We have always wondered what illustrators themselves would tattoo on their bodies, how about you? We’ve invited 4 cool illustrators whose styles we really admire for a quick interview!

Caitlin B. Alexander

AWW: Can you pick one tattoo and tell us what it means to you? 

Caitlin B. Alexander: The bee tattoo on my right arm is symbolic in several ways. I've always been drawn to bees, because I think they're beautiful, but it's much more than just that. When I went to college at the Savannah College of Art and Design, I learned that the school mascot was a bee because bees technically shouldn't be able to fly, with their wing-to-body ratio, and yet somehow they do. I found that to be poignant, and also always loved this quote about bees from Sue Monk Kidd's book "The Secret Life of Bees"

"She can fly with a load heavier than herself."

This quote illustrates the way women are able to care for so many people in their lives and take on so many responsibilities, creating a parallel with feminism which is very important to me. The hive is symbolic of community and cooperation, and those are additional significant values in my life. All of this, along with the fact that I use a bee in my professional logo to represent my middle initial B, I feel very connected to bees as a symbol.

AWW: If you were to tattoo any animal, what would it be?

Caitlin: Right now, I have a bee, a fish and a cat tattooed on my body, and I would love to get a moth next. I think they are so beautiful — even more so than butterflies — and have also seen that they're symbolic of both vulnerability and determination.

Genie Espinosa

AWW: Can you pick one tattoo and tell us what it means to you? 

Genie Espinosa: My latest tattoo was beautifully designed and tattooed by my talented friend MARUHRZ.  I was very happy to connect with her and her art in a deep way and this tiger is what I needed at the moment. I felt immediately connected by the line and the colour, also the strength of a tiger is just what i needed to move forward and feel brave at the moment. I usually get the tattoo artists to decide the work, I usually just ask them for the idea but I don't condition anything about the design. I think it's a very pure art, I absolutely love it.

AWW: If you were to tattoo any animal, what would it be?

Genie: If I had to make the choice right now, it had to be something very powerful (such as a tiger!) maybe a black panther but with some bits of the pattern showing or a fox, another animal I really like. I have to say most of my tattoos are animals or flowers. I've also wanted to get a dodo tattooed, I think it's a very chubby and funny creature to look at and I identify with that too!

Kristen Barnhart

AWW: Can you pick one tattoo and tell us what it means to you? 

Kristen Barnhart: I have 3 tattoos. The tattoos themselves don’t have much meaning. Each tattoo is special because of the experience surrounding it: a spontaneous decision as a new college student, bonding time with my sister, a celebration of a new chapter.

AWW: If you were to tattoo any animal, what would it be?

Kristen: I definitely want a lil' cat tattoo on me.

Sandy Wang

AWW: Can you pick one tattoo and tell us what it means to you? 

Sandy Wang: The Kewpie one - it doesn't mean anything to me, simply because it looks cute. 

AWW: If you were to tattoo any animal, what would it be?

Sandy: A snail; they are super resilient, can survive underwater and on land. Yet they are so fragile - snails appear useless but their slow pace living reminds me to keep moving forward.

To find out more about Sandy Wang please visit the artist's IG account  |  @sandyplayig