priority.” scar they have, I’m there to make sure they’re happy When asked how he felt about doing coverup and they leave with a tattoos, Gomez expressed his gratI felt like ‘F you breast cancer!itude towards his clients. smile on their face.” Ruberto’s tattoo “I feel so honoured that they You’re never coming back!’” trust is a large, detailed piece me with something they that covers her entire have such a deep connection to, scar. It’s a flower design with a seahorse, rosary and and something they’re so emotionally attached to,” breast cancer symbol in between – each with their he said. “It’s really such an honour.” own meaning. The seahorse represents her childhood Ruberto makes sure to let people know that in Italy where she picked one out of the water, the her tattoo is now a part of who she is. Although it was rosary represents her faith, and the breast cancer a long fight, she views it as a victory. “Now when I go symbol represents her survival. The entire tattooing on a beach, people are like, ‘Oh damn, you badass!’” process took about four and a half hours, giving RuRuberto said. “I turned something so negative into berto time to experience a range of emotions. something really beautiful.”

“

(Photo courtesy Lorena Lorenzo)

Workplace Policies on Tattoos Workplace discrimination based on people’s appearance includes not only dresscodes, but tattoos as well By VARSHA RAMDIHOL

With a forehead of flames above blacked-out eyelids and candy skull teeth lining his lips, Chris Dalzell fuels his tattoo addiction by covering every bit of natural skin on his body. That addiction, however, has had a negative impact on his employment since he began heavily tattooing his face. Since he started two years ago, the 32-year-old chef from Bangor, Ireland says he has been excluded from work gatherings, Christmas parties, and is barred from leaving the back kitchen for a drink of water at the bar. “I didn’t consider how people would perceive me or how it would affect any job I had,” Dalzell said. “As far as work is concerned, my tattoos are a major issue. It’s something I should have sat down and thought more about beforehand. But when I was in that situation it wasn’t something that crossed my mind.” The ink on your skin is more problematic in the work environment than people think. Laws are in place to protect people from discrimination, but still, people’s appearance can get policed in the workplace. Ironically, Dalzell’s tattoos were not designed to intimidate, but to cause him as much pain as possible. His two-year-old daughter has been in and out of hospitals since she was born due to birth complications, and the only way he copes with the heartache is by inflicting more pain onto himself through tattooing. After facing discrimination for his face tattoos at his current workplace, Dalzell plans to leave the restaurant, but finding work is not easy. He honestly admits in his CV that he is covered in tattoos on his body and face when potential employers call to ask for an interview, he reiterates this in anticipation of them missing that bottom note. “The conversation changes from ‘come in to do a trial’ to ‘we have more candidates so don’t come in and we will get back to you,’” Dalzell said. For an employee like Dalzell who faces discrimination during the hiring process, “It is very difficult to

Dalzell’s full body is almost completely covered in tattoos, with more that were added over time. (Photo courtesy Chris Dalzell) prove there was any kind of damages or losses they’ve had relating to tattoos,” said Kathy Chittley-Young. As an employment lawyer of almost 19 years, she currently operates out of her own firm, KCY at Law, in Burlington, Ont. Part of her job involves helping employees and employers with the issue of displaying tattoos in the workplace.

In Canada, not many cases of tattoo-based discrimination make it to courts, Chittley-Young explains. With the few cases available, though, lawyers can provide enough guidance to employers to respond adequately to dress code regulations without being too restrictive from a court’s perspective. “If someone works a retail position doing a front-facing job that would display their tattoos, I would advise employers that the store’s targeted audience of young adults would be more tolerant of tattoos,” Chittley-Young said. “Contrast that with a high-end jewelry shop with clientele above 40 years of age who would be offended or uncomfortable by tattoos. I would advise them of their right to request employees to be covered during work hours.” When a person with tattoos comes to her for advice, she asks: who do they work for, where do they work, what are the times they work, who are they working with, if there is any known policy they are aware of, and to see their employment agreement for any prohibition of tattoos at the date of hire. These factors inform her response to employees who have tattoos or consider getting tattoos to avoid any interpretation of discrimination. Support Tattoos and Piercings at Work or STAPAW, is a North American-based advocacy organization for body modifications that works to help companies change their policies and dress code regulations to be more open-minded and inclusive. “I think a lot of advocacy groups have an ‘us’

versus ‘them’ mentality,” said STAPAW director Nathan Madden. “For STAPAW, there’s no ‘us’ versus ‘them.’ There’s just misunderstandings. When we can right those misunderstandings, companies are willing to change their hiring or dress code policies.” STAPAW originated as a Facebook page to help one woman in Kansas get her job back as a manager after being fired over two complaints regarding her tattoos. The success of her case spearheaded the formation of an advocacy organization. Their goal is not to instate legislation. “Once legislation forces people to hire someone with tattoos, it goes against what we stand for. We’re saying hiring shouldn’t be based on what somebody looks like. It should be based on their merit,” Madden said. Adjusting to the idea of tattoos in the workplace is the next step to eliminate discrimination. “The law takes a long time to catch up to what the norm is, but by the time it does, there’s a new norm,” Chittley-Young said. Employers are not keen to hire someone with blacked-out eyelids or a face that resembles a skull, as is the case with Dalzell’s tattoos. This is why workplace policies should strive for more inclusiveness. “Our goal is to change stereotypes,” Madden said. “You don’t change stereotypes by twisting arms. You do it by changing hearts and minds.” As for Dalzell, he said his ability to work is not determined by the tattoos on his skin. “At the end of the day, my tattoos don’t do the cooking. My hands do the cooking.”

Before and after photos of Dalzell’s face tattoos. (Photo courtesy Chris Dalzell)

Diversifying Asian-Themed Tattoos Toronto artists are making an impact on After fighting the current, the fish slowly gets Asian-themed tattoo culture through in- stronger, until it reaches a waterfall. corporating folklore and ancient designs When all the other fish turned away, the Koi By JONATHAN PEREIRA

Traditional Asian tattoos are becoming more specialized in Toronto, while some tattoo shops in Markham only create Asian themes due to the demographic in the area. But for some artists, Asianthemed tattoos are all they know, and for others, it’s a style that they need to know. For 35-year-old tattoo artist Phillip Yee, it is important to bring a certain amount of flair to each masterpiece he designs. Yee started school as an artist and proceeded to be a portrait sketcher at parties as well as funerals. It allowed him to slowly learn the ways of the pen, and then in turn, the way of the ink. Traditional Asian tattoos is just one of several styles Yee is able to do, but out of them all, it’s the one he’s most comfortable with. “I know my style and I love doing it. If I could do a Koi fish a day, I’ll probably be a happy camper. I’m a versatile artist…that is what I’m known for, but the main thing I like to really do is traditional Japanese styles,” Yee said. Yee has lived in the Scarborough-Markham area for years now, and currently works at Phat Buddha Tattoos located in Pacific Mall. In Chinese and Japanese folklore, the story of the Koi fish is very well known. The story encompasses the perseverance of a Koi fish, where the fish defies all odds and swims upstream against the mighty Yellow River in China.

attempted for over a hundred years to leap over the waterfall and after making it to the top, the gods recognized the Koi for its effort. They turned the Koi into a golden dragon, which represents prosperity, wealth and good luck. Yee said clients come in for the Koi-Dragon tattoo often. “The Koi is usually swimming up the client’s arm, with the waterfall and clouds located on their upper arm. The dragon then extends on their other arm, completing a dual tattoo sleeve.” Mikhail Hohlov, a 30-year-old artist at Painted People Tattoo in Toronto, has been perfecting his style of traditional Asian tattoos for the last four years. Originally from Siberia, he spoke about how the culture there affected the traditional tattoo designs he does now. “Thirteen years ago, tattoos in Russia were associated with the criminal society,” said Hohlov, who moved to Toronto when he was 17. However, an influx of Asian movies into Russia introduced him to a different type of tattoo – those with Asian themes. “Back in the ‘90s, when the Soviet Union fell apart, we started getting those movies with Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee, and everyone was going crazy about them,” Hohlov said. “It was something new for Russian culture. Asian-themed tattoos are definitely popular in Russia.” Through working on Asian-themed tattoos for the past four years, Hohlov has tailored his style to

The progression of Michelle Tumelty’s tattoo sessions over the course of five months. (Photo courtesy Mikhail Hohlov)

Tattoo done by Carmen Jang at Chronic Ink Tattoos. The Koi was stenciled, and the flowers were free-handed. The entire session took approximately ten and a half hours to complete. (Photo courtesy Ina Lee and Matthew Tam.)

work with and around different forms. At the moment, he is working on a traditional Hindu piece depicting the Hindu God Ganesh. The piece spans his client’s full back, where the addition of geometrics and realism have been incorporated. Hohlov feels that in order to be a great tattoo artist, you have to have a proper foundation and from there you can grow as an artist. “I do believe that artists need to explore more sides, and they need to try new things. But at the end we need to concentrate on our foundation,” he said. He added that you cannot just be a “Jack of all trades, master of none.” There needs to be an overall

balance. Matthew Tam, age 22, is currently studying kinesiology at the University of Waterloo. When he graduates, he plans to go into a career within the automotive industry as an ergonomist. He got his first sleeve tattoo, which depicts a Koi swimming up his arm with peonies and waves wrapped around it in November. “I’m getting the tattoo because to me it’s symbolistic of overcoming obstacles,” Tam said. “I felt like this would be the perfect time to get this piece, and once I land my dream job I will for sure continue onto the dragon tattoo on my other arm as another milestone in my life.”

Tattoos and Grief: A Mechanism to Cope with Pain Losing a family member, friend, or pet is never easy. Here’s a look into the healing power of the permanent body art By ANJELICA BALATBAT

Tattoo by Spencer Chase from TCB Tattoo Toronto using green, yellow, pink, black and red ink. (Photo courtesy Spencer Chase)

Deborah Davidson is an Associate Professor and Underraduate Program Direcot at York University. (Photo courtesy Deborah Davidson)

Along the ribs of tattoo artist Spencer Chase is an angel coloured in black, green, and red ink above a tombstone that reads ‘In Memory of Pieter’. The tattoo artist from TCB Tattoo Parlour in Toronto chose a Fred Marquand design to honour the loss of a close friend who passed at the young age of 26. “His family was super religious and hated his tattoos. But when he passed I ended up tattooing his whole family. I even tattooed his father, who used to preach against tattoos. He ended up getting this big tall ship with roses and chains and an eagle. I couldn’t believe it. It really meant a lot to me to be able to do that for them,” said Chase. Grief is the natural response triggered by loss, and for some, the bereavement process is made easier with a body marking of the deceased known as memorial tattoos. Memorial tattoos are a type of commemorative tattoo says Deborah Davidson, an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology at York University. However, commemorative tattoos differ in that they “Honour living family members, pets, events that have great meaning in our lives, historical background, or things that we’ve accomplished,” said Davidson. Davidson spearheaded The Tattoo Project, a text and online database that offers critical insights on the body and visual culture. Her website allows people to share their tattoos and their stories in an online environment unlike other social media. “It’s controlled and archived in such a way that people’s stories cannot be used by others or perverted in any way. Not only can people read about others’

tattoos, researchers can go to the site and analyze their loved ones into the ink used for their tattoo. the tattoos in a number of ways depending on their “Ashes from cremation are sifted and somediscipline,” said Davidson. times re-baked to add another level of sterilization, Through conducting multiple interviews for but they have to be very fine. The cremains of the her tattoo research which began in 2009, Davidson ashes are taken and mixed in quite minute degrees discovered a number of commonalities amongst mewith tattoo ink, and then they’re used to do memorial morial tattoos. tattoos,” said Davidson. One of them being is that the people who get Davidson first heard of ash tattooing ten years them feel their loved one is always with them. ago and has noticed that it has grown in popularity This was especially true for Chase who acsince then. knowledged that getting tattoos helped him cope with The loss of a loved one can be extremely his grief noting, “At first I found it bittersweet, that all difficult, but memorial tattoos are a reminder and a I had left of my friend was an image on my body. At testament to the people and memories we hold close. the same time though whenever I see it, I am remind- Of his clients, Chase says, “I think for a lot of ed of him and memories we shared.” people it really helps. I’ve had people cry on more Similarly, Nikita Zenkin, an appliance specialist than one occasion. But they are always very thankful in Toronto has plans to get a memorial tattoo in mem- and seem a bit more at peace.” ory of his mother who passed when he was nine years old. “It was a long time ago but I just remember that she was always there for me. She was caring, she was passionate about her career, and I always felt love from her,” said Zenkin. Zenkin intends to get a design that’s an integration of a heart and an angel. Tattoo artist Shardiné Smith-Allison of Chosen Ink Studios in Scarborough finds that most of her clients know what kind of memorial tattoo they want before they see her. “They usually already have a design that represents something of that person. If I were to help them come up with one, it wouldn’t be significant and that’s usually what I tell them. There’s been a few people that have asked me to help them but if it doesn’t represent something to you then it has no meaning to it,” she said. For Davidson, one of the most moving memorial tattoos she’s seen was during her time volunteering at Bereaved Families of Ontario, which also sparked her interest to study memorial tattoos. “A woman who I didn’t think would have a tattoo, had a tattoo in memory of her daughter who died by suicide and the story is very moving. That tattoo of that particular woman opened my eyes to a new idea of why people got tattoos,” said Davidson. Some people take memorial tattoos Tattoo by Spencer Chase from TCB Tattoo Toronto using green, yela step further by incorporating the ashes of low, pink, black and red ink. (Photo courtesy Spemcer Chase)

Losing an Eye for Beauty Botched tattoos are a risk people take when undergoing tattoo procedures By VARSHA RAMDIHOL

A selfie of Meza’s tattooed eye. (Photo courtesy Emmanuel Meza)

Some say beauty is pain, but would you risk losing your eyesight to experiment with a tattoo style? Eye tattoos are not as common as skin tattoos, but they certainly left a lasting mark on one Ottawa woman. Catt Gallinger, 25, almost lost her eyesight after an eye tattoo went horribly wrong, according to reports from Canadian media last year. “If it went well for you when you got yours done, I’m sorry to disappoint you but, but that is called LUCK not EXPERTISE,” Gallinger said in a December 2017 Facebook post about the procedure. Gallinger’s case is not the first in Canada where eye tattoos have backfired. According to Eye Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (EPSO), last year “A 24-year-old Alberta man had his eye surgically removed as a result of bacteria-contaminated tattoo ink which was injected into the eye.” The procedure, known as scleral pigmentation, uses a needle to inject coloured ink into the whites of the eye. In Ontario, Dr. Jordan Cheskes, who practises in Toronto, was successful in banning eye tattoos last year after Gallinger’s case went viral. “For a botched tattoo, particularly an eye tattoo, there was no recourse for a tattoo artist at that time. Now if someone were to do it they could be charged for performing an act of a physician,” Cheskes said. The ophthalmologist and chair of the EPSO put forth a motion to amend Bill 160; Strengthening Quality and Accountability for Patients Act. The legislation now bans eye tattoos as well as implanting foreign objects into the eye for cosmetic purposes. “It was one of the fastest laws that went through the Ontario legislation in the

past 25 years,” he said. “It took about a month to be passed.” The bill was proposed in October 2017 and passed in December 2017. Following the amendment of Bill 160, other places including Manitoba and Indiana in the US modelled new legislation after Ontario’s eye tattoo ban. “It’s good to know our movement that we did with the Ministry of Health has been replicated by other jurisdictions in North America,” Cheskes said. He recognizes the dangers of eye tattoos, citing two mechanisms of injury. The first is the actual penetration from the needle damaging the internal structure of the eye. The second is when the dye from the tattoo causes scarring and chronic inflammation. “Tattoo artists are not comfortable doing eye tattoos, and most artists I hope are responsible and know their limits of what they can or cannot do,” Cheskes said. Eye tattoo surgeries are available to either tattoo the pupil onto the centre of the cornea for cosmetic reasons, or to black out part of the cornea where traumatized eyes become sensitive to light passing through, Cheskes said. Even ophthalmologists who are qualified to perform specific eye tattoos do not do this often. In Toronto, there are other forms of programs and legislations that protect people’s health and safety concerning personal services, including tattoos. The Bodysafe Program started in 2015 by the City of Toronto, but they have been inspecting personal services settings since about 2009, said Cecilia Alterman, Toronto Public Health spokesperson and manager for infection control and infectious disease. Tattoo studios have been required to have a licence since 2014, she added. “We try to focus on infection prevention and control practices to ensure that services are provided in a safe manner, and to give the public information to make an educated choice whether or not to go into a certain premise of a service,” Alterman said. Despite the risk eye tattoos pose, this particular body modification still continues to be sought out by daring individuals. “Ever since I was a kid I really enjoyed darker things,” Emmanuel Meza said. “But when I saw eye tattoos, it wasn’t a matter of it looking scary to me. It mainly just looked beautiful.” The 29-year-old Native American living in Hollywood, Calif., has an eye tattoo on both eyes in the colour black. “Tattoos are legislated; piercings are legislat-

ed; you need to be licensed,” Meza said. He strategically waited a few years before going under the needle to be certain of the effects by following people with eye tattoos for a long time. “You’re essentially doing eye surgery,” Meza said. “There’s no room for mistakes.” Meza received his eye tattoos from a body modifier who goes by the name Luna Cobra. “He is the person that popularized eye tattoos.” Corneal tattooing has been a part of history for a long time but the art of dyeing the whites of the eye was first conducted in 2007 by Luna Cobra. He used a traditional hand-poked technique. For Meza, he says his $2,000 procedure went without a hitch because of his personal research and use of an experienced body modifier. “Body modifications are not legislated and they should be. If it takes being illegal so people don’t injure themselves then I think that’s necessary,” Meza said. Even though there needs to more research and practice to truly understand eye tattooing, Gallinger’s case serves as a reminder of its dangers. “You do NOT know what you are doing,” Gallinger addressed the person who tattooed her eye in a Facebook post in December 2017. “It takes 12 years to learn the full anatomy of the eye and how to do injections…. If you haven’t spent that time learning it then you should NOT be touching it with anything.”

(Photo courtesy Emmanuel Meza)

From Apprentice to Artist Aspiring apprentices in Toronto are making moves to become one of Toronto’s next rising tattoo artists By JONATHAN PEREIRA

Apprentices normally spend a year practising before actually inking the skin, however, for people like JD Soriano, he has already begun tattooing clients after only half a year. Soriano has been an apprentice for the past six months. But he is rapidly transforming into a full blown artist. When asked about his experience as an apprentice, he said that time went by faster than he thought. “I thought it would be a longer process, but it’s only been like six months and I’m tatting now,” Soriano said. He admitted that he never knew if he could really make a career out of tattooing.

“Thinking about it now and the time we are in now, it is actually a really booming business,” he said. Ink and Water Tattoo has stepped into the spotlight as one of the city’s chic, emerging tattoo businesses. They now have two stores; one on Bloor St. W. with the other on Yonge Street just south of Eglinton Subway Station. At the shop, they aim for the ‘root cause of the tattoo,’ according to Soriano. A standard session involves an in-depth discussion about the tattoo while having some candy and refreshments. This gives the artist more context to work with. Growing up in Scarborough, Soriano was always interested in art and began drawing at the age of ten. His love for art stemmed from his childhood memories of Anime and Dragon Ball Z, where his uncles had initially taught him how to draw. At Ink and Water Tattoo, Soriano uses his skills to focus on the style of ‘realism’ tattooing. Shadows, core shadows, and the bounce light is all something to

JD Soriano stands in front of the classic Ink and Water sign at their Yonge Street location. The classic flower wall leaves guests with a refreshing asthetic. (Jonathan Pereira)

consider according to Soriano. But he learns more as time passes. He feels like just yesterday he was sketching, but today he is actively tattooing clients through flash sales. ‘Flash tattoos’ are pre-drawn sketches that have received approval by mentors, and while tattooing on clients, the mentors often step in and add helpful tips. Meg Burns, a new apprentice at Ink and Water Tattoo, is now in the preliminary stages of her apprenticeship where she has learned about setting up for tattoos, preparing the machines, and how to clean up the station afterwards. Burns went to Ryerson for Geographical Analysis, but wanted to do conservation work. “As I got further and further into my program I realized that I couldn’t do this,” Burns said. After halting her university degree, she looked back at her history of art. She jumped into the field with full support from her parents and started applying to tattoo shops for an apprenticeship. Burns applied to Ink and Water Tattoo a couple years ago but with no luck at the time, she went to Heavy Hearts Tattoo in Kensington for her apprenticeship. After a couple months there, she was told that the shop might be closing. Her former boss then referred her as an apprentice at Ink and Water, to her surprise. “He referred me without telling me, and Ink and Water reached out to me and said to come in and show my portfolio,” Burns said. From there, she came in with her portfolio and was told to bring 50 new drawings by next week. She worked hard over that week and created flawless sketches that would be up to the standards of Ink and Water Toronto. After showing her sketches to Michael Pecherle, one of the shop owners, she was told that she got the apprenticeship. Burns aimed to specialize in black dot work, also known as pointillism. This method of tattooing involves thousands of tiny dots that form into a solid image when seen from a distance. She was initially nervous about people looking at her unrefined work, but through the mentors’ constant suggestions, she grew to feel comfortable and even welcoming to the criticism. Burns explained that the mentor-apprentice relationship is beneficial to her work. “They’ll give little tips. It’s always constructive criticism, and it’s always very supportive,” she said. Marvin Mariano is a full-time tattoo artist

(Jonathan Pereira)

and owner of 8 Ink Tattoos located in Pacific Mall on Steeles Avenue and Kennedy Road. After tattooing for eight years and learning about different tattoo cultures from around the world, Mariano decided to open his own store. He now works on a daily basis with clients which keeps him busy at all times. However, he added that when he does get the time, he will be introducing a new three-month apprenticeship program where he will work hands-on with apprentices to teach them the ways of the trade. Mariano explained that within the first month of the program, the apprentices will be strictly practising. He will also be guiding them through the daily duties of an artist. Everything from how to sketch, to how to use the tattoo machine on vinyl imitation or pig skin. “The pig skin is probably the best because it is the closest thing to actual skin. The only disadvantage is that it starts to smell afterwards,” Mariano said. The second month of the program features applying what the apprentices learned on their friends or ‘tattoo guinea pigs,’ according to Mariano. The final month gives the apprentices free reign over their own workstations, with continued guidance and assistance from Mariano throughout the last month. The exact dates of the apprenticeship, however, have not yet been announced. Tattoo artists on average work hand-in-hand with their apprentices to pass on the lessons they’ve learned from their mentors. As the tattoo industry grows and expands, so does the mentor-apprentice relationship.

The Permanent Way to Say ‘I Do’ Wedding bands symbolize a commitment and now a more permanent gesture is bringing its way into relationships By KASY PERTAB

A promise of forever can now be marked forever on the skin. Wedding band tattoos have become more relevant today, and a local professor expressed his appreciation for the eternal ink. Michael Countryman and his partner Thomas Wicks, both 37, recently got a commitment ring to represent ten years of being together. Countryman works at Story Arts Centennial College as a coordinator for the Communications and Media Fundamentals course. Countryman was also afraid that he would be criticized for his many tattoos, but his case was the opposite. His co-workers and students became fascinated with his multiple designs, and this motivated him to continue with his tattoo journey – including his newest ring. “It’s a replica of an Anglo-Saxon ring, and I don’t really like wearing rings,” Countryman said. “But as soon as he said, ‘It’s been ten years together, we’re going to have an anniversary celebration and we’re going to get rings,’ I jumped on the idea because I totally wanted an excuse to have a tattoo on my hand, and it’s great that it’s so symbolic too.” Some couples such as Countryman and his partner don’t get an actual ring tattooed at all. Instead, they get unique symbols or designs in the same place the ring would go. Countryman explained that although they are not technically married, he and his partner are still common-law, and consider the ring for the same meaning. In addition, Wicks added that the ring has a personal connection to his family. “The thing I like about the ring is that it is written in runes to reflect my heritage and it’s just a beautiful, timeless object created by a local Ontario goldsmith inscribed with our initials,” he said. While Countryman didn’t need any convincing to get his tattoo, couples doing it for the first time should check out Suzanne Gardner’s book, The Handy Tattoo Wedding Ring Guide – Everything You’ll Want

The cover of the wedding band tattoo guide written by Suzanne Gardner. (Photo courtesy Suzanne Gardner)

to Know Before You Get Inked. The guide features recommendations on tattoo designs, facts on the best areas for the tattoo, aftercare instructions, advice, and even an interview with a celebrity tattoo artist. Gardner decided to write the book after discovering there wasn’t such a guide on the market. She added that some couples need proper guidance when making these decisions. “I realized that they were very misunderstood. A lot of people expect things from a tattoo wedding ring that isn’t possible, or they get them in the wrong idea. So, I thought I’d write a comprehensive book for couples,” she said. Gardner owns and currently runs a company called Everything Wedding Rings, started in 2009. The company features rings which couples can choose a

variety of different designs from. It is based between Florida and Colorado. However, when it comes to wedding band tattoos, Gardner emphasizes that couples should choose a simple design, get it touched up every two years, and not get them before a honeymoon trip to tropical islands - as salt water can make them fade faster. When it comes to the actual tattooing, artists like Danielle O’Connor find the trend interesting. O’Connor is currently a tattoo artist at Ruby Tattoo Studio in Barrie. Having done several wedding band tattoos in the past, she stresses the importance of patience. This is because since the band is a finger tattoo, it’s more likely to fade and distort over time. Getting a simpler, thinner design can reduce this.

“

When asked how she felt about doing these tattoos on clients, O’Connor explained that they make people’s lives a lot easier. “A lot of people who come in for those tattoos are usually in the trade of construction or masonry, basically industries that don’t allow you to wear your wedding ring or it’s dangerous to wear your wedding ring,” she said. “So, a lot of women, and men, get their wedding band tattooed so they can wear it at work and it makes everything so much simpler.” As with most tattoos, O’Connor said that the bands can hold great meaning behind them. “If someone is that committed to the relationship, it’s a great way of showing that,” O’Connor said. “It’s also a great way of keeping the notion of marriage prominent even when you can’t wear your wedding ring. It’s just a great idea.”

The thing I like about the ring is that it is written in runes to reflect my heritage.”

Michael Countryman and his partner Thomas Wicks with their rings - Wicks on the left with a gold ring, Countryman on the right with his band tattoo. (Photo courtesy Michael Countryman)

A Rose and its Climbing Vines

pretty at all times, so she cared a lot about small imperfections. But this was different. Months went by, and I watched as my mother bought more and more clothes to cover up the scars. By KASY PERTAB I watched as she cried while trying on high My mother has always been someone who neck shirts in the summer, and covering her arms with picks herself up right after she falls. She’s the stronbracelets in the fall. gest person I know, and also the bravest. This was She was frustrated, angry, embarrassed, proven to me in July 2007. and upset. But as years went on, she got better. She As a child, I was stopped caring, and aware of how concernshe accepted her skin. ing my mother’s heart In September condition was. But I 2017, my mother wasn’t aware of the finally made the brave extent. decision of covering She was diagthe scar on her arm nosed in May after with a tattoo. She was having an angina attack. afraid that the ink Doctors then prescribed might affect the scar, medication to her, but but after discovering after weeks of it not it wouldn’t, she went helping, they stressed ahead with it. the need for a surgery. I sat next to her She was given through the entire the information that process as she told the three of the arteries artist about her jourconnecting to her heart ney, and how much were clogged. better she will feel In order to fix after the tattoo was this, they would need done. to perform open-heart Even though she surgery in July where didn’t want to admit it, doctors would take I could tell she was cryanother large vein ing. I just couldn’t tell from her body and whether it was from connect it to the heart the pain of the tattoo for continued oxygen gun, or from the relief Avena Pertab’s rose tattoo located on the scar on her left flow. Instead of using a she had been waiting arm. (Kasy Pertab) vein from her leg as they for. normally would, the surgeons chose one from her left Now, engraved onto my mother’s arm is a arm – leaving her with two large scars. vibrant blue rose with a vine climbing down her scar. One scar spanned from the center of her It’s a design she had always wanted, and now chest, and the other across her inner arm. she’s not afraid to show it off to the world. After being bed-ridden for over three months, My mother now wears her head up, her the biggest worry my mother had was the new marks sleeves high, and a smile of relief on her face. on her body. Thank you, Avena Pertab, for showing me that My mother is someone who wanted to look even pain can be beautiful.

A story of my mother’s journey with her heart and her constant struggle with beauty, pain, acceptance and scars

Removing the Tattoo Stigma By JONATHAN PEREIRA

When I presented the idea of a tattoo to my mother, she immediately said ‘no.’ She always gave me the best advice. However, she knew how I was—and to cover all bases, she gave me the best lecture ever. “When you get a tattoo, it is permanent. There is no going back. It will change the way people look at you, and you will ultimately not get accepted to many jobs because of it,” my mother said. It stuck with me for a while. I didn’t want to grow up and go through years of schooling only to be rejected because of a tattoo. She completed the lecture with a final piece of advice. She told me to really think of a tattoo that I want to get, to remember that picture and look at it whenever I could for a full year. Initially I felt like this was her way of saying no, but fast-forward to now, I think it is one of the best lessons that she taught me. I haven’t gotten my sleeve because of this reason but I am currently building it as time progresses. I understand fully that the things that I like are always susceptible to change. So, I gathered things that have heavily impacted my life from a young age;

small symbols that have helped me overcome my own obstacles and get to where I am right now. With the tattoos that I’ve gotten, I feel confident with them. They both hold a dear value to who I am and what I’ve done up to this point in my life. Although my parents have been living in Canada for the past 23 years, they are still old-fashioned in some ways. They were taught that you wouldn’t get jobs with a tattoo, and it did actually happen with young Catholics who had received a cross tattoo on their hand. These individuals were denied a job position within the Air India Airlines because of their tattoo—a symbol of their devotion to their faith. Today, Canadian society has changed a drastic amount. Tattoos aren’t really associated with negative characteristics they once were. We have police officers and corporate executives sporting sleeves and full body tattoos with no repercussions. Why is this allowed? It is because having a tattoo does not affect your skillset or your ability to get work done. After explaining the world of tattoos to my parents, and what they mean to me, it’s safe to say that we are making headway towards a new understanding.

(Varsha Ramdihol)

Tattoos versus Beliefs By VARSHA RAMDIHOL

For a large part of my life, religion has been ambiguous in many ways. I was raised to be Christian by my mother, and she by hers. I went to church almost every Sunday as a child (if I could wake up) until my late teens when I began to diverge. I could appreciate the lessons different biblical passages taught me. I learned very fundamental values for life such as honesty, obedience, trust, forgiveness and strength. But overtime my meticulous and almost nitpicky intellect couldn’t understand or even agree with certain teachings. Finding contradictions became a habit for me as I attended church less and less. My beliefs were being challenged. On the one hand, I could see where God has a point about making good choices in life, when Matthew 7:24-27 compares building a house on rock (following God’s words) versus sand (not following His words). This metaphor illustrates that in life you can

either make good choices (use sturdy rocks) or make bad choices (use weak sand). Other lessons failed to grasp my understanding. The bible references the body as a sanctuary that must not be defamed or altered mentally or physically. It belongs to God and we must preserve it the way He made it. For people with tattoos who have permanently altered their body, I can only assume God doesn’t approve. And as someone who has always been curious about expressing my personality through body ink, I’m torn between God’s way of life and my own individuality. Now that I am older and can make my own decisions, I’ve come to realize that self-expression is limitless and body art does not define the sacredness of one’s body. But as for whether knowing this is enough to convince me that a tattoo is right for me? That’s still to be determined.

For my Grandmother, Ina By ANJELICA BALATBAT

In my family’s native tongue Tagalog, Ina translates to ‘mother’ and it’s what I referred my grandmother as. Not Grandma, not Nana, not nan--but Ina. One of my first childhood memories is of her pushing a shopping cart through the aisles in Value Village, scanning clothing racks for good deals or even better, vintage finds. As I followed her through the store I remember Ina stopping to tighten the back of her earrings. They were a pair she wore nearly every day, but this was the first time I recall admiring them up close. Looking at them now they resemble a geometric flower and though their design is ambiguous, they’re beautiful. Last summer she gifted me with one of the earrings and I was ecstatic that she’d trust me with something she loved for so many years. Though she had lost the other earring of the pair some time ago, it’s still my favourite piece of jewellery in my collection. I’ve always said if I got my sense of fashion from anyone in my family it was certainly from Ina, and that’s how her and I bonded. We’d go to thrift stores every weekend and we’d stay for hours before leaving with a shopping

cart full of bags. I can’t recall a time where she didn’t love an outfit I styled, and that encouraged me throughout my life to wear whatever I felt good in. She passed away last December and it was a sadness unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. Ina made such a big impact on how I express myself creatively and I wanted to memorialize her in a special way. Since I only had a single earring to wear I reached out to my friend from high school who was a visual artist. I sent her pictures of the jewellery and had her draw up designs I could have tattooed. Now when I look at the drawing of Ina’s ear-

ring on the back of my arm, I’m reminded of the mark she left on my life.

(Anjelica Balatbat)

About the editors... Anjelica Balatbat My pursuit towards a journalism career began at an early age and for that, I thank my parents. They encouraged me to bring a travel journal on our yearly family trips. What started as a hobby turned into a lifelong passion for writing. At the moment, I’m an edit intern at Toronto Star’s beauty and fashion magazine The Kit, where you can find me building online posts, researching the latest trends, fact-checking stories, and keeping to date with everything pop culture. Growing up I never thought I’d have tattoos but fast forward to 2018, I have four on my arms. I even got one in between classes (ask my friends!) and though tattoos didn’t teach me to exercise spontaneity, they showed me the beauty of carrying reminders of my loved ones. When I’m not in the newsroom I’m binge-watching clothing hauls on YouTube, eating at Kinton Ramen with my boyfriend, or spending time with my dog.

Varsha Ramdihol For the longest time I didn’t know what I wanted my career to be. I put my faith in a field that overwhelmed me with its possibilities and unforeseeable challenges. But since entering university/college, journalism has been more than just writing for me. I discovered my love for stories. I think not having any tattoos myself is a reflection of my curiosity for any topic. Remaining impartial is important for writing about something not directly related to me. But seeking these stories is still needed for stimulating my own inquisition of things. When I’m not curating my own stories, I love consuming them in the form of reading poetry books, listening to investigative podcasts, watching serial killer documentaries on Netflix, and day dreaming about what my fat cat is doing when I’m not there. My plans after writing for the Toronto Observer and working at SCCR Inc. are unknown to me. But I’m anything but afraid to see what I’ll do.

37 Jonathan Pereira Tattoos interested me from the first time I laid my eyes on one. To me, it was a way to express who you are; a way to tell people, “Hey! This is who I am, this is what is dear to me.” With the stories that each tattoo contains, it opens up a world where your body literally becomes a physical artpiece. The commitment scares me, but the confidence empowers me. Growing up, I never really knew what I wanted to do when I was younger. I felt pestered by the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” As time progressed it became even clearer. I volunteered at my high school library and read one novel a day until it was clear — I actually liked to write and read. Today it’s more than a hobby. It has brought me to express myself in ways I never could before. Alongside with my other hobbies such as kayaking, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, and video games, I’ve grown to enjoy creating and constructing written pieces of work.

Kasy Pertab Writing has always been an extensive passion of mine. As a teenager, I began writing poetry but slowly evolved into hard news as life went on. This became a positive change for me since being a journalist has opened my eyes to the world around, including the world of tattoos. For me, tattoos express someone’s art and passions through the ink on their skin. I currently have ten tattoos, and each of them have their own personal meanings. While some represent the people I love in my life, other tattoos hold meanings for my own journey. This way, I can carry each meaning with me as I enter each new chapter in life. In my spare time, I love to create makeup tutorials on YouTube, spend time with my family and friends, read as much books as I can, and catch up on the newest sci-fi films. Now, I am currently a junior writer at Beach Metro News, where I cover local events and report the latest stories for the community.

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A very special thank you goes to our supervising editor, mentor, confidant, and friend; Lindy Oughtred. We sincerely appreciate your dedication to our magazine and your support in each of us.

ÂŠ Marked Magazine 2018