Where did your passion for tattooing begin? Was there a particular moment or time you first felt drawn to the art?

I would say I began interested in tattooing around 15. I started a job at a costume store and all the employees were heavily tattooed. It was the first time being around so many cool and alternative people that were older and it really sparked my interest. Once I finally got tattooed when I was 18, I knew it’s what I wanted to do. I slowly entered the tattoo world by managing shops and finally began my apprenticeship when I was 31.

Does your tattoo style say anything about who you are as a person?

1000000% !! My main focus is horror and pop culture and animals - which is everything I love in my actual life. I am so thankful to be able to tattoo the things that inspire me. 

If you had to pick, what's one of your favourite pieces you've tattooed?

This is sooo hard! But my go to, is this horror black sleeve I did years ago. It highlights some of my favorite styles and horror icons! I also am working on a horror black and grey sleeve and that sleeve incorporates some of my favorite portraits I’ve ever done.

Has there been one particular moment in your tattooing career that you're most proud of?

I would say a couple highlights: starting and completing a real apprenticeship was something that I knew I had to do, not only to be respected in the industry, but to respect myself. Even when I was over that apprenticeship and wanted to quit, I knew I had to finish and I did and I am proud of myself for that. A couple other of my favorite parts of tattooing have been meeting some of my idols but not only meeting them, working alongside them in their shops. Truly a full circle moment for me. Oh and I am opening my own shop which is so wild but I am very proud and ready to continue to learn and grow while running my own business! 

Many artists have a philosophy about their work or why they create. Do you have one?

It’s not that deep to me honestly. I love creating art that makes me happy and fulfills my soul! 

What are your favourite parts about the tattoo industry, and how do you feel about its future

The sense of community is amazing. I feel very thankful to have met some amazing people in this industry and made lifelong friends (artists and clients included). I also truly hope it circles back to how it used to be, more based on the art and artists. Less Ai, less focus on purely making money, etc. 

Do you have any projects, events or plans coming up that you'd like to share?

I am currently opening my own tattoo shop in Saugerties New York: Thorn Tattoo! So that is super exciting! I am opening it with my best friend and fellow Tattooer (Joanna gacek) and we will also be doing a bunch of events and pop ups  this summer.I will highlight them all on the website for anyone interested + anyone who wants to book an event with us can inquire at any time! 
I’ll also be at the empire tattoo convention at the end of May (23-24) with the Grit N Glory crue (grit n glory recently closed, so it’ll be the last time to hang with us all together) and then when I’m in the city I’ll be tattooing at 5 points!