# INK STORIES: Sammie Kolk Loves Mom n' Dad, Canada ... and… > Source: https://www.charlotteiscreative.com/ink-stories-sammie-kolk-loves-mom-n-dad-canada-and-poison/ > Updated: 2019-08-23T20:51:51+00:00 > Type: Post > Categories: CLT Creatives | Contributors: Sammie Kolk We love the synthesis of personal story and incredible artistic talent that’s embodied in a tattoo. This week’s Ink Story features makeup artist, blogger, Instagrammer and Canadian turned Southerner, Sammie Kolk. Sammie shares the stories behind her tattoos, which involve tributes to her mother, father & grandfather, her faith and love for her home country. And, then there’s the girl drinking poison … --- *The story below is an installment of our series, “Ink Stories,” where a Charlotte creative shares with us the meaning of their tattoos. We love the synthesis of personal story and incredible artistic talent that’s embodied in a tattoo, so we’re chronicling the Ink Stories popping up all over the Queen City.* *This week, makeup artist, blogger, Instagrammer and Canadian turned Southerner, **Sammie Kolk** shares the stories behind her tattoos, which involve tributes to her mother, father and grandfather, her faith and love for her home country. And, then there’s the girl drinking poison …* *Let’s hear from Sammie in her own words, now.* ### **MY HOPE IS IN YOU — Espoir — Music Note** ![](https://www.charlotteiscreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/SMALL-My-Hope-Is-In-You.jpg) *“Espour” and “my hope is in You”* I have about 12 or so tattoos in total! I got my first tattoo, **“my hope is in You,”** on my left bicep, the first year I moved away from home at 21, to Nashville, TN. It was done by an awesome female tattoo artist who unfortunately moved away, but she also did my **music note** symbol behind my right ear AND my wrist **“espoir”** tattoo — I believe on the same day! The first tattoo’s significance was my hope in something bigger than me, my faith, my Creator. To always cling to that hope I have. The “espoir” tattoo means “hope” in French. I used to live in Montreal. (I am Canadian, originally from Toronto, Ontario). So, the French language holds a special place in my heart and life … and clearly I have a thing with hope. To never lose sight of it! The music note symbol is because I was raised in a very musical family and sing/play the guitar myself, so it meant a great deal to me to have that forever on me, right by my ear. I’ve always been told I’ve had a natural ear for music. :) People typically react by asking the meaning of them or what the French word “espoir” means. The music note usually gets a lot of “oh that’s cool!” remarks. Haha. ### **THE MAPLE LEAF** ![](https://www.charlotteiscreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/SMALL-Maple-Leaf.jpg) *Maple Leaf* Later on in my Nashville years, (and yes, I did get all of my tattoos in Nashville during my 5 years of living there before I moved to Charlotte) I decided I wanted to get more. I guess could say the ink-bug bit me! I had my good friend Tiffany who was learning to become a tattoo artist at the time, create what is probably my most asked about and loved tattoo: my **red maple leaf** on my right wrist. It sort of wraps around and stands out since it’s red with a black border. I love this one immensely, because … well, I’m Canadian and the maple leaf is the symbol on our flag. I’m very proud and love it when people ask its meaning or just figure out that I must be Canadian. Ha! Tiffany also tattooed my left rib to outline the province of Ontario, with a little heart right about where Toronto would be on the map. Also extremely important and significant to me! ### **THE BUTTERFLY** The butterfly on the right side, under my collarbone was a sort of spur of the moment choice. My friend Gage (see the pattern here, lots of awesome tattoo artist friends – whom I did pay by the way!) did this one and it has a double meaning! Firstly, I wanted to express the freedom I felt from a certain life experience and a butterfly expressed that accurately. Secondly, I dig **butterflies**. You know that feeling you get when you have butterflies in your stomach? Well, I used to say at times it felt like I had butterflies in my heart because I was so happy and in love with life! He did an amazing job. It’s one of my pieces that only gets noticed when I wear a tank top or lower cut shirt. It peeks out. I love that about it! Kind of hidden and special. ![](https://www.charlotteiscreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/SMALL-Anchor.jpg) *Anchor* ### **THE ANCHOR** The anchor on my foot signifies grounding, becoming grounded — a sort of right of passage to adulthood in a sense. I cannot remember the name of the artist, but it was done at my apartment in Franklin, TN! ### **MY RIGHT BICEP** Last, but definitely not least, my favourite half-sleeve, right bicep! Lots going on there. It started with “**MOM ‘n DAD”** in a heart – kind of Sailor Jerry tattoo vibes (which I really dug at the time and still love). I love my parents, so this was a no brainer. Gage, who did my butterfly tattoo did this tattoo, as well. They’ve been so great to me throughout my life, mistakes, failures and all. They’re just awesome! Next came the **girl in the teapot** and **girl drinking poison** which I was inspired to get by a famous female tattoo artist. (I cannot remember her name, nor find her online. Aghhh!) She specialized in Sailor Jerry/retro tattoo designs. It was mostly due to my love for her tattoo designs that I got these and I wanted to start a sleeve so, there we have it. ![](https://www.charlotteiscreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/SMALL-Mom-Dad.jpg) *“Mom ‘n Dad” & “Poppies”* I love tea, so that was an easy decision for me. The girl drinking poison’s significance to me was to not judge a book by its cover. She looks innocent and sweet, but if you look closely, she’s drinking poison. The **Nancy Drew tattoo** is because ever since I was a little girl I read Nancy Drew books and watched the old shows. My mum grew up reading her books and I just adored mysteries. I still collect her books to this day! Finally, the **watercolour poppies** scattered around my arm that fill in the half-sleeve probably have the deepest significance to me. I called my late grandpa “Poppy” and poppies are also the Canadian symbol/flower of remembrance — similar to what Veteran’s Day would be to Americans. They also happen to be some of my favourite flowers and their symbolic poppy red colour is also a fave! ### **WHAT’S MY NEXT TATTOO?** I think my next tattoo would be an outline of a heart my husband drew me on a love note awhile back. It’s so chubby and cute, I just adore it. ### **GET A CLOSER LOOK AT SAMMIE’S TATTOOS** - [![Anchor](https://www.charlotteiscreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Anchor-640x480.jpg)](https://www.charlotteiscreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Anchor.jpg) - [![Butterfly](https://www.charlotteiscreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Butterfly-640x480.jpg)](https://www.charlotteiscreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Butterfly.jpg) - [![Espour](https://www.charlotteiscreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Espour-640x480.jpg)](https://www.charlotteiscreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Espour.jpg) - [![Mom & Dad](https://www.charlotteiscreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Mom-Dad-640x480.jpg)](https://www.charlotteiscreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Mom-Dad.jpg) - [![My Hope Is In You](https://www.charlotteiscreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/My-Hope-Is-In-You-640x480.jpg)](https://www.charlotteiscreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/My-Hope-Is-In-You.jpg) - [![Sip](https://www.charlotteiscreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Sip-640x480.jpg)](https://www.charlotteiscreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Sip.jpg) - [![SQUARE Sammie 2](https://www.charlotteiscreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/SQUARE-Sammie-2-640x480.jpg)](https://www.charlotteiscreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/SQUARE-Sammie-2.jpg) - [![SQUARE Sammie](https://www.charlotteiscreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/SQUARE-Sammie-1-640x480.jpg)](https://www.charlotteiscreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/SQUARE-Sammie-1.jpg) - [![Teapot and Maple Leaf](https://www.charlotteiscreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Teapot-and-Maple-Leaf-640x480.jpg)](https://www.charlotteiscreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Teapot-and-Maple-Leaf.jpg) - [![TN](https://www.charlotteiscreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/TN-640x480.jpg)](https://www.charlotteiscreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/TN.jpg) **Stuff About Sammie** To see Sammie in action, especially her make-up work (keep an eye out for our pal, **Emily Sage**), check out her Instagram feed. > View this post on Instagram > > > > > > [A post shared by Sammie Kolk (@hullosam)](https://www.instagram.com/p/B0PT_D2loA9/) on Jul 22, 2019 at 5:31pm PDT