Two sessions, back – to – back, four hours in the evening and then the final two hours, 15 hours later I turned around a did it all again. At the time I didn’t realise just how much I would absorb and process from Janelle at the time, it was pure strength, courage and wisdom that I took away with me, it was this tattoo that I was able to turn around and say ‘shit, I learnt so much just then’ about myself and about why I am drawn to her as a person.
For me this tattoo was a symbol of how much I would resonate with the Mexican Día de los Muertos if I lived there. The concept of having the passing of loved ones celebrated with feasts and togetherness is something I could see myself being a part of. Why should it only be a time for people to hurt and feel sorrow? It’s a wonderful stage of the grieving process, to come out the other side, and to reach a feeling of joy at having been a part of that person’s life and to remember them and feel a great release knowing that at this special time of the year, if one opens themselves up, they have a chance of connecting in a spiritual way, to the their spirit.
The tattoo itself, a sugar skull on my left thigh, was deliberately positioned so that I could see the tattoo fully in my reflection. It would have suited further around on the side of my leg as well, but that just wasn’t me, I wouldn’t have been able to see it properly. So, we cleaned that attempt off and re-stenciled up to achieve the perfect spot. What I love the most about having Janelle complete my tattoos is that she not only listens to what I want, but she will counter it with a reason why (especially placement). I never ignore her suggestions and end up with light bulb moments once she explains it. She works with you to ensure that the end result is 110% pure happiness.
To find this design, once again, I had a basic idea (from hours and hours of scrolling through Pinterest) and then we improvised. I never choose anything straight off a template. My design must fully reflect me, and I am sure this is what gives me such a connection to my tattoos. Anyone can go and take a template from a book to a tattooist and say, ‘put this here’ and they would. But it takes a deeper level thinking from both the artist and the customer to be able to step back and engage in the conversation of ‘why’ and on occasions the ’how’ needs to be adjusted, and you know what, that’s okay.
Here's the bit about my why…
Since my first trick or treating event with our previous neighbours, I’ve worked so hard to replicate it yearly, but nothing will ever live up to that very first mid-week drink walking trick or treating session throughout our local area. Day of the dead became my go to dress up, and I’ve evolved my make up and outfit with each passing year. Whenever I look at my tattoo I am reminded of those special memories.
There’s nothing I would have had done differently about this tattoo, though one day I would love to have Día de los Muertos included beneath my sugar skull. Some of my favourite shows like Gilmore Girls, portray Halloween in such a way, that would encourage me to travel to the other side of the world, just to experience an upscale Halloween.
In that moment, and under that gun, this tattoo deepened my strength in myself, I vented, I listened, I processed and all the time I felt that I could achieve anything that I wanted to. I’d had setbacks, as everyone does, but for each time I get knocked down, I get back up even stronger and revisit the lessons and perspectives I have gained from Jenelle from The LaLoba Experience and soldier on, a constant journey to be the best version of me that I could ever possibly be.
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