A MUM covered head to toe in tattoos has told how she forgets she even has them – despite having more than 800 etchings. Valerie, 34, from San Diego, California, says she often catches gobsmacked strangers staring at her and finds herself asking her son why. Barcroft Media / TrulyValerie says: “I legit ask my son, what’s on my face? And he’s like ‘you have face tattoos'”[/caption] Barcroft Media / TrulyValerie got her first tattoo when she was just 14 and now 20-years later ink covers a whopping 78 percent of her body – including her face[/caption] The mum-of-two got her first tattoo when she was just 14. And now 20-years later ink covers a whopping 78 percent of her body – including her face. She told Truly: “I walk down the street and I’m like ‘why are these people staring at me?’. “I legit ask my son, what’s on my face? And he’s like ‘you have face tattoos’. Most read in World News PUTIN'S TERROR Live Ukraine war updates: Putin troops bomb SECOND military factory in Kyiv PUTIN THE BOOT IN Putin BANS Boris from entering Russia after lashing out at UK sanctions EVIL BARGAIN Russian soldier's wife 'tells him to rape Ukrainian women' in sick phonecall HERO 'TORTURE' Captured Brit hero will NOT be treated as Prisoner of War, Russia warns 'THIS IS WW3' Furious Kremlin claims WW3 triggered by sinking of its Black Sea flagship ORCA HELL World’s worst killer whale attacks as beasts savage and try to drown trainers “I forget, they’re just a part of me!” Valerie’s standout tattoos include an entirely black left arm and a peculiar mock scar which runs across her eyelids and cheek. The mum – who works as a painter – sees her tattoos as an expression of art. But not everyone feels the same and the inking’s – especially those on her face – attract a lot of negative attention. READ MORE BODY MODIFICATION STORIES NOT HIDING I'm a mum and my face is COVERED in tattoos - I'm proud of how I look EARACHE Hamilton says F1 chiefs will have to chop off his EAR to meet jewellery demands People have even accused the mum as a bad example to her three-year-old and 15-year-old sons. Though she says there is a misconception that “only crazy people tattoo their faces” – which she says is wrong. Despite the negativity, Valerie – who has almost 69,000 followers on Instagram – is proud of her ink. So much so that she is hellbent on getting more tattoos – including her mums date of birth on her face. She explained: “It’s the way that I express myself.” The mum – who describes her look as “a modern-day Harley Quinn” – the colourful henchwoman to the Joker in Batman – cut quite a different appearance before she covered herself in ink. Astonishing pictures show what seems like a totally different person with no tattoos on her face – she also has different coloured hair. Though Valerie says she would not have it any other way because “it’s a look I am comfortable with”. But Valerie is not alone in her passion for extortionate amounts of tattoos. One mum-of-seven has every inch of her face inked with roses, hearts and even an England flag. Read More on The Sun ON YOUR MARKS Harry & Meg show fun side in mini cars at Invictus Games after Palace talks BACK ON? Katie Price and ex Carl spotted holding hands at the airport after shock split Melissa Sloan from Knighton, on the Powys-Shropshire border says people stop and stare at her constantly and tell her she looks like “something out of another universe”. But the 45-year-old insists: “I like the way I am. You only live once. Do what you want to do.” Barcroft Media / TrulyAstonishing pictures show what seems like a totally different person with no tattoos on her face – she also has different coloured hair[/caption] People have even accused the mum as a bad example to her three-year-old and 15-year-old sonsBarcroft Media / Truly SnapperSKMelissa Sloan from Knighton, on the Powys-Shropshire border says people stop and stare at her constantly and tell her she looks like “something out of another universe”[/caption]