Allison Kridle, Staff Writer 9:39 a.m. EST January 22, 2015

Henna tattoos(Photo: FSView)

On the first Friday of every month, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., like clockwork, the art and music loving masses from all over Tallahassee converge at Railroad Square. These First Friday attendees wander around the square to find different art galleries and a few stages with musical performances. However, they may be surprised to stumble upon a henna body artist, Gabriela Fulginiti.

The Florida State junior Art Studio student sets up her henna table, covered with pictures of designs and symbols and flush with a line of patiently waiting customers, in front of Athena's Garden every First Friday.

Henna art became one of Fulginiti's many trades when she took henna lessons in India while teaching English in the Bhogpur village, located in the Himalayan Mountains.

"I made a connection in the village and signed up for classes. That's what really gave me the confidence to do the practice," Fulginiti said.

Before her training in India, Fulginiti was first interested in henna body art in middle school. She read about the practice and bought a henna kit for her to do with friends.

Being a member of the First Friday art family since Nov. 2013, Fulginiti has enjoyed meeting other artists who have been doing art in the square for so long and the handful of customers she talks to each month.

"I've been having a repeat of customers, so it's nice that I have been getting recognized in the area," Fulginiti said.

The majority of Fulginiti's clients request various symbols, such as infinity signs, anime symbols and their names. However, the henna artist also creates her own designs.

Follow this link:

Local artist infuses spirituality in henna tattoos