INKED:2 SELF-EXPRESSION
This book began as an exploration of tattoo aesthetics most commonly associated with the word tattoo. The more I learned about tattoos and why people decided to mark their bodies, the more I became intrigued and captivated by the art. The following images document my experiments and discoveries with the art of tattooing, the meanings and stories behind tattoos, and the body.
All tattoos were created through a collaboration with the tattooee and me. I "inked" their skins with permanent markers, free-hand. Creating these tattoos enabled me to look deeper into a person, learn about their dreams, goals, and even fears. It has been my closest encounter with art having the power to encourage, strengthen, and heal.
When the designs are chosen with care, tattoos have the power and magic all their own. They decorate the body but they also enhance the soul.
- Michelle Delio
