Whilst I’m optimistic that ‘normal life’ will return in some capacity this year, I felt hopeless and frustrated for most of this month. After the Christmas holidays, COVID cases spiked in Los Angeles, and tattoo studios were ordered to remain closed. The complete lack of structure and routine in my life left me feeling drained. It seems my work has shifted from drawing and tattooing to dealing with what feels like a never ending list of rescheduling emails. Which is pretty fucking soul destroying. This extra work has also put me behind with replying to email enquires from new clients. My inbox is VERY backed-up, so if you have sent me an email, I promise I will get back to you as soon as I can! : (

Thankfully the lockdown restrictions were lifted at the end of January. The relief that brought felt amazing. Now I’m just trying to navigate a bursting inbox alongside drawing and tattooing whilst not slipping into my old habits of being a high-functioning burnt-out person who cries in the car...

January 2021 marks 5 years since I did my first tattoo! On myself! I’ll never forget that day! It felt like a real accomplishment to reach this milestone! I truly feel so grateful to make a living from my creative endeavors ♥️ Being a self-employed artist isn’t easy - self-directed discipline that is required to juggle a constant stream of projects is sometimes overwhelming, but at the same time the independence and freedom of being self-employed is the stuff dreams are made of! ⚖️ It’s been fun to look back on my tattoo work over the years and see my growth. The subject matter of my imagery has remained much the same, but the technical improvement of my drawings and my tattooing ability is nice to notice. Excited for the next 5 years! Unless my wrists give out first....

New music I’ve been listening to this month are Widowspeak new EP - Honeychurch, and Still Corners new record, The Last Exit. I also discovered a new electronic project - NNHMN, I’ve been really loving their EP - Deception Island 2. I also listened to a lot of Alkaline Trio this month... reliving my teenage years.

Here’s some photos from the last month:

There’s a big smile under my mask! Sang Bleu, DTLA. Photo by @mikeybrannon

Sketched snakes in pencil on greenware. Purple tape is to protect their faces from the next step which is the wax splatter.

Snowy mountains and a rising full moon!!! 🥲 Distracting me when I’m trying to tattoo! Sang Bleu, DTLA.

Casual view whilst driving home. I love you Los Angeles. Highland Park.

Dressed up and felt nice 🖤 Arts District, DTLA.

Lovely friends, Sky and Mikey, and Phoebe.

️ Surprise snow whilst hiking the Sam Merrill Trail to Cobb Estate. Altadena, CA.

DTLA in the distance Sam Merrill Trail, Altadena, CA.

JANUARY 2021