This question is always my favorite to get! I’ve answered it a few times before, but figured this was the perfect opportunity to let my newest clients in on my previous answers.

From a really young age, I’ve always had an affinity for art, and I would always be the kid who stayed inside drawing instead of playing, or (don’t tell my chemistry or PE teacher I told you bc I always said I was sick), but would often ditch class to go to the art room in high school to get some painting done. For me, art was the #1 way I could express myself when I didn’t have the words. It was a way for me to pursue meaning out of the life I’ve been gifted. I always knew I wanted to do something art related, though pursuing my studies in other fields as I’ve gotten older has gotten really tempting. So trust, that door isn’t fully shut!

Tattooing is inherently centered around making meaning out of the ephemeral, and that’s what I find the most beautiful. There will come a day where all my tattoos won’t exist anymore, but I’ll know they were cherished. Tattoos can be tied to grief, strength, renewal, and all other sorts of meaningful things. I even consider getting a tattoo just because you like it to be quite meaningful, especially if we consider who you were at any given time. This being tied into my previous statement about art speaking for me, tattooing gives me the opportunity not just to speak for myself anymore, but evolves my love of art into being given the opportunity to speak for everyone who sits in my chair. I do what I do to make pretty pictures, of course! But I also do what I do so that everyone can have a piece of art that speaks for THEM when they don’t have the words.🩷