TEXARKANA, Texas-- Every tattoo tells a story, whether one of personal origins to the wearer or a timeline of how its artist has grown from the start of their career.
The Gazette took time to meet with those who create these unique etchings upon a person's body, and individuals who choose to make these alterations to themselves.
For tattoo artist Lyndsey Ellsworth of Black Pines Gallery, tattoos can serve as a therapeutic tool.
"It's a healing form of expression," Ellsworth said, her client nodding in agreement as the artist moved the inked needle on her shin. "When it's done, it feels and looks like a new body part."
Ellsworth, along with several other tattoo artists, also sometimes hold little meaning to tattoos beyond their beauty, as they're a form of continued practice in their trade.
Here are some of our favorite tattoo tales.
Cara May shows off her various Pokemon tattoos Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022, at her studio, Body of Art, in Texarkana, Texas. (Staff photo by Mallory Wyatt)
Zeke Hernandez works on Justin James' tattoo, years in the making, Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022, at Black Pines Gallery in Texarkana, Texas. (Staff photo by Mallory Wyatt)
Zeke Hernandez works on Justin James' tattoo, years in the making, Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022, at Black Pines Gallery in Texarkana, Texas. Hernandez has been a tattoo artist for six years. (Staff photo by Mallory Wyatt)
Quest May poses for a photo Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022 at Body of Art in Texarkana, Texas. (Staff photo by Mallory Wyatt)
Quest May displays his 'Mom' tattoo Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022, at Body of Art in Texarkana, Texas. (Staff photo by Mallory Wyatt)
Josh Hildebrandt displays his hand tattoos Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022, at Body of Art in Texarkana, Texas. (Staff photo by Mallory Wyatt)
Josh Hildebrandt poses next to his tattooing station, which is decorated with an altar for his belief system, animism, Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022, at Body of Art in Texarkana, Texas. (Staff photo by Mallory Wyatt)
David Anderson stands in front of his guitars Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022, at Body of Art in Texarkana, Texas. (Staff photo by Mallory Wyatt)
David Anderson shows some of his tattoos Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022, at Body of Art in Texarkana, Texas. Anderson has many different styles of tattoos on his person, from flowers to a simple bar. (Staff photo by Mallory Wyatt)
Brent Hopkins shows his Far Cry 3 tattoo Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022, in Texarkana, Arkansas. (Staff photo by Mallory Wyatt)
Brent Hopkins poses for a photo Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022, in Texarkana, Arkansas. (Staff photo by Mallory Wyatt)
Karl Richter shows his tattoo Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022, in Texarkana, Arkansas. (Staff photo by Mallory Wyatt)
Karl Richter poses for a photo Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022, in Texarkana, Arkansas. (Staff photo by Mallory Wyatt)