InkSpired Magazine Issue No. 40 | Page 72

GERI MARTINI Interview: Candies Deezy Liu / Photography: Sean Hartgrove InkSpired Magazine: How and when did your modeling career begin? Geri Martini: Well, I wouldn’t quite call it a career, YET! I believe I still have quite a ways to go before I can call it a career, but I guess you could say I started being shot right out of high school and then proceeded to do so while getting tattoos as well. I have only really shot a total of maybe 3-4 times but know that with the passion and love I have for it, I could make it a career and do some really awesome things! InkSpired Magazine: Do you have any advice for aspiring models? Geri Martini: My best advice would be to always be YOU! Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you aren’t skinny enough or pretty enough, or maybe you have too many tattoos, or not enough. Always stay true to yourself and you will find your niche! InkSpired Magazine: What else do you do? Geri Martini: I’m a bartender in Las Vegas! I recently started playing the drums (still very much in my beginner stage), my brother plays guitar so we jam out! I’m a big reader, I love reading about serial killers! Steven King books are always great as well. I occasionally like to go out and let loose, have some Jameson, and dance the night away, but most of the time you’ll find me spending time with my family, closest friends, and of course, my pit baby, “Opie”. InkSpired Magazine: What inspired you to start getting tattooed? Geri Martini: That’s a good question... I remember thinking how incredibly sexy tattoos were on both men and women. It’s a different look that has become much more popular over the years and definitely more accepting. I just feel like it’s kind of like a way for people to self-express and a display of art, really. Some people hang it on their walls, we wear ours on our skin. Forever. It’s kind of a cool thought to think about as well; you can’t take anything with you when you die, your clothes, money, cars, et cetera, but you can take your tattoos. but I have it all planned out. Just waiting for the right artist to complete it. It’s going to be my entire left arm, all dedicated to my sister who just passed this year on January 23rd, 2016. It’s going to be epic, stick around to see my next shoot and she will be completed! InkSpired Magazine: Who are your tattoo artists? Geri Martini: I have been tattooed by many random people. To name a few, a friend of mine, Daniel Hendrix who resided in NoCal. Another artist that has done a few pieces on me is Danny Lepore from New York. Varand Hartoonian did my side piece and he’s out in SoCal. InkSpired Magazine: What role do tattoos play in your life? Geri Martini: Pretty big role! They are me. They all have a story. Where I was, who I was with, what I was feeling, why I got it. Everytime I look at them it’s a reminder of all those things. It’s makes me who I am. InkSpired Magazine: What inspires you? Geri Martini: My biggest inspiration is my family. We have all been through so much and managed to stay strong. Especially now with the loss of my 22 year old sister, these past few weeks have been the hardest I will probably ever experience and my family has been so strong throughout this. They are always there, through thick and thin. Always supporting me in everything I choose to do. InkSpired Magazine: What is something that many people don’t know about you? Geri Martini: I’m a pretty open person. It’s always kind of been like, if you want to know, just ask with me. I guess something that not many people would know about me is that I’m a pescatarian (don’t eat meat, but still eat seafood and fish). I not only hate ho