A former model has gone from having one tiny hidden tattoo to a body covered in 40 ink drawings, plus a split tongue and pointed ears, all in just nine months.
Eliane Trujillo, who prefers to be known by her professional name Mary Janne, completely transformed her body after embarking on her body modification journey in October last year.
The 20-year-old, a piercing specialist from Guadalajara, Mexico, fell in love with body art when she started working in a tattoo studio at the age of 15.
She got a small heart on her breast at the time, but due to her age and the fact she worked as a model from 2018 to 2020, refrained from getting any more until last year.
She now has 40 tattoos, had her tongue split, her ears pointed (or elfing as it's known in the body modification world), her lobes expanded and got a coin slot piercing where she removed a small section of cartilage. The purpose of a coin slot piercing is to fit many rings in one hole, so they can stack on top of each other.
“I got my very first tattoo when I was just 15 years old, but I have been heavily modifying myself since October 2021,” said Mary Janne.
“Right now I have over 40 tattoos, but I don’t intend to stop there.
“I have a forked tongue, ear pointing, expanders and a coin slot piercing. Forking my tongue was definitely the most painful thing that has ever happened to me; both the procedure and the scarring.
“Back in October 2021 I did the ear pointing and got the modifying bug.
“I have always loved the art [of tattooing] but I could not get more while I worked as a model. I could not have this alternative look if I wanted to work.
“My latest mod was only three weeks ago when I got my coin slot done. Compared to the tongue fork it didn’t hurt at all.”
Mary Janne has always been very independent - she got a first job, working in a shoe store, at 12 - and although her decision to modify her body is met with some judgement, it doesn't phase her.
“I lived in a problematic family from which I became independent at the age of 18, after finishing my studies in high school,” she said.
“I am currently self-employed. I work in a piercing and tattoo studio.
“I found my love for the modification in the studio, I then began taking seminars related to it and meeting people in this medium.
“Before all my modifications I felt good but dissatisfied, I felt that something was missing and I am still looking for it, that is why I continue with my project to change my image.
“I like how it looks aesthetically and having the freedom to decide how you want to see yourself.”
Mary Janne deals with any negativity by focusing on her love for modification and tries to remember the positive comments over the negative ones.
“People are surprised or shocked by this change at a young age, there are people who do not agree with it but also people who do like it and it calls their attention,” she said.
“The people who criticise me choose to focus on my age, they see it badly that a young girl should have so many tattoos.
“I am not a young girl though I am a woman and the choice is mine.
"Some people say they would never do that to themselves. Others have told me that God gave us our body the way it is and that it is for something and we should not modify it.
“I also have a lot of people tell me they like it and that they would like to get modifications done too.”
Mary Janne says her family are coming around to her drastic change.
“My family do not like what I have done nor are they happy that I dedicate myself to this,“ she said.
“But they are already starting to accept it and get used to seeing me this way.
“My friends find it very impressive, they don't agree with it completely, but they don't judge my decisions as much anymore.”
Mary Janne wants to encourage others to do what makes them feel confident and let society catch up.
“Never be afraid to be who you are,” she said.
Mary Janne currently works at the tattoo and piercing studio Body Inkers in Guadalajara Mexico.
You can see some of the modification work she does on her instagram @maryjanne_piercing.
