INKspiration - Maddie Harvey, Tattoo Artist - Body Art & Soul Tattoos: Tattoo Tutorial

As anyone who has ever gotten a tattoo knows, getting a tattoo is a unique experience! No two people have exactly the same story. Whether it's a memorial, a celebration of self-expression, a declaration of friendship or just because, every tattoo has some meaning. Just as the motivation to get a new tattoo is important to the wearer, the motivation to become a tattoo artist can be just as personal. And the stories of each aspiring tattoo artist are just as unique. On this blog, we bring you Maddie Harvey, an artist from our studio in Philadelphia, who has a very inspiring story. Maddie found her calling as a tattoo artist specializing in cosmetic tattoos when she saw how it helped restore her mother's self-confidence after a prophylactic mastectomy.

“My mom found out that she has a positive group 2, which is a genetic mutation that 1 in 6 women have, and basically it makes you super super prone to breast cancer, skin cancer, ovarian cancer. So she did what many women do, which is a surgical procedure called a prophylactic mastectomy. Here they remove the breasts and ovaries before they become cancerous. 

When they removed her ovaries, they discovered that she had first stage ovarian cancer, which is very, very scary, because in two years she might not be there. After everything was sorted out and her body healed, I went with her when her nipples were tattooed on her back. on… Seeing how happy and whole she felt again after this was done as her last part of the makeover, that’s what made me want to do it.”

And that's when Maddie discovered Body Art & Soul Tattoos, attended a workshop, signed up and completed her studies. Since then, she has been working as a professional tattoo artist and creating art on a wide variety of people, but finds the tattoo of cancer survivors especially useful. Her focus on cosmetic tattoos brings her joy. As she says: “I love talking to women who have come out of the other side and survived, and these women are so strong and have a new joy because they were given another chance in life. Just seeing their reaction to their new body with tattoos on them... it's so great to be able to give them that push. I wouldn't lose it for anything!"

Despite their persistence, many people view tattoos as a trend or superficial decision that "will be regretted when we get older" and often overlook the positive impact traditional tattoos and cosmetic tattoos have on the lives of their wearers. As you learned from Maddie's story, tattoo artists can empower people to feel part of an inclusive community, as well as overcome physical and mental trauma. They can even integrate scars from major surgery into a tattoo design and give people the confidence to love their body again.

Learn how to create cosmetic tattoos

If you want to learn how to tattoo in a safe, professional and supportive environment where you can turn your art into a career like Maddie, check out our tattoo training courses. A career as a professional tattoo artist is closer than you think, and we'll help you every step of the way!