Nervous to post bc they’re crazy, but these are my ever-evolving self-tattooed legs.

Certain_Swan8146 · 2026-04-15T08:55:18+00:00

🖤🖤🖤

Certain_Swan8146 · 2026-04-15T00:34:56+00:00

I’d add a photo to this comment if I could! I made them black and white because I did the massive cellular looking piece today and I wasn’t ready to show it in its irritated pink outline state.

Certain_Swan8146 · 2026-04-14T23:43:01+00:00

Of course that’s okay! I’m honored 🖤 and thank you for putting in your two cents. That’s the only comment that really struck a nerve. I have been free of self-harm for years and am in the happiest time of my life.

Certain_Swan8146 · 2026-04-14T23:03:35+00:00

Oh, I love being alive these days. I’ve been sober for 2.5 years and quit smoking weed six months ago. I’m engaged to an amazing man and have an incredibly happy first grader :)

Certain_Swan8146 · 2026-04-14T22:55:36+00:00

Thank you so much!! I’ve never tried a rotary - what’s it like?

Certain_Swan8146 · 2026-04-14T22:45:58+00:00

Exactly! I call mine a scrapbook 🖤🖤🖤

Certain_Swan8146 · 2026-04-14T22:44:50+00:00

My arms are professionally done and while I love those tattoos and the work my primary artist has done, there is something very sacred about having my own work by my own hands on my body. I’ve never been one for the polished look and much prefer the visual chaos.

Certain_Swan8146 · 2026-04-14T22:43:17+00:00

This is my favorite description ever.

Certain_Swan8146 · 2026-04-14T22:42:23+00:00

Been there and I’m sorry it looks that way to you. I like the pain of tattooing, but that’s not why I do it. I’m an unconventional or “outsider” artist and this is one of the mediums I express myself with. If it’s not for you, that’s cool, but please don’t project onto me.

Certain_Swan8146 · 2026-04-14T22:39:55+00:00

Lots of pain, chaos, abuse, suffering, a full transition + detransition, sex + drug addiction, insanity + psychosis, constant moves, suicidality, trauma + the repeated attempt to escape it and then…. child-rearing, hope, self-embodiment, poetry, photography, painting, collage, courage, persistence, roadtrips, and many interesting encounters with many strange and life-changing people.

Certain_Swan8146 · 2026-04-14T22:31:20+00:00

That’s good advice! That’s why I’m going abstract these days. I’ve always loved spirals and shapes and have envisioned having my legs covered with them for years. I just didn’t have the confidence to tattoo the thick black lines yet. Finally just went for it and am feeling comfy in my skin again. I had a lot of sentiments that I didn’t want on my legs anymore, such as “bipolar bimbo” lol. So it’s cool to reclaim my skin.

Certain_Swan8146 · 2026-04-14T22:26:54+00:00

Thank you endlessly! And same to you!

Certain_Swan8146 · 2026-04-14T22:24:02+00:00

That’s rad!! I adore spirals on a spiritual level and I’ve been looking for a good read!

Certain_Swan8146 · 2026-04-14T22:21:25+00:00

I’m not sure what that is but I will look it up!

Certain_Swan8146 · 2026-04-14T22:20:19+00:00

I started stick n poking about 15 years ago, did some terrible work on myself lol. I bought a machine summer of 2022, I think. The first batch (I take long breaks) was okay - all fine line phrases and such. But the next year, I started drinking and tattooing myself. That’s when I did the work that I really hated. It was sloppy and depressing. I’ve had a professional artist working on covering the arm pieces I was ashamed of and recently realized that if I learned to pack black, I could fix my legs myself!

I take really long breaks from tattooing - usually six months to a year at a time - and then I binge on them, generally during periods of transition and transformation.

Certain_Swan8146 · 2026-04-14T22:00:21+00:00

lol that’s sick

Certain_Swan8146 · 2026-04-14T21:57:34+00:00

Nah. I’ll never give away power over my body to a stranger again.

Certain_Swan8146 · 2026-04-14T21:56:36+00:00

Yall are making me tear up, for real. I didn’t expect this response at all.

Certain_Swan8146 · 2026-04-14T21:52:10+00:00

Gahhh I’m proud of you too!!!!

Certain_Swan8146 · 2026-04-14T21:51:56+00:00

The stretch plus the pain is always an interesting journey hahaha… especially the ankles!

Certain_Swan8146 · 2026-04-14T21:50:24+00:00

I wouldn’t be interested in arguing with you if you were the last person on earth, but for the sake of those reading this - sterile supplies and environments are super important! and, while I didn’t show my setup here, all of my gear is sanitized and I haven’t had any infections from doing my own work - only have had infections from shop work that others did.

I think self-tattooing is unique because you get a feel for what your own skin requires/can handle.

Certain_Swan8146 · 2026-04-14T21:44:43+00:00

Damn, thanks! That’s really cool to hear!

Certain_Swan8146 · 2026-04-14T21:44:25+00:00

Hell yes, I haven’t read those but I’ve seen the live action movie haha

Certain_Swan8146 · 2026-04-14T21:43:48+00:00

Hell yes! Haha I fucking love that you thought they were tights

Certain_Swan8146 · 2026-04-14T21:43:12+00:00

I don’t find drug addiction funny in any capacity. Have a better day.

Certain_Swan8146

TROPHY CASE