Hobbies & Interests: Music. computers...travel...art... Faeries ...all things Egyptian and everything otherworldly and not of this dimension

BAW: What made you want to become a Tattoo Artist?  

Artist:   nothing really MADE me ~ really bad tattoos, done by everyone around me years and years ago in this community I live in ~ convinced me~  "I could do better than that " and after one convention and REAL tattooers... I wanted to quit ...the first tattooer to floor me at the  first show I worked was Tony Olivas.

BAW: Who are your influences?  

Artist: I am influenced "sonically" (music)...visually, I try to stay away from falling into a preexisting style of tattooing ...I don't feel I have any real  "set" style of my own yet even after twelve years of work...I  don't want to be a carbon copy of someone else's style...truthfully,  I am at the mercy of each clients personal needs...

I do love the things BUGS (evil from the needle~ London) does...he comes out as influence when I go to other mediums like pastel or acrylic...I love the technical aspects of all traditional tattooing, it keeps me centered in each piece I attempt....clean line structure, solid shading ,and solid hues of graduated color...are concepts one can apply  to any tattoo... . I try not to look at magazines or others portfolios (unless, respectfully, one on one, and  in conversation ) as to not "steal".... I do have to say, the last person to floor me with their renderings, was Robert Hernandez, his sense of depth perception knocked me on my ASS ...there are SO MANY amazing people in this industry these days ...to single out any one person would not do justice to the collective whole that has nuturtered this lil worker bee all these years.

BAW: What is your favorite style of work?  

Artist: anything that makes me a happy worker ...usually faeries ...Egyptian...Japanese....floral...dragonflies anything with wings ~I do love large color work

BAW: Tell us about your first Tattoo experience?  

Artist: Giving or receiving ?!

I got a gold fish ...really wanted a Betta but the guy couldn't draw ...he pointed at the fish and said "pick one" I still have it ...it was 40 bucks and can go anytime Whirlwind Walt ( New Orleans) feels like finally finishing the peacock feathers on my leg!!!

The first tattoo I ever did was existing on my ex-husband's back ..fixing an existing Harley Davidson eagle with a banner that said "Harley fuckin Davidson" with a weird ass and a fucked up wing span.

BAW: What is your favorite piece you own?  

Artist: I'm partial to the framed charcoal charity art fusion I have ...completed by Paul Booth and all  the Last Rites guys at the Adrenaline Expo this past November that is hanging in my foyer!!! (oh where you talking tattoos :-) ...I cant pick... that's like having a favorite kid ...)

BAW: What is your most memorable Tattoo given and why?  

Artist: Wayne Gornto's Dolphin fish with a hook.... he wanted his dad's ashes in the black ink and we did it on the anniversary of his dad's passing away ...I've learned a lot in recent years from Wayne...things I thought I already knew...and I know I owe A LOT of what I do everyday day to those who have passed on. I am constantly guided in mysterious hidden synchronistic ways.

BAW: Is there a part of the body you won't Tattoo and why?  

Artist: I don't like to do hands of people without sleeves and sides of the neck...unless they have no other space left. and the penis' is NOT on the top of my "list of things to tattoo" either....

BAW: Do you support supply co. that sells to the public?  

Artist: That's tough...really to each his own what works for some won't for others... right now I'm all about... Out 2 sea Lotion   I feature it on my website under aftercare...

BAW: Do you feel there now should be mandatory schooling for soon to be tattoo artists?   

Artist: who's going to teach them???...ahhhh no...wont work...this profession is a traditionally handed down craft and if people respected, listened to, and stuck with their mentors and evolved at the proper pace ....we wouldn't have the rampant problems... that come from "do it yourselfers" who bite off more than their "so called" talent can chew ... I don't think "schooling" is possible ...however for things like cross contamination and other issues of sterility  etc yes...and seminars from industry professional to help advance other industry professionals.

BAW: Do you think it is important to do as many conventions and shows as possible?  

Artist: Conventions serve many purposes...some come to be amazed...others come for the "eye candy"...others for the cat looking at a  fish bowl thing ...some attend to "collect ink" ...others to see tattooers they never get a chance to see because they tattoo all the time ...over the years I have utilized conventions for just about all of the aforementioned ....sometimes things get a little "political" you have to take everything in life with a grain of salt and a little lick of lime.

BAW: What advise can you give to someone who is starting or looking to get into the tattoo business?  

Artist:  DON'T it isn't all its cracked up to be!!!  its LONG hours of tedious meticulous work, that over the years , fucks with your back ...callouses your hands ,and may give you carpel tunnel...but hey, if  TATTOOING  picks you and you can handle it ...it is one of the most emotionally rewarding one on one things you can artistically do in this lifetime...lets face it you will never make a 'permanent mark' for life is only a temporary journey

BAW: What could you say to someone who has had a bad first experience?  

Artist: do more research ...ask more questions ...interview "them"...don't let "them" intimidate you ...it's your skin...there is FAR to much talent in this industry to get a BAD tattoo ...hell, I've had a great tattoo come out of a bad experience before ...there are many levels to this very interpersonal tattoo relationship experience.

in short I suppose we  "suck it up and move on"

BAW: Since you have started what changes have you seen in the industry?  

Artist: many great tattooers have erupted like a volcano...information is being shared instead of horded...commeradery is at an all time high (so is shit talking don't get me wrong) people are more open to wearing beautiful custom designed "ART" in skin rather than traditional flash tattoo design concepts.

BAW: How do you feel about apprenticeships?  

Artist: I have never apprenticed anyone ...my daughter is currently learning many things from the collective industry as a whole. perhaps  someday, I will have the patience and time to show her more ...while they are necessary ...I wont do it ...it's not what it used to be...realistically there are too many "know-it-all" backstabbers...and frankly it's to hard to cover up their disasters in skin.

BAW: Have you ever tattooed any celebs and if so tell us who?  

Artist: everyone I touch is a star in their own world. "celebrity", the sheer concept of it , is a media generated idol worship thing.

I have tattooed some "actresses" I don't really care what you do for a living. in my chair everyone is equal canvas.

BAW: Where do you think the Tattoo Industry is going today?  Do you think it is getting better or worse?  

Artist: I think it is moving forward in leaps and bounds . soon, the government will try to "control" yet another freedom. Given  true freedom of expression, the sky is the limit for us color filled people.

BAW: Please share any other comments or views or questions to the public you might have.  

Artist:  The ritualistic internally transformative aspect of tattooing is especially of great importance to me ...there are so many levels to tattooing as a whole and to try to explain it is impossible...like speaks to like ...if you like what you see and what you hear trust your instinct...go with the flow...at the same time if something doesn't "feel" right ...it probably isn't.. tattoos last forever...even if you have it "removed" the emotional scar of the experience will always be 'tattooed" in your mind....like a song. you never forget the lyrics.