By Kelly Malone

Saskatoon tattoo artist using breast cancer scars as canvas

Oct 12, 2014 | 2:50 PM

In a tattoo parlour located downstairs in a strip mall on Broadway Avenue, women bring the remnants of their battle with cancer to make works of art.

Mastectomy scars are the canvas for Eye of the Needle tattoo artist Baillie Fruson.

“My mother had breast cancer and she has horrible scars,” Fruson said, of her personal connection to the cancer.

Tattooing for around 11 years, Fruson has combined her desire to help others with her work before.

A few years ago, she donated a part of her commission to the SPCA whenever anyone got a portrait of their pets. Recently,  Fruson said one of her clients was diagnosed with cancer and had to have a mastectomy.

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“I tattooed this one woman and I did it for her. After I did, I was like ‘maybe I should do it for free,’” she said, adding now she is doing it for the price of a hug.

“It’s just because women feel bad about themselves after they get these scars, it’s horrible. First they have to deal with cancer then they have to deal with…  it’s hard to say but hack jobs because (the doctors) are just trying to get rid of the cancer they aren’t caring about what it’s going to look like in the end. So I thought why not make them feel better.”

She has also seen the financial restraints put on many women who are unable to work as they heal.

As for the tattooing process, Fruson said it’s a collaboration with the client.

“I then try and make it flow the best I can cause sometimes the boobs are two different sizes,” she said.

“I’ve had a really good response.”

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