From 2pac‘s famous “Thug Life” tattoo on his stomach to Mike Tyson famous tattoo on his face more then ever Hip Hop artists alike are not only expressing themselves with music but through ink. Artist such as Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Wiz Kahlifa, Tyga, 50 Cent, Flo Rida, Birdman, Oschino(Formely of State Property), Plies, Pharell, The Game, Young Jeezy, Jim Jones, B.G., Tyga,  Jacki-O, Willy Northpole, Cashis(West Coast artist on Shady Records) to even Kanye West (placing his early beat placements on his arm) have joined in. There are only a hand full of artist that don’t have any tattoos such as Jay-Z,T.I.. and now Drake to name a few that comes to mind. I recently sat down with model Britanie Girard as she  began to tell me her story behind her tattoos……..

24: What was the first tattoo you got and how old were you at the time?

Britanie Girard: I was 18 and my mother went with me to get a foot tattoo of a lady bug on my right foot. It was to symbolize the death of my uncle. He always called me his little good luck charm or “lil lady bug”! It was about 3 years after his passing that I got the tattoo, but I wanted to wait until I was old enough to make the decision on my own. I was already doing my apprenticeship at the same shop I got my tattoo  done at so I was comfortable enough and knew the artist that worked on me. It hurt like hell but it was well worth it!

24: After getting your first tattoo I know a lot of people say that’s where it start’s but not where it ends, so I wanted to know was it like that for you as well? An once you got your first tattoo done did you keep going back?

Britanie Girard: Well, seeing that my first tattoo was on my foot, it was a hell of an experience for me. It hurt like hell and I will say it definitely kept me from getting any more work done for like a year(lol)! After I got my foot done, I didn’t want to wear shoes. I barely wanted to walk. But when I did start back getting work done it was on from there. I started on my back piece & my right arm sleeve, from there is was over(lol)!

24: How many tattoos do you have in total?

Britanie Girard: I honestly cant give you a count. I’m working on completing my bodysuit(smiling)! Hopefully I will be finished with my suit by the end of summer.

24: I know people get tattoos to express themselves in different ways from pain to joy so explain the reason behind a few of your other tattoo’s besides your first?

Britanie Girard: Well, my right arm is dedicated to my love of Egyptian art and life as well as my sister and what she means to me. My right leg is a representation of all my attitudes and state of mind. My back is the oriental depiction of my life spirit. Quan Yin the goddess of compassion and mercy. My chest piece is my word and way of living “Loyalty and Betrayal”. If your not living by those means, I don’t know how you get along in life. My left arm and leg are joint pieces/ideas that came together from the artists that I represent under my management company I’m starting up so stay tuned.

24: What’s the reaction you get from the average person that meets you for the first time and they see your tattoos?

Britanie Girard: Well, they either love it and wanna know all about the tattoos and what they mean, or they think I’m crazy and tell me how I’m messing up my body. Especially since I don’t have children I always seem to get put down because some people believe I rushed into life decisions without thinking about life. But I figure you win some you lose some. I don’t regret any of my work and I don’t think my future will be altered because of any decisions I have made by getting my tattoos done.

24: Do you have any tattoos that you regret doing for reasons such as an ex-boyfriend’s name or something or a tattoo you wish came out a little better or you made sure to avoid those situations?

Britanie Girard: Nope, I don’t have any regrets about any of my work. I never botany ex-boyfriends names or “hood” work(lol). An most of my old work is being touched up so that it matches with the current work I’m getting done now.

24: Who actually does your tattoos and where do you get them done?

Britanie Girard: Well, I have a few artists that work on me. The first was my right sleeve done by John Lewis of Speezy Tattoo in West Los Angeles. Sergio Hernandez & Angel Villa of Ink Spot in Los Angeles they worked on my portraits and filler work on my back arm & neck. Joey of Hard Luck Tattoo in Inglewood CA started my oriental dragon on the lower left leg. Bone of Flaming Ink tattoo in Compton, CA finished my back and did both my arm pits. As well as  currently doing my upper thigh work on my left leg.  Big Jaz of Jaz Tattoo in Brooklyn,NY started my right leg sleeve and Currently I’m getting inked by Derrick Verley of OneStroke Tattoo in Queens,NY. Derrick is finishing my right leg sleeve and will be completing some of my touch up work.

24: If you had to choose only two of your tattoos that meant the most too you which would it be and why?

Britanie Girard: That’s and easy one. Definitely my lady bug tattoo for obvious reasons stated before and my right Egyptian sleeve. One of the reasons why is because of the artist that did the work  and because it was the first full piece I got to fully design. I feel it fully represents me and how I look at myself.

24: How much money do you think you have spent so far on your tattoos?

Britanie Girard: Honestly most of my tattoos are gifts from the artists that I work with, but in total I’ve spent a couple thousands on my work I have got done.

24: Before we go let the readers know how to keep up to date with everything your doing and where is the best place to check out pics,etc?

Britanie Girard: Well, if you’d like to know more about me check out a few of my pages the first is Facebook at  www.facebook.com/bgirardink and Twitter of course(smiling)www.twitter.com/mrsbgirard and last but not least www.onestroketatgallery.com. An definitely check out the shop OneStroke Tattoo 233-10 Merrick Blvd Queens,NY  11422(718-276-7151) or if your in LA at Flaming Ink Tattoo 417 w el Segundo Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90061.

Photos By: Neef Fresh/Slick Force Studios