by Christi Williams, photographer
Local pin up model
and editor/publisher of MnUps Magazine got a new tattoo in celebration
of a monumental life change and the launch of her new Minnesota-based
pin up magazine, deciding to bring more color to her life, and her back.
I sat down with Dawnfelice to talk to her about the experience.
The final product
Christi: Why did you choose this design?
Dawnfelice:
Each aspect of the tattoo holds special meaning for me. The woman
represents freedom, joy and self-love. I've come to a place of honoring
my body in it's current form, not 10 pounds from now, but now. I am
beautiful and worthy. The butterflies represent growth and
transformation. The daisies are particularly special. When I was a
child, I was quite ill and spent a lot of time in the hospital. My dad
would bring me daisies which were my childhood favorite. They still make
me smile and represent how fragile something can be and still
persevere. Daisies aren't hardy, but they always come back.
This is a before picture of the butterfly tattoo that was being covered.
Christi: So, Dawnfelice, why did you choose
Live Fast Die Young for your tattoo?
Dawnfelice: I was here a few months ago for a pin up shoot with
Grinkie Girls Photography
and loved what I saw. It was clean, open, and had great style. After
researching the artists I decided on Josh Cerny because I felt he was a
good match with his style. I needed skill because I wanted to cover an
old tattoo. Josh designed the beautiful artwork. I needed a fresh start
and I was ready to put reminders of the past behind me. My heart
seriously skipped a beat when I saw his design.
Josh Cerny - work in progress
We've
had some fun since the tattoo was done, including having Rockabilly
Legend, Brian Setzer take pictures of it during the GSTA car show
opener.
Brian Setzer checks out the little lady.
The final product is the work of more than eight hours, and is a classically colored work of art. The perfect celebration!