It was an exploration of all that had brought him to this place in life he now owned.

All his love, all his desire, his accomplishments and his dreams, his past and his future.

It was a permanent journal of his essence, marked in ink on the living canvas of his own skin.

Many questions were asked of his art.

Why did you do it? What does this one mean? Did it hurt a lot?

AND HE ANSWERED. 

I do it as a reminder and as a statement to the world. This is me. This is who I am and this is how I came to be.

The dragon is a symbol of my luck and good fortune. This is the name of my daughter. These are the Kenji symbols for the peace and joy that she has brought to my soul.

Across my shoulders is a set of scales that symbolise the balance I continually strive for.

The Celtic knot is the intertwining of love, health and wealth. And the dove on my heart is my freedom.

Did it hurt? Yes. The things you truly value are the things you will bleed for, and commitment is as much about overcoming obstacles as doing what you are passionate about. 

These are all my inner beliefs, thoughts, actions and dreams in an outer display for the world to see.

This is me.