This is a new school-style portrait of my best friend Lani. We’ve been friends for 20 years now and are now 31-year-olds — that’s significant. Sadly, we live on opposite coasts now. She’s in San Fran and I’ve been between the Valley and Austin. I have two tattoos for my other oldest/best friends and figured it was about time to let Lani take up some skin real estate. It’s an honor to have close friendships that I have no hesitation honoring with a permanent mark on my body. Outside of my parents and my dog, I couldn’t imagine doing it for anyone else, but who knows. Now I get to look down and be reminded of her everyday. Plus the work itself is just breathtaking. Sam Fiorino at Niteowl Tattoo in Northampton did this off of two pictures I sent him and managed to capture her perfectly, not to mention he’s just a master at his craft. Love that we have such amazing, local talent right here in the PV. People have been gawking at this thing from the moment I got it, so I carry around some Niteowl business cards with me. Lani is now considering coming to visit me and getting a session with Sam. At first she was gonna get my face, because that makes sense, right? But now I think she’s planning to get Elaine Benes from Seinfeld, which … I have to admit, if you’re not gonna get my face, Elaine is definitely a great choice.
Show Us Your Tattoo Maggie McDonald of Easthampton
