By Josie Deacon and Ellen Desmond
Illustrations by Ida Henrich
Tattoos often tell a story or capture a feeling. They can be a celebration or a triumph; they can be a stake in the ground when you want to start a new chapter during a tumultuous period; they can be a reminder of a loved one. Whatever the reasoning, tattoos are surely the most permanent of artistic self-expressions. We were drawn to the many different reasons behind people’s tattoos; below we’ve collected some of the stories of why people choose permanent ink as the marker of embracing their next step.
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“When I was 19, I moved to Canada for a fresh start. I was dealing with post-traumatic grief after the death of my boyfriend, and I couldn’t bear to live in London anymore – which was a constant reminder of his absence. The first few months were like an injection of oxygen into my system. I remembered how to laugh and have fun, and I rediscovered my passion for social justice – this time for the rights of the First Nations, Canada’s indigenous peoples. I fell in love with their myths and legends, especially the story of the Thunderbird – a powerful supernatural creature that could create thunder and lightning, and which symbolised destruction as well as positive change. Having just weathered my own personal storm, this tale resonated deeply with me. So I got this tattoo of a Thunderbird to signal my recommitment to life after months of wanting to die, and to remind myself of my own transformation through grief into something else – a person more wounded certainly, but also more layered, more aware of the fluctuations of life, and more determined to keep going.”
— Skye Baxter
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“I have scars all over my body from illnesses, stretch-marks and the like. My tattoos were marks I chose to make on my skin. I was sort of, claiming myself. There is something exhilarating about putting permanent marks on your skin.
[When I was getting an old tattoo covered up] the artist wanted to go big. Big birds, big tattoo. Black where the old birds used to be. I thought of how there is no guarantee of tomorrow. Of how now I loved myself I didn’t care if others wouldn’t. I didn’t need permission or acceptance to have a massive black tattoo running up my arm. I don’t need to be forgiven.
I thought ‘black is where I’ve been’. He coloured over my birds in block black ink and together we designed a tree, black at the root, rising my arm to blossom at the top. Three new birds for my three daughters are sitting in the leaves and carved into the bark, an ‘A’ for my aunt. Flowers grow from mud. Trees bend but do not break. I am a bird and no net ensnares me.”
— Ericka Waller
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“It was also a bit about taking back control, I’ve never particularly liked my body, in fact I have had issues with an eating disorder and self harm in the past, also I’m non binary transgender and have some body dysphoria. It gave me something else to think about, it allowed me to reframe my body almost. Like, I can’t control my figure or weight or scars really, but my tattoo is something I can point at and say ‘this is me, this is mine, this reflects me and I love it’.”
— Niamh O’Reilly
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“I think that it relates to me making my body feel like my own. I was 18 when I got my first tattoo, and I was never really happy with my body. Getting a tattoo meant that there was a part of my body that I could shamelessly say that I loved. My two favourite tattoos are on my hips/lower stomach so even my most ‘uncomfortable’ body image area is beautiful, no matter how I perceive my own shape that day.”
— Laura Creedon
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“I originally started my tattoo journey with the idea that each one would represent a certain period in my life and the struggles or changes I faced during that time. My second tattoo is a tribute to my favourite band but also happens to be a symbol for rising up and ascension (the symbols mean air above water) – overcoming depression, to me. In a way getting tattoos is a practice of trusting myself. Expressing myself as well, but definitely having the boldness to say this is your life, you can live it right now, you don’t have to worry about every possible bad outcome of the future. It’s really freeing, honestly.”
— Lauren Nickodemus
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“The freedom of expression and potential to be yourself, visibly and authentically, is one reason why I found getting tattoos to be a positive step for me as a feminist. Whether it’s the result of difficult past experiences, institutionalised sexism or societal pressures, I believe it is important for all women to feel that they are entitled to take ownership of their bodies: literally ‘embodying’ our ability to take responsibility for our lives. I look back on my tattoos as a move towards finding the courage to document my own story: giving myself strength from my ankles up!”
— Kirsten MacQuarrie
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Over the next month, we’re going to be telling more tattoo tales in depth on our social media. But that’s not all, we have two more tattoo-themed articles yet to come. Follow us online throughout October to read our upcoming interview with tattoo artist Heleena Mistry about South Asian tattoo art and shortly afterwards, you’ll be able to find out all about our day chatting to the clients at Semper Tattoo Parlour in Edinburgh. You also can read about the day our Digital Media Manager, Josie, tried out some new ink by clicking here too… 
Josie Deacon
Josie grew up in the capital of the Highlands, Inverness, in a busy household with two older brothers, a cat, and a dog. She left school at 17 and moved to Newcastle, where she studied Drama and Scriptwriting at Northumbria University. University was the making of Josie, she got involved with a lot of film and theatre, becoming president of the Drama Society, the Scriptwriting Society, and producing, directing and acting in several short films for student film companies. After graduation Josie moved to Edinburgh with her cat, Twiggy, and started to look for work. Having no desire to work in drama professionally, Josie started working in administration, then got involved with Fearless Femme as a contributor. Josie was thrilled when her application for the role of Digital Media Manager was successful.
As Digital Media Manager, Josie is the voice of Fearless Femme, creating connections with the Rebelles and the public. She spends her day shouting to the world about what we’re up to and she loves it when people shout back.
When not at work, Josie loves to write, play video games and Dungeons and Dragons and also volunteers with animal welfare projects. Josie loves all animals but squirrels are her favourite. You can contact her at josie@fearlessly.co.uk.
Ellen Desmond
Ellen Desmond grew up in Ireland, where she worked at editorial and project management level on various magazines and publications aimed at students. She was awarded the title of Ireland’s Best Student Editor in 2016, just before she moved to Edinburgh to complete an MSc in Publishing. While writing her dissertation, she co-edited and published a popular anthology about bisexuality. She is a passionate intersectional feminist, and an advocate of mental health reform and LGBTQ+ rights.
As Assistant Editor she is responsible for commissioning and editing great content for Fearless Femme, and conducting research on the mental health of young people to support the social mission of Fearless Femme.
In her spare time, Ellen loves reading and trying to prove that she’s read more than you. She also loves activism, art, going to music gigs and, more occasionally, skydiving. She hates oranges and spiders. You can contact her at ellen@fearlessly.co.uk.
