CUSTOM TATTOOS

Tattoos can mean so many different things to people: rites of passage, remembrances of other people, places, experiences, commemorations of connection and belonging, the strength we take from powerful symbols.

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An artist all of my life, I have identified with these ideas through the creation of my art. I've found self-expression and fulfillment, insight into myself and others. Art has always been a sanctuary for me, a place to find happiness, refuge and unity.

I have a bachelors degree in graphic design from Portland State University in Portland, Oregon and twenty years of commercial advertising experience. Over the years I have enjoyed mastering many kinds of artistic media, including paper making and jewelry. I have exhibited my work in fine art and craft galleries. In my spare time I enjoy my yoga and meditation practices and tearing it up out there on the twisties with my Honda Shadow Ace Deluxe 750-- riding out to Yellowstone and up to Alaska are some of my most memorable motorcycle trips.

I became interested in tattoos many years ago now, when I got my first tattoo. It seemed to be the perfect blend of commercial and fine art and I thought the whole experience was pretty amazing. After attending Burning Man for the first time in 2003 and after I got back from an epic trip to India, Nepal and Tibet in 2004, I decided to see if I could help other people as well as myself through art somehow. I wanted to do it in a more direct way than through graphic design and advertising; maybe tattooing was the next vehicle to explore. So I started my apprenticeship in 2005 with Dustin Ranck when he owned Icon Tattoo here in Portland, and stayed at Icon for awhile after I got my license in 2006. Then I worked at another tattoo shop, and in 2010 I opened up my own private tattoo studio in SE Portland, Floating Lotus Tattoo Studio.

One of the things I like best about tattooing is its history -- from the Vikings, to the Polynesians, to the Incans, to the Egyptians, back to the ancient tribes of man, we humans have been embedding permanent symbols and designs on our bodies for ages. Tattoos are incredibly powerful; we carry them, we rep them and we get tattooed for a multitude of personal reasons.

I appreciate the chance that tattooing gives me to be in service to something bigger, greater than myself. For me, tattooing is about connection and relationship with other people. Using a person's body as canvas is an inspiring privilege; I am grateful for and honored by their trust and the friendships that generate from it. And I am always happy when we are finished with a session and they look in the mirror and say "I love it!"

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About My Studio

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After apprenticing in 2005, getting my license and working in a couple of different tattoo shops, I opened my own personal, utterly private tattoo studio, Floating Lotus Tattoo Studio, in 2010. It's not a "tattoo parlor"; it is small and I'm the only artist in it. I'm open by appointment only; typically I will see just one client per day. I am vaccinated and boosted; I've always had masks in the studio. I have always and will continue to clean between clients of course, and keep the studio itself clean. (You don't have to teach me how to wash my hands properly, or tell me about cross contamination, sanitation or sterilization.) Thanks to my family, friends and amazing clients for all of your support; I couldn't do this without you!

My studio space is located in inner SE Portland Oregon, near OMSI, in the large red and gray ActivSpace SE building, in number 104, facing south on Main street between 8th and 9th streets.

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