Tattooing is one of the more controversial forms of art still around today, because it’s art applied directly to your skin.

It’s art that you carry around with you forever, which is exactly why Jess Locke loves it so much.

She’s been a tattoo artist with Art Labs in Federal Way for five years now, and tattooing her art on her clients is her favorite thing about her career.

It’s the most intimate form of art out there, she said.

“It didn’t matter how long I spent on a painting, it’s not as meaningful as something that’s actually attached to you, and the thought that someone could have that sort of resonance with an art piece of mine was really moving for me.”

It’s difficult to not form a connection with the person you are tattooing.

“I started getting tattooed, and then I just fell in love with the entire process, and how close you get to the ink that’s on your skin.”

Locke also loves dinosaurs, so before tattooing stole her heart, she was studying to become a paleontologist.

She never lost her love for art, though.

“I always knew I wanted to do art, I just wasn’t sure how that was going to play out.”

Art Labs is a great place to get your own piece of forever art in Federal Way. The tattoo studio is located at 30919 Pacific Highway S.