Art as a Sacred Path: From Tattooing to Visionary Painting

A meaningful conversation with artist, tattooer Mari shares her journey with me…

For nearly two decades, tattooing has been a sacred practice, a way of transforming skin into a living canvas and honoring the body through ritual. Beginning in Brazil, the journey unfolded in a space where women were rarely acknowledged, requiring persistence, resilience, and solidarity to break through. By joining forces with other tattooists, there was a collective push to carve out space for women’s voices and bring a more intuitive and ritualistic approach to the artform.

Over time, the industry evolved. Tattooing became more than a profession; it became a devotion, a way to connect, and a medium to honor life. Yet when the pandemic shifted the world, so too did the focus of creativity. What had always existed quietly in the background painting emerged as a new lifeline, offering healing, exploration, and expansion.

A Return to Painting in Times of Change

Painting was never absent; it had always been there in the form of watercolor, painted fabrics, or walls. But the quiet passion turned into a lifeline during the heaviness of the pandemic. In moments of deep depression, art became a way through, guided by visionary artists and communities that reminded us of the power of creation.

Through meditation and inner visions, painting became more than self-expression; it became rescue, prayer, and rebirth. The act of translating visions into color and form opened doorways, not only to healing but also to a wider world of opportunities to study, connect, and showcase art in spaces far beyond what had once seemed possible.

Community, Vision, and Collective Creativity

The journey of art is never solitary; it thrives in connection. Through online communities and visionary art collectives, painting became a shared experience, even when the world felt isolated. This sense of togetherness brought artists from across the globe into one shared movement, where creativity could blossom despite the distance.

Festivals, live-painting gatherings, and collaborative projects became powerful reminders of art’s ability to heal grief, spark joy, and create ritual. To paint in community is to bring visions alive not only for oneself but for everyone present, sharing in the sacredness of collective creativity.

Festivals, Sacred Spaces, and the Power of Live Painting

From Brazil to the U.S., live painting has been a way to embody devotion. Whether standing under the lights of the Chapel of Sacred Mirrors or amidst the dust and serendipity of Burning Man, each moment has been a reminder that art is both offering and celebration. Painting in these sacred gatherings is not just performance, it's prayer in motion, an exchange of energy between artist, canvas, and community.

The experience of painting in these environments goes beyond skill. It brings forth presence, calling the artist to be both vulnerable and open while trusting the vision that wants to emerge. In doing so, the art itself becomes alive, a reminder of why creativity is one of the deepest forms of connection we have.

Flow, Balance, and the Rhythm of a Creative Life

Some might call it a juggle balancing tattooing, painting, traveling, studying, and community-building. But the truth is, it feels more like flow. To move with intuition and rhythm means that each practice informs the other, weaving together devotion and discipline in ways that feel organic rather than overwhelming.

Living in Brazil and traveling to the U.S. often adds layers to this rhythm. Moments of travel, study, and collaboration are balanced with quiet time by the ocean, painting in solitude, and listening to inner callings. This cyclical flow creates both expansion and grounding allowing for both outward sharing and inward reflection.

Creativity as a Natural Birthright

One of the most powerful truths revealed through this journey is that art is not reserved for the gifted. It is a natural birthright, as essential as breathing, walking, or dreaming. To create is to remember, to reconnect with our essence and the sacredness of life itself.

Whether through painting, tattooing, writing, dancing, or cooking, creativity is the spark that reminds us who we are. The belief that art is only for a select few is a myth of modern society. In truth, creativity is available to all of us, and to reclaim it is to return home to ourselves, to nature, and to the deeper rhythms that sustain us.

Honoring the Sacredness of Connection

Every brushstroke, every tattoo, every gathering carries a deeper message: we are not separate. All that we touch, eat, and use comes from the land. To create art that honors this truth is to remind ourselves of the sacred interconnection we’ve too often forgotten.

By reclaiming creativity as a way of prayer and devotion, art becomes more than self-expression. It becomes an act of remembering. It bridges cultures, communities, and spirits an offering of love, hope, and healing in a world that is constantly asking us to choose fear instead.

Ready to begin your own journey?

Honor your spark today whether through painting, writing, dancing, or simply allowing yourself to imagine. Share your creations, connect with others, and let your art become part of the greater web of life. The world is waiting for your voice, your vision, your expression. Start now.

Listen to Episode 17: Sacred Art & Tattoos with Mari Kuroyama a heartfelt conversation on tattooing as ritual, painting as prayer, and the power of creativity to heal, connect, and transform.