The artists who heal others through body modification in Toronto's Queer women-owned tattoo studios
"Twenty-first-century tattoo practices can externalize pain or loss, but, just as often, they can demonstrate hope, affirmation, and celebration of self." - Karen Leader
In a historically white and male-dominated industry, these tattoo artists are working to elevate safe spaces for clients and artists in the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
Julia Saint Amour (she/her)
Julia's distinct style reflects a love for bold and expressive colours, but she also holds a very distinctly ink-free patch on her right arm, one that she'll never cover up.Having helped many clients cover self-harm scars with tattoos, Julia expressed how clients felt comforted when they saw her own scars and could relate to her experiences. “It's very cathartic for me. So each and all of [the coverage tattoos] are special to me." "It's nice to give back to people as well.”
A photo of one of Julia's clients' completed tattoos. (@retromutilation via Instagram)
Grimm (they/them)
Grimm is a senior artist at Elevated Body Adornment. They have experience designing tattoos for clients hoping to cover up post-top surgery scars and to instill self-love and confidence through permanent works of body art. In the past few years, they have run a fundaiser with a set of flash tattoos (smaller, pre-designed patterns) where 50 per cent of the profits from clients who choose a design in that series are donated to the Get Real Movement.
Artist Grimm wears a t-shirt from The Get Real Movement. (@grimmxtattoo via Instagram)
Kadie Rankin (she/her)
As head piercer and owner of Elevated Body Adornment, Kadie has helped numerous clients with gender-affirming piercings, such as first ear piercings for trans women. “I'm honoured to be a part of these experiences with everyone, and that they trust me to do something like that for them.”
Elevated Body Adornment's owner and head piercer, Kadie Rankin. (TMU J-SCHOOL/Grace Henkel)
Kadie shows off a tattoo dedicated to her mother. (TMU J-SCHOOL/Grace Henkel)
A Look Inside...
(TMU J-SCHOOL/Grace Henkel)
Copy - JRN 273 - Features Graphic - Grace Henkel
Grace Henkel
Created on April 9, 2024
Start designing with a free template
Discover more than 1500 professional designs like these:
View
Practical Interactive Image
View
Akihabara Square Interactive Image
View
Akihabara Interactive Image
View
Essential Interactive Image
View
Interactive Team Image
View
Image with Audio
View
Image with interactive hotspots
Explore all templates
Transcript
The artists who heal others through body modification in Toronto's Queer women-owned tattoo studios
"Twenty-first-century tattoo practices can externalize pain or loss, but, just as often, they can demonstrate hope, affirmation, and celebration of self." - Karen Leader
In a historically white and male-dominated industry, these tattoo artists are working to elevate safe spaces for clients and artists in the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
Julia Saint Amour (she/her)
Julia's distinct style reflects a love for bold and expressive colours, but she also holds a very distinctly ink-free patch on her right arm, one that she'll never cover up.Having helped many clients cover self-harm scars with tattoos, Julia expressed how clients felt comforted when they saw her own scars and could relate to her experiences. “It's very cathartic for me. So each and all of [the coverage tattoos] are special to me." "It's nice to give back to people as well.”
A photo of one of Julia's clients' completed tattoos. (@retromutilation via Instagram)
Grimm (they/them)
Grimm is a senior artist at Elevated Body Adornment. They have experience designing tattoos for clients hoping to cover up post-top surgery scars and to instill self-love and confidence through permanent works of body art. In the past few years, they have run a fundaiser with a set of flash tattoos (smaller, pre-designed patterns) where 50 per cent of the profits from clients who choose a design in that series are donated to the Get Real Movement.
Artist Grimm wears a t-shirt from The Get Real Movement. (@grimmxtattoo via Instagram)
Kadie Rankin (she/her)
As head piercer and owner of Elevated Body Adornment, Kadie has helped numerous clients with gender-affirming piercings, such as first ear piercings for trans women. “I'm honoured to be a part of these experiences with everyone, and that they trust me to do something like that for them.”
Elevated Body Adornment's owner and head piercer, Kadie Rankin. (TMU J-SCHOOL/Grace Henkel)
Kadie shows off a tattoo dedicated to her mother. (TMU J-SCHOOL/Grace Henkel)
A Look Inside...
(TMU J-SCHOOL/Grace Henkel)