"I am Ilaria Pauletti, a 24 year-old tattoo lover from Italy. I work as a Web Marketing Executive for a hotels group. I also collaborate with Things&Ink Blog, and thanks to Alice Snape, the editor, I understood this is what I love the most. In fact, I have just launched my brand new website called I am Not a Tattoo Blog, where my tattoo world biggest inspirations will be featured together with the readers' stories.
I am sure that my love for tattoo began uncounsciously, because I remember that as a kid (I was 4 years old) I used to cover my arms with temporary tattoos. My parents bought me new 'stickers' every summer and I just couldn't wait to wear them, ah! Everytime I saw tattooed people, I stared at them in a magnetic way, I just couldn't stop! Growing up, at 13, I began collecting every sort of tattoo magazines and tattoo books. I was always so excited to find out what was going on and how tattoo perception changed along the centuries.
Ilaria's collection includes works by Miss Arianna, Amy Savage, Mike Adams, Dap and Morg Armeni
I also remember that my bible was the Tattoo Artists Yearbook, and I used to choose my top ten favourite artists. This happened every year, until I was 16 years old. During that year, I decided that my first tattoo would be done by Morg Armeni. I was and I still am so IN LOVE with her style. I asked my dad if he was willing to make the trip with me (my Christmas present request), as I was minor and Morg had previously asked for a signature by one of my parents. So, the year after, on April, we went to Genova (400 km from where I lived) and I got tattooed by Morg! I only have good memories about that day. Morg is the sweetest person ever, and during that special day, she made everything perfect. She tattooed on me a beautiful heart locket with a key and the initials of the names of my mother, father and sister.
From that day on, my love for tattoo art has only become bigger. At that time, I didn't know what a tattoo collector could be, but I sure wanted more tattoos. A lot of ideas were running in my mind and in my heart: feelings, memories, beliefs. Everything was waiting to be discovered. One year later, at 18, I got tattooed by Miss Arianna, at the Milan Tattoo Convention, my first convention (yes, Arianna was always on that famous list).
Diamond by Morg Armeni // Airplane by Dap // Mermaid by Alessandro Leme // Beehive by Paul Dobleman
My decisions have always been very instinctive. It just happens I wake up and realise the concept of what I want to get tattooed. All of my tattoos have a meaning, but I also love them because they remember me of good experiences (travel, friendship, big values) and the revolted face of my lovely granny, ahah. I am really happy about my choices.
Five/six years ago Instagram or any other social medias weren't so popular yet, there wasn't much knowledge about tattoo communities I could relate to. It was just me and my monthly magazines. My friends didn't understand why I had to go so far to get tattooed, but I had very clear ideas about it. My tattoos will stay on my skin forever, I don't care about the distance. I was determined to wait and save money, so I did.
I also got tattooed by Amanda Toy, Roger Tattoo, Amy Savage, Dap - Skingdom Tattoo, Paul Dobleman, Alessandro Lemme and Guen Douglas. And then again by Morg!
My list of artists I wish to get tattooed by is basically never-ending! And I'm happy to say my next tattoo session will be in Paris, at Le Mondial du Tatouage. I will get a peony by Rodrigo and I can't contain the excitement!
Rabbit by Amy Savage // Ship by Miss Arianna // Umbrella by Dap // Script by Roger Tattoo
Only during the last 2 years I realised I was a tattoo collector, as I travel to get tattooed and I love to research new artists. I basically save money only for my next tattoos (and related travels), and now that I live on my own it's even more complicated! Personally, I wouldn't be able to get something every month. I need to experience my life and then raise memories and thoughts. From this 'process', I understand what matters to me and what will be on my skin. I have to wait more than others to get new tattoos, as I love many artists that work abroad, but I always hope (and also ask them if) they will visit Italy.
Even though I'd love to get tattooed by a lot of artists in the next years, I know we will still be alive in 10/15 years, and they will still be working, improving their styles. There is no hurry. Plus, at my work place I am not allowed to show my tattoos. This has stopped me from getting tattooed in visible spots, like my forearms. I always wear trousers and then very long skirts as soon as I get a new tattoo. My colleagues have learned my 'strategy' and always ask what's new on my legs.
I have this love/hate relationship with my job and the general situation in Italy. It's very stressful when people look at you like you are an alien. I mean, it's my body and it's my passion. In Italy we are quite retarded regarding tattoos. It's full of amazing tattoo artists, but if I work in an office, most of the times tattoos have to be hidden as they are considered vulgar. Most of the people I know affirm that a tattoo is cute only if it's small and not too visible, so I always feel like a fish out of water. I like my job and I hope to be able to instill my passion as long as I'll be there (so hopefully I can get my whole forearms tattooed!). After all, sometimes people are just too prejudiced and some kindness may open their mind.
Heart lady by Amanda Toy // Leg tattoos by Morg Armeni, Dap and Alessandro Leme
My friends often don't approve my new tattoos, but some of them try to understand why I'm so passionate about it. My whole family (except my grandmother, as tattoos are like hell for her) has always supported me, and I'm very lucky about how they handled my love for tattoos. My mum actually came with me to the last London Tattoo Convention, and will be in Paris too! Her favourite artist is Rodrigo, so it's gonna be cool being there together. My father doesn't like some, but then he gets used to my colourful skin. My lovely little sister is my first supporter and we got a matching tattoo by Mike Adams.
I use Instagram, a LOT, to connect with my favourite tattoo artists, to know their next guest spots, but also to know a little more about tattoo history. I have some books about this topic, but now, thanks to social medias, we can read amazing testimonies and experiences (for instance, in @americanatattoos page). At the same time, social media has contributed to that 'I want it, I get it' thing. I mean, many tattoos are now copied, many 'tattooists' are not artists at all, and a lot of young people get shit done. Working on the web, I realise that this constant change brings everything faster and sometimes the inner passion gets lost.
Luckily, there is also the other side of the coin. This continuous rush of posts and info means we don't have to wait a whole month to find out the latest news or creations. I've also met a lot of great people through this media (like you!), and there is an amazing artistic evolution out there.
The ritual in the tattoo itself is what I love the most about it. The pain is necessary to assimulate the tattoo, and it's a part of the whole experience. What comes out is beautiful and meaningful, so It's always worth it. Do not homologate, do not ask your tattoo artist to copy those customised designs, do your own research and study some tattoo history. We can always learn from the past, and it will make you feel even happier about being a tattooed person.
Thank you so much, Heloisa."
Thank you, Ilaria! It is a great honor to have you on my blog!
Check out Ilaria's Instagram account @_illumila_ and her wonderful website I am not a tattoo blog.
Thank you, Ilaria! It is a great honor to have you on my blog!
Check out Ilaria's Instagram account @_illumila_ and her wonderful website I am not a tattoo blog.
She's such a sweet genuine girl!
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