Tattoos and Tattooing has been an interest of mine for as long as I can remember.

While at Uni, I researched many aspects of Tattooing, from Egypt to Borneo, Sailors to Prisoners, tribal scarification to self-harm.

Along with Tattooing, I am also inspired by Body Art in all forms, including the temporary.

Read about my personal history with Tattoo's here.

I am hoping that 2007 will be the year in which I achieve my long-term goal of learning to Tattoo.  I want the skin as a medium for my work.  I am often asked to design tattoo's, and cover-ups.  The frustration lies in not being able to be the artist that creates the images on the skin, that is the next step.

I see Tattoo's as a form of Art Therapy.  The whole process, the feeling that arises within the moment you walk into a studio...  It is very healing and empowering.   While at Uni, I worte an essay on The Sacrifice of Skin.  In this paper, I researched the History of Tattooing, and looked at how different cultures used marking of the skin.

The skin is the outer layer of the Human Body, it has direct contact with the Astral body.  It is the largest and fastest growing organ of the body.  Tattoos are pushed through the epidermis (outer layer of skin) into the dermis, where the cells are more stable.  An excellent resource on how Tattoo's 'work' can be found here.

My goal is to design custom tattoos and have the skill and ability to ink them onto the skin, in surroundings that calm and inspire.  I would like to specialise in Mandala Tattoos and Spiritual tats, incorporating ritual or other spiritual aspects as required by the client.  It is my dream to move from paper to skin.

I naturally work in a very symbolic way, drawing from many cultures and backgrounds to find the right symbols.  Symbolism plays a huge part in my work and life.