287 - David Allen, Part 1 - A Tattoo Artist Holding Space for Healing and Renewal
“I wanna love the raw you because I wanna be loved.” - David Allen
Look for the helpers. It’s a simple axiom meant to comfort small children, a reminder to find supportive adults in times of distress. But good advice doesn’t stop being good just because we’ve aged out of the original target audience. Adults need helpers, too.
David Allen is an absolute gem of a helper, an art director turned tattoo artist who works with post-mastectomy clients in Chicago. While breast cancer survivors aren’t the whole of his business, David gratefully acknowledges the indelible mark that these warriors have left on his personal life and professional outlook. “Most of my clients, collectively, have inspired me to look inward, to be present in the moment,” says David, who identifies as an artist and a father. “When I tattoo someone that's metastatic, they might have six months to live or three years. I've never been with someone who's more present, hangs onto your words, everyone's words, and enjoys the moment more.”
You might not immediately associate the process with intimacy if you’ve never had a tattoo or sat for an intricate, multi-session piece. The prototype tattoo shop––noisy, brightly lit, overtly masculine, and specializing in “flash” or stock images––doesn’t exactly telegraph warmth. However, artists like David create spaces for genuine connection and care within the profession. “Holding space for somebody is really important, and that's pretty much what I do,” confides David. “I didn't realize how it would turn into a process that helps people heal. I know it helps me heal for sure.”
It’s impossible to discuss tattooing without investigating masculinity, especially as society struggles to define the word. The push-pull is not lost on David, whose work empowers breast cancer survivors to challenge traditional beauty standards. “Even the word masculine is hard for me,” he admits. “I think that's fear. It's easier to stay outside of yourself.” Diving below the surface “requires a lot of work, and it's really raw,” David says. “You look inward and see what hurts and why.”
Join David and I for part two of our soul-satisfying conversation. We’ll dig into the mystery of death, the endurance of ancestral lineage, and the future of humanity—no big deal.
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
The Deepest Well: Healing the Long-Term Effects of Childhood Trauma and Adversity
RECOMMENDED PLAYLIST
Mishara Winston: Eat Snacks / Take Naps Re-Release
Mishara Winston: A Model for Communal Mental Wellness
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David Allen is a Chicago-based tattoo artist known for his bespoke floral designs that transform mastectomy scars into powerful expressions of healing and renewal. With a deep respect for each client’s voice and story, David approaches tattooing as a collaborative process — one that centers agency, artistry, and emotional care. His work is rooted in compassion, intention, and connection.
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