Picture: Michelle Gowing
The Black Petal Tattoo crew in Penticton spent their Valentine’s Day giving again.
Providing a flash sale day, three gifted artists gave dozens of tattoos to clients and donated 100 per cent to the Ooknakane Friendship Centre.
Flash gross sales are when Tattoo Studios provide pre-drawn designs to supply a fast turnaround between clients.
“We supplied small coronary heart tattoos which might be both outlined or crammed that are available in fastened sizes. We don’t change the scale, however you get to choose the color,” stated Black Petal proprietor and artist Joseph Markewich.
With every tattoo being given for $80 to $105, Black Petal was capable of donate near $3,500 to a terrific trigger.
“We are attempting to lift as a lot cash as potential for the Friendship Centre. We consider that there are lots of people on this world that battle with psychological well being and discovering sources to assist them. We simply wish to assist anybody we will by funding, sources or tattoo remedy, and attempt to assist them love themselves. That is what these hearts signify. To like your self and others,” Markewich stated.
The Black Petal Tattoo crew discovered the Ooknakane Friendship Centre to be the right match to present again to.
“We sat down as a tattoo household and seemed by plenty of organizations and determined to decide on the Friendship Centre to donate to this yr. The providers they provide assist a broad spectrum locally. They provide counseling, authorized assist, psychological well being help and housing. We want locations like this on the earth which might be capable of assist individuals and we wish to give as a lot as we will,” defined Markewich.
Psychological well being advocacy is necessary to Markewich, having had his personal struggles previously.
“Personally I have been by fairly a bit in my life, and psychological well being is a type of struggles that usually go undiagnosed. We are able to cover from the skin world and it’s an inside ache that most individuals expertise in some unspecified time in the future of their lives. I’ve misplaced a couple of associates. I don’t need anybody else to undergo that, so we are attempting to let individuals understand it’s okay that they battle. We provide an olive department to anybody who wants assist,” stated Markewich.
Related tales are one thing Markewich typically hears from shoppers receiving tattoos.
“I do not know if I’ve tattooed anybody this final yr that hasn’t had struggles or trauma. It’s all too frequent. My spouse Brooke and I’ve struggled by Covid, all whereas beginning a enterprise and constructing a home. We’re so grateful to have one another to get by this collectively. We’re within the place now to not solely maintain ourselves robust however maintain our tattoo household robust, and so fortunate to have the ability to attain out and assist the group,” he stated.
Artists that donated their time are Markewich himself and artists Annika Ponzilius and Carmin Attrell.
“There was a lineup across the nook from 8 a.m. to once we opened at 10 a.m. We gave out 35 tattoos. It was nice to see the turnout. It actually means the world to us and I wish to thank everybody who got here out to get tattooed and supporting the trigger. It’s so heartwarming,” Markewich stated.
Black Petal and crew have plans to do many extra flash days to help the Penticton group.
“This one will likely be annual for certain and me and the crew will get collectively and select a charity every time. I wish to do one other in direction of summer time and have some native companies assist and help the trigger,” Markewich stated.
Observe @blackpetal.tattoo for updates on upcoming flash day info.
