D.I.Y. MAMA

D.I.Y. Mama, 2019. © Shelly Arroyo.
D.I.Y. Mama, 2019. © Shelly Arroyo.

D.I.Y. Mama

For years I wanted to get a crafty tattoo. I really didn't have a vision for it, until I had my baby bluebirds, Max and Mya. In the spring of 2019, I started envisioning this grand tattoo, whose placement would hide three older, small tattoos, on my neck, behind my ear, and my shoulder. They had become faded and were not really representative of the Mama Chickpea I had become. I began sketching up ideas, centering around my favorite hobbies, my passions, and my babies.

D.I.Y. Mama 2, © Shelly Arroyo

D.I.Y. Mama (full), 2019, © Shelly Arroyo.

I had the most amazing experience getting this tattoo. It was over an eight-hour session, all held in my day. My tattoo artist worked solo and was deaf. We learned to communicate via hand signals, when I wasn't facing him. The "thumb's up" or down, being the most crucial.

D.I.Y. Mama Sketch 1, © Shelly Arroyo

D.I.Y. Mama Sketch Baby Bird, 2019, © Shelly Arroyo.

D.I.Y. Mama Sketch 2, © Shelly Arroyo

D.I.Y. Mama Sketch Baby Bird 2, 2019, © Shelly Arroyo.

I was thrilled with the outcome of my sketches, worked with his tattoo magic. The colors were so vibrant.

D.I.Y. Mama Rough Tattoo 1, © Shelly Arroyo

D.I.Y. Mama Tattoo Rough 1, 2019, © Shelly Arroyo.


D.I.Y. Mama Rough Tattoo 2, © Shelly Arroyo

D.I.Y. Mama Tattoo Rough 2, 2019.

"For years I wanted to get a crafty tattoo. I really didn't have a vision for it, until I had my baby bluebirds, Max and Mya."

D.I.Y. Mama Tattoo Finished 1, © Shelly Arroyo

D.I.Y. Mama Tattoo Baby Bird 1, 2019.


D.I.Y. Mama Tattoo 2, © Shelly Arroyo

D.I.Y. Mama Tattoo 2, 2019.

PLEASE FOLLOW ME as I embark on a quest to enjoy, learn from, and raise my little bamBEANos, in the best way this Mama Chickpea can. Art is my "balance" to life and I enjoy all the DIY therapy I can handle!

Artwork © copyright Shelly Arroyo, A.k.a. Mama Chickpea.