Most tattoo artists work on themselves.I am in the process of gloving my left hand.This mermaid has got to be my most favorite tattoo.I love the whole mermaid mythology and when I drew
this one I loved it and knew I'd have to wear it.She looks kind of like she's just drifting happily and I loved the mood of this particular piece.It starts just below the knee and ends just above the ankle.Did it hurt?Yes it certainly did.....but you get used to it.It was worth the sting.
Why am I gloved and barriered to work on myself?Habit I guess.That's how I'm used to working.

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I try to keep the whole experience with my customers as relaxed and comfortable as possible because I feel that being relaxed makes it a little easier to deal with the discomfort of recieving a tattoo.The whole atmosphere in the studio is kinda laid back and quiet and you can expect to have a yarn with me like you would anyone else while I'm tattooing you.I don't do the "sit down and shut up" routine because I don't believe it's good business to treat people that way.You can ask me questions and I'm quite happy to explain the process and show you what I am doing to protect your health.And we can work together to get you through the tattoo at a pace that you can deal with.

Tattooing has taken me on some interesting adventures I have to admit.I love it!




               
 
 

 I've been lucky enough to meet some interesting folks along the way-Chris Nunez and Darren Brass of Miami Ink on TLC(above)and Russell Mitchell of Exile Cycles seen on Biker Build Off (below)who was kind enough to drop his pants and let me take a pic of the awesome tattoos on his legs that are part of his full body suit.I'm not posting that pic on here but you can see it in my shop.LOL.He was awesome!             
      

I debated as to whether or not to include a page like this on my website because I felt it should be about my work and not about me.But I suppose it’s only natural to be curious and want to know what to expect from someone you intend to share the tattoo experience with.So I’ll tell you a little bit about myself.

 I am originally from the Yarmouth/Digby County line,a small cottage community called Cedar Lake in back of Port Maitland,to be more precise.I attended elementary at Port Maitland school and junior high at Maple Grove Educational Center in Hebron.I graduated grade nine there,recieving a provincial achievement award for having maintained the highest three term average in a subject of all students in NS.The subject,of cource,was ART with a mark of 103 in each term and I only tell you this so that you realize that I have a longstanding history where art is concerned.I will always remember my ART teacher there,Don Soucy,who encouraged and supported my growth as an artist,wanting me to consider going to the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design after high school.But that was never in the cards for me,I’m afraid. When I was 16 I spent a summer studying painting with a known artist from Boston,Mass.,Mimi Schmidt,who taught me as much about myself as an artist as she did art,for which I am eternally grateful.At 17 I dropped out of high school and headed to Thunder Bay Ontario with a guy I eventually married and subsequently divorced.While there I sold my first painting for $350 at age 18-the point at which I begin counting my now 23 years as an artist,although,in truth,I have been drawing since my early childhood years.I returned to NS in my mid twenties, moved to Shelburne County and remarried,continuing to paint on into my late thirties.I suppose I am best known for my boat portraits,in spite of the fact that they are my least favorite subject to paint,having to be so technically precise in execution.(see painting below)I began tattooing at 39 and was fortunate enough from Jan-June 2008, to be mentored by Mark Marshall,who is well travelled,a tattoo artist for 27 yrs and has tattooed the likes of Tupac,Big Pun,the Bush Whackers,Micheal Bolton to name but a few.Stop in and see him at Skin Decision in truro-he's a good guy.And then there's Chris Farr whom I also had the privilege of working with in Truro.A good friend,excellent tattoo artist,and just an all round sweetheart-altho dude!sometimes you scare me LOL!
At 42 now, I feel very fortunate to be doing something I love so much, thanks in part to the support and encouragement of my husband Anthony, my friends, and so many wonderful customers out there.
 
(This is a 20"X24" painting by Sue,of a scallop dragger out of Yarmouth)