Inked Mag Staff
March 4th, 2015
Just Look At That Smile
Today’s tattoo is this adorable portrait by Pony Lawson. Lawson is the owner of Mayday! Tattoo Co. in Chicago, IL and he is best known for his lifelike color work…
Today’s tattoo is this adorable portrait by Pony Lawson. Lawson is the owner of Mayday! Tattoo Co. in Chicago, IL and he is best known for his lifelike color work and portraiture. Though his color realism is seen most often, Lawson also dabbles in black and grey and a fun New School style from time to time.
Today’s pick is a perfect example of the phenomenal portraiture Lawson is lauded for. The incredible attention to detail that went into rendering the likeness of this little girl is mind blowing. Everything from her blonde hair to her blue eyes to her instantly recognizable My Little Pony shirt look like they could just walk right off of the wearer’s skin. And with that cute smile forever inked on their skin, we bet the wearer of this tattoo is one proud parent!
What really makes this piece stand out to us, though, is the great imitation of the child’s skin tone contrasted to the brightness applied to her eyes. It instantly adds a bubbly expression to the piece and captures a bunch of the child’s personality into one inked snapshot. Another great addition to this piece is the bright blue background. Adding this background not only picks up the blue in the child’s eyes, but also in her shirt, thus balancing the entire piece out, color wise. It’s coloring and contrast decisions like these that make Lawson such a great artist.
To see more of Lawson’s amazing portfolio, check out his artist’s page right here.

Editor's Picks
Met Gala 2025: The Best Tattooed Celebrity Looks
At the 2025 Met Gala, inked celebrities like Rihanna, Cardi B, and Lewis Hamilton proved tattoos are the ultimate high-fashion accessory.
May the 4th Ink Be With You: Best Star Wars Tattoos for Superfans
Celebrate Star Wars Day with tattoos that showcase the Force—from Darth Vader portraits to minimalist Baby Yoda ink. May the ink be with you!
Diplo, Jelly Roll, Zach Bryan, and More: Highlights from Stagecoach 2025
Stagecoach 2025 delivered epic performances, unforgettable moments, and nonstop energy under the desert skies of Indio, California.