I fell in love with an organization called Invisible Children when I was 14, and have been living my life in response to that love ever since. This tattoo is of a Crowned Crane, the national bird of Uganda, where IC was first based out of.  IC has taught me to be in love with the impossible, and to always do more than just watch. I now have a constant reminder to do both.I’ve been stopped so many times by people asking if it’s a real tattoo because it looks so much like a painting! All credit goes to Freddy Robles out of Ink Shop in Arcadia, California!

I fell in love with an organization called Invisible Children when I was 14, and have been living my life in response to that love ever since. This tattoo is of a Crowned Crane, the national bird of Uganda, where IC was first based out of. 

IC has taught me to be in love with the impossible, and to always do more than just watch. I now have a constant reminder to do both.

I’ve been stopped so many times by people asking if it’s a real tattoo because it looks so much like a painting! All credit goes to Freddy Robles out of Ink Shop in Arcadia, California!

This is the madness that I made with my boyfriend. We just had our first month together and we decided to tattoo ourselves our love with this human heart and the first song that he sing for me. “No one like you” of Scorpions.

This is the madness that I made with my boyfriend. We just had our first month together and we decided to tattoo ourselves our love with this human heart and the first song that he sing for me. “No one like you” of Scorpions.

This tattoo was done in sept. of 2010, it is the cover of the Hot Rats album by Frank Zappa. I got it done by Justin Duncan at Proton tattoo in norther IL. Christine Frka is the girl coming out of the empty pool, she was a groupie for Zappa and The Mothers Of Invention and Zappa’s personal babysitter.

This tattoo was done in sept. of 2010, it is the cover of the Hot Rats album by Frank Zappa. I got it done by Justin Duncan at Proton tattoo in norther IL. Christine Frka is the girl coming out of the empty pool, she was a groupie for Zappa and The Mothers Of Invention and Zappa’s personal babysitter.

This time about 2 years ago, I was submitting my first tattoo, It was a tree I had gotten for my nan, it said Namastae in the roots, and there was a long story behind it. This one is just for me, and its a pretty simple meaning. Its just a reminder to get over it, I’ve spent a lot of time over thinking and worrying about stuff I cant fix, and it doesnt do anyone any good. so just Let it go. Its a reminder and a suggestion. Done by Jeff Wilson at Infinite Expressions in Prince Edward Island http://infiniteink.ca/ He did my first one as well, I dont think I’ll go anywhere else.

This time about 2 years ago, I was submitting my first tattoo, It was a tree I had gotten for my nan, it said Namastae in the roots, and there was a long story behind it.

This one is just for me, and its a pretty simple meaning. Its just a reminder to get over it, I’ve spent a lot of time over thinking and worrying about stuff I cant fix, and it doesnt do anyone any good. so just Let it go. Its a reminder and a suggestion.

Done by Jeff Wilson at Infinite Expressions in Prince Edward Island http://infiniteink.ca/

He did my first one as well, I dont think I’ll go anywhere else.

Skull Top Hat by Charley James at Third Eye Tattoos, Melbourne, Australia.

Skull Top Hat by Charley James at Third Eye Tattoos, Melbourne, Australia.

It means “Knows yourself” in Latin, or in portuguese ” Conhece-te a ti mesmo” is Philosophical concept that inspired Socrates, one of the wisest men who ever lived. This tattoo is very important for me.

It means “Knows yourself” in Latin, or in portuguese ” Conhece-te a ti mesmo” is Philosophical concept that inspired Socrates, one of the wisest men who ever lived. This tattoo is very important for me.

Each piece of my tattoo represents a member of my family: My dad is the butterfly because him and I are going to dance to butterfly kisses at my wedding, My mom is the harry potter wand at the bottom because ever since her and I were a little kid we have always bonded over Harry Potter. My oldest sister Carolyn is the chess piece because she taught me to play chess when I was really little and we remain the only two people in my family that know how to play. The cupcake is for my next sister. She died when I was three years old and all I know about her is that she wanted to be a baker.  And the word Ruthless is for my last sister. Her and I used to jam to this something corporate song all the time in her car. It is our song.  I got my tattoo done at Evolution in Mantua NJ by Dan. He was amazing and told me I sat so good that he could work on me all day. He made my first and last tattoo and amazing experience :)

Each piece of my tattoo represents a member of my family:

My dad is the butterfly because him and I are going to dance to butterfly kisses at my wedding,

My mom is the harry potter wand at the bottom because ever since her and I were a little kid we have always bonded over Harry Potter.

My oldest sister Carolyn is the chess piece because she taught me to play chess when I was really little and we remain the only two people in my family that know how to play.

The cupcake is for my next sister. She died when I was three years old and all I know about her is that she wanted to be a baker. 

And the word Ruthless is for my last sister. Her and I used to jam to this something corporate song all the time in her car. It is our song. 

I got my tattoo done at Evolution in Mantua NJ by Dan. He was amazing and told me I sat so good that he could work on me all day. He made my first and last tattoo and amazing experience :)

“Push the envelope, watch it bend.”  Couldn’t be more stoked on a first tattoo.  Got it done at Lake City Tattoo in Lake Geneva, WI.

“Push the envelope, watch it bend.”  Couldn’t be more stoked on a first tattoo.  Got it done at Lake City Tattoo in Lake Geneva, WI.

Back in June, I was listening to all my City and Colour albums, prepping myself for the release of Little Hell. As I was cleaning my room and listening to Bring Me Your Love and Body in a Box came on. I wasn’t really paying attention, when I thought I heard the song mention the name, “Johnny”. I re-winded the song a few times and sure enough, it was “Johnny” that I heard. Instantly, I broke down. A lot of people know who know me, know that I lost my cousin, Johnny, back in April. It’s been rough for everyone since he was taken from us, and it’s a pain that everyone who was blessed to know Johnny, will have to deal with for the rest of their lives. So hearing his name in a song that I’ve listened to multiple times in my life, was a huge shock at the time. I contemplated multiple ideas for tattoos. One, being the album cover for Sometimes with We all find our way back home in the banner, which holds great meaning that takes a while to explain. Another was antlers with Johnny Kwiatkowski written underneath since he was such an avid hunter. I was set on this idea, then I realized a few people were probably going to take the antlers route. I’ve always been a City and Colour fan, so when I realized Johnny’s name was in a song, it was a no-brainer. “Johnny lived a good life,” you’ll hear them say Placement wise, when I was still set on the antlers with his name, I was going to get it on the back of my neck. I thought it’d be perfect, since I could hide it, yet still manage to have it show if I wanted. I quickly realized I wanted it visible to me at all times. It was going to be on my wrist. Then I thought it’d be too crammed. Let’s face it, Kwiatkowski isn’t the shortest last name out there. I realized the antler route would probably be taken by many, so I changed my idea all together.  My final decision was the Body in a Box line on my forearm. I picked a place where I will see it everyday. It’s not so much a reminder that he’s gone, but more of a reminder that I’m lucky (lucky being a huge understatement, keep in mind) that he was in my life. I never called him John. It was always Johnny. He still is my big cousin, Johnny. Not a day goes by when I don’t think about him. Without actually realizing it until he was gone, he had a big effect on my life, and I’ll forever be grateful for that. I got my tattoo done at The Tattoo Shop in Edmonton, Alberta by Maria.

Back in June, I was listening to all my City and Colour albums, prepping myself for the release of Little Hell. As I was cleaning my room and listening to Bring Me Your Love and Body in a Box came on. I wasn’t really paying attention, when I thought I heard the song mention the name, “Johnny”. I re-winded the song a few times and sure enough, it was “Johnny” that I heard. Instantly, I broke down.

A lot of people know who know me, know that I lost my cousin, Johnny, back in April. It’s been rough for everyone since he was taken from us, and it’s a pain that everyone who was blessed to know Johnny, will have to deal with for the rest of their lives. So hearing his name in a song that I’ve listened to multiple times in my life, was a huge shock at the time.

I contemplated multiple ideas for tattoos. One, being the album cover for Sometimes with We all find our way back home in the banner, which holds great meaning that takes a while to explain. Another was antlers with Johnny Kwiatkowski written underneath since he was such an avid hunter. I was set on this idea, then I realized a few people were probably going to take the antlers route. I’ve always been a City and Colour fan, so when I realized Johnny’s name was in a song, it was a no-brainer. “Johnny lived a good life,” you’ll hear them say

Placement wise, when I was still set on the antlers with his name, I was going to get it on the back of my neck. I thought it’d be perfect, since I could hide it, yet still manage to have it show if I wanted. I quickly realized I wanted it visible to me at all times. It was going to be on my wrist. Then I thought it’d be too crammed. Let’s face it, Kwiatkowski isn’t the shortest last name out there. I realized the antler route would probably be taken by many, so I changed my idea all together.  My final decision was the Body in a Box line on my forearm.

I picked a place where I will see it everyday. It’s not so much a reminder that he’s gone, but more of a reminder that I’m lucky (lucky being a huge understatement, keep in mind) that he was in my life. I never called him John. It was always Johnny. He still is my big cousin, Johnny. Not a day goes by when I don’t think about him. Without actually realizing it until he was gone, he had a big effect on my life, and I’ll forever be grateful for that.

I got my tattoo done at The Tattoo Shop in Edmonton, Alberta by Maria.

I got this Tattoo after my twin brother died. He committed suicide after three tours in the Middle East with the US Army. I had his name badge tattooed right where I put my hand over my heart for the Pledge of Allegiance. Every pledge is a tribute to his service and sacrifice.

I got this Tattoo after my twin brother died. He committed suicide after three tours in the Middle East with the US Army. I had his name badge tattooed right where I put my hand over my heart for the Pledge of Allegiance. Every pledge is a tribute to his service and sacrifice.