Through my entire life I loved creating art. My parents and grandparents hung terrible but proud art on their fridges. They "loved" all the creative gifts I would come home with for them. When art is in your blood, it doesn't leave.

I always had the inner dream to become a tattoo artist, I just hadn't found my path to get there. I preferred to paint instead of draw, and I never lived, or wanted to live, in places with busy shops taking apprentices. I didn't know where to start or how to get there.

I was in the middle of my decade-long career as a natural builder when I learned that a rad colleague had gotten into handpoking. I was very curious and signed up to get some ink. I'll never forget the experience, the fact that it didn't hurt, or the knowledge she shared. It would later change my life.

After 5 years of learning and being mentored by some amazing artists it was finally time to make the big leap to full-time studio owner!

I eventually chose to live in Revelstoke, a small mountain town with big adventure. Living here allows me to have the lifestyle of my dreams, yet doesn't offer me the opportunity to work in a busy tattoo shop. So, I made my dream happen by starting my own home based studio. I opened Acoustic Ink in December 2019, just before good old COVID came about, and after just over 5 years of honing my handpoking skills.

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Acoustic Ink Tattoos is my baby. I started living this dream just before I turned 40. I'm having a blast. I'm not worried that I started down this path so "late" in life. If anything, it's rejuvenating to start a passion career later in life. It brings in new energy, it confirms that new things are always possible, it keeps me learning and creating. It's something I want to keep doing for many years to come!

If you have a dream, hold onto it and let it happen whenever that is. You don't have to rush it, it's never too late.

I make every effort for my studio to be as environmentally friendly as possible. I have been pleased to find quite a few suppliers that carry products that are compostable and/or biodegradable. I know all of these products aren't perfect, and we, as a society, have a ways to go still. But I am dedicated to taking the available steps, and reaching higher, at every opportunity.

At the same time, I am dedicated to giving my clients the best experience possible. At times this has meant that I must choose between a more environmentally conscious product, and a product that works and feels better. Paper towels have been one such item. The paper towels from recycled materials just don't work or feel that great. I've tried them, I hoped they would work, and I found I was using 3-4 times as many towels as I did if I went with Bounty.

I've also signed up with Green Cirlce Salons. Through them, the end-of-life of all my non-recyclable waste is turned to energy. My studio now puts out ZERO GARBAGE!!!

The Production to Use to End-of-Life cycle of my studio is just about as good as it can get while we are still dependant on buying what we are supplied. 

Most of my products are made from plants, then those, and anything conventional, all get's sent to facilities to create energy! How awesome is that!

I'm working on a complete list of suppliers so you, too, can choose to purchase greener items if you or your business uses such products. 

If you want to look at data sheets, check out the products, or order some for yourself, there are many suppliers these days. The two I mainly order for are:
Good Judy (Toronto) and Good Guy (Salmon Arm)