My whole life I have had the ability to draw, which has led me down an interesting path. After high school I had no real interest in going to college, but somehow I ended up in Art classes at IUP in Indiana, PA. I worked with a variety of media, and in '96 I lived in Gubbio, Italy, during my 8 week internship where I worked for a potter. Yes, I made pottery. I was really good at it, but that isn't where my heart is. I graduated in '99 with my BFA, and went on to earn a Master of Fine Arts degree from OU in Athens in 2003, with the intention of pursuing a faculty position in a university. As luck would have it, I briefly taught at Marshall University, and spent the next 5 years teaching Art at OUL in Lancaster, Ohio.
I started tattooing in 2006, after getting tattooed quite a bit, which I suppose is how it happens for most of us. I was still teaching at OUL at the time, and in 2010 I ended my teaching pursuits to become a full time tattooer. ...and I ain't lookin' back!
I am heavily influenced by Japanese tattooing and European art, which is a unique blend. There is a timelessness that these genres have, and I like to work within that sort of tradition. I also enjoy the challenge of photo realism in tattooing.
Throughout my experimentation with different media, I felt this deep longing to connect with other people through my work. That's what I'm attracted to the most in tattooing. It's the collaboration of the clients ideas and my artistic ability that makes the whole thing come to life! Its a beautiful and sacred thing to mark your body, and I'm proud and honored to be a part of this great tradition!
