When I was little I was fascinated by my Dad’s tattoos. Despite him telling me that he regretted getting them the fascination grew and I couldn’t wait to get my own.

I left school in 1988 wanting to be a tattoo artist so I went to sixth form college and did A-level art. From there I got a place at Portsmouth University but I dropped out to start a family.

I’ve had various artistic outlets over the years, such as mural painting in people’s homes and doing portraits for family and friends, but the desire to tattoo never went away.

So, here I am now, one husband, two dogs, three jobs, four kids and twenty one years later and I’ve finally made it! I’m so lucky to have the full support of my family and friends because tattooing has completely taken over my life. Without them I would not have landed my dream job.

When Kyra bought a sheet of my flash designs, back in 2004, I never would have imagined that one day I’d be working in her studio as part of the Inklination team, let alone tattooing one of my designs on her in my first week there. Thank you Kyra.

Thanks also to my parents, grandparents and in-laws for encouraging me to pursue a career in art; Mark, my long-suffering husband for putting up with paintings, designs and tattoo magazines all over the house, plus the countless ways he helps me; my friends for letting me do my first tattoos on them; Lee Connell of Vogel Tattoo for my apprenticeship; Emma Greche (Lady Luck) and Sean (Woody) Wood for all their encouragement; Ceri Thomas (Inklination) for her guidance and confidence in me; Gez just for being Gez; Lizzie for getting the tea ‘n stuff and last but not least, Tink and Rev. Colin D. Hessey for giving Ceri my number.