Keiko from Wales, UK
Where did you grow
up?
I grew up in
Worthing, West Sussex, England.
How was it growing up
there, would you say that it influenced you?
Growing up in
Worthing was awesome because it’s right by the sea which was amazing. I also
travelled a lot throughout my childhood. I flew to Germany when I was just 3
months old and America when I was 6 months. This travelling continued through
all my life. I feel travelling around and exploring new countries from a very
young age made me a lot more open minded and influenced me in a positive way. I
love exploring new cultures and countries and their traditions, I feel this is
reflected within my tattoos.
When did you start
getting tattoos?
I started getting
tattooed when I was 18.
How would you
describe your style?
My style varies from
punk, to high fashion, to ghetto! I love all saints clothing as well as
chucking on a hardcore band top and some shiny black leggings. I have ever
changing hair colour too!
Do you consider
tattoos as a serious art form?
I definitely do. I
think tattoos (done well) are an amazing art form and there is the pressure too
there (from the artist) to make it an outstanding piece, because that person
will be carrying the tattoo on them the rest of their life. There are some
amazingly talented tattoo artists out there whose work is incredible and therefore
I feel their work should be considered a serious art form.
How do you see the
tattoo culture right now?
Tattoos seem to be
everywhere from adverts on TV to celebs. This obviously has made (some) people
get tattoos for the wrong reasons, i.e. when Cheryl Cole got tribal on her hand
hundreds of 18 year old girls got the same without even thinking of the
potential consequences of having a hand tattoo. Also there are a lot more
‘artists’ out there who do not follow the correct hygiene procedures and buy
kits from eBay and tattoo their friends from home. Not only is this poor
practice but it is also extremely unsafe, this therefore makes me despise how
publicized and ‘fashionable’ tattoos are.
But on the other hand it makes it
better for me as a model, because I now get more work than I used to because
people consider tattoos fashionable. Whereas before if you had one small tattoo
it would be very hard to get any modeling work. Also tattoos are slowly being
looked upon in a more positive light. Being female and being heavily tattooed
used to be an issue for me but it seems like it’s a lot more accepted now.
What has been your
inspiration for getting them?
My inspiration varies
for my tattoos. I have a tattoo of my Grandmother on my thigh which is a
portrait of her from the 1940s when she was a pin up model; it is in memory of
her as she was such an amazing woman. Animals inspire me a lot as well, I have
quite a few of them on me! But there is no particular person who inspires me to
get tattooed.
What’s your favorite
piece?
My favorite piece is
my grandmother because it is so perfectly done by such an incredible and
respected artist (Jason Butcher, Immortal Ink).
Do you catch people
starring at you because of your ink?
I find people stare
at me a lot yes! But I just ignore it now! Sometimes people say positive things
about them though which is nice!
In your opinion, do
your tattoos change your mood often?
Change my mood? No I
don’t think so!!
What’s your most
significant tattoo and why?
My most significant
tattoo is my cat tattoo on my leg, because it is in memory of my cat Felix. My
cat saved my life when I was 12 years old, we had a huge house fire and no fire
alarm and my cat sat outside my bedroom window meowing until I eventually woke
up. I was told by the hospital I only had another half an hour to live because
of all of the smoke in my lungs, so if it wasn’t for my cat waking me up I
would be dead.
What’s your next
tattoo?
My next tattoo is
extending my sleeve; I am going to get a lizard and some other rainforest
creatures. Also I am going to get my back finished off.
What advice would you
give to someone wanting to get their first tattoo?
I would say think
long and hard about it, also research your artist. Find someone who does the
style you like. Don’t just go by how close they are/how soon they can book you
in. Some of my best tattoos I travelled miles and waited months to get them but
that’s because they are amazing artists and very booked up! There is a reason
that certain tattoo studios have walk in appointments and flash on the walls….
They aren't any good!
What’s your biggest
inspiration, what keeps you going?
My biggest
inspirations are my friends and family, their strength keeps me strong and
keeps me going.
What is one thing
that life has taught you?
Life has taught me to
never take anything or anyone for granted, and no matter how low you are it
will always get better. Also, to concentrate on the positives in your life, not
the negatives.
Will you be getting
anymore?
Yes of course!
Do you have a
favorite quote?
“Friendships that can
cease were never true”, which is tattooed on my back.
Anything else you
would like to add?
Yeah, get tattooed by
Tiny Miss Becca at Jayne Doe, she’s incredible.
Also please go "like" my modeling page
and add me as a
friend
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