About Me

As a creator…

I have always had a desire to learn new techniques with new materials. I spend the greatest amount of time tattooing, drawing, and painting, though I enjoy working with many other types of materials. I have been tattooing for approximately 10 years, and I specialize in illustrative realism. I currently work at Synapse Tattoo Studio in Loveland, CO. I typically work in black ink, using dotwork and linework to create form and shadow. When drawing tattoo designs, I usually draw digitally on my iPad or with pencil on paper, but in my free time I really enjoy working with pen and ink, and charcoal.

I earned my Bachelor of Arts degree in Studio Art from the University of Northern Iowa. In my time at UNI I created many oil paintings, as well as many ceramic sculptures. More recently I have been working primarily in ink, watercolor, and gouache. Other types of work I am fond of creating, when given the free time, are sewing and crafting. When I sew, I most often make my own clothing, such as skirts, dresses, and tops. I’m not very experienced yet, but I love the challenges that come with each new project, as it gives me a chance to learn new tricks for the next one. I have also spent some time crafting with foam for various cosplay accessories and props; it is something I hope to do much more of in the future.

As an observer…

I am inspired by the beauty of the natural world and its patterns. Not only the visual patterns found in the various flora and fauna of the earth, but also the cyclical pattern of growth and decay. Much of my personal artwork plays on that theme; I feel it is important to show their balance. It can be hard to face such an ugly thing as death, but I believe that if one strives to understand it, they can more easily find peace with it.

I enjoy observing nature in action so I can learn more about the behaviors of our planet’s many creatures. Much of my time spent outdoors is either looking for wildlife, or just searching for interesting little moments in nature, no matter how seemingly mundane or insignificant. The truly exciting thing about going out and observing nature - whether my own backyard or an old-growth forest across the country - is that much like being an artist, you can never stop learning new things.