15 years ago I had carpal tunnel surgery and changed the direction of my future.

I had just lost my mother to cancer and was diagnosed with the BRCA1. With a 83% chance AND the finding of a large mass, I opted for a prophylactic (preventative) mastectomy.  I was tattooing areolas for 5yrs before I got a glimpse of life on the receiving side of the tattoo machine.

Things change when it gets personal...

Knowing that I wouldn't be able to draw and tattoo the same kind of quantity, I decided to do something more meaningful with my career and A.R.T. was conceptualized:

- I Took photos of friends Nipple/Areola Complexes to study the texture and behavior.

- Wrote my first book, A.R.T. Areola Restorative Tattoo - on WHY realism is imperative and how to achieve it.
- Used my Areola portraits to design a flash/diagram sheet for reference and client conversation.
- Turned those designs into temporary areola tattoos - NIPPLEBACKS - a gamechanger!
- Pioneered a new approach to Areola Restorative Tattooing, rooted in body ART fundamentals.
- Composed a training program to teach these methods to other tattooists and raise industry standards!

- Established the first HYBRID training program for areola tattooing, with mentorship and online courses
- Educate survivors on finding a good areola artist and tips for self-acceptance and emotional healing.
- Finally found a permanent pigment company willing to create the worlds first permanent areola pigments, with Sam R.
- Co-Founded the worlds first scarred tattoo practice skins - medARTpro - the first to represent ALL skin tones with Sam R.
- Created the worlds first and only areola needle cartridge sets with my favorite needle company - TatSoul
- Started the ONLY paramedical Tattoo Magazine - to inspire and inform survivors, tattooers, AND those in the medical field
- Designed the EVER AFTER areola pigments, matching Nipplebacks - for Survivors to TRY ON their pigment colors
- Wrote 9 editions of my first book, 4 editions of the choose your look book, 2 magazines, and countless articles on healing tattoos, including my newest book - HEALING TATTOOS (just sold out)
- I've filed patents in 65 countries, done seminars, convention demos, podcasts, and even been featured as one of InStyle Magazines top 50 BadAss women!!!

It's been quite the ride!!!

I'm so grateful that God took me away from the awesome life that I had built and used me to bring practical tattoo foundation into the world of restorative art when they needed it most.  Grateful for all the opportunities!

After having my own nipple tattoos botched, every time I saw a poorly done areola tattoo, it felt like a knife in my stomach -and motivated to create solutions.  Now, 15 years later, I'm seeing these changes every where I look!

All areola artists are drawing now - No more circle templates!
Now we have scar-specific trainings for experienced tattooists ready to become well-rounded.
Doctors are realizing this isn't a 2-day crash course thing that just anyone can do, and they're referring to experts,
*And survivors are informed and demanding better for themselves!


I SAY - MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

- glad to be coming home to Calgary and focusing on tattooing again

*with extra thanks to the nipple trainer that botched my nipples <3