Chanelle Richardson’s Blackbirds

Show us your ink! MARKED asks locals of all ages, professions and backgrounds to roll up their sleeves, pant legs, and so much more to reveal their marks. Here are their stories: Name: Chanelle Richardson Age: 29 years old and I had my blackbird tattoos done this year. My Arm...
Carbonatix Pre-Player Loader

Audio By Carbonatix

Independent Journalism in Phoenix Needs You

We need to raise $15,000 by August 9 to support the reporting our community depends on. Reader support keeps us independent and is playing a larger role in funding local journalism and shaping what comes next. If you believe independent local journalism matters, make a contribution today.

$15,000

Show us your ink! MARKED asks locals of all ages, professions and backgrounds to roll up their sleeves, pant legs, and so much more to reveal their marks. Here are their stories:

Name: Chanelle Richardson

Age
: 29 years old and I had my blackbird tattoos done
this year.

My Arm Pieces: I have three red winged blackbirds on one inner forearm, and a fourth blackbird perched in a tree on the other. Together they tell a
collective story of freedom and truth.

I chose four birds because I am a “four” in the enneagram, a model of personality types. Fours tend to be free spirits, and blackbirds signify this for me.

Sign up for our free culture newsletter

Art. Film. Dance. Books. Recreation. Even sex and dating. It’ll be fun, we promise.

The tree represents unchanging solidarity — a place to call home, which for me is truth. Truth is found in inner freedom.

I love looking down at my arms and seeing my story told in such a beautiful way. And a lot of people ask me why I got the tattoos oriented “upside down”…

My answer? So I could see and enjoy them. This was for me.

Next Tattoo? I am plotting my next tattoo to be a keyhole over my heart. I wonder
if anyone will ever find the key to unlock it …

Related

Know of a few creative marks? Send us your photos/suggestions.

Loading latest posts...