The darkness sharpens the light.

As we approach the end of 2025, it seems like a good time to review the year and share some thoughts with you all. 

This has been A YEAR. 

The last year or so has been one of the hardest of my life. It has bought me trials that you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy. But, it has also been a year of tremendous growth and tenderness. 

The darkness sharpens the light.

I have faced joys and woes of the highest order. And I see this reflected in life all around me, and particularly in my artistic practice. 

Tattooing for me is not just a job, or even an artform; it is about how one goes through life. 

This time last year, I relocated from Nottingham back to my home turf of Shropshire. I started as a full-time resident artist at UN1TY tattoo. I had been a regular guest artist there since 2020. My guest spots were initially supposed to be short-term thing, but time slid by with ease, and my UN1TY family became such a wonderful part of my life, that it was clear that this would last. 

So, as life does, one door closed and another opened. In the very thick of my life being torn apart, the residency in Shrewsbury came into being. And now, a year on, I get to spend my working life in the most beautiful, well appointed and nurturing studio I could ever dream of. Jo, Matt, and the rest of my colleagues are the most amazing team of people, and even through the difficult days, I step in there and feel safe and at home. Life has brought me to my home, physically and metaphorically. I could not be more grateful to my tattoo family for all they have brought to my world. 

And, of course, my clients, my people! I look back at the experiences I have shared with clients this year, and my heart is full of love.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me; got tattooed, travelled to get tattooed, patiently waited for dates, given me respectful distance when I needed it, and come in close and allowed me to be vulnerable and honest when I needed it, too. 

Some clients I have got to know so very well, and others we have shared fleeting moments of connection. As many of you know, a large part of my work is scar cover-ups, and particularly post-mastectomy tattooing. We make beautiful art to transform bodies, and people’s relationship with themselves. They go on and wear the tattoos, and hold the experience of receiving the tattoo close, and I go on and hold the shared experience and connection dear. The stories told, the insights shared, the vulnerability, the strength, and ultimately the celebration of life and triumphing over adversity… I cannot express how deeply this etches on my soul (and not exclusively from scar cover tattoos!) 

This is what I’m referring to when I say that tattooing is about how one goes through life. Through my tattooing, I feel the sorrow of the unfairness of life, but I also feel the joy of existence, and how we mark that with the art on our bodies.

It is strange times in tattooing. It is evolving in a way that brings some disquiet to a lot of us ‘lifetimers’. In these over-saturated, bow-to-the-meta-gods times, it can be a challenge for us. But, I am committed to keep moving forward, doing the best I can do, and doing it with heart. I am grateful for every tattoo I have made, for every place that that tattooing has taken me, and everything it has yet to teach me. Over 20 years into my career, I am lucky enough to be being mentored in scar cover tattooing by Jo Harisson (if 18 year old me could know what the future held!!), and my tattoo family and clients teach me about the world each and every day.

Long may it reign.

And the final, huge thank you- to my right-hand-human, Emmie. Many of you will have spoken with Emmie, and I want you all to give a big warm salute to this all-round epic human. They keep the wheels on the bus, and are the unseen force behind my work. Inspiring me every day, handling my executive dysfunction, the laughs, the tears, the nerdery… I have heard so many of you say how wonderful and professional Emmie is to deal with, so let us give thanks.

In short, thank you all. For giving my little slice of existence purpose, and filling it with warmth. 

I wish you all a wonderful festive season, and a beautiful year ahead.