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8 Friday, December 2, 2016 brooklintowncrier.com Yes Woman By Marissa Campbell Ink is Art They say tattoos are an addictive obsession. Once you start, you want more. A friend recommended Christine Fenzl, owner and tattoo artist extraordinaire, of Ink is Art in downtown Whitby, and I fell in love with her work. My introduction to body art started eighteen years ago. I had just given birth to boy child number two, and I was in desperate need for a reconnection. It's too easy to get lost in the world of mom and babes and forget who you are in the process. I needed a reminder. I had to shake things up. I called my girlfriend and convinced her we needed a wild night out. I got dressed up and embarked on an evening of laughter, wine, and friendship. Oh, and a tattoo. It happened rather spur of the moment - an inebriated decision to just go for it. At the time, my friend knew a tattoo artist who worked from home. We called, we went, we got inked. The amusing part of this is how much I dislike pain (I've been known to use baby oil to help remove Band-Aids from any particularly hairy body parts). Naturally then, my new tattoo was a tiny thing on a very fleshy, hairless patch of skin. The process took twenty minutes and was slightly uncomfortable but totally bearable. No problem. I had this. It took a while, but sixteen years later that itch to get another tattoo resurfaced, only this time I was ready to go big or go home. My first impression of Ink is Art was how down to earth everyone was. The studio is in a beautiful old Victorian home and Christine is warm and welcoming. A fellow mom with incredible talent, Christine is renowned for her line work. At the time, I didn't know what that meant but have since learned that it's a coveted skill in the industry. If you're going to get something permanently embedded in your skin, you want the lines to be crisp, without any shakiness or jagged edges. Her work is incredible. After our consultation, it was determined the artwork I wanted would take about five hours to complete. Pffft, no problem. I already had a tattoo. I could handle this. We set the appointment, and I left, happily anticipating my appointment. Reality check. Tattoos hurt. I have many friends who laugh their heads off at me and tell me tales of them falling asleep during the process (they really do). Not me. After my five-hour procedure, I was a tense ball of blubbering, quivering jelly. Throughout the process, Christine whispered words of encouragement, reminding me how awesome the tattoo was going to look. Some people don't even blink at the discomfort, wimps like baby-oil-Band-Aid-removers clearly need a little extra TLC. Despite my whimpering (and a few robust expletives) I walked out of Ink is Art with a gorgeous piece of art. That was two years ago. Last week, I was back at Ink is Art, sitting in Christine's chair, with another ambitious vision for my bicep. I couldn't imagine going anywhere else. Christine makes you feel supported, encouraging you, making sure your experience is a positive one. I absolutely love my new tattoo. Her work is stunning. If you're a newbie, a veteran, or someone looking to cover up a previous incarnation, Christine's your girl. Go for it. Get a little wild. Tell her the Yes Woman sent you. (Yes Woman is a paid advertisement)