01 May 2023 , 01:05
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A mum with 14 tattoos on her face and artwork covering 60% of her body says she is a "wimp with pain".
Claire Elsie-Rose, 33, says her tattoos changed her life after she suffered with anorexia as a teenager.
She got her first tattoo at the age of 16 - a fairy on her wrist.
After discovering a lung tumour seven years ago the mum-of-four, from Aldershot, got her first tattoo on her face - the word 'queen'.
She's since had the all-clear and her collections of tattoos has grown with a butterfly, heart, a rose, and words including 'love' and 'hope' also being inked on her face.
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Claire has 14 tattoos on her face (Facebook/Claire Elsie-Rose)Claire's other tattoos include the birth dates of her children and a handprint of her daughter.
The tattoo artist, who runs Illusions Tattoo in Bourne, Lincolnshire, also has artwork across her body and did most of the tattoos on her legs as a "practice canvas".
She told The Lincolnite : "It’s just who I am. It makes me feel more comfortable in my body. Changing hair colour can make someone feel more confident. This is just who I am and part of me."
The tattoo artist has artwork across her body (instagram.com/claire.elsierosetattoo)The mum says there is still a stigma around tattoos but "It is becoming more acceptable".
Discussing the reaction to her distinctive look, she said: "I just don’t think we should judge anyone by how they choose to look.
"I’ve even seen comments saying my tattoos aren’t good, but they are me, and my decision to make. Anyone should be able to make their own decisions."