Tattoo artist lets nine-year-old daughter practice her own inking skills on her body
Tattoo artist reveals she lets her nine-year-old daughter practice her own inking skills on her body — and says her three designs are ‘awesome’
- Tattoo artist Christine Fleming, 33, offered her ankle as a canvas for her nine-year-old daughter, Scarlett, to practice her tattoo talents on
- Scarlett has since tattooed a heart, a cherry blossom and a butterfly on her mother’s ankle, all three of which she designs herself.
- Christine said Scarlett shouldn’t get her own tattoo until she turns 18
A tattoo artist lets her nine-year-old daughter practice her own burgeoning artistic talents on her and says it went “surprisingly well.”
Christine Fleming, 33, gave up her ankle and leg to get her daughter, Scarlett, tattooed with a red flower and a colorful butterfly.
While Scarlett is still an amateur, Christine told South West News Service that she doesn’t suffer from blemishes, saying “I’m not too worried about it being perfect or anything.”
Her lack of fear was well founded, as Scarlett seemed to have inherited her mother’s talents. In videos posted to Christine’s TikTok, both of Scarlett’s tattoos appeared to be perfectly executed.
Christine Fleming, 33, and nine-year-old Scarlett. Scarlett has given her mother three tattoos
A cherry blossom tattoo designed and inked by Scarlett on her mother’s ankle
Christine said she guided her daughter through both processes and that Scarlett followed her directions perfectly.
“She’s really good at following instructions and I’m guiding her through it,” she said, noting that she’s kept her daughter’s designs simple so far.
In addition to the butterfly and heart – both designed by Scarlett – she added a simple heart to her mother’s ankle.
The mother and daughter first came up with the idea after Scarlett expressed an interest, and Christine saw other artists have their children practice on the.
“I’d seen some other parents get their kids tattooed,” Christine said. “I was like – ‘that could be fun.'”
Before inking her mother, Scarlett first honed her skills on imitation skin used for tattoo practice. Christine described it as “leathery” and “less forgiving” than the real thing, saying Scarlett didn’t like it and quickly went to her mom’s for practice.
After the heart, she designed and tattooed the butterfly last December, and in March she designed and inked the flower. The flower – a cherry blossom – took about an hour to complete.
Christine said Scarlett shouldn’t get her own tattoos until she’s 18 years old
Scarlet works on the cherry blossom tattoo on her mother’s ankle
Scarlett is working on the butterfly tattoo she designed for her mother’s ankle
Christine said she won’t pressure her daughter to follow her into the business, and for now she’s just happy with how the process has helped her.
“She’s really proud of herself,” Christine said. “She’s gotten a confidence boost.”
She said that while it would be “cool” for her to pursue art full-time one day, “I’m not going to pressure her to keep doing it.”
“But it’s another skill she’ll have,” she said.
Christine said that while her daughter’s work was “amazing,” she won’t be allowed to get her own tattoos until she turns 18.