People get tattooed for different reasons, but the result is the same. You end up with a piece of art on your body that makes you just a little more unique.

It is estimated that 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. has at least one tattoo. If this is the case, why is there still a taboo on body art and modifications?

I am a proud member of the tattoo community with 16 tattoos and plans for at least six more. I have a sleeve that is being worked on currently and watching as it comes together makes me believe even more that tattoos are art. The only difference is the gallery that they are viewed from.

When a tattooed person walks by, people tend to stare. That is normal.

The first question that is asked is “Did that hurt?” The next question is usually “How much did that cost?” But the third question is the most important: “Why did you get that?”

Some may think that this is an invasive question but take a minute to listen. The story behind that tattoo or series of tattoos may change the way that you view body art.

One of my stories can be seen on my feet. I have initials with vines winding from my toes to up and around my ankle on both feet. The initials are each for a dead brother and sister. The vines symbolize that they are a part of me and they are helping me grow as a person. They are literally with me for every step of my life.

That is where the art in tattoos lies for me: in the story. Of course the tattoo artist that completed the work should be commended for their skill but there is a deeper meaning. Each story, lesson or struggle is spelled out there in ink.

People do get thoughtless tattoos after a night of drinking. It is important to remember, though, that those people do not speak for the tattoo industry and neither do I. That is the beauty of tattoos. Each piece speaks for itself and the person that chose it.

That is not always seen, though. Certain people find tattoos distasteful and are rather forward with their comments. I was screamed at on a city bus for having tattoos. The woman was in her late 70s and she was convinced that I was the devil incarnate.

“Those are the marks of the devil. How dare you parade around town like that? You need to be cast out of this world,” she said.

I realized a long time ago that whatever people think is their business. At the end of the day, they have to reconcile themselves with their own thinking and there is nothing that I can do to help that process.

That is what I mean when I talk about paying attention to the story.

The tattoo in and of itself is a piece of art but so is the story behind it. Think about it in terms of asking what made Picasso decide to paint. What made Botticelli decide to paint “The Birth of Venus”?

There’s a story, and then there’s the piece. Look at both of them before making a judgment about the person or the piece. My body is a canvas and forever a work in progress. That is something that I am proud of.