Gloom&Grim

Today I get to showcase a small part of my friend sleeve that we’ve been building together and man, what a project it’s been. A lot of time, love, and care has gone into this piece so far. From some wild complications with swelling and redness in the upper arm, to drawing things on and reworking stencils to make sure everything flows just right.

Through it all, Misty has trusted the process and been incredibly patient with me, and I couldn’t be happier with how it’s coming together so far. I’m beyond grateful to be part of her tattoo journey.

Our sessions are always filled with hilarious moments and deep conversations honestly, I always look forward to them. Can’t wait for the next appointment and to keep pushing this sleeve further.

Thank you, Misty. This one’s been a lot of fun. 🙏 If you are looking to get pierced in a similar dark mythic horror styled black and grey DM me I have a few dates left for march and April !

Reflection.
It’s wild how real reflection is one of the hardest things to sit with. When I first met Misty, I was in a completely different place.

We met back in 2022.
I had just come home from Alaska after taking a long break, trying to pick up the pieces from a bad business breakup that led me into even worse decisions. I gave up my private studio. I gave up what felt like my purpose.

Deep down, during that whole COVID-era rush of success, I knew what I built wasn’t earned. It wasn’t authentic. I didn’t know who I was yet — I was just copying what I thought my heroes and “successful artists” were doing. I was driven by ego, by the glitter, by the illusion.

Around that time, I left a well-known shop and joined Dark Arts. That’s where Misty and I first planned her sleeve. We tattooed Ghostface and Pennywise on her upper arm — right at the beginning of my three-year commitment to working strictly in black and grey after five years of doing color.

I remember finishing her tattoo, taking my photos and videos, wrapping her up and thinking,
“Yeah… this one’s gonna blow up. She’s definitely coming back.”

But I didn’t hear from Misty again for three years.

Now fast forward — it’s July 11th, 2025.
My first tattoo since my stroke in late June… and just eight days after having cancer cut out of me.

I can feel pain when I breathe. My arm is sore. My speech still slurs.
And I’m afraid.
I’m preparing myself, knowing I am not the same person I was.

Misty walks in. We look at the old tattoo. We talk design.
And in the conversation, I learn about her husband’s passing… and it hits me that she isn’t the same person she once was either.

In that moment, I hear it clearly in my head:

What I’m doing isn’t just for me.
It’s for the people I serve.
It’s about being of service, not feeding ego.

Every tattoo I’ve done since hers has been done from that place — service over selfishness, purpose over pride.

Here’s to finding purpose.
Here’s to the service.
Here’s to the journey.