2023, urgh…
I’ve tried to write this update so many times now, nothing has felt quite right, 2023 is not going in a way I would’ve liked. And then I’ve postponed and postponed this update because I’ve not made all the updates to the website that I would have liked, better late than never?
My current situation is that I am dealing with a break up, an amicable and mutual break up but still a break up. I am moving house in the next couple of months, thought I’d found a place but thanks to some typically terrible letting agent behaviour I’ve had to back out before I got to move in. Luckily I’ve already found another flat and I’m just waiting on confirmations. I am also taking over the tattoo studio lease in August. Some huge life changes, it’s all a bit overwhelming.
Right now, the tattoo studio will be running as it currently is with Elliott leaving in September. Paul and Dani will be staying for the foreseeable future.
Because of all the big life changes I will no longer be working the Big London Tattoo Show in August, my priorities right now are the home move and studio. Maybe one day I’ll get the work a London convention…
I am listing some of my original paintings/drawings for sale in my shop. Putting originals up for sale feels hugely vulnerable and is not something I generally like to do but I feel like it’s time for some of the lockdown artworks to make their way out into the world, otherwise they’ll just be stored in boxes in a cupboard for the rest of my life… I’m hoping to have the shop ready in the next few days so expect another update once it’s live.
I’ll be taking November off and away from the studio to rest and do some travelling and working in New Zealand. I’m looking into applying for an artist visa for New Zealand so that I can travel and work there more regularly, watch this space!
I won’t be taking on any new larger tattoo pieces until 2024 now. Unfortunately with everything happening at the moment I don’t have it in me to design for the larger pieces and I want to do my best for every tattoo. So once everything has settled down and I’ve had some well deserved and healing time away, I will be able to think about larger scale work again, I am hoping life is a lot more settled by December.
On a completely separate and positive note I can finally run again! For the last few months I’ve been slowly working on strength and short runs and now I can run for 50 minutes without needing walking breaks. I had 12 weeks without any running, 6 in the fracture boot. It’s been a generally stressful time in my life that felt particularly brutal without being able to run. Running is so much better for my head than anything else.
Huge thanks to everyone that has already reached out and checked in with me, it absolutely means the world. It’s a really difficult time and I’m trying to process as I go rather than holding everything in to get through the next few months. For now, this might mean some tattoo appointment shuffling (especially with a house move) and slow responses to emails and enquiries. Please bear with me and thanks for being patient with me while I work everything out 🩷
Oh and I started a Threads…
I’m here, I’m alive and I can run again! Enjoying the rare Scottish sun after a run ☀️