I don’t think there has ever been a time in my life I wasn’t making art. Art has been such a huge part of my life that I could not imagine NOT growing up to be a professional artist. 

Art runs deep in my family whether it be a hobby or professionally. 

One of my first influences was my mother who is an artist herself. She would always sign me up for art classes, pile me with art supplies and take me on trips to art museums. Another influence was one of my grandmother’s sisters, my Aunt Lee. She was a landscape painter who lived in Kentucky. I would go down to see my family and pick through her paints for hours, sitting while she poked away at a canvas. Her son worked for an architectural firm that built the Cincinnati Aquarium and I would occasionally pop over to his house and peek at whatever project he had in the works. 

Over the years I have done many art shows and sold paintings but tattooing did not find me until I was around 25. I had always had friends who tattooed but the style of work that was popular at the time did not appeal to me and I felt intimidated by the idea of making permanent art. 

One day I found myself inside a tattoo shop speaking with an artist whose work DID appeal to me, he is a comic inker who specializes in fine line black and grey, and after reviewing my work he offered me an apprenticeship. Taking that opportunity was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Tattooing allows me to do what I love, meet interesting people and travel the world. 

I am always trying to find ways to push my work and become a better artist.  I enjoy a variety of work but specialize in color floral/nature. Much of my work is based upon real photos, some of which come from my own garden. I enjoy working on things like roses and lilies but also love when projects come along involving plants or critters I have never happened upon myself. I also enjoy vintage work as well as the occasional reproduction of some religious or interesting piece of art. I do choose based upon my strengths and what I love to do. 

I am currently starting the Master Gardening Extension Classes at MSU to become a certified Master Gardener. I am a nature nerd, plant hoarder and collector of beautiful dead things.