Seattle Now Covid tattoo

The pandemic has been brutal, the loss staggering. Family members, neighbors, beloved community members — everyone has a story. Some people are telling theirs with a new tattoo as Covid has spurred a fresh wave of ink.

Nikki Stoops is a Seattle-based tattoo artist who had the opportunity to observe the pandemic through the people that sought out her art.

"I have had a lot of clients come in for tattoos, whether it be good tattoos because of [a] big change that they've realized during the pandemic, but also quite a handful of memorial tattoos due to Covid," Stoops said.

One of the aspects of tattooing Stoops loves the most is the connection she gets to share with her clients. Her customers can come in with an idea, and Stoops turns it into a piece of art that they'll have on their body forever.

"Being able to be the one that got to give that to them was pretty awesome. But also, of course, it was heartbreaking."