tattoos; May 2025
35mm film double exposure of my favorite cove at Amat Kunyily (Sunset Cliffs, San Diego), from a low low tide this winter. I open with land and water to name and to center the wild and the Magic that this work is in prayer to - the beauty, the sandstone, the saltwater, the seagrass, the “deeper magic from before the dawn of time” sort of shit that churns in these places of hidden resiliency, where the tide pools and their abundance of creatures still multiply beneath the shadows of mansions, where the soul of the earth still breathes in the city. This place has been a refuge for me of prayer keeping and patience practice and praise making for the last year, one of my consistent touch points into my heart as connected to the heart of the mystery, the place I know to go in the city to remember who I am and what I am made of and what I belong to. I share with you because all of these tattoos are inherently informed, visually or spiritually, by the invitational Spirit that exists in places like this cove, and so we say wow, I love you: to the earth and the miracle of this materiality. Blessed be.
Tap on any image to make it larger; all pieces freehand drawn on <3
For Salah, for the burning bright within them as light for their sobriety, and the lush surround of the earth and spirits on their journey. Thank you always my friend, so grateful to continue creating with your though these years!! Five hours of tattooing, with a sneaky lil ear wiggle to top it off hehe.
For Jess, a high Sierra wildflower meadow for the radiant joy and unabashed queer exuberance of the blooms; we kept quoting from her favorite movie, I <3 Huckabees: “What happens in a meadow at dusk?” “EVERYTHING!!” - for her daughter, and for her gnarly postpartum journey, and the turning from the darkest night of the soul into a season of healing in the radiance of brilliant lights. Thank you for traveling from Reno, five hours of tattooing.
For Bri, for the mountains and their medicine, for the flow and the dance. So stoked on the majesty and simplicity of this piece. About 4.5 hours of tattooing I think?
For Flower, handpoke magic; this piece that we’ve been noodling on together for years. I love you, thank you familia. 1.5 hours of greywash handpoke
For Anna, two sessions, first in January and second at the end of May. A love letter to the wind and mountains and manzanita, and to all the gnarled freaky ass ancient trees. About eight hours total tattooing time.
For Lindsey, seven flowers for her seven beloved family members. Thank you for traveling from Reno sweet human, such a joy to create with you! Six hours of tattooing!
For Emily, hip flow for the mountains and earth and cosmic connection. Such a lovely day chatting through story and travel itches <3 About 3.5 hours of tattooing.
For Emily again! Big round full moon for her dad, and really fun freaky fern flow sleeve filler <33
35mm b&w film double exposure from Amat Kunyily (Sunset Cliffs, San Diego) this winter. Blessed be the wilds who hold and inform all of this work; God in the tides, Spirit in the seagull wings, Magic in the lush seagrass that tickles my belly and swirls around my ankles.
