tattoo of the week: tha original gata™, feline of all trades

Meet THA ORIGINAL GATA™, self-proclaimed “feline of all trades”, a vocalist, actress, comic book model. Sporting 17 tattoos, she takes her ink seriously. Don’t forget to send us pictures of your tattoos and your answers to the questionnaire below to afropunkcommunity@gmail.com to be featured as our tattoo of the week.

Who are you?
Tha Musician
I’m the lead vocalist for a balls to the wall band called Negro Childe. “Negro Childe is a fusion band often compared to a cross between, Eminem & Juliette and the Licks, going from rock, to r&b, to hip hop to metal. When GATA gets on stage, her grungy manga-anime catlike persona & unique voice stylings will make it clear to you that she’s not your average front girl.”

Tha Actress
“Actress Monique GATA Dupree (…) tows the line between independent /genre film leading lady and the fringe of the mainstream. (…) She continues to infect the very bloodstream of the horror/sci-fi universe on every media level with her dominating presence and tireless work effort.” You can find some of my 70+films online or in stores.

Tha Model
I have been on the cover of many of online & print magazines. I’m also a comicbook model, modeling for 4 different comics including my very own premiering late 2012 called; “Cat O Nine Tales; The misadventures of Tha Original Gata”.

Digits
37years young and flaunting it

Zip
Brick City, NJ native

Occupation
Actress, Vocalist, Comicbook model & mother of 9

Number of tattoos
17 and counting

Favorite one
My comicbook character ink “Tha Original Gata”

When and where did you get it?
I got it in Baltimore, MD at Read Street tattoo

What does it mean to you?
It means the start of a great new venture with starting my very own comic series. In short, means the world to me.

How old were you when you got your first tattoo?
17

What is the biggest misconception people have about you because of your tattoos?
People see me as irresponsible or unintelligent because I have wild hair and ink. My body is MY canvas, its art. It doesn’t make me any less intelligent.

Why should we feature your tattoo?
How often do you get to feature a cat lady with cat tattoo with a cat as an animal totem?

Do you have a particular tattoo artist you go to?
Yes, J at Read Street tattoo in baltimore. That is my go to tattoo shop. My family now goes here.

Have you ever received a tattoo under the influence of drugs or alcohol?
Ummm ewww. Who would do that? Nah, I take my ink seriously. I like to be of sound mind and happy body.

Do you regret any tattoos you have?
I don’t believe in regrets