An actor, formerly known as “Britain’s Most Tattooed Man,” has shared that he’s refrained from getting new tattoos for a year to pay £36,000 off his mortgage.
Additionally, he’s undergoing the removal of some “risky” implants to prevent the loss of his arm. “King of Ink Land King Body Art The Extreme Ink-ite,” previously named Mathew Whelan, is renowned for his heavily tattooed appearance.
He admitted giving up his body modification addiction to clear his £66,000 mortgage. “Unfortunately, the skin has worn thin on one side,” he expressed, “and I’m concerned it could tear,” King Of Ink Land, from Birmingham, told NeedToKnow.co.uk.
“I don’t want to experience another medical ordeal like I did with my knuckle duster implant a while back. The skin tore, leading to rot and plasma buildup, requiring multiple drainages. Although I have a scar and slight arm deformation, it was removed before risking blood poisoning.
I can’t risk a repeat, hence the tough decision to remove the ‘crown’ implant. People are fascinated by my implants, assuming the right to touch them, which isn’t cool. I won’t miss that.
Surprisingly, going a year without tattoos doesn’t feel strange; it’s no longer a craving or desire.”
King Of Ink Land, also known as Body Art, asserts he’s endured over 1,500 hours of tattooing. In February 2016, he set a record by having 36 tattooists simultaneously work on him.
Despite not tracking the total cost, the hiatus from ink has helped clear nearly £36,000 of his mortgage.
He acknowledges upcoming rate changes and expresses discipline in his budget to achieve mortgage freedom within three years.
Reflecting on life changes, he looks forward to a more special ink session once the mortgage is settled.
Since developing an interest in body mods at age nine, he underwent various alterations, including black-stained eyes, nipple removal, ear shaping, and a name change.
The 44-year-old expressed, “I am living an abbreviation of my name, B Art, as I’m being art in my life no matter what others say or think of my tattoos.
My last inking marked the beginning of blackout style, and while I don’t plan to pursue it extensively, tattooing is a personal art collection.
I aim to evolve and modify them as desired. Eventually, I’ll incorporate blackout and layer another ink to achieve my ultimate goal.”
READ MORE: Woman called human ‘cyborg’ spends £150,000 to cover 80% of body in tattoos
