By Alyce Collins
THIS TATTOO artist transforms the lives of inspiring cancer survivors by providing them with their dream tattoos to cover their mastectomy scars, helping many to recover from body dysmorphia.
Speciality tattoo artist, Samantha Rae Carniato (37) from Vancouver Island, Canada, has been granting people their dream tattoos since 2009, but in 2014 she began transforming inspirational womenâs mastectomy scars into their dream tattoos.
The incredible photographs show the intricate floral design chosen by one survivor who opted to have the poignant words âdancing through the fireâ written beneath the breast tattoo.
Another stunning design shows a feather motif going across the chest alongside ribbons of blue ink as the backdrop for the central words, which read âdance to my own rhythmâ.
Butterflies also feature in many of the artistic designs, with Samantha Rae having done over 40 mastectomy tattoos.
Samantha Rae adores being a part of these womenâs journeys to recovery and closure by helping them to draw the line on their battles with cancer, enabling them to move on completely.
âBetween 2002 and 2014 I was a full-time airbrush body paint artist, working with production companies in the entertainment and film industries in Western Canada,â said Samantha Rae.
âWhile I had a stunning professional art portfolio at the time, I pounded the pavement to make connections in the tattoo world, one shop at a time.
âIt wasnât until 2007 that I was welcome to sit in during sessions in a tattoo studio in Vancouver.
âThen by 2012 I was a qualified tattoo artist, working in my own studio that my husband and I built. People travel for an average of two hours to arrive for their special tattoo appointments.
âMy first encounter with a mastectomy client was while I was an airbrush body painter. I painted flattering torso designs with flowers and stencil designs, finished off with glitter.
âFor some people, this was the first time they could look past their scars or their cancer.
âMy first tattoo design over mastectomy scars was in October 2014, which was a filigree design with cherry blossoms cupping the side of each breast, and a soft hummingbird over her port scar on her left upper chest.
âMy mastectomy journey really began with Stacie-Rae, my mentor. I came into her life just before her scheduled prophylactic bilateral mastectomy and Iâve been right beside since. I did my first ever areola restorative tattoo with Stacie-Rae in May 2015.
âWorking with scar tissue and radiated skin while illustrating realism is a big challenge, but I was ready to embrace it.
âIn my experience, everyone arrives with a wildly unique history, although I recognise a lot of similarities in my clientsâ journeys.
âSome have partners who are there every step of the way, some go through separation and divorce and have to fully start their lives again.
âSome people stay very jovial and know they will get through with a positive attitude, but some suffer from body dysmorphia and severe mental and emotional lows.
âFor the most part, I hear stories of relief, closure and beauty once their tattoo dreams have been realised.
âI love being an artist and an intuit of visual potential. I just love lifting people up and caring for my clients and covering their scars. Itâs great to be providing someone with a new lease of life with a successful tattoo.
âClients have said that the tattoos changed their lives and brought back their confidence. Others have said that it helps them be able to look in the mirror again.â
Samantha Rae now supports and advocates for many charities and organisations providing mastectomy scar tattoos.
Samantha Rae herself has suffered loss at the hands of cancer which motivates her further to create the significant tattoos designs to help them express their journey in a way they wish.
âTattoos present a new start, closure and a happy dance across the finish line of cancer,â said Samantha Rae.
âItâs a celebration of one or more years being cancer-free. Finally, it can be about having the control over a decision after having your life altered completely by cancer.
âI have experienced loss and it motivates me to create beautiful and meaningful art for my clients.
âI can see how much joy my clients get from âourâ experience together.â
You can see more of Samantha Raeâs incredible work by visiting @samrtattoo and @aftercancerart.