Ink with Purpose

Powered by professional fundraiser Colossal, Inked Originals is a nationwide competition that brings together like-minded tattooed individuals for a cause. Colossal creates life-changing opportunities through online fundraising competitions that give people the platform to win big while making a global impact.

Since 2023, Colossal has raised more than $4.2 million to support The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation, the number one provider of financial assistance to families of children with cancer in the United States, helping over 3,800 families to-date. This year, the Inked Originals competition raised more than $2.4 million

Meet the 2025 Inked Originals titleholder and the fierce finalists who helped raise millions for the B+ Foundation and take a peek at their treasured ink.

Kylie Mason/ 2025 Inked Originals Champion

Kylie Mason is more than meets the eye. Coming from a small town in California, this Inked Originals champion’s journey took her to the colorful state of Colorado, where she enjoys the outdoor culture and robust music scene. She spends her days embracing the best decade of life so far: her 30s. At this stage, she has never felt more equipped to begin decorating her body with meaningful art. 

Mason entered the tattoo world with a great deal of care. For her, there were plenty of reasons to wait, including her wedding celebration, where she wanted to avoid overwhelming her grandmother, who wasn’t a fan of ink artistry. Beyond that, Mason sees her tattoos as a gallery that she is privileged to wear, beginning the process with purpose. As the curator of her gallery, she carefully considers each piece and the artist best suited for each artwork.

With her first tattoo being a beautiful death’s-head hawkmoth, Mason set the bar high. This tattoo represents the connection to her favorite book, “The Silence of the Lambs,” as well as a creature born in the darkness and drawn to the light. Her tattoo artist, Madeleine Rastelli, inked the phrase “Nacida de las Sombras,” meaning “Born of the Shadows,” which reflects both her spirit and an authentic signature of the Spanish-speaking artist herself, something Mason values greatly. The nature of the artwork is a personal story of redemption, so it felt right for the placement to be close to her heart and in a place primarily just for her. “I wear it with pride, despite the fact that it does not see the light of day often, a fact not lost upon me to be consistent with its meaning,” she said.

Another one of her thoughtfully curated pieces features a hummingbird flying up her back toward dragons in the distance. At an early age, she was captivated by these impossible little creatures, admiring their spirit and determination. As she sought out the artist who could capture their essence, she found Gama Tat. Charmed by Gama’s dragon artworks, her inspiring backpiece came to fruition: a little bird with a lot of heart and gumption flying higher to achieve, trying to join dragons. To Mason, this is the perfect piece that “has her back” and reminds all to pursue their dreams.

Part of Mason’s prize for Colossal’s Inked Originals competition included the opportunity to be tattooed by the legendary artist, Bang Bang, in New York City. She entrusted him with a special concept she envisioned to honor her grandfather, who delighted in sharing his passion for armor and medieval warfare. His stories frequently circled back to his favorite treasure trove: The Wallace Collection. Years later, Mason journeyed to visit this private museum in London to pick the perfect suit to serve as a reference for the tattoo; one that combines just the right amount of ornamentation and dignity. “It feels so appropriate to have that suit of armor from that collection guarding my heart, and to always have my grandfather’s spirit close by my side wherever I go,” Mason said.

The heart and intention behind each of Mason’s tattoos is a true testament to her pure heart and grateful spirit. “I am at the beginning of a lifetime journey,” she said, “and I am
excited to see how my collection grows with me.”

Amanda Halverson/ 2nd Place

Free-spirited Amanda Halverson was born and raised in Seattle, where she nurtured passions for animals, the outdoors, and all things “weird.” Now editor at “Weird Lit Mag” and a freelance copywriter, she’s no stranger to creativity and authenticity.

Halverson began her tattoo journey when she was 21, when she and her best friend spontaneously got tattoos together. She opted for the words “Stay Wild” on her forearm — a nod to their favorite Fall Out Boy song and a reminder to never lose that spark. She built a sleeve around it, featuring wild animals she loves: a lion, fox, peregrine falcon, and sloth. A laurel wreath and rose complete the design, the latter tucked in her armpit. When she told her artist her underarm felt empty, he was stunned. Most people only tattoo there as a last resort. Halverson, however, embodies the Inked Originals spirit: staying true to yourself.

Halverson’s authenticity extends far beyond tattoos. Every decision is filtered through an internal audit of alignment and purpose. She’s deeply involved with Whole Washington, a nonprofit pushing for universal healthcare, and she recharges by visiting museums. As @TheMuseumMistress, she films exhibits and shares them online to spark curiosity and cultural appreciation.

Heather Cecere/ 3rd Place

Heather Cecere (@crazydropped), a magnetic mother of two, is a walking billboard for art, heart, and happiness. Her tattoos celebrate life’s joys, from an homage to her pugs to a Betty Crocker on her back, honoring her love of baking. When she’s not serving up smiles as a bubbly bartender, she’s helping perfect them at a dental lab.

A natural conversationalist, Cecere loves how tattoos spark stories. Each piece reflects her journey, and she’s always happy to share. On her Las Vegas honeymoon, she visited Hart & Huntington Tattoo Company to mark the occasion. Rather than her husband’s name, a “death sentence,” she joked, she inked a tiny ant for Anthony.

Cecere’s bright personality shines through her love of traditional tattoos, color, and self-expression. She stays grounded with sunshine and fresh air daily, knowing her future will hold more ink, plenty of smiles, and life lived fully in New Jersey.

Jeff Carter/ 4th Place

Living his best life with his wife of 25 years in Erie, Colorado, Jeff Carter is a multitalented musician and nurse who strikes the perfect balance between rock and heart. At first glance, he looks like a rockstar because he is one, fronting the band Rockin’ Horse, but beyond the stage, Carter is a cardiac nurse with a heart of gold.

Passion and perseverance define his life, and his tattoos reflect that story of redemption and resilience. Carter’s right sleeve, done by Joel Long at Bolder Ink, features a lotus rising from darkness, a yin-yang of devil and angel wings, and a skull marking the death of an old reality. “I am filled with gratitude in my current season of life,” he said.

Carter’s style has evolved from teenage flash pieces to a deep love for traditional Japanese art. His left sleeve showcases Raijin, God of Thunder, and Fujin, God of Wind, symbolizing strength, and a koi dragon, representing perseverance. Next up is a traditional dragon backpiece, honoring his warrior spirit that led him to nursing.

These days, Carter’s journey is filled with love and light. Off the clock, you’ll find him playing softball, hitting the gym, or commanding the mic with Rockin’ Horse. Hear them at rockinhorse3.bandzoogle.com.