Tattoo Talk: Asheira fromtwoman Ashley “Asheira” Pereira Shares Stories Behind Some of Her Favourite Ink

Her real name is Ashley Pereira and she’s an actress (check out her IMBD profile for more info), but when you combine her first and last name you get “Asheira”, also the name of an East Nashville, TN-based rock group that’s quite rapidly amassing a loyal fan base. Pereira has actually been performing her whole life and, from age 4 onward, she was destined to be in the limelight. We won’t delve further into her background (that you can research on your own), but we’ll leave you with this rad tattoo talk where Asheira helps us to understand the stories behind some of her ink.

When, where and what was your first tattoo?
Asheira: I got my first tattoo in Enterprise Alabama, I was 17 and it was a Chi Ro which is “Christ” in Greek.

Do any of your tattoos have a particularly special meaning behind them? If so, do share!
Asheira: Most of them represent a certain time in life I was in. I have a bird on my rib cage with Matthew 6:26 written below it. Matthew 6:26 talked about how God cares for the birds, and if we are more important than the birds, will He not take care of us too? I got that when I was homeless for a short while. It was a birthday present, and it seemed to always remind me that everything would be ok. I have a mandala on my left tricep, it had black, red, and green in it. The colors collectively stand for: Red- passion, courage, prosperity; Green: nature, healing, growth; Black: mystery and deep thinking individual. Also on my left arm are two roses. My mother sent me a painting for Christmas of a woman with roses in her hair. I figured that might be a better fit for me than getting a “Mom” tattoo.

There is a script on my left arm that says “Diamonds in the Water”. I was at rehearsal one day, and my daughter was with me. She jumped on the stage and started to sing “Diamonds in the Water”, she didn’t get that from anywhere… she just made up the phrase on the spot. So I wrote a song called “Diamonds in the Water”. Although my daughter didn’t really mean anything by it, I gave it meaning. Diamonds in the Water (to me) represents “Permanence at Rest, within permanence in motion”. It reminds me of my daughter, and how she was so fearless to get up on stage, and just start dancing and singing. She was still at that age where the “fear of opinion” was not even a thought. I strive for that type of attitude when I perform, and just in everyday life….to not care about what people think when I’m just doing my thang.

Do you have a specific shop or artist that you frequent (insert shameless plug time!)?
Asheira: Over the last couple years I’ve been going to James Robinson who does his work from the Icon Tattoo parlor in Nashville, TN http://www.icontattoo.com. He’s really great!

Do you have any new tattoos planned or underway? Give us the dirt!
Asheira: I do! I have a portrait of James Dean in the mix, my entire left arm has been done by James Robinson, and we are working on a full sleeve. I have one more piece to go and some fillers. The portrait shows James Dean holding a chipped tea cup, which comes from the famous “Beauty and the Beast”. That was my favorite movie when I was a kid. I have my own “Chip” that I drink my coffee and whiskey out of occasionally. We went for 5 hours straight on James Dean, and I tapped out. So we have to finish out the rest of him and Chip soon!

Have you seen any fans with a band tattoo, anything crazy memorable?
Asheira: No band tattoos yet, but I have seen some portraits drawn many times. There was one artist in Austin who painted a portrait of me on concrete that was the length of a couch!

We know you have one… tell us about that stoned/drunken joke-tattoo you once got….
Asheira: There has not been a stoned/drunk tattoo yet, lol, fortunately.

Do you have any tattoos that you now hate, want to replace, or have covered up, and why?
Asheira: I don’t ever hate any of my tattoos, but the bird on my rib cage is something I’d like to “freshin” up one day. I’ve seen a few people with the same bird, so I’d like to make it more unique.

Have you had anything covered up? If yes, what was it and why… we need details!
Asheira: No cover ups!

Have any tattoos that were painful. Like made you cry, see white light, and regret being born?
Asheira: Yes, the yellow rose was one, it hurt like hell! I don’t know if it was the color or the spot that hurt the most, but my entire arm was swollen and I had an allergic reaction to the colo. I had hives all up and down my arm after that one. It was pretty intense.

If you HAD to get someone’s face tattooed on you, whose would it be and why?
Asheira: I got James Dean on my arm. I love who James Dean was as an actor, and the way he pursued his own art. Reminds me of myself in a lot of ways.

Check out the song “James Dean” here.