I’ve been tattooing for 11 years and have lived in Portland since 2018. I’m originally from Virginia, where I proudly completed my three-year apprenticeship in a traditional street shop.

That foundation is still really important to me. I learned tattooing in an environment where you had to be adaptable, work with all kinds of people and ideas, and learn different styles of tattooing. I found myself in love with neotraditional, but over the years, my work has evolved into something distinctly my own, and I am grateful to have started there learning styles other than blackwork.

Outside of tattooing, I’m pretty much always making something. I draw, sew, take on overly ambitious DIY projects, watch a lot of movies, and generally like working with my hands. A lot of imagery and ideas that eventually make their way into my tattoos come from art, films, objects, and odd little things I collect along the way.

When I’m not making things, I like being outside— camping, hiking, shooting, rockhounding, and bone collecting. At home, I have three very loved dogs, a snake, and a wonderful partner who is also a tattooer, so art and tattooing are woven heavily into everyday life.

As much as I love making dark, strange, dramatic tattoos, I want the experience of getting one to feel comfortable and approachable. Getting tattooed can be intimidating enough already; my goal is for you to feel taken care of, have some fun, and leave with something we’re both excited about, and hopefully be great friends. :)

I tattoo from a private appointment-only studio in SE Portland. I call this space Sword & Solar.*

*Fun fact: in medieval architecture, a solar was a private room or parlor in a castle or manor house where one would withdraw.