This book contains small interviews with people with tattoos. The public can be very critical of tattoos and the people that choose to have them, but don’t wait around for “the tattooed” to defend themselves. These interviews breifly look into why they were chosen and what they mean. adults 18 – 25 who have at least one tattoo - 36% adults 26 – 40 who have at least one tattoo - 40% Since the 1970s, tattoos have become a mainstream part of Western fashion, common among both sexes, to all economic classes, and to age groups, yet it is still frowned upon by so many. To tattoo is to inserting indelible ink into the dermis layer of the skin to change the pigment.
Charlie Fielding - Collectively -
What studio and/or artist did your tattoo? Pretty much all my tattoo’s are done at Rain City in Manchester, mainly done by Gre Hale. How much did your tattoo/s cost? Over all I reckon I’ve spent a good couple of grand. What does it/they mean to you? They vary really, some hold strong links for me and others are just because I love tattoos and want more. Do you regret it? No, never. I aspire to be a tattoo artist. Why did you choose to have it where it is on your body? I’m almost covered so it’s just where I have space really and where the placement will work well with the design.
Sophie Miller - Kitten and girl -
What studio and/or artist did your tattoo? Jemma jones at Rain City in Manchester How much did your tattoo/s cost? £160 I think What does it/they mean to you? I love my cat as if he was a child, what’s mine is his (sharing milk) and he has been a good friend as daft as it sounds, through some very hard times. Mostly, I love how goddamn cute we are and needed to show that Do you regret it? It’s the cutest thing there ever was I don’t regret it at all!!! Why did you choose to have it where it is on your body? I liked it on my arm because it’s so pretty I wanted it somewhere I’d see it a lot!
Sammy Theo What studio and/or artist did your tattoo? Feel the steel tattoo studio in sheffield How much did your tattoo/s cost? he does 2 hours for £90 and 3 for £140 i think, ive had quite a few sessions done on my arm. never really added it up probably up to £1000 for my arm and my sid What does it/they mean to you? When my gran passed away she left me some money and said I want you to do what you want with it, something for yourself, so I got it for her. The whole sleeve is really for my gran even though there are other elements of my interests on there, for instance the Blink 182 smiley. Blink 182 are the first band I ever loved, they helped me through so much with their music and I have the lyrics “life is temporary” wrapped around a pocket watch (for the meaning of time) from my favourite song of theirs “Stockholm Syndrome”. The cards are representing my ex-boyfriend because he was a gambling addict and I had a tough two years with him when I was 17 - looking after his bills paying for his flat and stuff him lying to me and taking money from me until I found out tried to help him and eventually left him. The lyrics “here’s to the past from a day to remember” around the cards. The heart at the top of my arm has the word “sacrebleu”, that was something my gran always shouted when she was shocked or angry or just for any reason aha, so that’s that really Do you regret it? No, I never will! Why did you choose to have it where it is on your body? i chose my arm because Im not afraid to show them off even if people dont like them or judge you for it, your body is your canvas and it shall be covered up soon enough
Tessa-jo Hayes - The Tree -
What studio and/or artist did your tattoo? Bleeding Art in Huddersfield. How much did your tattoo/s cost? £60 for the tree (£130 for all 3) What does it/they mean to you? It’s for a very close friend who died during my art foundation degree, we weren’t expecting it and she had such a massive impact on our lives. She was the kindest, sweetest, most considerate and beautiful person I ever met. I wanted something that would never let me forget those happy times and our art. Do you regret it? No, people try and make me feel bad about my tattoos but I refuse to let someone who doesn’t know anything about them make me feel bad. Why did you choose to have it where it is on your body? On my shoulder, so I can look back and remember but I’m not constantly reminded of the pain I went through losing her
Hebe Phillips - The tree -
What studio and/or artist did your tattoo? Studio 81 in Manchester How much did your tattoo/s cost? £150 What does it/they mean to you? It’s for my friend Emma and everyone else on my art foundation. The one heart that has dropped from the tree represents Emma and the loss of her life. She was a true inspiration to everyone around her. Do you regret it? Of course not. Why did you choose to have it where it is on your body? I wanted to be able to see it, so my arm was my place of choice.
Joanne Maddock - The Birds -
What studio and/or artist did your tattoo? The birds were done at sacred art in chorlton How much did your tattoo/s cost? It cost about £350 What does it/they mean to you? it’s a symbol of how another person can set someone else free, the cage is life and how you can get trapped, and the two birds are carrying the key together on a ribbon Do you regret it? I don’t regret it Why did you choose to have it where it is on your body? I got it on my arm because when I designed it, it was the best place I could picture it because of the wrap around detail.
Sam Bardsley - The Mannequin -
What studio and/or artist did your tattoo? Kelly Smith at Five Magic’s, Sheffield. How much did your tattoo/s cost? £200 with half an hour still to go but has been paid for. What does it/they mean to you? I’ve wanted to fashion design for a long time and Love being creative and making clothes, had a bad experience with Uni which nearly put me off but it’s a reminder to keep going to do what I love. Do you regret it? No. Why did you choose to have it where it is on your body? I just wanted a rib tattoo and I thought that the mannequin would look good in the space
Lauren Kelly - The Swallow -
What studio and/or artist did your tattoo? I got it done at Made In Manchester tattooists in the northern quarter in May 2013. How much did your tattoo/s cost? It cost £85. What does it/they mean to you? Swallow birds emigrate but always return home, I feel this relates to me. Do you regret it? No I don’t regret my tattoo, I thought about it for a long time and drew it a million times! I don’t regret it at all. Why did you choose to have it where it is on your body? My swallow tattoo is on the back of my right leg, I chose to have it here as I could conceal it if I wanted or show if I wanted. I also really like the placement here
Jen Platt
- The Animal Prints What studio and/or artist did your tattoo? PP Tattoo Studio in Ashton Under-Lyne How much did your tattoo/s cost? £40 What does it/they mean to you? It’s the prints of the animals I love – horses and cats Do you regret it? No, my mum hates it though! Why did you choose to have it where it is on your body? These animals have been my pets and have been my friends not just animals I owned. They always made me feel better when I was down and I will always love them, even when they’re gone.
Dec Cooper - Half Sleeve -
What studio and/or artist did your tattoo? Firefly Tattoo Parlour, Ibstock by Scott Conkay. How much did your tattoo/s cost? ÂŁ460. What does it/they mean to you? Guardian angel symbolises the protection for you. Do you regret it? No, not at all. Why did you choose to have it where it is on your body? it fits my arm well as a half sleeve
Alis Concannon - Back Piece -
What studio and/or artist did your tattoo? Sacred Art in Chorlton by Olivia. How much did your tattoo/s cost? £280 What does it/they mean to you? For my best friend who died 3 years ago, she suffered with bulimia and was binge eating, the curry was cooked in peanut oil and she was allergic to nuts. She didn’t have an epi-pen so called an ambulance but they didn’t arrive in time. I want to keep a part of her close always. Do you regret it? No! Why did you choose to have it where it is on your body? Emma always had my back and I always had hers. I’d like to think she’s watching over me and others who were close to her.
Chloe Fenech - Pitrate Ship -
What studio and/or artist did your tattoo? Bleeding Art - Huddersfield How much did your tattoo/s cost? £300 What does it/they mean to you? To live life and be free. I also love pirates and I wish I owned a pirate ship to be perfectly honest! Do you regret it? Nope. Why did you choose to have it where it is on your body? It’s on my thigh so I can cover it up when I want, but right now I don’t want to. Ever.