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Tattoo artists from across North America and local fans are descending on London’s Budweiser Gardens this weekend for a three-day extravaganza of all things ink. Reporter Noah Brennan caught up with some of them at the Inked Circus Tattoo Expo, asking them to show and tell us about their favourite tattoo.
KYLIE MICALLEF, MISSISSAUGA
THE TATTOO: Tattooed on Micallef’s left arm is a picture of her beloved pet rabbit, Pumpkin, who died last year. Of her nine tattoos, Micallef says this one is her favourite because of its realism and emotional significance. “It looks exactly like (Pumpkin),” she said. “I was very happy with it.” The halo and wings were added to the initial design at the suggestion of her tattoo artist, Micallef said.
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ALEX CAMPBELL, LONDON
THE TATTOO: Struggling to decide between his roughly 50 tattoos, Campbell extended his left hand to show an inscription of the Roman numerals for 999, a tattoo donned by rapper Juice WRLD, who died in 2019. Campbell says he got the tattoo to honour the late artist who inspired his passion for music. “He made me want to pursue music . . . and make a career out of that.”
ERIC ALEXANDER, LONDON
THE TATTOO: Asked about his favourite tattoo, Alexander put forward his right leg to reveal a detailed portrait of a monkey inked by his partner, who like Alexander is a tattoo artist. “I donated my right leg for her to practise different techniques,” he said. “Fur in particular.” Alexander says the monkey is his favourite because of its level of detail, and says it attracts the most compliments of his more than 20 tattoos.
LEANNE PELISSERO, LONDON
THE TATTOO: A heart shape on the inside of Pelissero’s right elbow is formed by the thumbprints of her two children. Pelissero says she got the tattoo this past Valentine’s Day after seeing the design online, and her kids sat with her while she got it. “I want them on me always,” Pellissero said of her reason for getting the tattoo. “It’s nicer than just having their names. It’s more personal.”
LORI-ANNE LITTLE, GUELPH
THE TATTOO: Little says the tattoo running down her left leg depicts a “horror realistic demogorgon” as seen in the Netflix show Stranger Things. While Little is a fan of the show, she says the tattoo is significant because one of the artists who worked on it was her mentor in tattoo artistry, which Little has been pursuing as a career for around two years now. “It’s special because it was done by someone that I really care about.”
nbrennan@postmedia.com
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