What is too far to express your love for Christmas?
We heard of people starting their decorations in October, taking days off work to put their tinsel up or spending hundreds on giant Santas, but for caterer Jessica Moore, Christmas is a matter of life purpose.
The 35-year-old spent thousands on August’s full back tattoo, which included all the North Pole’s offerings, to celebrate the jolly season.
She is a big Christmas fan and said that the idea was born without any thought.
“In 2011, I saved this picture of a tattoo, two pin-up girls on my phone, and for many years, I wanted this tattoo to be on my back.
Moore, my artist, suggested that I move to Ashburton last year.
Ebony Mellowship from Christchurch was the tattoo artist.
Moore stated that when she presented her original idea to the world, she didn’t get the right feedback.
“Ebony was like Jess, this tattoo really old, it’s going to look bad.”
Moore stated that the conversation turned into a Christmas topic and the decision was made.
“I don’t remember how we got to talking about Christmas, but Ebony said she was a fan, and we just clicked, because we both love Christmas.”
She asked me if I had ever considered getting a Christmas tattoo, and I said, “Oh my God, yes!”
Moore stated that Moore was able to make the decision to go ahead with her massive Christmas tattoo without much convincing.
“I went to the internet and couldn’t find any design. So I thought, do I really want that?
Moore recalled, “In the end, I came back and said: ‘Go ahead. Create something Christmasy’.”
After much thought and research, she decided that her artist was the best.
“I gave Ebony my wish list. My favourite movie is the The Polar Express, so the reindeer has the bell from The Polar Express on it. There are cookies because I make Christmas cookies at home.
“Four sessions, 28 hour of pain and a lot money”
Moore completed the first four sessions in August before the jolly season began.
“I didn’t know what the design would look like so I arrived on my first day. I was shocked to see that it was more than I had ever imagined.
The tattoo was filled with Christmas memories and details. It took 28 hours to complete and cost more than $5000.
Moore stated that I attended a session every three to four weeks because I was too impatient.
“First session, we did outline. It took seven hours. The second session consisted of half the edge, and the third. [session] We did the other half.
“In the last session, we just did Father Christmas because we knew Santa would bring the whole thing together.”
Moore, who has nine tattoos total, said that she was not discouraged by the pain.
“The first line-work was painless; I was so exhausted from my job that I fell asleep.”
She said that it hurt when she began to colour my spine and went down my spine.
Too much?
Ebony Mellowship shared her happiness with the results and feedback via social media.
Mellowship wrote, “I’m so proud of this one, it just makes my heart so damn happy to gaze at. Jess wept when I showed it to her at the end. We knew Santa was going to bring it all together so finishing it with him just made it extra special.”
What did the people think?
Jessica Moore claims she has received nothing but compliments.
“Ninety-nine per cent of people were like, this is amazing’.” I shared my picture online and got over seven and a thousand likes.
“When people aren’t happy with it, they usually just say, “I don’t love tattoos, but, I can appreciate their work,” she stated.
“To be capable of creating the details and colours – it’s an art piece and that’s why people need to appreciate it.”
Moore expressed regret at the tattoo that she had received for her entire life. She said that she would be proud of it forever.
She said that everything happens for a reason and would never regret it.
“You were put here on Earth to serve a purpose. Some people desire to be mechanics, while others want to become doctors.
“I believe my purpose is to bring joy to people through experiences and memories.
Moore stated, “I am obsessed by it.”
-By Rayssa Almeida
