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 (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 Baby Bird, 2019, © 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 Tattoo Rough 1, 2019, © Shelly Arroyo.**

**D.I.Y. Mama Tattoo Rough 2, 2019, © Shelly Arroyo.**

“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 Baby Bird 1, 2019, © Shelly Arroyo.**

**D.I.Y. Mama Tattoo 2, 2019, © Shelly Arroyo.**

PLEASE FOLLOW ME as I embark on a quest to enjoy, learn from, and raise my 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!