I’m a 24-year-old tattooist and painter. I have began dedicating more and more time to my large-scale oil paintings, with hopes of transitioning fully into my painting career in the coming years. While tattooing has brought me immense joy, it takes a severe toll on my body, especially my working hand and wrist—so don’t wait too long if you’d like to get a tattoo from me while I’m still engaged in this medium!

I was born in Toronto and raised in the lush landscapes of Northern California. My childhood was spent in a rural small town of the North Bay, where the Redwood forests became my sanctuary. From a young age, I’ve been unequivocally enamored by the mysterious forces of nature, fascinated by the intricate meta-pattern that weaves all life down to its cellular structure, the source of my artistic inspiration. I channel my art into a form of reverence and acknowledgment to the elemental divinity I find within myself and my perceptual surrounding environment. 

Art has been intrinsically woven into my life ever since childhood. My grandmother, a devoted naturalist, painted exquisite watercolors of flora and fauna that filled our home. Her spirit lives on in my heart and hands as I dedicate my practice to her. In my teenage years, I began to take my own creative journey seriously, guided by the exceptional art program called ArtQuest at my high school. It was there that I learned the foundational skills of drawing and painting while developing my own personal style. I owe a profound gratitude to my two most influential art teachers, Brooke Delello and Linda Schroeter, who shaped my artistic vision and growth.

After high school, I embarked on a six-month solo backpacking trip across Asia, which deepened my appreciation for the natural world. Inspired by this experience, I chose to study my other passion—plants. I enrolled in the California School of Herbal Studies, a hidden gem nestled in the redwoods, with a sprawling medicinal garden that I had the privilege to care for. Our classroom, an old red barn, and our teachers, who felt like real-life forest spirits, made this one of the most transformative years of my life.

By the end of my studies, tattooing called to me—a dream I’d held quietly. On a whim, I sent my portfolio to renowned tattoo artist Brücius Von Zylander, and to my surprise, he graciously offered me an apprenticeship at his studio, Black Serum in San Francisco. I was 19 then. After an intensive period of learning, I completed my apprenticeship in early 2020 and have been working as a self-employed, independent artist ever since.

In January 2021, I moved to Los Angeles to explore new horizons. Although LA feels like an unusual place to call home, I’ve found a grounding here as I dedicate myself entirely to my craft. I spent two years working at Sang Bleu Tattoo in Downtown LA owned by Maxime Plescia-Buchi, a master tattooist and mentor who offered a tranquil space to grow.

Early in 2023, I opened my own private studio in Downtown LA, a space that allowed me to expand beyond tattooing. With a proper studio for the first time, I’ve been able to reconnect with painting, sewing, and other forms of expression that deepen my artistic journey.

Over the years, tattooing has given me the incredible opportunity to travel to places like New York, Chicago, Minneapolis, London, Zurich, Berlin, and Paris. Collaborating and inking the skin of people from all walks of life, is a profound privilege and a joy I cherish every day.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story.