Sweet Tattoo

It’s the word “hellbent,” in an elaborate henna tattoo style. There are heart shapes in it, both from the observer’s angle and mine. The left side says “hell” and the right “bent.” The “h” and “b” are large and stylized lowercase letters; the “ell” and the “ent” are contained in each one, respectively. If you don’t see it, well, just ask me at a show. I’ll be happy to point it out.

I like that it’s elegant, yet big enough to be kind of badass. I like that I can choose to explain as much or as little as I please. I like that it gives me another opportunity to tell people just how awesome Cory’s music is. I love that it’s a daily reminder and inspiration for how I want to live my life; that the tattoo itself is an exercise in making a decision, acting on it, and living with the consequences.

Thanks to Cory for the words, and Sara for the design, and Tom Blackmar at Tattoo Asylum in Durham, NC, for bringing it all to life. Oh, and caseymagic for prompting me to tell the story.