A little background on me;
I have been doing art ever since I can remember, but I really got serious about it in high school. I took at least two art classes a year and was in IB Visual Art (International Baccalaureate, which is fancy for above honors, and internationally recognized art). IB was a great experience, and I had the wonderful Dr. Francisco as my instructor. It was a very open, almost
self run class in which we were graded on our sketch books (that were provided, as many as we needed), in them we would sketch, create ideas for big projects, artist research and any other that was needed, and reflection. By the spring we needed to create 12 to 18 pieces that would go in the IB art show, be sent to Whales, and would be evaluated in person. The evaluation consisted of talking through my pieces, their cultural historical artist ties, how they connected to one another, and what they meant. I had to talk for at least 1 hour with out having any questions or prompts from the evaluator, I received a 6 out of 7 and got my certificate. When I was 12 I decided I wanted to be a tattoo artist. I wanted to be famous for something different, something not many girls get the chance to be. I use to tell my mom that I wanted to be the first girl Jackass, but they all got older and I don't think that will be possible anymore. But I made sure I would follow my other dreams. I took my ambition and went to every tattoo shop in Midland asking how they got started, what I need to do to get into it, and anything else. I was told I need to become an apprentice, but no one wanted to take one on, especially one so young. But I kept going, and 5 years later I found a place and an artist that would take me on. I now work at Immortally Ink'd in Saginaw, and apprentice under Shawn Yancer. He is an amazing mentor, and can make any ink come to life. I am so lucky to have found this shop. I now have been tattooing for a year, have my blood borne pathogens certificate, and have done at least 20 tattoos. I have over 24 hours worth of work done on me, all professional. I am not and will not go to any scratch artist. I worked my ass off to get into a place and held back from getting my own supplies out of a shop. It is not clean, safe, or professional. And I would never risk not being allowed to tattoo because of being reported to the health department. I am also a student at Delta College currently. Working towards my associates in fine arts. I will be transferring to either the San Francisco Art Institution, or the Academy of Art University in San Fran. I have always dreamed of going to Cali and I will be making sure it happens. I would eventually like to earn my Doctorate in fine arts, I will be the first tattoo doctor along with being the first female tattoo doctor! I want to be known, I could careless about the money (although it is nice), I want to make a difference, an impact. I would like to have my own shop and art gallery, but one step at a time. Thank you everyone for your support! My family has been very supportive and has helped me every step of the way, but let me do it on my own at the same time. And all my friends, you guys have believed in me since the day I started talking about my dreams, and now you are great canvases:) And to all those who thought I was full of it and all talk, I thank you too, I proved you wrong. If everyone could continue to support and show some love for the ink I will be forever grateful, you all are the reason I can make it. Art is my heart, body, and soul. This is my passion and the reason I live. So any type of art; tattoos, paintings, drawings, etc. I am down to do, get at me with any ideas!
