INKED Magazine, Issue 1, 2026

LOOKING FOR MORE? LOOKING FOR MORE?

@doshombres | doshombres.comLOOKING

THE FARTHER YOU TRAVEL, THE MORE YOU MAY FEEL AT HOME.

Your home is not a stationary manmade structure, your home is planet Earth. Experience that familiar feeling in the Polar regions when you’re embraced by the comfort found aboard Le Commandant Charcot. Find new perspectives, change your mindset and discover your place in the world.

ANTARCTICA / SOUTH AMERICA / CARIBBEAN & BERMUDA

MEDITERRANEAN / NORTHERN EUROPE / ARCTIC

At Atlas, we have set a new course for expedition cruise travel, curated for spirited explorers, led by expert guides, and enhanced by a genuine and caring crew who share a desire to connect with people, places, and our cherished natural world. From bold adventures in the Arctic and Antarctica to Cultural and Epicurean Expeditions year-round, travelers return to our luxury yachts to savor moments well-lived among new friends in a relaxed, après expedition atmosphere

Begin exploring at AtlasOceanVoyages.com

ALWAYS INCLUDED BY ATLAS : Expedition Guides + Enriching Experiences, L’OCCITANE Amenities, Unlimited Wines + Spirits, Gratuities and More

Tattoo culture isn’t localized. It spans the globe and welcomes its tattooed tribe members who express themselves with ink of all styles. Yet countless tattoo artists of this soulful society also draw in features of history and trends characteristic of the area, offering clients a piece of art symbolic of the region. In this issue of Inked, we take readers to Ireland, the U.K., Poland, Spain, Guatemala, and more, for a deeper understanding of their unique offerings and about the tattoo artists who breathe life into what they ink. Just imagine: your next tattoo could be paired with immersive elements, such as ceremonies, jungle tours, hypnosis, or a mushroom sauna, designed to enhance your tattoo session.

At the heart of this issue is R&B celebrity Kehlani, whose reputation seemingly rises after every note, every performance, every album. For more than a decade, she has weathered storms, celebrated successes, and embraced the family, friends, and fans who have ridden the wave alongside her.

As Kehlani continues to drop singles, like “Folded” and “Out the Window,” she’s preparing for the Grammy Awards and working on her next album, coming out this year. She’s come a long way since her “ANTISUMMERLUV” days and is earning her flowers in the music industry and from music lovers.

Inked’s offerings unfold throughout the rest of the pages, revealing our top four Inked Original winners, exploring the life of country music star Cameron Whitcomb, and peeking behind prison walls to learn about a new tattooing program that aims to give inmates the tools they need to succeed after serving their time.

And don’t miss our coverage on legendary tattoo artist Luke Wessman’s latest partnership with Monster Energy, with their video series “SELF MADE.” Wessman’s easy-going nature and curiosity play an important role as he steps into the lives of the famed athletes Monster Energy is proud to represent.

As we breathe in a new year, we reflect with gratitude and look ahead with boundless anticipation. And we’re glad you’re here with us to see what comes next.

Darrin Austin Publisher

PUBLISHER Darrin Austin

VP OF PRINT MEDIA Toby Thompson

VP OF OPERATIONS Tianna Kaye

VP OF ADVERTISING Christa Lebar

PR/MARKETING MANAGER Carson Leathers

MANAGING EDITOR Amy Higgins

DIGITAL MARKETING Jennifer Kraybill

GRAPHIC DESIGN Fanie van Niekerk

WEB DEVELOPMENT Peter Talavera

SOCIAL MEDIA / VIDEOGRAPHER Collin Pape

OFFICE MANAGER/PENNSYLVANIA Jami Pearlman

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE /PAYABLE Chris Watson

FULFILLMENT Theresa Jones

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Alex Shimalla / Anna Smith / Annie Stopak / Elaine O’Connor Maguire

Emily Adam / Gil Macias / Joey Skladany / Kate Daniel / Kellie Speed

Max Freedman / Nicole Stover

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

JSquared Photography / Ryan Pfluger / Christopher Kolk / Leigh Keily

ADVERTISING Kaydee Dici / Jaime Van Bogaert / Wallace Cedeno

CORPORATE LOCATION

Inked Holdings, LLC.

15210 N. 75th Street, Unit B

Scottsdale, AZ 85260

WEBSITE INKEDMAG.COM

SUBSCRIPTION INFO subscriptions@inkedmag.com

Artist-approved tattoo fading you can trust.

Make room for something new, refne old details, or rethink your placement – anything’s possible with Removery.

Laser tattoo removal has defnitely opened up previously unavailable opportunities to repair or redo old or simply unwanted tattoos. The ability to lighten an old tattoo has increased the tattoo artist’s work capacity and opened up gaps that were previously impossible to overcome.”

– Marek Pawlik @marekpawlik_tattooartist

After Removery Treatment

After Tattoo Cover-Up

In the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, where mist drifts through the pines and wildlife wanders, stands Blue Ridge Distilling Co. Here, the water flows through limestone aquifers, ushering in a font of water with the perfect pH for producing craft spirits. DEFIANT Whisky, created by Blue Ridge Distilling Co., utilizes this unaltered, invaluable liquid along with milled malted barley or rye and yeast as foundational ingredients.

“When you make whisky with just four ingredients — no fillers, enzymes, or coloring — there’s no place to hide. You either made something terrible, or you made liquid gold,” says DEFIANT’s Director of the Devil’s Cut, Christopher Simovich, on the Blue Ridge Distilling website. Is it whisky or whiskey? The difference may

seem small — a single letter — but to aficionados and distillers, it represents centuries of tradition and regional pride. DEFIANT Whisky intentionally drops the vowel as a nod to the Scottish singlemalt tradition, where oak defines the character.

Yet the Bostic, North Carolina-based distillery doesn’t shy away from breaking the rules. Instead of aging in oak barrels that take years to mellow, DEFIANT employs a proprietary process, using spirals of premium toasted American white oak to extract flavor more efficiently, resulting in a smooth, aromatic spirit. Only then is the whisky ready to be put into barrels for maturation. Special small batches are aged or finished in various wooden casks to create truly unique spirits. One such product is their annual Defiant Patriot Whisky.

WHISKY WITH INTENTION

Over the last four years for Veteran’s Day, the brand has released DEFIANT Patriot Whisky, a special edition single malt whisky, as a salute to those who have served. “We sent them into the breach, they heeded the call, and now is the time to repay them for their sacrifice,” the company touts. As a salute to these veterans, 100% of the profits from all DEFIANT Patriot Whisky go to organizations that support veterans wounded in combat and those with mental health conditions resulting from their service, such as severe PTSD.

A whisky crafted as a salute deserves attention worthy of these heroes. Following the brand’s standard distillation process, the 2025 Patriot is then thoughtfully finished in a single cherry wood barrel. Each sip of this spirit elicits notes of cherry, honey, vanilla, caramel, and toasted cereals, unfolding slowly, with a dry, lingering spice that seduces the palate.

To satisfy both whisky connoisseurs and folklore fans, DEFIANT expanded its lineup in 2025 with its Santer Whisky, a single malt barley and rye blend inspired by North Carolina’s local legend: the mysterious Santer cat. The creature, rumored to have stalked the area’s farms and forests since the 12th century, was blamed for livestock and domestic pet attacks. The bottle’s design nods to the beast with jagged claw marks slashing down the label, while the whisky prowls with tasting notes of chocolate, vanilla, and leather, and hints of nutmeg and buffalo grass.

FROM THE MOUNTAINS TO THE MASSES

DEFIANT Whisky’s calendar is as lively as its liquid, bringing its spirit — both beverage and enthusiasm — to the world, shaking hands, mixing drinks, and firing up conversations. “We aren’t just members of a distillery. We’re not just co-workers. We are a family dedicated to making something special to pour into your glass,” says DEFIANT’s Distillery Operations Manager, Daphne O’Dell, on the Blue Ridge Distilling website.

At its Blue Ridge home base, visitors can sign up for tours and tastings. Guided by knowledgeable distillers who speak about the whisky’s distillation process, guests can learn and see for themselves how the whisky converts from grain to a spirited beverage. The distillery also hosts cocktail classes and

workshops, where guests can try their hand at mixology with DEFIANT Whisky being the chief ingredient.

The brand can also be found at off-site events, like the WNC Bigfoot Festival, the Nolcha New York Fashion Week closing party, and the cocktail bar at the International Emmys, as well as in presenters’ swag bags. And it fuels the community at action-packed events, such as MotoAmerica’s Super Hooligan National Motorcycle Championship, where Blue Ridge Distilling Co./DEFIANT Whisky sponsors Arch Racing.

DEFIANT defies tradition through its distinctive distillation process, proving to naysayers that quality craft whisky can be created without waiting decades. The brand raises a glass to those who carve their own path and to those who share their stories through ink and over a shared bottle of whisky.

UNIQUE TATTOO BUSINESSES AND EXPERIENCES AROUND THE GLOBE THAT ARE LURING IN INKSEEKERS.

BY JOEY SKLADANY

Tattoos have long evolved beyond spontaneous chair sessions in grungy, hole-in-the-wall parlors. While these still have their appeal and purpose, the stereotypical experiences are often shortlived, one noted, and do not form a core memory to appreciate during the years that follow.

Luckily, tattoo artists and entrepreneurs from around the world have upped the ante with shops that not only ink, but also educate and inspire with on-site museums, and even wellness sanctuaries that both honor and preserve traditional needle techniques while prioritizing comfort, culture, and creativity. Some businesses have even gone so far as to host multi-day, soulsearching retreats for wanderlusters in need of a mental and physical respite that will, ultimately, be memorialized with a meaningful tattoo.

Unique tattoo shops and experiences are all over the globe. These are just a handful that tout connection and self-care just as much as aftercare.

SOUL TATTOOS, LOCATION VARIES

Soul Tattoos takes female empowerment in the industry to even greater heights through comprehensive three-day treks.

“The greatest trend I am seeing is a growing curiosity and pull towards a more conscious way of tattooing that helps heal the earth, the body, the ancestors, and our souls,” says founder and tattoo artist Ashley River, who grew frustrated over male tattoo artists who didn’t seem to honor and respect the body during such an intimate practice.

“Tattooing was (once) a feminine art form held mostly by women and received by women. Now, more and more women especially are remembering this and feeling called to this path,” she explains, which is why she started her business as a way to reclaim tattoos as methods of “soul retrieval, spiritual amulets, spells, oracular protection, portals, initiations into one’s role, a map of the soul’s evolutionary journey, and badges of honor woven into the luminous field as much as the sacred body form.”

Ceremony immersion journeys are conducted through a three-step ritual: soul regression through hypnosis to identify personal codes, symbols, and messages, a day of designing the tattoo, and a culminating session to cap the adventure with ink. The result: art anchored with “deep resonance, remembering, and belonging,” as opposed to typical one-and-done tats with limited interaction and thought.

AKA, BERLIN, GERMANY

Founded in 2009 with state-of-the-art tattooing practices and full-body piercings, AKA has morphed into a thriving, multidisciplinary art gallery that has welcomed hundreds of the most sought-after names in modern tattooing.

Through collaborations on projects and temporary exhibitions, these talents take residency to showcase their artistic sketches, while also leaving permanent marks on customers from all walks of life.

“The main idea of AKA is to group different artists in the same place,” Jon John, the original owner who has since passed away, once said. “The thing that I built AKA with, this art space, is friendship.”

Those interested in nabbing one-ofa-kind ink are encouraged to check out AKA’s digital schedule, which is constantly updated to reflect the names of those who will be passing through Berlin to set up shop, share their craft, and forge a lifelong bond between artist and recipient.

BRIGHTON TATTOO MUSEUM, BRIGHTON, UNITED KINGDOM

With a mission to elevate her workspace beyond a hub of transactional tattooing, founder Meraki Fade constructed a “living archive of global tattoo culture” through the Brighton Tattoo Museum.

“Over years of travel and field research, I collected ritual tools, hand-tapping implements, pigments, and artifacts from regions where tattooing carries deep ancestral meaning,” Fade says.

What started as small cabinet displays expanded to a full-fledged micro-museum to preserve endangered traditions, honor lineage, and educate others on the “cultural, spiritual, and ecological contexts behind the craft.”

Today, the studio continues to serve two primary purposes: work with curators and anthropologists to celebrate and display tattooing’s history while providing customers the opportunity to leave with a bit of history themselves, especially if opting for a hand-tapped tat variety that Fade specializes in after living and learning in Borneo.

AMANITA ART GOLEJÓW,VILLAGE,POLAND

Set among the charming landscape of Poland’s surprisingly robust countryside, Amanita Art Village is home to a quaint residence with a natural swimming pool, mushroom-shaped sauna, and year-round fruit and vegetable garden.

“The idea for Amanita Art Village came to us many years ago, as we wanted to offer people something more than just a tattoo service,” says owner Dzo Lama, who, in partnership with Bartosz “Ishta” Jaworski, set out to create a nature-filled haven for travelers to simply rest and unwind before partaking in a tattoo session.

The two have also enlisted a private chef to accommodate visitors whose only task is to “relax and go through the creative process of having a piece of art born on their skin.”

“Authenticity is what forms the essence of every idea, fills the space, and opens the path to even greater personal and artistic growth,” says Jaworski of this special foray into tattoo hospitality. “By slowing down and stepping away from daily intensity, the tattoo becomes not only a piece of art on the skin but also a form of personal transformation and understanding.”

EARTHLINK JIM, VALENCIA, SPAIN

“Tattooing with intention” has become the mantra for tattoo artist Jimmy De Weerdt, who quickly drew parallels between cultural rituals and ceremonies and the process of receiving a tattoo.

“What started as a small, 10-minute cacao ritual before a session slowly grew into what can now become a whole retreat,” he shares of his flourishing business. “We take time to sit together, open up, and let the design and intention unfold naturally. The tattoo becomes a reminder of your own path, of what you want to bring into your life.”

Over several days, De Weerdt and his clients immerse themselves in the beauty of Spain’s flora and fauna to develop a design that symbolizes the connection of mind, body, and spirit. The final tattoo is then performed in a cozy yurt, influenced by every hike, yoga session, or waterfall trek that led up to the moment.

But perhaps best of all, De Weerdt offers his services to couples who want to embark on this journey together, often resulting in matching ink to tighten the bonds of their relationship.

GLASSHOUSE, NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

Come for good, old-fashioned Southern hospitality and leave with fresh ink. Or at least that’s the goal of Nashville’s Glasshouse, owned and operated by the legendary Bubba Irwin, “Ink Master” season nine champion, and Chris Nunez, longtime judge of the hit show.

The dynamic duo found a way to make classic tattoo studios fun again by running operations inside country rapper and singer Jelly Roll’s famed Goodnight Nashville! bar, complete with food, a rooftop, live music, and dancing.

“The fact that it’s on Broadway itself is very unique,” Irwin says, noting that the establishment was the first of its kind allowed on Music City’s famed downtown strip.

Flash tattoos start at $150, but most customers come in for the lively crew who turn pain into pleasure — and lots of laughs — much like a shot of Tennessee whiskey.

In the realm of snow-capped mountains and conscious streetwear, a new name has entered the conversation. French-inspired outerwear label, Alpenhaus, is like a dreamy embrace met with an inhale of crisp alpine air. Born from the intelligence of Alan Pivovar, the brand offers clean tailoring and sharp silhouettes, lending a technical polish that hasn’t yet hit the market, until now. But there’s a deeper truth to the Alpenhaus story. The coats, designed with sustainable “featherless” insulation, reshape the meaning of winter clothes.

Although his fresh take on form and construction has perhaps caused a ripple effect in the growing niche of sustainable outerwear, Pivovar, former head outerwear designer at Scotch & Soda, said it’s more than just the material that makes an impact. His brand ideology is a sense of presence that is exceptionally fine-tuned with his customer base. “I want them (the customer) to instantly feel the moment: confident, comfortable, and connected to something real,” Pivovar said. Pivovar grew up in a small French village on the border of Germany, where gatherings were intimate and gear was built to last. When temps became brisk, it was customary to reach

for soft, quality layers to bundle up, which drew him toward intentionality in design. He recalls the serenity of nature and the desire to craft products by hand, a resourcefulness that carried over into adulthood.

This tactile technique led him to adopt a minimalist approach. Like others in the community, he leaned away from materialism and over-consumption. Instead, he found contentment in the tiny things — a kind of quiet infatuation with life — and it was palpable. “That environment taught me patience, precision, and an appreciation for simplicity; values that continue to shape who I am and what Alpenhaus stands for today,” he said. With a background in engineering, Pivovar said it’s this idea of complex simplicity that defines Alpenhaus, a rich duality that alters how he thinks. His draw to intricate details coated in delicacy is the master concept behind the brand, merging fashion and science in a way that feels refreshingly different from the competition. “Every element matters, from the volume and lines to the subtle touches of color,” he remarked.

Alpenhaus fuses precision and quality through extreme attention to detail. Crafted from hyper-

gloss fabric for the modern-day summit seeker, each piece is packed with sustainable Eco-Puff filling, renowned for its breathability and quick-drying performance. It’s an alternative to traditional down that maintains the same warmth and comfort and is crafted to endure temperatures as low as minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit. The newest collection includes modern textures, like vegan fur and vegan leather, to appeal to an elevated crowd.

Some of the brand’s best include the Rousset puffer, accentuated with a stripe and slim silhouette, and the Malet parka, made for more intense winter stays, and fitted with vegan sherpa trim. The men’s Chambery puffer has a built-in ski guard and a coated metallic sheen for a streetwear edge. Loriant, the unisex aviator offered in warm chocolate brown and Brière in soft camel with a mix of matte and gloss, are both head-turners on the slopes or the streets.

Always staying true to an animal-free promise, the brand chooses recycled materials to support local initiatives, minimize the environmental footprint, and reduce plastics. Pivovar noted how these practices are not a trend, but rather a directive, a journey that his team is endlessly committed to. “We’ve engineered fully reusable and recyclable

Running Alpenhaus can be intense, but those simple moments keep me grounded and connected to why I started in the first place.

packaging to move away from industry conventions and create our own path toward sustainability,” he said. “The goal is simple: to bring something new and genuinely positive, without pretension.”

Pivovar regularly oversees all the main functions of Alpenhaus. He aims to implement calming practices to stay centered in his simple ideals. He believes discipline and a strong routine are key to navigating this terrain. He begins his day at 5:30 a.m. with a run or training session, and he ends his day outdoors or in the kitchen. When he’s not working, he’s also trying to limit his screentime. “Running Alpenhaus can be intense, but those simple moments keep me grounded and connected to why I started in the first place,” he confided.

Pivovar’s tattoos tell a story of their own. Currently, the business owner has two full sleeves and tattoos on both hands. “I’m already thinking about continuing onto my leg next,” he said. His left arm is a patchwork of different elements, while his right sleeve, which he really loves, tells the story of Icarus from Greek mythology and was artfully crafted by tattoo artist Gerome Moretti. “I like how it’s composed,” he said. “Each section has its own atmosphere, some calm and peaceful, others more intense.”

Inked by French artist Kato, his hand tattoos, a tribute to his friendships and his family overseas, are very personal. He also has two half-angels on each hand, one symbolizing peace and the other, war. “When my hands come together, they form a full angel — a reminder of balance, connection, and the people who ground me,” he explained.

“I just want to be happy,” Pivovar confided. He stated the importance of staying true to the things that make him feel the most like himself, whether that’s a relationship, a country, or an environment. The moment served as a reminder of his quiet upbringing and how serene it felt — when all that’s left is the breath and sounds of nature.

MONSTER ENERGY AND LUKE WESSMAN USE TATTOOING TO EXPLORE THE HUMAN SIDE OF ELITE PERFORMANCE.

BY AMY HIGGINS

Vulnerability, passion, perseverance. These are the qualities that define people who genuinely love what they do, and the ones who are at the heart of Monster Energy’s riveting video series: “SELF MADE.” Through conservation, immersion, and tattooing, the series reveals these traits through the lens of tattooing legend Luke Wessman.

The “SELF MADE” subjects give this campaign the ultimate authority: superior athletes alongside a tattooing heavyweight. The concept is simple yet significant: Wessman enters the athlete’s environment, exposing himself to the comforts and cruelties of their sport. Then the setting shifts as the athlete enters the tattoo artist’s environment, exposing themselves to the comforts and cruelties within the art of tattooing. The synergy is palatable, and the lessons that surface are profound.

“I’m just a conduit for all the cool athletes that are part of the brand,” Wessman says. “It’s like my vessel is art and tattooing, and that’s what I can bring to the table and then try to let them shine.”

CREATING A MONSTER

Human connection matters, and Wessman’s approachability and ability to create new friendships have made him a master of the art.

It was at the 2022 grand opening of the Bike Shed in Los Angeles that Wessman’s longtime friend, an English barber, connected the former “Miami Ink,” “NY Ink,” and “Ink Master” artist to the people at Monster Energy.

The conversation came naturally and eventually turned toward tattooing and the tattooing culture. It was an immediate kinship that endured after the event, and in 2023, Wessman created his first original artwork for the influential brand. The piece was used for a VIP tattoo activation at the Ventura X Games, where Wessman tattooed skaters, BMXers, and Freestyle Motocross (FMX) riders. Just a single stroke of his tattoo machine, and his role as Monster tattoo ambassador was solidified.

The collaboration made sense. Wessman’s repute, talent, affability, and deep roots in tattoo culture aligned seamlessly with the

I’m just a conduit for all the cool athletes that are part of the brand. It’s like my vessel is art and tattooing, and that’s what I can bring to the table.

- luke wessman

energy drink giant, a brand with a longstanding loyalty and one that remains connected to communities, many of which are shaped by tattooed individuals.

Monster’s deep-rooted presence in action sports, racing, and riding organizations paired effortlessly with Wessman’s decades of creating tattoo art. “It seems everybody in the world is tattooed now, but in particular, these high-energy people who are elite at their sports, almost everyone is tattooed, so it wasn’t like some weird pairing. It made sense.”

“SELF MADE” AT ITS CORE

The Monster-Wessman vision of what this collaboration could achieve grew into a beast with purpose: “SELF MADE,” a series in which the polished performer is stripped away, exposing the personality, passion, and perseverance that guided the athlete to greatness.

“SELF MADE” is about slowing down and giving people room to talk while something meaningful is happening,” Wessman explains. “The tattoo isn’t a prop; it’s the setting. When someone’s in the chair, the guard drops. You’re not performing. You’re just talking. Whether someone’s won 10 golds at the X Games or an intense playoff win in the NFL, those moments surface naturally in that space.”

The series reveals vulnerabilities in real time. In Episode 4, Canadian Olympic Skateboarder Matt Berger repeatedly falls before landing his trick. “People, especially when they hear the term ‘professional,’ they just expect (that) you can land anything on command. A lot of people don’t realize how many mistakes it takes until you get the make,” he says to Wessman, adding, “You go until you can’t.”

This perseverance is a common theme, like when Olympic Snowboarder Sage Kotsenburg reveals his work ethic in Episode 5. “If I’m battling a trick and we’re out filming, I won’t give up until I can’t walk, you know?” he explains. “I had that this winter: battle a trick, and I couldn’t ride for like a week after. My hips were so flared up. But I got the trick.”

“At its core, the series exists to show the human side behind the logos, the helmets, and the headlines, through a process I’ve been part of for over 25 years,” Wessman explains. Eight “SELF MADE” episodes have been released so far, and the series has yet to repeat a sport that Monster has sponsored athletes in, with BMX, Dakar, the NFL, and Professional Bull Riding

broadening Monster’s current “SELF MADE” catalog. And with Supercross, UFC, F1, mountain biking, surfing, off-road racing, skiing, and more in the mix, the series’ road ahead is stacked.

MONSTER POWERS ACTIVATED

Wessman has traveled all over North America for Monster, not just for “SELF MADE,” but for tattoo activations at Monster-affiliated concerts, sporting events, and corporate events. These activations are either public-facing or reserved for VIP events.

“The public events are designed to feel like a real tattoo shop, just placed inside an event,” Wessman says, emphasizing the activations’ popularity. “Depending on the event, we’ll have anywhere from a few hundred to over a thousand people interested, but the priority is good work, a smooth and respectful experience, and short but meaningful conversations with every person who sits in the chair. That balance of representing the brand while honoring tattooing is always the goal.”

VIP events are more intimate, catering to the athletes, ambassadors, and friends and family of the VIPs. These activations are smaller in size, so Wessman and his team have more time with

At its core, the series exists to show the human side behind the logos, the helmets, and the headlines, through a process I’ve been part of for over 25 years.

- luke wessman

The public events are designed to feel like a real tattoo shop, just placed inside an event.

- luke wessman

the clients. “I’ll often do more custom work for the athletes, riders, and even their spouses, and there’s time to slow down, talk, and make the tattoo truly personal,” Wessman explains.

To streamline the process, Wessman designs one to three flash pieces that represent the location or occasion. For example, for the Winter X Games in Aspen, he developed flash artwork of a snowboarder with his head in the snow; a shotski, a ski that holds multiple shot glasses for a small group to consume simultaneously; and a “Dumb & Dumber” design, a nod to the movie’s setting.

Like its iconic logo, Monster Energy has just scratched the surface, with big plans underway for 2026 — cultivating more connections and exploring new locations, perhaps overseas. “Tattooing puts you in a chair with people from every walk of life, and for a few hours, you’re trusted with their story and their skin,” Wessman shares. “You get to sit with everyone, from judges to movie stars, teachers, and janitors alike. That’s what’s kept me interested all these years: the people, the responsibility, the connection, and the reality that you only get out of it what you’re willing to give.”

Get in on the action and watch full episodes of Monster’s “SELF MADE” at youtube.com/ monsterenergy.

HOLISTIC APPROACHES TO WELLNESS FOR PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING.

BY KATE DANIEL

Massiel “Massy” Arias didn’t begin exercising to alter her appearance, but to feel alive again. Having recently been diagnosed with major depressive disorder, Arias felt completely disconnected from her body, purpose, and sense of identity. “I had reached a point where I no longer recognized myself, and I knew something had to change,” the Los Angeles-based certified personal trainer recalled. Movement became a critical tool, providing structure, respite, and

emotional release and helping Arias overcome what she describes as one of the darkest periods of her life.

Today, Arias is one of several inked leaders, coaches, and advocates dedicated to reframing ideas around fitness, self-care, and what it means to be well. Beyond spreading the gospel of exercise’s therapeutic potential, an idea robustly backed by science, this cohort affirms the interconnectedness of the mind and body, as well as the importance of prioritizing emotional well-being in an oftenoverwhelming world.

Nearly 21% of American adults experience major depressive disorder at some point in their lives, according to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America, while almost a quarter report a high degree of daily stress, per the American Psychological Association. While therapy and medication remain first-line treatments for many mental health conditions, research increasingly supports a holistic approach, underscoring the inextricable nature of psychological and physical

well-being. Alongside physical exercise, studies suggest lifestyle interventions, such as a nutrient-rich diet, meditation, and breathwork, may help alleviate symptoms and prevent future episodes.

Arias incorporates many such elements into her personal regimen and professional ventures, including MA Warriors and Tru Supplements. Beyond training the body, Arias said, exercise trains the brain, stimulating the release of neurochemicals and hormones, such as serotonin, endorphins, and dopamine, that support emotional regulation and wellbeing. “Movement is medicine,” she said. “It helps you reconnect with yourself, release tension, and remember that you are strong, capable, and resilient.”

One of Arias’ many tattoos — a koi fish, signifying her brother’s battle with cancer — is a reminder of such qualities. In Japanese culture, she explained, koi symbolize perseverance, courage, and strength through adversity. “My koi is a daily reminder that even in the hardest moments, we can choose to keep swimming and transform struggle into strength,” she said.

Nutrition is also fundamental to physical, mental, and emotional fortitude, Arias noted, emphasizing that nothing replaces a balanced, nutrient-dense diet. When used appropriately, certain supplements, such as magnesium, creatine, omega-3 fatty acids, a balanced multivitamin, adaptogens, co-enzyme Q10, and BCAAs, may also help support performance,

clarity, emotional health, and overall wellbeing, she added.

Paul Foster, co-founder of Foster the Love with his wife Leila, helps followers address mental blocks and dysregulation through a different method: 9D Breathwork. Offered at Pan Pacific Orchard in Singapore and through retreats, workshops, and private sessions across the globe, the technique, also called “brainwave entertainment,” is a multisensory, immersive experience that blends somatic breathwork with brainwave stimulation and hypnosis. “The easiest way to describe it is a full reset for your mind and nervous system,

like clearing out mental clutter you didn’t even know you were carrying,” Foster explained, noting that it can help people “release, heal, and regulate.”

Several of Foster’s tattoos signify his journey to wellness leadership, one informed by profound personal loss and a professional background in sports and entertainment. Others represent his identity and values or pay tribute to his family. “Every tattoo is a reminder that growth is lifelong,” he said. “They’re markers of the seasons I’ve survived, lessons I’ve learned, and the man I continue to become.”

“Whether you’re a global icon, CEO, entrepreneur, artist, or someone quietly doing inner work at home, your breath is the bridge back to your power.”

- Lukis Mac

Using breathwork, he and Leila have guided many clients through transformative journeys of their own. But, Foster said, the group that surprises him most — every time — is men. “Men who have never cried, never released, never allowed themselves to feel anything deeply suddenly have massive emotional breakthroughs,” he said. “They carry so much without ever giving themselves permission to let go. Watching them finally release decades of tension, pressure, or grief, often for the first time in their lives, is one of the most powerful parts of this work.”

Lukis Mac and his partner, Hella Omega, are the co-founders of Owaken Breathwork, a modality similar to 9D that uses a trauma-informed somatic approach to shift practitioners from a state of survival to one of healing, clarity, and creative abundance.

Like Arias and Foster, Mac, who is based in Los Angeles, shares his story of strength through adversity to support those weathering inner tempests. “When I was 7 years old, my father took his life. I knew what it felt like to be stuck in survival mode, to be overwhelmed by grief, anger, and a deep sense of powerlessness,” he said. “Breathwork, somatic practices, and deep inner work changed everything for me.”

Available through a website, app, and international in-person workshops, Owaken has attracted a diverse clientele, including celebrities like Kourtney Kardashian, Travis Barker, Machine Gun Kelly, and Ivanka Trump. Still, Mac stresses that breathwork is for everyone. “Whether you’re a global icon, CEO, entrepreneur, artist, or someone quietly doing inner work at home, your breath is the bridge back to your power,” he said.

Many of Mac’s tattoos are emblematic of his own journey and philosophies, including the phrase “Take the Darkness Lightly” inked on his head. “It speaks to meeting the shadows within ourselves with love and compassion instead of fear,” he explained. “Every tattoo represents a moment… where I turned pain into power and remembered who I really am.”

While Kaisa Keranen, CPT, takes a different approach to tattoos — preferring not to imbue meaning — she shares Mac’s mission to help others heal, persevere, and flourish. “I absolutely love movement; it truly saved my life,” said the Los Angeles-based coach, who credits movement with helping her overcome

“I absolutely love movement; it truly saved my life.”

- Kaisa Keranen

depression and anxiety. “I feel like my gift is to help others find it and have a positive relationship with it.”

Through her subscription platform, Just Move, Keranen offers inclusive, accessible exercise classes that position movement as a means of self-care and appreciation, not punishment. “Movement has an incredible ability to help (and force) you to connect with yourself,” Keranen said. “There’s a confidence that comes with knowing that you are showing up for yourself regularly and taking care of yourself.”

Describing herself as a mental health advocate who uses movement as her tool, Keranen eschews the idea of fitness for aesthetics’ sake.

She does, however, feel the draw of body art, with her favorite tattoo being a “seventeen” inked by her younger sister. “I wanted her first tattoo on a human to be on me. So that one means a lot,” Keranen said. “She’s critical about it because it was her first tattoo and not perfect, but that’s why I love it so much.”

In the new year, Foster recommends embracing imperfection in the context of wellness, prioritizing consistent, meaningful acts of care over buzzy concepts like biohacking and optimization. “Wellness isn’t about perfection,” he said. “It’s about connection: to yourself, to others, and to the kind of life you want to build.”

I SWITCHED TO SPENDING MORE ON REAL INVESTMENT PIECES, THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO STAND THE TEST OF TIME.

- MAEVE RILEY ON HER BUYING STRATEGY

IA STORY OF LOSS, SELF-EXPRESSION, AND STYLING WITH PURPOSE.

BY ANNIE STOPAK / PHOTOGRAPHY BY LINDSAY MOLK

t was a cold January day, and it was eerily quiet — the air still heavy with smoke. Confusion and sadness sat heavily in a Southern California city. One of its residents, celebrity stylist Maeve Reilly, felt a piece of this weight. It was in the wake of the Palisades fires that burned through a residential area of the Santa Monica Mountains earlier this year. The blaze was catastrophic and left countless without homes, including Reilly.

After losing her home and possessions to the fire, 38-year-old Reilly, owner of The Only Agency, spent the next few months slowly rebuilding her life and her closet. It was a gradual rebirth for her wardrobe, as the famous stylist prided herself on having options to fit the mood — part of what made her work so contagious. She admitted that it was her draw to all things bright and sexy, along with her fascination to cover up and somewhat hide, that made fashion always feel interesting to her. “I love that about clothes — it really is expressive of where you are in that moment,” Reilly confided.

For years, Reilly has been one of Hollywood’s most magnetic stylists. Reminiscent of a young Rachel Zoe, her signature edge for reimagining menswear for women exudes luxury and refinement, while reading laidback and effortlessly cool. Boasting celebrity clients like Hailey Bieber, Winnie Harlow, Ciara, and Megan Fox, she continues to make her mark and etch her unique personality into the hearts of the ultra-chic. Her tempting combinations — like texture teases of leather and silk — offer an element of undeniable curiosity, which is all part of her intentional approach.

Just seven months prior to the fires, Reilly exchanged vows with Beverly Hills realtor Zach Quittman in an intimate June ceremony at the Palm Heights boutique hotel in Grand Cayman. The aftermath of the fires in early January could have easily halted their honeymoon phase, but the couple managed to strengthen their bond. Reilly admitted

that it was the kindness of those around them that made the journey back to normalcy more bearable, and the warmth offered by those in the community was deeply felt by them both.

The loss of her L.A. home caused a shift in Reilly’s attitude toward not only her client’s needs but the buying strategy behind her own personal wardrobe — one she admits was subtle yet still worthwhile. “I switched to spending more on real investment pieces, things that are going to stand the test of time,” Reilly said. This caused a turn away from fleeting trends and perhaps a more optimistic outlook on life in general. “I’m trying to stay in a place of gratitude for what we do have.”

Reilly has a track record for working her way from the ground up. In 2005, she was accepted into the business school at New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology and naturally sought out an outlet for deepening her studies. At 18, she interned for a television show on the Hallmark Channel, where she assisted the wardrobe department with errands and styling. “I completely fell in love with it on my very first day on set,” Reilly said. She ended up staying in the role for two years and eventually connected with a famous celebrity stylist. “From then on, I just sort of chased after it.”

Some of her favorite recent styling projects include her work with Eva Longoria, the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, and prepping Coco Jones for her first Met Gala, noting the buzz of excitement around the R&B musician’s first glamorous event. “It was such a major moment, and it’s a real opportunity to play dress-up,” Reilly said. “You know, it’s kind of like our Super Bowl.”

Earlier this year, Reilly started a podcast called “The Inside Edit,” which chronicles the clothing journey for the creative spirit and how she uses fashion and style as self-expression —to reflect the inner world with more precision. She claims that clothing becomes a means of storytelling,

interpreting how we want to show up and who we want to be.

In her first episode, Reilly reflected on the challenges she faced growing up as a highly sensitive empath and learning how to evolve in her own skin. She shared her vulnerability and hardship while weaving in the importance of expression as a stylist. “Our insides matter just as much as our outsides,” Reilly said.

At 14, Reilly got her first tattoo, and she’s been expressing herself with body art ever since. Drawn to the delicate precision of single-needle work, she gives her artists full creative freedom, from her fingers to her feet. Her ink roster includes Dr. Woo, Mr. K, and longtime friend Alex Miller, who etched one of her favorites: “Love is the hardest drug I’ve ever tried.” A decade ago, she walked into Beverly Hills’ legendary Shamrock Social Club asking for a neck tattoo. When the artist hesitated, owner Mark

I’M HELPING THEM BRING OUT THE BEST VERSION OF THEM, HELPING THEM FEEL CONFIDENT, AND TELLING THE STORY THAT THEY WANT TO TELL AND NOT TELL THE STORY THAT, YOU KNOW, I WANT TO TELL.

- MAEVE RILEY ON STYLING HER CLIENTS

Mahoney stepped in: “She can have whatever she wants.” She got it — “Lover” — and it remains close to her heart even today.

These days, she says she’s a pretty “simple gal.” If she’s not at an event or a gala, she’s usually dressing for comfort in a pair of soft-to-the-touch vintage Levi’s with a relaxed tee or sweater. She completes her look with a leather jacket or a blazer and a pair of loafers or sneakers. She swears by SKIMS pajamas and The Local Love Club for perfectly-fitted loungewear.

When it comes to styling her clients, she has one goal. “I think the most important thing for me is making these women feel like themselves,” Reilly said. “I’m helping them bring out the best version of them, helping them feel confident, and telling the story that they want to tell and not tell the story that, you know, I want to tell.”

This year, Reilly rose through ruin, both in her approach toward business and in her personal ideals. Hardship reshaped her creative power, refining it through her tattoos, her podcast, and in the intentionality she brings to her clients. Most importantly, she continues to express through fashion, making more women feel closer to themselves. “I just love getting to do that,” she said. “It’s really my love language.”

O(Well-done tattoos) blend in your skin perfectly and move a lifetime with you as they should: strong, expressive, and readable.

- Henk Schiffmacher

nce upon a time, tattoos were seen as acts of rebellion, the domain of young contrarians. This may be among the reasons why people newly venturing into tattoos have historically heard the ageist question, “Won’t your tattoos look terrible when you’re older? Won’t you regret them?” These days, though, this stigma is declining. But whereas other stigmas often disappear due to long-term activism and active campaigns against them, this one going to the wayside is just a natural result of how tattooing has evolved over time.

Jacci Gresham, 79, reportedly the first known Black female tattoo artist in the United States, said that the stigma has faded in part because tattooing “is way more artistic than it used to be.” She has observed in her decades of tattooing that “most people don’t regret (their tattoos), and as they get older, they’re proud to have a tattoo.”

Charlotte Guttenberg, the 77-year-old Guinness World Records holder for most tattooed female senior citizen, largely credits the disappearance

of ageism-based stigmas to the increasing visibility of tattoos. “So many musicians (have) a lot of tattoos,” she said, naming the judging panel of the widely viewed TV competition “The Voice” as an example. “A lot of the judges who are in the music industry all have tattoos, even the women. It’s just become so accepted, which is a good thing.”

The stigma around older adults getting or having tattoos is so dead that the Dutch tattoo artist Henk Schiffmacher, 73, all but laughed it off: “Old tattoos look bad when they are old? Absolutely not.” Derek Sarno, 55, a prominent vegan chef, cookbook author, and YouTube personality, dismissed the idea too, calling it “dated and ridiculous.” He added, “All of my tattoos are milestones, memories, and philosophies that matter to me. (They’re) markers of a mindset and view I never want to forget.”

Guttenberg, who got her first tattoo at age 57, said that people’s thoughts on her tattoos have been almost entirely positive. “I have people coming up to me saying, ‘I wish I had done that, what you’ve done, when I was younger.’ It’s like (they) regret that they didn’t do it themselves, and they will tell me, ‘I don’t have any ink,’ and I’m like, ‘Well, you can still get one.’ I’m like, Go for it!”

Through the passage of time, Sarno said that most of his tattoos still look great. He said his tattoos “have (the) ashes of a very special time and person mingled with the ink,” later adding, “I can look at my arms and instantly be reminded to be appreciative of what I have.”

This reason, among others, is why Sarno feels as good about his tattoos today as when he first got them. “The only feelings that have changed (about my tattoos) is wanting to have more in the same spaces,” he said. “I haven’t been tattooed in years but would definitely get more in a heartbeat.”

Schiffmacher expressed similar sentiments about his longtime ink. “I love my old tattoos,” he said. “(I) always have and always will.” For all older adults, he said, “(Well-done tattoos) blend in your skin perfectly and move a lifetime with you as they should: strong, expressive, and readable.”

Gresham noted that, in recent years, her client base has spanned “young people to people in their 70s.” So, yes, the stigma around older adults getting tattoos has faded, but Guttenberg said that some older adults may face challenges when getting new tattoos. “I’m finding that my skin — and it’s old skin — is not absorbing the ink the way it used to,” she said. “It’s rejecting new ink.”

Little scientific research exists about how older skin accepts ink, but there is anecdotal evidence that older adults often place their tattoos where their skin is thicker, less aged, or less involved in regular everyday motions. Many tattoo artists recommend placing tattoos on the upper arm, back, or shoulder for older clients, because these areas generally have firmer skin that supports better healing.

It’s also widely reported that some heart medications commonly taken among older adults may be blood thinners, and that for older adults prescribed these medications in higher doses, there may be more bleeding while getting a tattoo. However, any potential medical challenges are just that: potential. If anything, they’re the only negative aspect remaining nowadays when it comes to older adults getting new tattoos. And for older adults who already have tattoos, any negativity is marginal and easy to brush off.

“I’ve had people tell me in person that Jesus wouldn’t approve, that I’ve ruined my body,” said Sarno, who began his YouTube video for his thousand-pea pasta recipe with two screenshots of particularly nasty YouTube comments about his tattoos. One reads, “Could you please cover up your tattoos? Unfortunately they are disgusting to look at.” The other reads, “If you’re so concerned about your health, what about those sleeve tattoos injected with toxic Chinese ink???”

Notably, Sarno superimposed “MISERABLE PERSON” over the first commenter’s username and “TOXIC EGO” over the second commenter’s username. He’s quick to brush off negative comments because they “show how immature, racist, and judgmental someone is. If someone’s triggered by my tattoos, skin color, or belief system, that’s on them, he said, adding, “I try to meet negativity with compassion and boundaries.”

All of my tattoos are milestones, memories, and philosophies that matter to me. (They’re) markers of a mindset and view I never want to forget.

- Derek Sarno

This is Guttenberg’s approach when facing negativity as well. She said that she has been stopped by people who comment negatively about her tattoos, “especially people (who) have a religious preference against tattooing,” she said, adding, “I do not argue with people who stop me with lectures about tattoos. I support their right to have an opinion on the subject. I simply do not choose to participate in a debate with them. I have the right to opinions as well. I do not choose to impose them on anyone or accost people in public places to express my opinions.”

This experience, though, has been rare for Guttenberg. “I receive fewer derogatory comments about my tattoos than I did when I was younger,” she said, meaning that her tattoos have been accepted more while she’s been in her late 70s than when she was in her late 50s. Her experience opens the door for anyone of any age to get whatever ink they desire.

“I’ve seen some of the most beautiful tattoos on older people whose skin tells amazing stories,” Sarno said. “To me now, well-done tattoos on older bodies are like a well-worn, well-cared-for cookbook: lived in, loved, and full of history and wonderful taste.”

Guatemala City is divided into zones, and Zone 10 is as glitzy as they come. Stretching to the southeast of Guatemala’s capital, the district is peppered with glass-fronted high rises, wide avenues, swanky hotels, and, surprisingly, a ton of tattoo studios.

In this Central American country, tattoos are still somewhat taboo, with gang associations at the worst or rebellious attitudes at best for the conservative population. As a result, many studios have remained “all motorcycles and skulls,” according to Forget Me Not Tattoo’s Maf Monroy.

Founded by Monroy and her best friend Zully Morales in 2022, Forget Me Not is anything but the spit and sawdust shops found across the city. Tucked away in the bright and airy Murano center, you might not even realize there was a tattoo parlor there if it weren’t for the fluorescent white sign with Forget Me Not’s logo, a pixelated design of the shop’s floral namesake, shining down from the second floor.

The studio is light, fresh, and wonderfully air-conditioned to stave off Guatemala City’s stifling heat. There are colorful prints splashed across every wall, plush furniture, a mini fridge with drinks and snacks for clients, and free feminine hygiene products in the bathroom. There is even a bed left free for other Latinas to guest at the increasingly popular spot. The entire shop is designed for comfort, and unlike many studios in the country, it’s specifically designed for women.

When Monroy started tattooing in 2015, she was one of “maybe three women in Guatemala,” she says. Although the industry today is flush with female talent, Forget Me Not is the country’s only exclusively female shop in terms of artists. Though the client base is embraced by all genders, Monroy and Morales are joined by four other young female artists, each with their own unique styles, and a female studio manager, Lashmi Cordova.

Although the shop doesn’t currently accept apprentices, the founders of Forget Me Not are dedicated to raising the next generation of Guatemala’s “tatuadoras,” or female tattoo artists, and have been instrumental in the careers of many of the current artists in residence.

Most of the artists are self-taught with under five years of experience, and for many, Forget Me Not is their first professional studio job. “Maf convinced me to tattoo skin for the first time,” says Ines Tilde, who has made a name for herself with fascinating textural designs, including glass vases, intricate ceramics, and molten metals. “Four days after I met her, I did a tattoo on myself,” she says, and then continued to practice on her family and friends before joining Forget Me Not full-time.

The shop has also helped to welcome more feminine styles to the city. At the beginning of Monroy’s career, she travelled to Europe to perfect her fine-line work, a style which had not yet gained traction in Central America. Adapting it to the clunkier coil machines that were still prevalent in Guatemala in the late 2010s, she essentially introduced fine-line tattooing to the country. Her and Morales’s

The entire shop is designed for comfort, and unlike many studios in the country, it’s specifically designed for women.

prowess in the industry was a significant draw for the other young artists who have come to work at Forget Me Not. Marianne del Águila and Majo Huertas were both inspired by the founders’ trailblazing work and took guest spots at the shop before being invited to work in residence.

The other artists in residence had friendships or professional relationships with Monroy or Morales before joining the shop, but each filled a gap in Forget Me Not’s roster. From Estefania Arias’ micro-realistic botanicals to Huertas’ bold neo-traditional works, Tilde’s blackwork materials, and Morales’ traditional designs, there isn’t a tattoo you couldn’t get at Forget Me Not.

The shop equally fills a gap in the industry for the artists. Although none were seeking a female-only studio when they joined Forget Me Not, the unique dynamics of the space allowed

their work to grow in new and unexpected ways. Huerta found herself surrounded by male artists with decades of experience practicing the more traditionally masculine style. Working at a female-only studio has allowed her to develop her own fresh take on the style for a multi-gendered clientele.

Arias, whose fine-line botanicals tend to attract a female audience, finds the feminine studio inviting and safe for her clientele. This sentiment extends to all of the artists, who each mentioned how much more comfortable it is to work in a female-only environment, compared to some other shops where inappropriate jokes or comments were made by male colleagues.

For young female artists in Guatemala, Forget Me Not stands as a vision of the future where they can become major players in the still male-dominated industry. For the artists in residence, that vision currently looks like Arias travelling to Europe for the first time next year to guest at a shop in Switzerland and Águila crafting her own distinct style.

“There are no ‘celebrity’ artists in Guatemala, like in the U.S. or Europe,” del Aguila says, but with pioneering studios like Forget Me Not ushering in a new era of Guatemala’s ancient tattooing tradition, it’s possible that the next big star in the industry could come straight from the bright lights of Zone 10.

BY EMILY ADAM

Tattoo collages, or patchwork tattoos, are visual diaries, with designs chosen for meaning, mood, or moments in time, and is a style of tattoo art that has grown exponentially in popularity in recent years.

“Unlike a traditional sleeve, there’s usually no master plan behind its design,” L.A.-based tattoo artist Merrin Duhé explains. “Most of the pieces are flash tattoos, spaced to let some skin show through, creating a sense of organized chaos. It’s a busy, sometimes chaotic look, but each piece holds meaning. Together, they tell a deeply personal story.”

For those not acquainted with tattoo collages, think remembrance pieces, such as the Eiffel Tower from a trip to France, alongside an astrological sign, a childhood pet, and Rosie the Riveter. Duhé explains that people are often attracted to this style as “the collection evolves as you do. It’s often a bit messier, less polished, but that’s what makes it so personal and unique.”

One of the biggest differences between patchwork tattoos and traditional cohesive sleeves is in who leads the process, according to London-based tattoo artist Alina Dze. “In collagestyle tattooing, it’s the client who sets the direction. Their choices shape how (it) develops over time,” she explains, adding, “With traditional sleeves or body plans, the artist usually takes the lead. It’s a single vision designed to flow together from the start, where every detail is carefully placed to create harmony.”

THE RISE OF TATTOO COLLAGES

Accessibility in the modern tattoo scene has played a major role in contributing to the rise of tattoo collages. Duhé says accessibility has skyrocketed, explaining that flash sales, traveling artists, and special events are all contributing factors to the style’s rise in popularity.

Luke Cormier, an artist based in Nova Scotia who creates tattoos that look like stickers, named social media as the driving force behind accessibility. He explains that patchwork is actually traditional tattooing. “It’s kind of like bell-bottom jeans — they always come back around — and tattooing is similar,” he says. “I mean, just look around, cargo pants and early 2000s are in right now, so it makes sense the tattoos are coming back with it.”

Tattoo artist Audrey App, based in Chicago, first noticed the trend in tattoo collages emerging during 2020. Around this time, “Influencers and social media trends really changed the industry,” she says.

Recent fashion and celebrity culture also play roles in patchwork’s rising popularity. “Artists like Harry Styles and Dua Lipa helped popularize this collage-style look with their mix of small and symbolic tattoos,” Dze explains, adding, “Tattoo artists themselves also contributed by sharing patchwork compositions online and showing how separate designs can still look balanced and beautiful together.”

BREAKING TRADITIONAL BOUNDARIES

Collage tattoos have significantly impacted how some artists work with placement and design. “I always take time to analyze what they already have before adding anything new,” Dze explains. “I look at the flow, spacing, and contrast between styles, and think about how my design can fit in naturally.”

However, some artists have a different approach to patchwork composition. “For some, I can see how it might be harder, but this is what I love about tattooing,” Cormier explains. “It’s the stuff I started out with, so I’m right at home. We just slap that shit on where they want it!”

Due to the rise in patchwork styles, there has been a growing demand for flash pieces. Instead of using them to fill slow days, some artists have now built their entire business model around flash drops and limited editions. “I primarily focus on tattooing flash designs, and that’s a deliberate choice,” Duhé says. “In my ideal world, flash would be all I ever tattoo.”

While tattooing traditionally places emphasis on flow, balance, and visual hierarchy, collagestyle tattooing challenges and often rejects these rules, with emphasis on placements and styles that stand out. “I think having a cohesive design and flow can be a great approach, but if someone feels drawn to a more unique and bold placement, they should absolutely follow that inspiration,” App says, adding, “The older generation brought a sense of stability and tradition to tattooing, while the younger generation brought motion, openness, and a readiness to take creative risks.”

Dze explored this acceptance of changing rules through the lens of social media, where tattoo artists are permitted to experiment with their artistry and break almost every traditional rule. “We now see everything: fusion styles, abstract work, deconstructed designs, and full mixes of techniques all in one piece,” Dze explains. “Social media gave artists and clients the freedom to create without limits, and that has completely changed how people think about what a tattoo can look like.”

“I think having a cohesive design and flow can be a great approach, but if someone feels drawn to a more unique and bold placement, they should absolutely follow that inspiration .”

- Audrey App

MAXIMALISM AND STAYING POWER

These changing attitudes toward maximalist collages haven’t come about overnight, with some taking a little more time to adapt to the trend. “If you asked me a few years ago, I was all for large flowing tattoos, but now I get it,” Cormier says. “I personally want to collect small pieces so I can get more.”

App thinks collage-style maximalism allows people to really celebrate who they are. “I see it as someone’s story,” she says. “I have had a lot of clients get pieces that explain a story, memorialize a loved one, or say something they want to share through pictures.”

The chaotic nature of patchwork tattoos offers clients an opportunity to express their unique personalities. “I’ve seen some really unexpected mixes: people combining super delicate fine line tattoos with bold traditional or even blackwork pieces. At first, it sounds like they would clash, but on the skin, it can actually create a really striking contrast,” Dze

explains. “Some of my clients collect tattoos from different artists around the world, and their skin becomes this visual mix of different techniques, inks, and healing patterns.”

When people collect ink like a permanent scrapbook, it eliminates the need to tell a single story. Duhé thinks tattoo collages could be here to stay. “In a world where attention spans are shorter than ever and the cost of living keeps climbing, quick, affordable tattoos are an accessible way for people to express themselves,” she says. “Grabbing a small piece here and there feels doable, and that’s exactly what will keep this style alive.”

Yet, Cormier explains tattoo collages as a trend cycle, saying it will last a little longer, before it “will change and come back around again just like the mullet.” The trend reflects a cultural shift in how society views art, identity, and autonomy. In the end, what remains constant is the desire to curate our bodies as living archives, regardless of what society deems trendy.

IRELAND’S TATTOO ARTISTS ARE MAKING THEIR MARK.

BY ELAINE MAGUIRE O’CONNOR

hen Bruno Santos began tattooing in his home country of Brazil 18 years ago, it was impossible to foresee that he would become one of Dublin’s most in-demand tattoo artists. Famed for his neotraditional and blackwork, Santos is known for his dark themes — skulls, bones, and mythological creatures are omnipresent — and he cites the rich Irish folklore of his adopted homeland as an inspiration for his work.

Santos runs Sanctorum Tattoo, which roughly translates as “holy place” or “sanctuary.” Located in Temple Bar, the city’s cultural quarter, Sanctorum Tattoo opened in 2021. Nestled among the cobbled pedestrian streets, the studio is famed for its elaborate, Gothic décor and the beautiful, classic European artwork that hangs in

With a population of just over one million inhabitants, Dublin is a small but increasingly popular destination on the tattoo world’s map, with customers frequently travelling from across the globe to be inked by one of the city’s highly regarded artists. Boasting a rich history in the creative arts — the city is longtime synonymous with both literature and music — it’s perhaps no surprise to see its tattoo industry flourish and Dublin become a go-to destination for tattoo enthusiasts seeking out new ink.

Dubliner Jamie Lo, the artist known to his 2.1 million TikTok followers as Jammy Dodged, began tattooing six years ago and quickly became one of the city’s most recognized and revered artists. Influenced by old paintings, much of his imagery focuses on the female face. The intricate detail of his work brings an emotional resonance to his tattoos, many of which wouldn’t be out of place in the National Gallery of Ireland, not far from where he works in Dublin. Religious imagery also runs through his work, and, like Santos, he is influenced by Irish folklore.

“When people think of Irish folklore, they think of leprechauns and you know, all that silly stuff, but there is a different side to it — goddesses of death and goddesses of war — that people don’t even realize is Irish, and I take a lot of inspiration from that,” Lo says.

Indeed, for some, the words “Irish” and “tattoo” conjure up images of harps, shamrocks, and other generic, clichéd ideas of what “Irishness” is, but this is a world away from the beautiful portrait-style work that Lo has become synonymous with.

Although the last decade’s tattoo boom is not unique to Dublin, the thriving scene is all the more impressive considering how relatively young the industry is there. Historians believe that as recently as the 1960s, there was only one practicing artist in the entire country of Ireland. By the 1990s, although tattoos were more common, they were still very much the preserve of the alternative, and the idea of tattoos as an art form was practically unheard of.

While the industry was slow to develop in Ireland itself, the Irish influence on the U.S. tattoo industry is significant. Dubliner James F. O’Connell is credited with being the first man to

popularize tattoos in North America. Originally a sailor, O’Connell acquired his tattoos while shipwrecked on the remote Pacific Island of Pohnpei, where he claimed the locals forcibly inked his entire body, although historians have debated his account. Upon his escape, he came to the U.S. in 1835 and is now recognized as America’s first tattooed showman.

It was also the son of Irish immigrants — Connecticut-born Samuel O’Reilly — who patented the first electric tattoo machine in 1881, revolutionizing how artists work and cementing the Irish influence on the tattoo industry.

Another artist who is making his mark on the Dublin scene is André Fantini. The Brazilian made Dublin his home over nine years ago and specializes in neotraditional ink. A vibrant youth culture — Ireland boasts one of the youngest populations in Europe — as well as its multiculturalism, are what make the city so attractive for artists like Fantini. “The Dublin scene’s most notable quality is its multiculturalism,” he explains. “We have great artists from all over the world working together in a relatively small city.”

According to Lo, it is this sense of camaraderie and connection that makes the Dublin tattoo scene so unique, compared to other cities where he has worked. “Every artist tends to know each other, and everyone is trying to help each other out,” he says. “In larger places like London, people have bigger egos and are more competitive with one another, and there isn’t the same sense of community that there is in Dublin.”

Every October, the Dublin tattoo community gathers at the Royal Dublin Society on the city’s southside for the three-day International Dublin Tattoo Convention. The convention has been running for more than 20 years, beginning as a niche event with just over 30 booths in an inner-

city community center. Proving immediately popular, its founder was forced to find bigger venues to accommodate the growing number of attendees each year. Hence, the convention has been held at the RDS since 2019.

This year’s convention will be its fourth under new management, now hosting over 200 artists. As well as featuring some of Ireland’s best home-grown talent, there will be a host of international artists, including Shane O’Neill, the Delaware artist famed for winning the first season of “Ink Master.” The convention will also host several tattoo competitions, including one for Best Realism Portrait and Best Avant Garde, where tattoo artists working at the convention

Thousands of attendees are expected at this year’s convention, with many making the journey from other cities across Europe. Given its relatively small size, Dublin is the perfect destination for a long weekend trip, and customers frequently tie in a visit to their favorite artist with a city break. For others, the lure of a great artist is the sole reason to visit, even if that means a 23-hour flight.

Santos states that he frequently has people flying in to see him. “I remember when it started happening to me, and I was kind of shocked,” he says. “Like, how come someone will leave their country just to come here and get tattooed by me? The furthest one was from Australia —came to Dublin, got tattooed for two days in a row, and flew back home on the next day. It

Dublin has always worn its past with pride, and people worldwide wear its history and culture too. Inside the city’s tattoo shops, heritage blends with rebellion, with artists and collectors alike etching new stories that will

ameron Whitcomb has never been one to take the easy road in life.

At the tender age of 17, he decided to leave home and work on the Trans Mountain pipeline. By then, he had already become an addict dabbling in everything from alcohol and cocaine to heroin and meth.

While he was working in the oil field, Whitcomb began posting songs online, which eventually landed him a spot on Season 20 of “American Idol,” where he shocked judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie by admitting to performing for the very first time in public that very day during the audition.

The backflipping teen was off to Hollywood, where he made it to the competition’s top 20. That turning point made him more determined than ever to follow his dream. After returning to the same pipeline job he left to pursue a music career, Whitcomb continued working 12-hour shifts six days a week, saving up money, while writing songs after work, playing

CAMERON WHITCOMB TURNS HIS CHAOS INTO COUNTRY MUSIC WITH MEANING.

BY KELLIE SPEED / PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAMES BAKER

guitar, and building his social media presence, which now boasts more than 2.5 million followers.

“I knew hard work brings good luck and knew if I busted my ass, it would be achievable,” Whitcomb told Inked in a recent phone interview. “It has exceeded my expectations, but I am grateful for it.”

Today, the 22-year-old Canadian singersongwriter, who has been open about his struggle with depression, is now clean and credits his sobriety to his fans and his music. “The fans and my career have given me a purpose,” he said. “I have something to work towards and focus on what makes me happy. When I play at these shows, fans come up and tell me they are 30 days, one year, or two years clean. It’s very special. They understand me and I understand them.”

Whitcomb said one of the most important things he focuses on right now is hanging with the right people. “I keep myself surrounded by good people. I have a great crew and am in a good spot.”

Whitcomb has openly chronicled his battle with substance abuse with raw songs like “Rocking Chair” and “Quitter” that quickly became fan favorites, and “Medusa,” one of Billboard’s “5 Must-Hear New Country Songs” when it was released.

After much anticipation, he released his debut album, “The Hard Way,” in the fall of 2025 with Atlantic Records, which features a unique mix of folk, country, and alt-pop combined with fearless lyrics and determined vocals. “The entire record is an accumulation of where I was, where I am, and where I hope to be,” he said. “‘The Hard Way’ title track means a lot to me, and ‘Polly (Interlude)’ at the end has one of my favorite verses ever written.”

The Canadian Country Music Association’s 2025 Breakthrough Artist of the Year hopes “fans can take away whatever they need” from each song and admits every song is him “to a T.” The album’s cover image was created by Vancouver-based tattoo artist Logan Morrison, with whom he now shares a strong bond.

“Right from the artwork, you can follow the story all the way through, which was my goal,” Whitcomb said. “I wanted the art to speak for itself, and I think it did a really good job. It’s the coolest thing. Now, when I want to get a tattoo, I send a song to Logan, and we talk about the visuals. He knows exactly what I am

thinking, and it always comes out far better than I expected.”

Whitcomb met Morrison while he was working in the oil field and saw the giant eagle tattoo on his friend’s back. “I thought it was the most incredible thing I had ever seen in my life,” he said.

After checking out Morrison on Instagram, Whitcomb knew he had to meet him, so he reached out to see if he would do his back tattoo. “I gave him a vague idea of what I wanted — like mountains, old school Harleys, nice bridges, and scenic stuff,” he said. “I never actually saw the tattoo until I showed up that morning.”

Whitcomb said he and Morrison are like brothers now after the tattoo artist spent seven sessions and 36 hours designing his back. “My back is my favorite tattoo,” he said. “Every time I see it, it’s like seeing it for the first time.”

At age 28, a different artist inked Whitcomb’s first tattoo, Black Sabbath’s fallen angel, on his stomach “because I was finally old enough to get one,” but said Morrison does the majority of his work now. “It’s very therapeutic because he really cares. Seven or eight hours flies by. He’s one of a kind for sure,” he said.

When it comes to designing body art, Whitcomb said one of the most important

things to do is trust your tattoo artist, “sort of like people trust me to write songs,” he said. “Let them do their thing and just go with it. Logan is one of my most favorite people on the planet. I have never been the kind to go into a tattoo shop and have the artist talking to everyone, and you’re just sitting there. With Logan, it’s just me and him. Nobody is coming in and out; you have his undivided attention.”

With nearly 100 hours of tattooing under his belt, Whitcomb said he isn’t done yet.

“I hope to finish my arms,” he said. “The bottoms of my legs are pretty well done. I will let Logan completely do whatever he wants with my left arm.”

After wrapping up a fall “I’ve Got Options” tour with sold-out performances in cities like Los Angeles, Athens, Georgia, and Charleston, South Carolina, Whitcomb will be touring Canada in February before kicking off another U.S. tour in March. In May, he will travel internationally to Australia, where he already has several sold-out performances with special guest Lewis Love.

While Whitcomb may have done it the hard way, one thing is for certain — he has certainly done it his way. “For 2026, I am going to try to take some time for myself to do some songwriting,” he said. “I feel good and am excited for the future.”

BY AMY HIGGINS

PHOTOGRAPHY:

JSQUARED PHOTOGRAPHY

STYLIST: JOSHUA ALAN CLARK

MAKEUP: TROYE ANTONIO

HAIR: QURAN SMITH

t was Halloween 2025 when R&B artist Kehlani caught up with Inked Magazine. She was leaving parent-teacher conferences with her daughter Adeya, anticipating the holiday hijinks ahead. “She is Wednesday. I am Morticia. We are about to get it popping,” she said.

At the time, she was just weeks away from being honored by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers at the Women Behind the Music event, and from earning two Grammy nominations for Best R&B Song and Best R&B Performance for her hit single “Folded.”

“Folded” has become a movement of sorts, unfolding into six remixes by six vocal celebrity heavyweights: JoJo, Ne-Yo, Brandy, Toni Braxton, Mario, and Tank.

“This happened completely naturally — I didn’t do any of this,” Kehlani insisted. While she initiated conversations with JoJo and Ne-Yo, the remaining four came in through an unexpected domino effect: Brandy hears it, wants to sing it. Braxton gets wind of it and wants it as soon as she recovers from an illness. Suddenly, the others wanted in on it, too.

Fans were calling for a package deal: all six songs on one platform. And so, the “Homage Pack” was born. “It was just freaking natural, dude. Like, I don’t know, it’s been the craziest thing ever,” she said. And still, the interest keeps coming. “Maybe ‘Folded’ never ends. Maybe the clothes never actually get folded,” she said jokingly.

Kehlani released her single “Out the Window” in early November, conjuring flashbacks of ‘90s R&B, and giving fans vibes of Aaliyah, Janet Jackson, and Braxton, to name a few. The music video surged to more than a million views in one month on YouTube Charts and has held steady.

And 2026 promises another swell: her fifth studio album, which the artist said is “almost finished.” And while there were few clues about the release date, online in-studio photos of Kehlani and James Fauntleroy suggest a powerful collaboration.

Her breakout song was “ANTISUMMERLUV,” a heartfelt homage to summer romance that goes nowhere. “It was just a good R&B song,” she told Rosenberg. “I think that really just kind of set things on fire.”

That flame sparked her first major mixtape release in 2014, “Cloud 19,” followed by “You Should Be Here” in 2015, which earned a Grammy nomination under the Best Urban Contemporary Album category, the young performer’s first nod by the Recording Academy. Her first studio album, “SweetSexySavage,” was fueling her solo music career, and as she worked on her next album, COVID-19 swept the globe.

Quarantine had the potential to put her new album on the back burner indefinitely, but Kehlani took charge instead. She became her own makeup artist, hairstylist, and wardrobe stylist, working alongside her videographer, Bri Alysse, who was sheltering in place with her.

The duo created music videos, such as “Everybody Business” and “Toxic,” and shot the album’s cover art: Kehlani peeking over her backyard wall, watering hose in hand. On the back cover, the scene flips to the artist’s face, with an ominous scene of the world crumbling in the background. This would be her second studio album, “It Was Good Until It Wasn’t,” a

“I have way more collaborations than I’ve probably ever had, and they’re all people that I really, really respect,” Kehlani said of the upcoming album. “And I think the coolest thing about it is, there’s no features that feel like, ‘Oh, a label threw this together,’ or ‘Two people were popping right now, so we just threw it together.’ It was all super organic; everybody’s just loving the music that’s being made. I have people that I adore and look up to on this, so I’m really excited about it.”

Kehlani has built her life and career on instinct and evolution, characteristics that have both helped and hindered her. To understand the woman she is today, it’s important to know where she came from.

“ONE HELL OF A STORY”

Kehlani started making music around 2009, but her first major foray on the big stage was in 2011, when the 14 year old and her pop cover band PopLyfe performed on “America’s Got Talent,” making it to the top four before being eliminated. The band disbanded soon afterward, and Kehlani began her venture as a solo artist.

“I just started dropping music on the internet and people started, you know, rocking with it,” she told Hot 97’s Peter Rosenberg in 2015. “I think people just liked it because it was natural and it didn’t feel forced.”

15-song compilation of deep, personal jams of tangled emotions and clarity. “It tells the story of the album, of a romantic situation I was in, with everything behind me being really crazy, and what’s in front of me being really crazy too,” Kehlani shared with Pitchfork in 2020.

In 2022, her next studio album, “blue water road,” unveiled Kehlani’s blooming maturity, with attention-grabbing songs like “altar” and “up at night,” featuring Justin Bieber. The album received praise from critics and fans alike. In 2024, “Crash,” her fourth studio album, exposed the star’s emotional complexity and honesty, with standout tracks “After Hours” and “Next 2 U.”

“I actually made this album manic as hell. I am bipolar, and I didn’t discover (that) until literally the week of album release,” she shared. “It was a diagnosis that kind of made the album make sense for me because the album-making process was probably the most chaotic…” She combined pieces of songs with other pieces of songs, she explained, creating music in different countries, cities, and houses.

“It was a pretty insane process, and I just wanted to be able to have a pivot that got me out of like, ‘OK, I’m making the same thing over and over again.’ I just really wanted to take the chance for a pivot, and that combined with an insane manic episode… boom, crash,” she explained, adding, “I am happy that I put

something out that was daring on my behalf. It got some cool nods, and I think it got people to take a peek into all the different ways my brain can work. The tour was the thing that really reignited my love for the album.”

“IT’S THE EVERYTHING FOR ME”

On November 21, 2025, Kehlani was honored with the Alchemist Award at Femme It Forward’s Give Her FlowHERS Awards Gala, a fitting honor for a songstress with transformative tendencies. Kehlani thanked the organization on social media, highlighting that she has the cover of “The Alchemist” inked on her arm, and describing an alchemist as “someone who transforms things for the better through an almost seemingly magical process.”

Stunning even when clad casually, the songwriter has undergone several transformations and gathered many tattoos in the process. The same year she appeared on “AGT,” ink emerged on her skin. She was just 14 when her best friend inked her knuckles, stick-and-poke style.

“I became a Guinea pig for all the homies who got a tattoo gun and were like, ‘Yeah, I’m doing tats in my garage, and tats in my kitchen, and tats in my bedroom, at my mom’s crib,’” Kehlani shared. “And I also had a lot of piercings. I just kind of skyrocketed into it.”

my dad’s full face just poking out of the pants. He’s my biggest guardian angel, and I thought that was really, really special that he got to be on that cover with me.”

“IN MY FEELINGS”

Focused on motherhood, her career, and self-care, the artist can reflect honestly about past behaviors and choices, owning the good and the not-so-good, while remaining committed to her convictions. She’s balancing a hectic schedule and centering herself on her surfboard — both figuratively and literally. She chooses to be “radically transparent” about her mental health and is focused on nurturing her inner landscape.

“I lost a lot last year; a lot changed last year. You know, there was a lot of mess and chaos and craziness last year, and also a lot of shifting because of my beliefs in my heart. And to see such a big turnaround, I really just want to say it’s entirely possible to have a thriving career and also stand for things that you believe in,” Kehlani shared. “And it’s entirely possible to change your narrative — and I’m not even talking about publicly, but change your personal story — at any time in your life by taking control of your healing and taking the reins of your world and going inward and doing what you need to do. I think those

During these early days, she donned her natural curls and sported tomboy togs, wearing oversized tees and hooded sweatshirts, and then graduated to feminine streetwear, paring baggy pants with bralettes and bomber jackets, a combination of powerful femininity and masculinity that epitomizes her sexuality.

As she evolved, Kehlani’s fashion fluidity continued to flow with soft silhouettes, high-level glam, leather, latex, and wide-leg trousers, and her catalog of tattoos swelled. Notably, a vibrant, multihued sunflower envelopes her left shoulder, nuzzling one of her most tenderhearted tattoos: a baby’s arm sporting a bracelet with the name “Adeya,” planets dangling from her fingers. “It is her hand holding the universe, because I always want her to know that the entire solar system and all the stars in the world and everything’s possible — it’s all hers,” she said.

Two portraits on her left leg still give Kehlani an emotional charge to this day: one of her father and the other of her aunt. She said these tattoos give her strength, remind her of where she came from, and assure her that she is loved. “My dad’s portrait is peeking out of the pants on the ‘Crash’ album. We always thought that was really cool because it was such an accident,” she shared. “It’s like you see my face and then you look down my leg, and you see

are the most important things. I get up and remind myself now, ‘You’re in control of all of this, and you just need to keep pushing and be consistent and really focus on your growth and keep your eyes on God.’”

Kehlani has weathered storms and is learning to meet the world more authentically. She’s “very, very settled” in who she is, letting go of the things she cannot control. “I am very uninterested in performance or trying to be any kind of all over the place. And it’s kind of just making me more simple, to be honest,” she said.

One day years ago, Kehlani was battling with her emotions when someone told her to smile because “today is the best day ever.” The uplifting phrase stuck with her, so she had it inked on her calf. “If you think about it, that means tomorrow is and the next day is, the next day is too, because every day is today,” she explained. “And it just reminded me to lift my chin up and poke my chest out and ground myself when I think the world is ending and my life is over and just say, ‘Hey, let’s slow down and remember: today is the best day ever.’”

As the conversation wrapped, Kehlani was readying herself for mom mode. “She’s about to sugar it up here,” she said, referring to Adeya’s imminent sugar rush. It’s these occasions that are perhaps the most important to Kehlani, and ones that remind her that “today is the best day ever.”

Powered by professional fundraiser Colossal, Inked Originals is a nationwide competition that brings together like-minded tattooed individuals for a cause. Colossal creates life-changing opportunities through online fundraising competitions that give people the platform to win big while making a global impact.

Since 2023, Colossal has raised more than $4.2 million to support The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation, the number one provider of financial assistance to families of children with cancer in the United States, helping over 3,800 families to-date. This year, the Inked Originals competition raised more than $2.4 million. Meet the 2025 Inked Originals titleholder and the fierce finalists who helped raise millions for the B+ Foundation and take a peek at their treasured ink.

KYLIE MASON

2025 Inked Originals Champion

Kylie Mason is more than meets the eye. Coming from a small town in California, this Inked Originals champion’s journey took her to the colorful state of Colorado, where she enjoys the outdoor culture and robust music scene. She spends her days embracing the best decade of life so far: her 30s. At this stage, she has never felt more equipped to begin decorating her body with meaningful art.

Mason entered the tattoo world with a great deal of care. For her, there were plenty of reasons to wait, including her wedding celebration, where she wanted to avoid overwhelming her grandmother, who wasn’t a fan of ink artistry. Beyond that, Mason sees her tattoos as a gallery that she is privileged to wear, beginning the process with purpose. As the curator of her gallery, she

day often, a fact not lost upon me to be consistent with its meaning,” she said.

Another one of her thoughtfully curated pieces features a hummingbird flying up her back toward dragons in the distance. At an early age, she was captivated by these impossible little creatures, admiring their spirit and determination. As she sought out the artist who could capture their essence, she found Gama Tat. Charmed by Gama’s dragon artworks, her inspiring backpiece came to fruition: a little bird with a lot of heart and gumption flying higher to achieve, trying to join dragons. To Mason, this is the perfect piece that “has her back” and reminds all to pursue their dreams.

Part of Mason’s prize for Colossal’s Inked Originals competition included the opportunity to be tattooed by the legendary artist, Bang Bang, in New York City. She entrusted him with a special concept

It feels so appropriate to have that suit of armor from that collection guarding my heart, and to always have my grandfather’s spirit close by my side wherever I go.

carefully considers each piece and the artist best suited for each artwork.

With her first tattoo being a beautiful death’s-head hawkmoth, Mason set the bar high. This tattoo represents the connection to her favorite book, “The Silence of the Lambs,” as well as a creature born in the darkness and drawn to the light. Her tattoo artist, Madeleine Rastelli, inked the phrase “Nacida de las Sombras,” meaning “Born of the Shadows,” which reflects both her spirit and an authentic signature of the Spanish-speaking artist herself, something Mason values greatly. The nature of the artwork is a personal story of redemption, so it felt right for the placement to be close to her heart and in a place primarily just for her. “I wear it with pride, despite the fact that it does not see the light of

she envisioned to honor her grandfather, who delighted in sharing his passion for armor and medieval warfare. His stories frequently circled back to his favorite treasure trove: The Wallace Collection. Years later, Mason journeyed to visit this private museum in London to pick the perfect suit to serve as a reference for the tattoo; one that combines just the right amount of ornamentation and dignity. “It feels so appropriate to have that suit of armor from that collection guarding my heart, and to always have my grandfather’s spirit close by my side wherever I go,” Mason said.

The heart and intention behind each of Mason’s tattoos is a true testament to her pure heart and grateful spirit. “I am at the beginning of a lifetime journey,” she said, “and I am excited to see how my collection grows with me.”

HEATHER CECERE / 3rd Place

Heather Cecere (@crazydropped), a magnetic mother of two, is a walking billboard for art, heart, and happiness. Her tattoos celebrate life’s joys, from an homage to her pugs to a Betty Crocker on her back, honoring her love of baking. When she’s not serving up smiles as a bubbly bartender, she’s helping perfect them at a dental lab.

A natural conversationalist, Cecere loves how tattoos spark stories. Each piece reflects her journey, and she’s always happy to share. On her Las Vegas honeymoon, she visited Hart & Huntington Tattoo Company to mark the occasion. Rather than her husband’s name, a “death sentence,” she joked, she inked a tiny ant for Anthony.

Cecere’s bright personality shines through her love of traditional tattoos, color, and self-expression. She stays grounded with sunshine and fresh air daily, knowing her future will hold more ink, plenty of smiles, and life lived fully in New Jersey.

AMANDA HALVERSON / 2nd Place

Free-spirited Amanda Halverson was born and raised in Seattle, where she nurtured passions for animals, the outdoors, and all things “weird.” Now editor at “Weird Lit Mag” and a freelance copywriter, she’s no stranger to creativity and authenticity.

Halverson began her tattoo journey when she was 21, when she and her best friend spontaneously got tattoos together. She opted for the words “Stay Wild” on her forearm — a nod to their favorite Fall Out Boy song and a reminder to never lose that spark. She built a sleeve around it, featuring wild animals she loves: a lion, fox, peregrine falcon, and sloth. A laurel wreath and rose complete the design, the latter tucked in her armpit. When she told her artist her underarm felt empty, he was stunned. Most people only tattoo there as a last resort. Halverson, however, embodies the Inked Originals spirit: staying true to yourself.

Halverson’s authenticity extends far beyond tattoos. Every decision is filtered through an internal audit of alignment and purpose. She’s deeply involved with Whole Washington, a nonprofit pushing for universal healthcare, and she recharges by visiting museums. As @TheMuseumMistress, she films exhibits and shares them online to spark curiosity and cultural appreciation.

JEFF CARTER / 4th Place

Living his best life with his wife of 25 years in Erie, Colorado, Jeff Carter is a multitalented musician and nurse who strikes the perfect balance between rock and heart. At first glance, he looks like a rockstar because he is one, fronting the band Rockin’ Horse, but beyond the stage, Carter is a cardiac nurse with a heart of gold.

Passion and perseverance define his life, and his tattoos reflect that story of redemption and resilience. Carter’s right sleeve, done by Joel Long at Bolder Ink, features a lotus rising from darkness, a yin-yang of devil and angel wings, and a skull marking the death of an old reality. “I am filled with gratitude in my current season of life,” he said.

Carter’s style has evolved from teenage flash pieces to a deep love for traditional Japanese art. His left sleeve showcases Raijin, God of Thunder, and Fujin, God of Wind, symbolizing strength, and a koi dragon, representing perseverance. Next up is a traditional dragon backpiece, honoring his warrior spirit that led him to nursing.

Diamond Spas Pools

Custom Stainless Steel & Copper Aquatic Products

RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL HOSPITALITY

Spas Swimming Pools Acrylic-Walled Pools & Spas

Energy-Efficient Portable Spas Swim Spas Tile-ready Pools & Spas Water Features Cold Therapy Plunge Pools Luxury Custom Indoor & Outdoor Bath Fixtures

SPECIALIZING IN ELEVATED / ROOFTOP POOL & SPA INSTALLATIONS

LIGHTWEIGHT & DURABLE

SOPHISTICATED ARTISTIC SUSTAINABLE

BY NICOLE STOVER

For 30 years, photographer Howard Schatz has pursued the moment when an image transcends itself. He calls this a miracle. His collection features dancers, athletes, actors, botanicals, submerged forms, and controlled body studies. He photographs what captures his interest, then pushes until something new and unfamiliar emerges.

“I try to make pictures I’ve never seen before,” Schatz says. “I make work that surprises and delights me.”

Schatz moved from San Francisco to New York in 1995 with his wife, Beverly Ornstein, a prominent producer at PBS. The move freed him from commercial pressures and allowed him to explore his personal work without limits. Since then, he has developed a practice rooted in experimentation, consistency, and continuous artistic growth.

THE SCHATZ METHOD

Schatz’s “Ember” series is the clearest example of his talent for discovery. It began when a dancer named Lily introduced him to Ember, a Chinese American woman with a distinctive shaved head. Ember spent years creating a full-body tattoo suit that closely followed her anatomy, moving with her body’s structure. Schatz saw the potential immediately and invited her to New York for a dedicated session.

For an entire day, Schatz photographed her. Some images used strobe and motion, while others highlighted stillness and form. The finished photographs transform Ember into both subject and shape. The tattoos bring her posture to life and strengthen the geometry of every pose. Upon reviewing the results, Schatz recognized the rarity of the collaboration. “Her tattoos were phenomenally well done. Her body is a miracle,” he says.

Schatz has searched tattoo studios across New York for someone with similar visual strength but hasn’t found a match. “I don’t know if we’ll ever find another Ember,” he says. Still, he stays open. He reviews each inquiry, asks for reference photos, and pays close attention when something seems promising.

Schatz’s process leans heavily on revelation. He begins each shoot with a brief list of ideas. He starts with a concept, then adjusts as soon as he notices something that shifts the session’s direction. “Whenever there’s a path, you go down it,” he says. If the path leads nowhere, he returns to his list and moves forward.

This approach guides his planning. Strict outlines restrict discovery, so Schatz focuses on possibilities rather than precision. “If you do exactly what you have in mind, you’ll get what you have in mind. But it won’t be a miracle,” he says.

Post-production follows a similar process. Schatz treats Photoshop as a set of physical tools. He experiments with composites, tones, rotations, and cuts. Some attempts don’t succeed, yet a few uncover something that feels innovative. Some take hours, while others take days. One Ember photograph, where her curled form becomes a mirrored figure, took a full day to refine.

He considers the search the engine itself. If an idea stalls, he steps away and begins another, even if he has already invested significant time.

A central theme in Schatz’s work is his view of the body as sculptural material. This perspective aligns with tattoo culture, in which the body serves as an active canvas for art. Schatz explores form, proportion, and movement, and considers how a person holds physical tension and how tattoos integrate with anatomy.

His long-term projects reflect this focus. He has photographed more than 500 pregnant women, created a multi-year series of photographs of the children of women he had previously photographed during pregnancy, and has worked with dancers from the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and other major companies. In his “Sculpture” series, he photographed dancers in museum environments to test how convincingly the human body can mimic static art.

His purpose remains consistent. He wants images that alter perception.

SUBJECTS MATTER

Schatz views the process of finding subjects as a disciplined practice. He and Ornstein attend dance performances throughout the year and reach out directly to performers. When a dancer catches their eye, they ask if the dancer is open to being photographed. For actors, Schatz uses broad outreach and anticipates a low response rate. For botanicals, he builds relationships with floral shops and exchanges images for access.

His “Cirque du Soleil” series came through a magazine editor who connected him with the company. Schatz spent days in the Bellagio Theater photographing the performers from the rafters, the back rows, and the front of the stage. Across every project, he follows the same approach: pursue leads, stay patient, and create room for discovery.

Duality drives Schatz’s latest book, “Pairs.” The project uses diptychs, two-paneled artworks, to

explore visual relationships. It began with dancers collaborating, then expanded as he searched his archive for surprising connections. Club portraits, botanical forms, underwater images, and portraits all contribute to the dialogue.

For the nearly 400-page book, Schatz evaluated over 100,000 options and spent a year finalizing the edit. The resulting sequence shows how two images can influence each other while maintaining their individual identities. To illustrate, imagine a woman underwater with running makeup sitting beside a calla lily with matching tones. The pairing alters how each image is perceived.

A PHOTOGRAPHER IN PURSUIT

Schatz is candid about what comes next. He anticipates that future photographers will surpass his work, and he sees this as a natural evolution of any art form. This belief keeps him motivated. “Everything improves over time,” he says. “Whatever pictures I create now, someone 10 years from now will produce even better ones.”

He continues to expand his archive, having recently photographed a bodybuilder whose physique enabled him to create images he had never attempted before. Schatz documents ideas as they arise and studies anything that broadens his approach. He holds a clear view of creative work: “You’re never finished. The only reason you stop is that a deadline tells you to.”

Even after deadlines pass, Schatz continues. He keeps searching for subjects who can shift his direction, convinced another Ember is out there. His pursuit of miracles hasn’t slowed and likely never will.

To order Howard Schatz’s “PAIRS,” visit pairsbyhowardschatz.com

BY GIL MACIAS

PHOTOGRAPHY:

ALEX KOROLKOVAS

ased in the metropolis of Paris, Leah Blum is not only the owner of the esteemed tattoo parlor Casa Blum, but she’s also a sought-after model and a profound figure in the world of fine-line tattooing. Raised in the picturesque landscape of southern France near Entrecasteaux, Blum’s artistic journey began with a graphic design curriculum at ESDAC Art and Design School in Aix-en-Provence.

TATTOO ARTIST LEAH BLUM’S

APTITUDE RADIATES IN HER ART AND ASPIRATIONS.

STYLIST: JAQUE LUNQUES

MAKEUP: LUISA GALATTI

PHOTO ASSISTANT: JENNY KATZMAN

The structured world of design felt too confining for Blum, and she found herself yearning for something more. “While studying graphic design, I quickly realized how limiting client constraints could be,” Blum says. “I was searching for an artistic path where creativity could flow more freely, but also one that felt more meaningful.”

That path eventually revealed itself in the form of tattooing. It became her “turning point,” a medium where she could define her own artistic identity and forge genuine connections with her clients. Ultimately, she was drawn to its power to heal and transform. “What truly inspires me is the deeply human and even therapeutic side of tattooing,” she explains. “Beyond the art itself, I love being able to accompany people on their personal journey, helping them celebrate their growth, regain confidence, or heal through a symbolic mark that stays with them. For me, it’s about creating art that lives on skin but also touches the heart.”

If one were to try to describe Blum’s artistic style in a single phrase, it would be “ornamental elegance.” Her decorative work is characterized by fine-line precision, focusing on delicacy and refinement. She primarily works with black ink, occasionally using subtle white touches to enhance contrast and detail. Blum’s signature is the integration of floral and botanical elements, transforming the skin into a canvas for pieces that look like natural extensions of the body, or as she describes it, like “adornments for the skin, almost like jewelry.” Her goal is to create tattoos that are both sophisticated and timeless, enhancing the body with intimate, elegant beauty.

This ornamental aesthetic is not just associated with her art on others, but also with her own heavily tattooed body. As a tattoo model, Blum’s skin is both a statement and a canvas, one she approached with a clear vision. She entrusted two specific artists whose styles aligned perfectly with her desired flow, allowing them the freedom to create a single, unified work of art across her form. For Blum, her personal tattoos are less about telling individual stories and more about the collective visual balance and artistic impact.

“I chose to work with artists whose talent and style matched the vision I had for myself, and I trusted them completely to make everything flow together beautifully,” Blum shares. “For me, the aesthetic harmony of

Tattooing allows me to enter a calm, intimate space of creativity and precision, where everything is about focus and connection.

my tattoos, the way they complement each other and create balance across my body, is incredibly important. It is less about telling a specific story and more about building a single, unified work of art.”

Blum is fueled and inspired by a unique duality, seamlessly navigating the quiet, focused intimacy of the tattoo studio with the public, performative energy of the modeling world. “For me, the balance comes naturally from the contrast itself. Tattooing allows me to enter a calm, intimate space of creativity and precision, where everything is about focus and connection with the person in front of me,” she explains. “Modeling, on the other hand, pushes me into a very public, expressive dimension, where I embody different energies and aesthetics. Moving between these two worlds keeps me grounded; I never feel stuck in one mode. Each side fuels the other, and together they give me a sense of harmony.”

Her success in both fields means she is perpetually in high demand, which sometimes poses a challenge when it comes to maintaining a work-life balance. As a globe-trotting tattoo artist, she books sessions months in advance, while modeling

opportunities can appear unexpectedly. She is so energized and passionate about her projects that she often forgets to slow down and recharge. “I truly love what I do, so it often doesn’t feel like ‘work’ at all; I get so energized by my projects that I rarely want to stop,” she admits.

However, she has nothing but deep gratitude for her hectic schedule, recognizing it as an ongoing lesson in balance that reminds her never to take her opportunities for granted. “At the end of the day, I just feel grateful to be able to do what I love, and even the busiest moments remind me not to take any of it for granted,” she adds.

When it comes to her relationship with her clients, Blum’s approach is all about trust. Her process begins with a consultation, where clients share inspirations, examples of work they admire, and photos of tattoo placement. From there, the creative reins are handed over. “The creation part is my domain,” Blum asserts. “If someone comes to me, it is

because they trust me to design a piece that will enhance their body through my vision.”

And Blum doesn’t design collaboratively during the appointment; instead, she immerses herself in the client’s vision and creates a unique piece that is shared the day before the session for feedback. While clients can request changes, the core of the relationship is their faith in her artistic intuition to create something that flows beautifully and harmonizes with their body.

“As for personal stories or symbolic meaning, that is not something I focus on in my process. If a client attaches their own symbolism or story to the tattoo, that is entirely theirs,” Blum adds.

This intimate artistic process can sometimes have deeply emotional outcomes. Blum recounts one of her most memorable works for a woman who was deeply distressed by a scar from a tummy tuck. It was a mark that had made her client ashamed of her own body. Blum designed a delicate yet

I just feel grateful to be able to do what I love, and even the busiest moments remind me not to take any of it for granted.

strong ornamental piece that flowed over and around the scar, transforming it from a source of pain into a feature of intricate beauty.

“When she looked in the mirror afterwards, she cried, not from sadness, but from relief and empowerment. She told me she finally felt like herself again, that she could embrace her body without hiding,” Blum remembers, adding, “Moments like that remind me that tattooing goes far beyond aesthetics. It’s not only about creating art on the skin, but about helping someone reconnect with themselves and find confidence in their own body.”

As she looks to the future, Blum’s goals reflect her current dual roles. “I hope to collaborate more closely with brands in the fashion industry, both as a model and as a designer. This world truly inspires me, and I believe my unique identity can bring a fresh perspective to it,” she shares. “Looking further ahead, acting has always been in the back of my mind. One day, I would love to explore that path as a new form of expression, and as a way to challenge myself artistically in a different direction.”

Mark Wosgerau describes tattooing as both armor and ritual. For the Danish artist, tattoos symbolize survival, storytelling, and transformation. Growing up in Risskov, an affluent suburban area of Aarhus, Denmark, he has gone on to establish one of Europe’s most innovative tattoo studios. His work consistently reflects a more profound meaning beyond just images on the skin.

“I grew up in a very nice neighborhood with an ailing mother and a hardworking father,” he recalled. His mother’s ongoing struggle with chronic illness, later diagnosed as ALS, shaped his outlook early on. Childhood was a mix of solitude and creativity: drawing, painting miniatures, building small worlds where play felt safe. “Play wasn’t really allowed, so those creative outlets became my play.”

By 19, Wosgerau was covered in ink. What started as a single tribal design quickly expanded into full sleeves, chest, and neck within two years. Tattooing became an obsession, but also a shield. “I’ve always been very sensitive, and tattooing was my armor,” he said. “The addiction came from that feeling of wearing armor I needed to protect myself.”

Within a year, he was on the other side of the needle. He left a nearly finished chef training program behind and opened a studio. That marked the beginning of a continuous streak of independence. “Ever since then, I’ve been running my own studio,” Wosgerau said.

FROM MYTH TO MODERN

Wosgerau’s style draws from mythology, history, and a rejection of trends. His tattoos use the timeless language of heroes, gods, and carved stone, presented in high-contrast black and gray. “I love the idea of the hero’s quest. We all face challenges and obstacles, and I believe tattoos can give people the strength to overcome them,” he said. “It’s like giving them that plate of armor they might need for their chapter in life.”

He draws inspiration from ancient sculpture and classical composition, then adapts these for a modern look. “I always bring something from the past into the present to create something timeless for the future,” Wosgerau explained.

His pursuit of longevity led him toward black and gray. He believes color fades too quickly. Instead, his tattoos rely on sharp contrasts and a structured use of tones. “I break my tattoos down very mathematically — boxes, squares, triangles. I fill in the tones, keep the contrasts strong, and design them to age like fine wine,” he explained.

Wosgerau rejects perfectionism and even embraces flaws in his process. “It’s my failures that make a tattoo look like a Mark Wosgerau tattoo,” he said. “Trying to make something perfect often leaves it lifeless. Confidence comes from accepting imperfection.”

THE STUDIO EXPERIENCE

In May 2025, Wosgerau launched a new version of Sinners Inc. in Aarhus. The space

I love the idea of the hero’s quest. We all face challenges and obstacles, and I believe tattoos can give people the strength to overcome them.

- Mark Wosgerau

Some people come for deep conversations, almost to the edge of therapy, and that mirrors back into the tattoo. It becomes part of their story.

reflects his background in fine dining, highlighting atmosphere, detail, and service.

“I found that when my tattoo experience wasn’t great, the tattoo itself lost its significance,” Wosgerau said. “I could see a silly tattoo from a friend and smile, but a technically great tattoo done in a bad environment left me feeling nothing. So, the whole idea was, how do we create a studio that leaves people uplifted?”

That question led to curated lighting, organic snacks, barista-quality coffee, and a carefully selected group dynamic among artists. Wosgerau compares it to Michelin dining: “We’re selling luxury products at luxury prices. If you charge someone $1,000 for a day, the experience should match.”

The result is immersive. Screens and shifting light installations transform each room’s atmosphere. The rebuild required a significant investment, but Wosgerau believed in his vision. Over time, it redefined what a tattoo studio could be in Denmark.

BEYOND CRAFT

Clients from around the world head to Denmark, attracted by the blend of

philosophy, design, and experience. Many of Wosgerau’s sessions border on therapy-like territory, with conversations as impactful as the artwork itself. “Some people come for deep conversations, almost to the edge of therapy, and that mirrors back into the tattoo. It becomes part of their story,” he said.

His consultations are minimal. Most clients come in knowing what they want: a symbol, a theme, a story. He takes it from there, shaping the design with instinct. “I feel like the designs are already there in the client. I’m just pulling them out,” he explained.

This approach, combined with his emphasis on tattoos that age gracefully, has allowed his work to distinguish itself in a competitive global market. Additionally, he has influenced trends by creatively incorporating lettering into his designs, which has gained widespread popularity throughout the industry.

PHILOSOPHY AND THE FUTURE

At 42, Wosgerau openly discusses the mental and emotional aspects of tattooing. His career began driven by fear, and later

by love. “I used to be motivated by never feeling enough. But in recent years, I’ve shifted to working from love, for myself and for the time I have here,” he said.

Looking ahead, he’s dedicated to improving the Sinners Inc. experience and mentoring new apprentices. “The studio I have now is the fruition of all my dreams, but that means it’s time to ask, what’s next? I want to bring in new apprentices and pass on the craft.”

When he’s not tattooing, Wosgerau spends time with his three children, practices breathwork and sauna therapy, and invests in community with a close circle of friends. He laughs at the paradox: after chasing extraordinary status for decades, he’s now working on being ordinary. “The more extraordinary I tried to be, the lonelier I became,” he admitted. “Now I’m focused on being ordinary, and that makes me part of something bigger than myself.”

In Denmark, Wosgerau has already advanced the industry, often pushing beyond its comfort zone. His vision for tattooing combines armor and ritual, precision and imperfection, service and community. In 2026, with his studio thriving and apprentices on the horizon, he’s not just creating tattoos that last; he’s shaping the future of the craft.

A FORMER PUNK ROCK DRUMMER, OWEN PAULLS IS PERFECTING A NEW INSTRUMENT.

BY ALEXANDRA SHIMALLA

Owen Paulls considers himself an artist — full stop. Whether it’s canvas and paint, ink and skin, or the drums, he’s making art. Though he still plays in his free time, about 10 years ago he traded his drumsticks for a tattoo gun and began a new career in tattoo artistry. He equates his style of blackand-gray realism to sculpting, where each session, each layer, reveals more of the artwork’s narrative. “I love world-building. I love universe-creating,” says Paulls, who is currently based in Seattle. “Even though it sounds slightly spiritual, I really believe that my vision for stuff doesn’t just come organically from a brain. It’s literally like a little peek into a separate universe, and all I’m trying to do is replicate that as best I can in my design work.”

THE PIVOT

Paulls has played a musical instrument almost his entire life, and he credits his mother, a choir teacher, for that. As a kid, Paulls played trumpet but wanted to play the drums, so his mother made him a deal: If he could handle playing both instruments at the same time, she would have proof that he was seriously committed to playing the drums. He was, so he did.

At 19, Paulls auditioned to drum for The Exposed, a punk-rock band based in his hometown of Portsmouth, England. In addition to his talent, Paulls was the only person to learn all of the band’s material, including extra songs. He got the part, and with The Exposed, Paulls traveled the world playing the drums, eventually opening for bands they admired.

“My favorite part was knowing that we were respected enough that we ended up opening for nearly every single one of our heroes at some point along the journey,” Paulls says.

“You can never take those experiences away.”

What began as simply filling an empty spot in a local band morphed into Paulls contributing to the sound, brand, and image of The Exposed — a transformation from “local lads jamming” to a professional band with a label and booking agent. When things started to slow down with The Exposed, Paulls had the opportunity to assess whether he wanted to continue the life he’d been leading or fully commit to something new. He chose something new, although it wasn’t entirely new to him. As a teenager and a 20-something, Paulls designed his own tattoos, and though he would never recommend others

to do so, he created stencils for a local tattoo artist to use.

Paulls’ bandmates asked him to illustrate ideas for their tattoos, and he was designing the band’s merchandise, including patches and shirts. Eventually, he told his bandmates that he’d tattoo them for free if they purchased the equipment.

“I don’t know how to describe the feeling of illustrating vessels for a living, but there’s something weirdly cosmic in that (it’s just) such a unique experience,” Paulls shares. “The fact that this person is walking around with your art forever is awesome. I knew that’s what I wanted to do.”

Paulls also enjoys watching his clients’ lives progress over time. In the first session, the client may share what they do for a living and where they want to go. In subsequent sessions — months or years later — Paulls sees how they’ve come one step closer to those goals. “Getting to watch (people) thrive, those are my most enjoyable sessions,” Paulls says. “Somehow, they’re improving each session, and their character is just shining through. It’s amazing.”

BUILDING THE BUSINESS

When Paulls turned to tattooing full-time, he took the same mentality The Exposed used to become successful and applied it to tattooing. “As fun as it is to create and as joyous as it was to write music together, (the band) was a business at the end of the day,” he explains. “If you want to turn that into your main job and your main

If I have a goal of how I want to be known in the world, it’s purely as an artist, as a creative, and I think that’s the difference between a tattooer and a tattoo artist.

- Owen Paulls

passion, you have to look at it as in, ‘I’ve created a product. How do we market this product and go very business-savvy mentality with it?’”

He fulfilled an apprenticeship, then he dedicated one year to learning from his “heroes.” He booked guest spots with artists around the world and reserved one day each time to observe and learn directly from the artists he admires.

“If there’s anybody with more experience than me, the only thing I want to do is sit and listen to their advice, and I can choose to take it or not,” he says. “But anybody (who’s) gotten to where I want to go, I want to reverse engineer their game plan and apply it to my own life as quickly as possible.”

Despite his current specialty, Paulls dabbled in color tattoos early in his career. When he came to the United States, he was advised to stick with the black and gray. It was his signature — no one else was creating like he was. Paulls also realized he couldn’t tell clients he was giving them a lifelong product when the color would fade over time.

To remain true to what he was advertising, he had to sell a reliable product. He stuck with

monochrome, and now he’s known for his ultra-realism, black and gray tattoos. Photos and glances of his work fool the brain into thinking you’re looking at a painting versus artwork on someone’s body.

“I would prefer people to mention my name in just an all-around artist circle, rather than limit me to one profession,” he explains. “If I have a goal of how I want to be known in the world, it’s purely as an artist, as a creative, and I think that’s the difference between a tattooer and a tattoo artist.”

Years ago, Paulls attended a convention in Las Vegas and watched Massachusetts tattoo artist Timmy B doodle on the tablecloth. Once Timmy B left, Paulls cut out the drawing. Eventually, Timmy B signed the drawing and Paulls framed it.

“The fact that this guy cares so little about how immensely talented he is showed me (that) people are underestimating a lot of us, and I want to be what he is. I want to take into my life this devil-may-care attitude of not taking things too seriously, but having talent underneath and allowing people to underestimate me and using that to my benefit.”

WHERE DRIVING BECOMES LIVING

Apex Motor Club—the premier private motorsports club designed for those who live to drive. Just 35 minutes from Phoenix and Scottsdale resorts, Apex offers an exclusive trackside community where performance, passion, and lifestyle meet. With 3 professionally designed circuits, state-of-the-art facilities, and a vibrant member culture, Apex redefines the automotive playground.

PHASE 2 GARAGE CONDOS NOW SELLING

Own your personal motorsports oasis. Our trackside garage condos aren’t just storage—they’re highly customizable, luxury spaces where you can showcase your collection, host friends, or relax between track sessions.

DRIVER DEVELOPMENT | CONCIERGE CAR PREP | PRIVATE EVENTS | APEX VAULT TRACKSIDE GARAGE CONDOS | NEW MEMBERS’ CLUBHOUSE IN 2026

BY AMY HIGGINS

On a quiet stretch outside Dover, Delaware, surrounded by farmland, open fields, and vast skies, stands a facility where, behind the walls, a unique kind of classroom is reshaping what rehabilitation can look like. The James T. Vaughn Correctional Center Tattoo Studio in Smyrna, Delaware, a Level 5 prison that houses minimum-, medium-, and maximum-security inmates, prepares its residents for life after incarceration by teaching them valuable trade skills.

Not everyone inside the JTVCC will return to life on the outside, but many will. They will navigate our local grocery stores, attend citywide celebrations, and wait their turn at the post office, just like their neighbors. For that transition to be successful, rehabilitation programs matter.

On April 1, 2024, the JTVCC introduced a tattooing program to its roster of educational programs. “The Tattoo Artist Career Pathway Program demonstrates our creative thinking to bring prison tattooing out of the shadows, create educational opportunities to build a practical career, and prevent the spread of bloodborne diseases like hepatitis,” said the Delaware Department of Correction Commissioner, Terra Taylor, in a 2025 press release. “This pilot vocational training program meets the built-in demand for prison tattoos in a safe, hygienic, and supervised environment, creates new

definitions, infection control, allergic reactions, and line weight. The students go on to learn about the different tattoo needle types, shading techniques, and pigment packing, and then they get schooled on bloodborne pathogens and digital design. Weekly quizzes ensure students understand the subject matter, and certificates of completion are awarded.

The course’s tattooing fundamentals are broad, which Normile believes gives his students a leg up. “You can go out, go to a tattoo shop, and say, ‘Hey, look at all this artwork I’ve been creating while I’ve been in this apprenticeship program, and if you ask me a question about a cartridge or a needle, I can tell you why, and what I use, and why I would use it. Now, I haven’t applied it to anything yet, but I would be a good apprentice,’” Normile explained. “(As a hiring manager), I feel like that would be someone I would take in because they have enough knowledge and art experience, plus enough content I can use with their paintings and their drawings to show that, hey, this is an apprentice.”

The inmates practice art on fake skin during the second phase of the program and are tested weekly. The students start tattooing simple shapes, such as stars and circles, and go on to create their own tattoo designs to ink into the fake skin. “I humble them because a lot of them have tattooed in here for years, and they think they’re

opportunities for incarcerated individuals to perform meaningful work, and supports our safety mission by creating incentives to keep inmate tattoo artists and customers out of trouble.”

The goal: offer inmate students an opportunity to be financially and informatively prepared for release, with a job awaiting them on the other side.

A PATHWAY PAVED IN INK

Leading the Tattoo Artist Career Pathway Program is Larry Normile, owner of Dover-based Artistic Additions tattoo studio, who brings his nearly 30 years of tattooing experience to the role. As a former inmate, Normile is intimately familiar with the obstacles inmates face after being released from prison.

With a full roster and a sizable waitlist, the inmates’ response to the program is significant, and the vetting process is multifaceted. Most inmates accepted into the program will be set for release within three years, and only minimumand medium-security inmates are considered. Artistic fortitude is a must, but so are work ethic, attitude, and customer service skills.

It’s a comprehensive curriculum, starting with the basics for the first 12 weeks: tattoo

monsters, until you put them on real skin or fake skin and tell them ‘star’ or ‘circle’ and you humble them,” Normile said, laughing.

Once they pass the two 12-week programs, students move to the Junior Tattoo Apprentice program. “During this year-long phase, their work is rigorously graded on safety, line weight, consistency, shading, and overall customer service, as well as station cleanliness and setup,” Normile explained. “The teacher and I conduct weekly reviews, openly discussing strengths and areas for improvement. There are four formal marking periods to assess progress and determine advancement.”

Graduates of the apprentice program receive a Professional Tattoo Artist Certification. Delaware Governor Matt Myer has recognized the JTVCC Tattoo Artist Career Pathway Program as a workforce development program, legitimizing the program’s impact.

A CAREER FROM THE INSIDE OUT

The JTVCC is Delaware’s largest prison, and it houses most of the state’s long-term male inmates, which is why its work-training programs are so valuable — inmates have the time for robust

RALLYING FOR REHABILITATION

Larry Normile is looking for more artists and business professionals for speaking engagements and instructional opportunities. These are ways to support our correctional facilities’ rehabilitation efforts, the surrounding communities, and the inmates who work diligently to reenter society.

The impact of the JTVCC Tattoo Artist Career Pathway Program is meaningful. “I went from feelings of regret because of bad decisions I made in the past, to now looking forward to the potential I have and the decisions I’ll make in the future,” said 2025 inmate graduate Andre Peters. In a similar vein, 2025 graduate Jason Grzybowski, Sr., said, “I feel confident that I can be productive for the rest of my life with the trade of doing tattoos.”

The program offers inmates the chance to prove they can be contributing members of society. “It’s an amazing feeling to be looked at as someone with a purpose in life other than a criminal,” said 2025 inmate graduate Sam Coppola, who is scheduled to be released in 2026. “If anyone ever tells you, ‘You can’t be rehabilitated,’ this program will prove them wrong. It’s literally life changing. Hats off to Larry Normile and the Delaware Department of Correction.”

Interested tattoo artists and business professionals can email Normile at Lawrence.Normile@delaware.gov

“The reason I lose sleep at night now is not because of what I’ve done in the past; it’s because of what I’m going to do in the future.”

- Andre Peters

job-training instruction. Program organizers consider the nuances of job placement when inmates are released, such as whether they are permitted to drive a work vehicle or if their conviction, such as theft or gun charges, could prohibit their employment.

To avoid these obstacles, the prison has developed programs such as mechanics, barber training, woodworking, and tattoo artistry. “This is a workforce development program — really, all of this prison, pretty much — because anything in here is a job on the streets,” Normile said, adding, “They’re committed to rehabilitation and reentry.”

The U.S. Department of Justice’s Roadmap to Reentry follows five principles to reduce recidivism, emphasizing that “reentry begins on Day One.” The principles range from tailored reentry plans to addressing the inmate’s crimes, such as substance abuse, mental health, and life skills; strengthening family relationships; assisting with housing placement upon reentry; and offering guidance for newly released individuals.

Because it is a working prison, students of the JVTCC tattooing program charge inmate clientele for their services, who use their commissary money to get inked. “The goal with it is for each of them to have at least $30,000 in their savings account, so that way when they

“I’m coming up on 30 years of incarceration. I am scheduled to be released at the end of 2026, and the level of confidence this program has instilled in me is incomprehensible, to say the least.”

- Sam Coppola, Mad Squidd 522

get out, they can have a car, a house, maybe get it furnished, and some clothing, and be able to start their career in the world of tattooing,” Normile explained, adding, “I give a hundred percent job placement guarantee.”

SUPPORTING THE CAUSE

Word is catching on about the benefits of prison tattooing programs, with Delaware, Missouri, and Minnesota leading the way. With proper publicity, programs like the JVTCC Tattoo Artist Career Pathway Program could materialize nationwide, offering correctional centers rehabilitation opportunities to help safely release inmates back to society, equipped with a slew of proficiencies.

To promote the JTVCC program and educate its inmates, Normile invites industry artists and business executives to speak and teach proper business practices, such as Pennsylvania-based State Street Tattoo artist B.J. Betts, music and television producer Mike Amoia, and Dan Price of The Lab Tattoo in Delaware.

“(Price) has done a couple of live seminars, and we record while they tattoo. He shows the whole process from the start of the design process all the way to the finishing of the tattoo, down to the aftercare of the tattoo once it’s done,” Normile said.

Normile emphasized the importance of second chances. “Most of these guys were locked up when they were kids,” he said, noting that these adolescents learn how to become adults in a prison setting. “They now see a future, when before it was like they see it, but they never really believed it 100% because (until now) neither did I.”

“With the tattoo reentry program, I have the opportunity to learn from some of the best tattoo artists in the industry,” said 2025 inmate graduate Joshua Lucas. “I feel like my potential as an artist is endless, and I’m always learning new techniques to take my work to the next level. This program should be available in every prison.”

MAISON&OBJET

JANUARY 15 - 19

MAISON&OBJET

Paris, France

For the past three decades, Maison&Objet has established itself as the only international event that brings together interior decoration and furniture. Held twice each year, the show celebrates its unique ability to reveal inspiring lifestyle trends, where each object gives soul and character to the home. The January show is frst and foremost a showcase for home furnishings, with all the essentials on display to help visitors rethink their home and its design and appeal.

JANUARY 17- 25

BARRETT - JACKSON COLLECTOR CAR AUCTION

Scottsdale, Arizona

Thousands of the world’s most sought-after, unique, and valuable automobiles will be on display at this world-class automotive lifestyle event. Fans can witness auction action at its best, capture the car of their dreams, mingle with celebrities, experience adrenaline-pumping thrill rides in the latest vehicles from America’s top automakers, and shop in the vast Exhibitor Marketplace. The event kicks of on Friday, January 16, with the Rock The Block concert featuring country superstar Cole Swindell.

SHIPROCKED 2026

JANUARY 25 - 31

SHIPROCKED 2026

Miami, Florida

Billed as a foating music festival and rock and roll summer camp held in the dead of winter, ShipRocked will sail on the Carnival Horizon from Miami to Half Moon Cay, Celebration Key (Carnival’s newly-opened private cruise port on the island of Grand Bahama), and Nassau in the Bahamas. The Greek mythology-themed cruise will feature more than 30 bands, and on the fnal night, Halestorm will perform a special “ShipDocked” show just before departing Nassau.

FEBRUARY 8

SUPER BOWL LX

Santa Clara, California

The Super Bowl returns to the Bay Area for the frst time in a decade, showcasing the matchup between the AFC and NFC Champions at Levi’s Stadium. The event will be preceded by a full menu of special events, including Super Bowl Opening Night Fueled by Gatorade, the Super Bowl Experience Presented by Jersey Mike’s, and the Pro Bowl Games Powered by Verizon, which will bring the league’s top players together for an AFC vs. NFC fag football showdown.

FEBRUARY 13 - 15

SAN DIEGO TATTOO ARTS FESTIVAL

San Diego, California

The Super Bowl returns to the Bay Area for the frst time in a decade, showcasing the matchup between the AFC and NFC Champions at Levi’s Stadium. The event will be preceded by a full menu of special events, including Super Bowl Opening Night Fueled by Gatorade, the Super Bowl Experience Presented by Jersey Mike’s, and the Pro Bowl Games Powered by Verizon, which will bring the league’s top players together for an AFC vs. NFC fag football showdown.

FEBRUARY

20 - 22

INNINGS FESTIVAL

Tempe, Arizona

Set along Tempe Town Lake with breathtaking views of the Rio Salado and nearby Papago Mountains, the Innings Festival will feature three stages and over 28 rock, pop, and indie music artists. The lineup includes Mumford & Sons, Goo Goo Dolls, and Myles Smith on Friday; Twenty One Pilots, Cage the Elephant, and Lord Huron on Saturday; and Blink-182, Sublime, and Public Enemy on Sunday. Food vendors will ofer the best the Southwest has to ofer.

MARCH

12 - 18

SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST

Austin, Texas

South by Southwest (SXSW) is one of the world’s premier events showcasing music, flm, and innovative media. Over seven days, the Austin-based event features hundreds of conference sessions and mentor and networking events, thousands of musicians performing across hundreds of live showcases, and hundreds of flm and television screenings. Hundreds of brands and creators will activate throughout downtown Austin, spreading across the area in pop-ups, showcases, and immersive experiences.

MARCH 20 - 22 CHICAGO TATTOO ARTS CONVENTION

Chicago, Illinois

The Chicago Tattoo Arts Convention is a three-day celebration of tattoo culture. Held at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, the event will bring together hundreds of world-class tattoo artists, entertainers, and vendors all under one roof. Artists will be tattooing live throughout the event. Whether attendees are coming to get inked, shop unique merch, or just experience the energy, there’s something for everyone. Single-day and three-day passes are available.

MARCH 27- 28

ART BASEL HONG KONG

Hong Kong, China

Held at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, the fair will feature premier galleries from Asia and beyond. It will provide visitors with an in-depth overview of the Asia-Pacifc region’s astonishing diversity, as well as global artistic perspectives through modern and contemporary works. The show is divided into several sectors, each with a specifc focus. The main sector is Galleries, and the others include Insights, Discoveries, Echoes, Film, Kabinett, Encounters, Echoes, Magazines, Zero 10, and Conversations.