Kristen Ferrell, a Kansas University graduate in fine arts, takes art seriously — especially body art.

Ferrell received her first tattoo when she was 16. Inspired after reading National Geographic, she became interested in body modification.

Tattoos run down Ferrell’s arms, chest and stomach. She has two piercings in her nose, five in her ears and a belly ring. Two of her ear piercings mirror tribal body modification, stretched to 1 1/2 inches around. Ear stretching is a form of modification Ferrell remembers noticing in pictures from Africa.

“Since I was a little girl, I wanted to look like the African princesses in those pictures,” she said.

Now, she sees piercing and tattoos becoming acceptable in Lawrence.

“People are breaking the barrier of social classes with piercing and tattoos,” she said.

Some people in Lawrence use piercings and tattoos to express themselves. Piercing and tattooing include risks and require care. Prices for a piercing or tattoo increase the more elaborate the art gets.

Ear gauging — or stretching — can be done by individuals because of the skin’s elasticity. However, people have to stretch the piercing slowly, or theycould tear their skin, said Taylor Collins, a piercer at Big Daddy Cadillac’s, 16 E. Eighth St.

“The only thing you can do yourself is stretching, but slowly; get your information first,” Ferrell said. “I always was careful because I respected the art of it.”

Piercings

Collins has seen an increase in nostril piercings this year. Last year, the trend was eyebrow piercing.

She sees all ages, too.

Kristen Ferrell, a Kansas University fine arts graduate, takes body art seriously. Besides tattoos, she has two piercings in her nose, five in her ears and a belly ring.

“Today I pierced a 65-year-old woman’s navel,” she said recently.

Ferrell has heard some horror stories when people have tried to do their piercings themselves.

“Piercing is an actual surgical procedure, not something you should do yourself,” she said.

Infection and rejection are piercing risks. Infection can be remedied by keeping the piercing clean, Collins said. Rejection occurs when the body physically pushes the piercing out because of poor workmanship. Either the piercing is too shallow or the piercer used improper jewelry. A straight barbell in a curved body part, such as your eyebrow, could cause rejection.

Piercing can range from $40 to $80. The cost depends on the expense of the jewelry and the time the procedure will take. Jewelry can cost $16 and up.

Tattoos

At Big Daddy Cadillac’s, tattoos can be custom made and are considered a creative expression.

“College is one of the first times students are free to be creative,” Collins said. “A lot of that expression translates into body modification.”

Here are ring samples used for noses and bellies.

She said students looking for their first tattoo were concerned with its location. Collins said students often wanted tattoos where they could hide it, worried that body art might not be acceptable to future bosses.

Getting a tattoo involves risks. The formation of scar tissue happens because you are doing damage to the top layer of skin. If the tattoo is too deep, the body rejects the ink, and the tattoo will lose its color. Scar tissue also causes the skin to rise. A well-done tattoo should feel like your normal skin after one month.