Penn State Students Embrace Tattoos as Forms of Self-Expression

Heading off to college brings new challenges, newfound freedom, and fresh avenues for self-expression.

At Penn State, students have long showcased their individuality through fashion, clubs, and art.

In recent years, an increasing number have turned to tattoos as a means of personal expression.

Maggie Day, a sophomore double majoring in education public policy and Spanish, chose to get a tattoo on her ankle alongside her sister to honor their bond.

“My love for my sister is a part of me,” Day said.

“I got poppies because when I think of her, I think about how she had this orange dress that looked like a poppy.

We all change and grow, but that is the image of her in my head.”

Corrina Rosenfield, a junior telecommunications major, has taken a hands-on approach to her body art, creating most of her 13 tattoos herself using the stick-and-poke method.

“I learned from my sister how to stick and poke tattoos.

I have a smiley face on my hand in the same place she has a frowny face,” Rosenfield shared.

“Stick and pokes are very therapeutic and calming to me.

I have really bad anxiety and would just go over the designs for days until I was happy with them.”

Rosenfield believes that getting tattoos helps challenge existing stigmas.

“The first impressions you get from a person with tattoos, especially hand tattoos like mine, is that they are a bad person or that I am unmotivated.

I want to be a lawyer, and I can always cover my tattoos if I need to, but I find the people that are cool with tattoos are cool people I want to be around.”

Another student, Victoria, who prefers to go by her first name, has six tattoos, all depicting animals and all done by apprentices.

“I got all of them for fun.

One has a meaning attached to it; a geometric bird,” Victoria said.

“I found it on my grandfather’s Jeep wheel cover.

It is not a memorial tattoo; it was a cool story, and he drew it himself.”

Victoria, a senior majoring in advertising and public relations, noted, “According to a tattoo artist, I have unusually good skin for tattooing; this makes it good for practice.

Instead of only being able to go over a line twice, you can go over mine at least eight times.”

“I am happy I get to display others’ work.

I get to be a canvas.

When I look at a tattoo, I am happy, and I know the artist is happy if I am.”

Students aren't the only ones who view tattoos as significant forms of self-expression.

Local tattoo artists shared their experiences creating art in their profession.

Ethan Swancer from Ikonic Ink has always loved the art of tattoos.

“I have always wanted to make a career out of tattooing.

I love traditional inks in the sense of tattoos that look like tattoos,” Swancer said.

“The classic designs had rules and aspects that made them powerful and strong.

It is something I go for even with modern tattoos.”

Swancer emphasizes the importance of thinking ahead after a tattoo heals and settles.

“I am just here to approve of your design and tell you that you are making a good choice for your mental health and feel better about yourself.

That is why we do body mods—to feel better about ourselves.”

Justin Sellers, co-owner of King Cobra Tattoo, didn't initially see himself becoming an artist.

“I always drew doodles,” Sellers said.

“I didn’t have any aspirations to become an artist until tattooing happened.”

Sellers’ brother introduced him to tattooing after attending college at University Park and becoming a tattoo apprentice during school.

Sellers advises, “Take your time and do your research.

Don’t care about the trend and what is popular.

Do what you like and don’t get tattooed by just anyone.

Do it right by yourself.

And go to someone you trust.”

Jen Eisenhauer, owner of Drip Studios, has always wanted to be an artist.

“It has never been anything else,” Eisenhauer said.

“My parents were like, there is no money in it, but I am doing what I love.”

Eisenhauer believes tattoos can reveal a lot about a person.

“You don’t judge a book by its cover, but you can tell a lot about someone if they have a specific tattoo.

You can see their story if they have a semicolon or a cancer ribbon or a Medusa.”

For students considering tattoos, Eisenhauer offers this advice: “Speak up for yourself.

First-timers especially don’t feel like they can speak up and say, ‘Hey, that doesn’t look right.’

If it is the wrong size or the placement seems off, let your artist know.”

“If you feel like you can’t give feedback or an artist is not listening to your feedback, leave.

Don’t settle; this is your body!”

As tattoos become more prevalent among Penn State students, they serve as powerful symbols of personal identity and self-expression, reflecting the diverse and evolving culture of the university community.