What an Adventure!

It would be hard to find someone who has not been on an adventure or read about an adventure or watched a movie about an adventure. But I am here to share that I have truly been on the most amazing adventure!! 

It's hard to say where it truly began. When I got my first tattoo could be a good starting point and that was almost 30 years ago. I was always fascinated with the art. Watching how people expressed themselves and the artist who was able to take a needle and ink and put it on the skin was amazing. To make a connection and build trust that blossomed into permanent art had a pull on me that I could never let go of. 

Over the years, I followed artists, watched tv shows and dreamed about becoming someone who could learn the skills and techniques that allowed for the space for me to have the opportunity to become a tattoo artist. 

Sometimes life takes you down paths that may seem to detour you away from your dreams. After starting a new family, two amazing boys and a full-time career, I felt like becoming a tattoo artist would only ever be a dream for me. I stayed connected by finding a great artist who I connected with, and I started filling up my canvas with meaningful-to-me designs. She would take my ideas, add her artistic touch and I would have the most beautiful piece of art with me always. I experienced the trust and creative talent, and it was amazing. I had supportive friends who gifted me things that would help me move toward becoming and artist, but what I realized was missing was a belief in myself and fears that I needed to let go of.  This took some time, some detours, and some perseverance, but I began to work through and release some of those fears. I began to celebrate and recognize the talents and passions that I had for the art and connection and step by step I moved closer and closer to a new reality where my dreams came true. I created a schedule and flow of my days as if I were already an artist. What would this look like for me? Creating designs, using resources to learn styles and techniques. I set aside a "work" schedule to devote set time as if I were going to a shop and living my dream. I embraced the "Fake it till you Make it" mind set. 

In June of 2024, I went to a local tattoo convention. We were looking at all the work of the artists who were attending and enjoying the experience. I was curious if the artist I had once spent a lot of time with would be there and at the very last booth we saw, there she was. She recognized her work before she recognized me, and we immediately began to reconnect and catch up. I mentioned that I had really been thinking about starting to tattoo in the conversation but enjoyed seeing her and her team again and we left them to return to their work and our tour of the remaining part of the convention. The following weekend, I received a text from this artist, (she still had my number, and I had hers) and she asked if I was looking to become an apprentice. I was so shocked! I was invited to come the following Wednesday and visit with the other artists of the shop and talk with them before being considered for the open apprentice position. After my visit, by that Friday, I was the new apprentice!!!! It still makes my head spin to think about how everything fell into place and I enjoy sharing this story with my clients as I am doing pieces for them. 

November of 2024, I did my first client tattoo. It just happened to be my sister and a mutual friend (pictured on the left) getting matching BFF tattoos. I had tattooed myself a couple of times, but it was nothing compared to tattooing someone else. 

Every day at the shop and with each client I am honored to get to connect with brings me a different experience. From learning to a reminder that I am living my dream IRL, it has truly and continues to be the most amazing adventure!