09/16/2025
THE JOURNEY
In January of 1976, I took my first steps onto the path that would define my life: I became a Tattoo Artist. As a child, I always knew that art would be my career. Tattooing was never something I envisioned, but it became the road that all others led me to. In 1988, I added Body Piercing to my work, and in 1990, Cosmetic Tattooing as well.
Over the decades, these services, combined with tattooing, have made me the most experienced, licensed Body Artist in Kansas. Nearly 50 years later, I now find myself at a crossroads in my journey, deciding which path to continue following.
THE DECISION
I have chosen to leave Body Piercing and Cosmetic Tattooing behind and to dedicate myself fully to what first called me so many years ago: Tattooing.
THE REASON
When I began piercing in 1988, very few were offering it safely. I had no personal desire to pierce, but I believed people deserved someone properly trained and professional. For years, I provided safe, responsible piercings to my clients.
But times have changed. Unsafe and dangerous piercing trends have emerged, and despite my efforts to explain the risks, many people refuse to listen. When I decline to perform a risky procedure, they often find someone unskilled to do it—and sadly, they pay the price.
I’ve also seen a troubling rise in parents wanting piercings for children whose bodies are still growing, ignoring the risks of migration and scarring. Despite my warnings, they go elsewhere, putting their child’s health second to profit.
Even aftercare has become a losing battle. Though I provide clear instructions, too many clients turn instead to friends or YouTube “experts.” The result is complications that could have been avoided had they trusted the guidance of a professional.
I no longer have the desire to fight this uphill battle. People will continue to make poor choices, no matter how much I advocate for safety. My hope is that a few will still seek out skilled, caring professionals rather than chasing shortcuts.
As for Cosmetic Tattooing, the need has passed. When I began, very few offered the service. Today, there are countless reputable clinics providing safe procedures. I no longer feel it is necessary for me to continue offering it.
THE CONCLUSION
And so, you now know why I will no longer provide Body Piercing or Cosmetic Tattooing in my studio. I am, and always will be, an old-school Tattoo Artist—and I make no apologies for that.
I have been blessed to become part of Tattoo History and am deeply grateful for the many opportunities this journey has brought me. I do not compare my work to others, because what I do is uniquely my own.
I will continue along this path until its end. When that day comes is not for me to know, but until then, I will carry on doing what I was always meant to do—tattooing.
