Toronto’s top tattoo artists have done a lot of body art — but none as special as the ones for their clients’ mothers. We asked them to share the details of their most memorable mom tattoo experiences, from a twist on a traditional heart for a client’s two moms to matching ones in honour of the artist’s own mom, done on his sisters. 

CONNOR, TBC TATTOO PARLOUR

“I did a pair for my sisters. I was able to do a little butterfly and a rose with the mother banner. My mom doesn’t know about them yet; she’s been away for a few days, so this might be the first time she sees them!” @con____artist

BILLIE, PRIVATE STUDIO

“I posted a traditional mom heart on my account, and I had someone message me and say they wanted to change the ‘mom’ to ‘moms’ because they have two moms. They dedicated that tattoo to not only their moms, but moms everywhere, so it’s the ultimate mom tattoo.” @sandboytats

CORI, PRIVATE STUDIO

“A friend’s mom had passed away when she was three years old, and she got this one and placed it so it was sort of beside her heart. It was a really nice way to commemorate this not present female figure in her life.” @crab_m3at_

KRYS, TRU TATTOO SHOP

“One of the most common mom tattoos that I’ve done is getting something in your mom’s or grandmother’s handwriting. For grandmas, it’s pretty popular after they’ve passed away — cute little notes that say their name.” @krys.ink

VICTORIA, TBC TATTOO PARLOUR

“One of our regular clients here came in and she wanted to get her mom’s name tattooed in script on her face above her eyebrow. Sadly, her mom passed away, but I was happy I could do that memorial tattoo for her.”  @victoria.rod

GERMAN, PASSAGE TATTOO

“The client was a first generation Latino from California who migrated to Toronto, and he wanted a tattoo for his mom. In the banner is the word “Ama,” a Latin nickname for mother. Latin culture is more matriarchal; our family revolves around our strong mother figures.” @germanshible