Rachel Ashenden, Arts Journalist
After my tenth tattoo, I stopped feeling the need to justify my ink with deep symbolic meanings. My 11th, a cowboy cat with chaps and a silly little whip, might not have any profound significance — but it marks a shift in how I view my body. It’s mine to decorate however I want, and I no longer seek permission or approval for it.
Abi Salvesen, Graphic Designer/Illustrator
I see my tattoos as an eclectic art collection. What I love most is how the various styles blend together, creating one big “skinsuit.” They are random souvenirs from different stages of my life, places I’ve been, and people I’ve met. If I had to pick a favorite, it would be the calligraphic pieces on my shoulder blades. They fit perfectly, both in placement and style, and were done by Jack Landless at Dagren Tattoo in Dunfermline.
Vic Galloway, Broadcaster/Author/Journalist/Actor/Musician
I used to be anti-tattoo. I remember sneering at my friend King Creosote when he got one in the mid-’90s. Then, in Amsterdam, I found myself getting my first tattoo — a painful back piece. I swore it would be my only one, but 26 years later, most of my upper body is now inked. Tattoos become addictive, with symmetry playing a huge part in my collection. My chest piece, a sacred heart dedicated to my late mother, is the most personal. Despite my mother’s disdain for tattoos, it honors her love for religious iconography.
Amelia Bayler, Comedian/Podcaster
Tattoos are my favorite form of escapism, especially now that I’m sober. There’s something exhilarating about the entire process, from the anticipation to the after buzz. I’ve had a rapid increase in tattoos since I stopped drinking. A few highlights include matching thigh tattoos that read ‘crisps’ and ‘dips,’ and a cheeky ‘hot bitch’ on my arm. But my absolute favorite is the tiger on my forearm by the talented Yussuf. His traditional style with bold black lines makes my tiger look like he’s got places to be — a constant inspiration.
Poppy Apter, Theatre/Film/TV Casting Assistant
While my Hello Kitty tattoo on the back of my neck may not be my favorite, it holds the most meaning. It was my first tattoo, a bold choice given its placement at the back of my head. I got it at 19, during my first month of drama school, as a matching piece with a new friend. We thought we’d grow close, but life had other plans. Now, she lives in America, and we may never meet again — but our shared, fictional cat remains as a symbol of that fleeting friendship.
John Tamburrini, Guitarist with Bottle Rockets
I’ve always liked the idea of covering my whole body in tattoos, treating it as a canvas. My first tattoo had personal significance, mostly to avoid upsetting my parents, but after that, I just got tattoos that I thought were cool. A lot of them have a dark, gothic aesthetic, even though that doesn’t really reflect my personality. It’s hard to pick a favorite, but right now, it’s probably the image of a lady being wrapped in a necklace by a skeleton. It has a Tim Burton-esque vibe that I love.
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