Early life
Tattoo artist born in Texas, raised in Washington, grown up in Australia.
My story is full of contradictions; I was born in Texas to Canadian parents and moved to Washington state at 14. The lack of stability encouraged me to seek my own sense of security, I found that in drawing. The passion to create continued to grow over time and as I’ve found myself in many different places surrounded by many different people, I always have the hand of my creative side to hold.
The journey to my apprenticeship
At 19 I was faced with the decision, either continue university or go travelling for a year. I chose to go travelling “for a year” and 7 years later found myself still in Australia. The pull towards tattooing started when I was a teenager, I remember asking my first tattoo artist how she got into the industry and if she had any advice. While on my travels, I began doing stick and poke tattoos. First on myself, then on friends, then on any person that I met in the hostels that I was staying who trusted me enough. After years of flirting with this skill, always respecting it but never fully committing to it, I finally decided to give myself a chance to develop myself professionally. The financial burden had been the only thing holding me back, I started working FIFO in the mines to save up to support myself during my unpaid apprenticeship. After 8 months of hard work (think 80+ hour weeks in 40+ degree heat) I had finally hit my financial goals and decided to try my luck at finding an apprenticeship. I didn’t want just any apprenticeship though, I knew where I wanted to go and who I wanted to teach me. Elysian Tattoo Co in Fremantle, WA was the only studio I applied to and I was lucky enough that my mentor and now friend Jeremy Furniss saw something in me worth investing his time in and he took me on board.
What tattoo is to me and the energy I give to each client, a practice of giving and receiving
Tattooing is everything to me. It is an anchor for me in a constantly nomadic life. It gives me purpose, opens doors for me to connect with all sorts of people, and allows me to be fully myself and express my creativity. I take great pleasure in listening to people to understand what they’re saying, and trying to bring to life someone’s vision is deeply satisfying to me. Creating and connecting are my passions and this career combines both beautifully. Being a tattoo artist isn’t just a career path, it’s who I am.
As I have only been tattooing for less than a year and have been preoccupied with building a strong foundation by focusing on the basics, my personal style is still very much developing. I enjoy traditional Japanese themes with a modern twist, spiritual motifs, plants of all sorts, beautifully classic structures such as vases, and ornamental work that blends perfectly with the form of the body.
No matter the subject, my top priority is creating a tattoo that will not only heal well over the years but that fits so perfectly with the shape of the body it gives the feeling that the tattoo was always meant to be there. I am explicitly aware of the significance that a tattoo has for the wearer. Even if it has no meaning other than you liked the way the tattoo looked, it is a permanent change to our body. I feel deeply grateful with each person who chooses me for this significant change. Tattooing for me is a collaboration between two people and it is my pleasure to be able to create with you.
Now that I’m living in Canada I’m so excited to meet you and see what projects are waiting to come to life. If you’re interested in a piece, whether a tattoo, a print, or a custom piece of art I look forward to hearing from you.