Read on Twitter
[Thread 
] The Stories Behind #MyTattoos
1. Yin yang sun
I don't remember exactly when I got this tat but I believe it was sometime in 2000. I went to Shaw's Tattoo, which is the oldest licensed tattoo shop in Houston (since 1979). I wanted a cool sun design.
![[Thread ] The Stories Behind #MyTattoos1. Yin yang sun I don't remember exactly when I got this tat but I believe it was sometime in 2000. I went to Shaw's Tattoo, which is the oldest licensed tattoo shop in Houston (since 1979). I wanted a cool sun design.](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyED5pGWgAMeKpq.jpg "[Thread ] The Stories Behind #MyTattoos1. Yin yang sun I don't remember exactly when I got this tat but I believe it was sometime in 2000. I went to Shaw's Tattoo, which is the oldest licensed tattoo shop in Houston (since 1979). I wanted a cool sun design.")
] The Stories Behind #MyTattoos1. Yin yang sun
I don't remember exactly when I got this tat but I believe it was sometime in 2000. I went to Shaw's Tattoo, which is the oldest licensed tattoo shop in Houston (since 1979). I wanted a cool sun design.
I had researched designs similar to this on the internet for several days. When I got to Shaw's, I looked at the generic designs they had on the wall. When I saw this, I knew it was exactly what I wanted. I've gotten so many compliments on it over the years. 
2. @GoGirlsMusic logo
In 1996 I started GoGirls Music, an online community to support, promote & empower female musicians. In 2006 I decided to get the logo tattooed on my ankle while in Austin for a music conference. 3 friends decided to do it with me that night.
#MyTattoos
In 1996 I started GoGirls Music, an online community to support, promote & empower female musicians. In 2006 I decided to get the logo tattooed on my ankle while in Austin for a music conference. 3 friends decided to do it with me that night.
#MyTattoos
Check back daily for more stories about #MyTattoos. I have lots of them!
The Stories Behind #MyTattoos
3. @GoGirlsMusic logo 2006
We had several GoGirls logos. This one was designed by a musician friend. It was so cool I decided to get it tattooed on my shoulder while in Austin. Just like the previous tat, friends tagging along decided to get one.
3. @GoGirlsMusic logo 2006
We had several GoGirls logos. This one was designed by a musician friend. It was so cool I decided to get it tattooed on my shoulder while in Austin. Just like the previous tat, friends tagging along decided to get one.
4. And yet another @GoGirlsMusic logo 2007
Funny story. I had 10K temp tattoos created for some shows. It looked just like this, but in red. After wearing them on my wrist at several events, I decided I wanted it on me permanently. I went to Shaw's as a walk-in and had it done.
Funny story. I had 10K temp tattoos created for some shows. It looked just like this, but in red. After wearing them on my wrist at several events, I decided I wanted it on me permanently. I went to Shaw's as a walk-in and had it done.
The Stories Behind #MyTattoos
5. Angel wings with heart
In 2007 I had surgery to remove an abdominal aneurysm that was found by accident. There are no symptoms. Had it not been found, who knows if I would have survived it rupturing. I felt I had an angel looking over me.
5. Angel wings with heart
In 2007 I had surgery to remove an abdominal aneurysm that was found by accident. There are no symptoms. Had it not been found, who knows if I would have survived it rupturing. I felt I had an angel looking over me.
The Stories Behind #MyTattoos
6. My 4th @GoGirlsMusic logo tattoo
I decided to get yet another GG tat. This was a new logo design. I was in Austin, TX with friends and decided to get this done on my lower back, thinking it would be my last GG tat. Or would it be??
6. My 4th @GoGirlsMusic logo tattoo
I decided to get yet another GG tat. This was a new logo design. I was in Austin, TX with friends and decided to get this done on my lower back, thinking it would be my last GG tat. Or would it be??
Check back tomorrow for more stories about #MyTattoos.
The Stories Behind #MyTattoos
7. Love. Trust. Faith.
I came up with this tattoo in 2007 after a bad breakup. It's a reminder of what's important to me in my relationships.
7. Love. Trust. Faith.
I came up with this tattoo in 2007 after a bad breakup. It's a reminder of what's important to me in my relationships.
Check back tomorrow for more stories about #MyTattoos.
The Stories Behind #MyTattoos
8. My last @GoGirlsMusic tattoo (2007)
A few months after getting my GG tat, it seemed so small & lonely on my lower back. I felt it needed more oomph. So I'm staring at my GG bumper sticker and thought the words GoGirls Music is what was missing.
8. My last @GoGirlsMusic tattoo (2007)
A few months after getting my GG tat, it seemed so small & lonely on my lower back. I felt it needed more oomph. So I'm staring at my GG bumper sticker and thought the words GoGirls Music is what was missing.
So I literally hopped in my car and drove to Shaw's and had them trace my sticker and put the words GoGirls and Music on either side of the logo. I thought it looked SO much better! I became a walking billboard for my music community. 
Check back tomorrow for more stories about #MyTattoos.
The Stories Behind #MyTattoos
9. Red and black nautical star (2007)
I was with friends in Austin, TX and we decided to get tats. I had been wanting a star tattoo. It was done by the famous cat lady tattoo artist named Katzen. Google her. She's very interesting.
9. Red and black nautical star (2007)
I was with friends in Austin, TX and we decided to get tats. I had been wanting a star tattoo. It was done by the famous cat lady tattoo artist named Katzen. Google her. She's very interesting.
Check back tomorrow for more stories about #MyTattoos.
The Stories Behind #MyTattoos
10. Red star (2008)
I love star tattoos and wanted a red one way up high on my arm. I was with two friends who wanted to get @GoGirlsMusic tattoos. It was a fun day at Shaw's in Houston.
10. Red star (2008)
I love star tattoos and wanted a red one way up high on my arm. I was with two friends who wanted to get @GoGirlsMusic tattoos. It was a fun day at Shaw's in Houston.
Here are my friends Heather and Tracie who went with me to Shaw's and decided to get their own @GoGirlsMusic tats. I couldn't believe how many people in my music community wanted a GG tat. I was starting to feel like a cult leader. LOL!
Check back tomorrow for more stories about #MyTattoos.
The Stories Behind #MyTattoos
11. Star inside a star - Sept 2008
I was in St. Louis for a music conference called PLAY:stl. I was w/my friends Lynn & Rebecca and we decided to get matching tattoos. Mine is on my wrist, Lynn is on her shoulder, and Rebecca's in on her back.
11. Star inside a star - Sept 2008
I was in St. Louis for a music conference called PLAY:stl. I was w/my friends Lynn & Rebecca and we decided to get matching tattoos. Mine is on my wrist, Lynn is on her shoulder, and Rebecca's in on her back.
There's something special about getting matching tattoos with good friends. 
Check back for more stories about #MyTattoos.
The Stories Behind #MyTattoos
11. Dragonfly - Aug 2009
After surviving an abdominal aneurysm in 2007, I wanted something special on my left side. A dragonfly is a symbol of change and transformation. It teaches us to love life, to rejoice & have faith even amidst difficulties.
11. Dragonfly - Aug 2009
After surviving an abdominal aneurysm in 2007, I wanted something special on my left side. A dragonfly is a symbol of change and transformation. It teaches us to love life, to rejoice & have faith even amidst difficulties.
Check back for more stories about #MyTattoos.
Realized I had a typo. Yesterday's tat should have been listed as #12. https://twitter.com/MadalynSklar/status/1382437456360792064
The Stories Behind #MyTattoos
13. Yin-yang with Kanji symbols for music and friendship - May 2011
Got a matching tattoo with my friend Tish to celebrate our long-lasting friendship that revolved from knowing each other in the music business. These tats were done in San Antonio.
13. Yin-yang with Kanji symbols for music and friendship - May 2011
Got a matching tattoo with my friend Tish to celebrate our long-lasting friendship that revolved from knowing each other in the music business. These tats were done in San Antonio.
My friend Tish was moving away from Texas to Alaska. So I said, "Hey, let's get matching tattoos before you leave."
I don't remember the name of the tattoo shop in San Antonio but I do remember the artist being super young. Maybe 21? It was a friend of a friend. Regardless, Tish and I were thrilled to have a special one-of-a-kind tat together.
Check back for more stories about #MyTattoos.
The Stories Behind #MyTattoos
14. Another dragonfly - March 2012
I dragonflies and really wanted one that was more clearly visible. I rarely notice the one on my abdomen so I felt it was important to have this placed where I could see it daily. It's below my left wrist.
14. Another dragonfly - March 2012
I
dragonflies and really wanted one that was more clearly visible. I rarely notice the one on my abdomen so I felt it was important to have this placed where I could see it daily. It's below my left wrist.
I want to note this was the first time I was tattooed by Stephanie, the owner of Electric Chair Tattoos in Houston. I had known her for years but kept forgetting she did tats. She went on to become my favorite tattoo artist.
Check back for more stories about #MyTattoos.
The Stories Behind #MyTattoos
15. Added sempre and 111 next to my dragonfly tat - Jan 2013
This is the start of my annual birthday tattoo tradition. I've had 8 more birthday tats since!
Here's the story...
15. Added sempre and 111 next to my dragonfly tat - Jan 2013
This is the start of my annual birthday tattoo tradition. I've had 8 more birthday tats since!
Here's the story...
I'm out having dinner with a group of friends for my birthday on 1-11-13. It's rainy and cold out. A blah kind of evening. I decided I wanted to get a tattoo. So off we went to Shaw's. Once we got there, it dawned on me what to get. 111 is obvious. Sempre means always in Italian.
My birthday is on 1/11. I see 1:11 and 11:11 all the time (as in always, get it?). These screenshots were taken on 1/11. It's no joke! I don't go looking for it.
Moving forward the tat stories start getting way more interesting. You'll see.
Moving forward the tat stories start getting way more interesting. You'll see.
Check back for more stories about #MyTattoos.
The Stories Behind #MyTattoos
16. Faith & 3 starbursts - Jan 2014
The birthday tattoo tradition continues. This is the 2nd annual with the awesome Stephanie from Electric Chair. I wanted a powerful word on my wrist that I could see daily. A reminder to have faith in myself.
16. Faith & 3 starbursts - Jan 2014
The birthday tattoo tradition continues. This is the 2nd annual with the awesome Stephanie from Electric Chair. I wanted a powerful word on my wrist that I could see daily. A reminder to have faith in myself.
Check back for more stories about #MyTattoos.
The Stories Behind #MyTattoos
17. Gratitude. Passion. Greatness. Love. - Jan 2015
3rd annual birthday tattoo with Steph from Electric Chair.
I chose these four words and had them placed on my left arm so I can see them every day and be reminded of what's important in my life.
17. Gratitude. Passion. Greatness. Love. - Jan 2015
3rd annual birthday tattoo with Steph from Electric Chair.
I chose these four words and had them placed on my left arm so I can see them every day and be reminded of what's important in my life.
Check back for more stories about #MyTattoos.
The Stories Behind #MyTattoos
18. Just Do It - Jan 2016
4th annual birthday tattoo with Steph from Electric Chair.
In my 25 years of being an entrepreneur in digital marketing, one of the keys to my success is not being afraid to "Just Do It." #BestMottoEver
18. Just Do It - Jan 2016
4th annual birthday tattoo with Steph from Electric Chair.
In my 25 years of being an entrepreneur in digital marketing, one of the keys to my success is not being afraid to "Just Do It." #BestMottoEver
My mantra: #JustDoIt
"People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are, the people who get on in the world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances that they want and if they canât find them, make them." ~George Bernard Shaw
"People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are, the people who get on in the world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances that they want and if they canât find them, make them." ~George Bernard Shaw
Check back for more stories about #MyTattoos.
The Stories Behind #MyTattoos
19. Hogan's paw print - Jan 2017
(5th annual birthday tattoo)
I've had many rescue dogs, but Hogan was the one I had the tightest bond with. He was part of a 60 dog rescue that was on the news. He was heartworm positive and a mess when I got him.
19. Hogan's paw print - Jan 2017
(5th annual birthday tattoo)
I've had many rescue dogs, but Hogan was the one I had the tightest bond with. He was part of a 60 dog rescue that was on the news. He was heartworm positive and a mess when I got him.
Hogan and I had a wonderful life together that lasted for 7 years. I loved our daily walks along the bayou in Houston. He went to doggie heaven in Dec 2016. 5 weeks later I got his paw print tattooed for my birthday. So bittersweet.
Check back for more stories about #MyTattoos.
The Stories Behind #MyTattoos
20. JMK with a heart - Apr 2017
This was an impromptu tattoo done at Electric Chair with Steph. I decided to get my son's initials with a little red heart. I loved how it came out! My left arm is really filling up at this point.
20. JMK with a heart - Apr 2017
This was an impromptu tattoo done at Electric Chair with Steph. I decided to get my son's initials with a little red heart. I loved how it came out! My left arm is really filling up at this point.
Check back for more stories about #MyTattoos.
The Stories Behind #MyTattoos
21. Love the LIFE you live, Live the LIFE you love. - Jan 2018 (6th annual birthday tattoo)
I wanted an infinity symbol on my arm with one of my favorite motivational quotes: Live the life you love, love the life you live. It came out great!
21. Love the LIFE you live, Live the LIFE you love. - Jan 2018 (6th annual birthday tattoo)
I wanted an infinity symbol on my arm with one of my favorite motivational quotes: Live the life you love, love the life you live. It came out great!
Check back for more stories about #MyTattoos.
The Stories Behind #MyTattoos
22. Elephant - Apr 2018
Did you know 96 elephants are killed every day in Africa for their tusks? Thatâs 35,000 a year. When people stop buying ivory, this tragedy will stop. My tattoo represents the hope that change will come.
22. Elephant - Apr 2018
Did you know 96 elephants are killed every day in Africa for their tusks? Thatâs 35,000 a year. When people stop buying ivory, this tragedy will stop. My tattoo represents the hope that change will come.
Fast forward to Aug 2020, I had my elephant tattoo filled in with gray and the number 96 to represent the number of that are killed daily for their tusks. This tragedy needs to end! #SaveElephants #DontBuyIvory
Check back for more stories about #MyTattoos.
Check back for more stories about #MyTattoos.
The Stories Behind #MyTattoos
23. Heart with flower - Jan 2019
(7th annual birthday tattoo)
So sadly, 10 days before my bday tattoo my dad passed away suddenly in the hospital on New Years Day. I felt a great way to honor him would be a flower tattoo. He growing flowers! 
23. Heart with flower - Jan 2019
(7th annual birthday tattoo)
So sadly, 10 days before my bday tattoo my dad passed away suddenly in the hospital on New Years Day. I felt a great way to honor him would be a flower tattoo. He
growing flowers!
Check back for more stories about #MyTattoos.
The Stories Behind #MyTattoos
24. 2 koi fish and 2 lotus flowers - Feb/Mar 2019
I was super excited to do a large color piece. Normally my tattoos are black and gray but for this, I knew color would be cool and dramatic.
24. 2 koi fish and 2 lotus flowers - Feb/Mar 2019
I was super excited to do a large color piece. Normally my tattoos are black and gray but for this, I knew color would be cool and dramatic.
This has been by far my biggest tattoo project. It took 4 sittings over the course of two months to complete. I spent a total of 12.5 hours in the chair! My friend Steph at Electric Chair Tattoo did a phenomenal job.
Also this is also a cover-up of tat #7 as you'll see in photo.
Also this is also a cover-up of tat #7 as you'll see in photo.
Check back for more stories about #MyTattoos.
The Stories Behind #MyTattoos
25. Asian elephant with mandala - Oct/Nov 2019
I decided to get another elephant tattoo. My first one pays homage to the African elephant. This one represents the Asian elephant. Their plight is near and dear to my heart.
25. Asian elephant with mandala - Oct/Nov 2019
I decided to get another elephant tattoo. My first one pays homage to the African elephant. This one represents the Asian elephant. Their plight is near and dear to my heart.
This tattoo took two sittings and was originally going to be black and gray only. As we were finishing up the second session, I decided the flowers should be purple. It really makes the design pop!
Check back for more stories about #MyTattoos.
The Stories Behind #MyTattoos
26/27. Dolphin tattoos - Jan 2020
(8th annual birthday tattoo)
I'm passionate about saving dolphins. Did you ever see the documentary, #TheCove? Watch it and you'll understand. I and support @Dolphin_Project & @seashepherd.
26/27. Dolphin tattoos - Jan 2020
(8th annual birthday tattoo)
I'm passionate about saving dolphins. Did you ever see the documentary, #TheCove? Watch it and you'll understand. I
and support @Dolphin_Project & @seashepherd.
The Stories Behind #MyTattoos
28. Rose - Feb 2020
Now I'm focusing on filling in the gaps on my left arm to turn it into a sleeve. I wanted a rose because it's one of my favorite flowers.
If you're wondering, do elbow tattoos hurt? The answer is yes but the art is worth it.
28. Rose - Feb 2020
Now I'm focusing on filling in the gaps on my left arm to turn it into a sleeve. I wanted a rose because it's one of my favorite flowers.
If you're wondering, do elbow tattoos hurt? The answer is yes but the art is worth it.
