Some tattoos have a story that begins long before the first touch of the needle. This one was even a little family story.
Right at the start of my tattoo journey, my mum volunteered as my guinea pig. She got my very first two tattoos. My dad, on the other hand, had one clear condition: "You can tattoo me once you're good enough." He told me that again and again over the years, with a wink of course, but also with a certain seriousness.
He thought for a long time about whether he wanted a tattoo at all and what the design should be. But one thing was always clear to him: if he ever got a tattoo, it would be from me. As soon as I was good enough.
And at some point that moment actually came. I got to give my dad his very first tattoo. A project we completed over three sessions, and one that means a great deal to me personally. Not only because he is my dad, but also because I know how long he worked towards this decision.
Today he is super happy with his tattoo, and the best part: he is already planning the next one. "You can tattoo me once you're good enough" has turned into "What are we doing next?"
For me, this tattoo is not just a finished piece of art but also a lovely milestone on my path as a tattoo artist. And a small proof that patience sometimes pays off.