Pat's Tats

I am honored by and passionate about tattooing. It is a gift to my life. I have been blessed to have been chosen to this art form.

Tattooing is definitely a calling—something that I would never imagine doing in my life. However, by circumstance, it is brought to me, as a gift. People came into my life at just the right time to help me and guide me on this path. It is all in the journey.

In my journey, I was brought to know my teacher, my mentor, Pat Sinatra. She has been my biggest inspiration. I am always honored to be at her side watching her work; learning everything I can about the art of tattoo. I am honored to have this opportunity in life. I have been at Pat's Tats shop since the end of 1997. I started as a piercing apprenticeship by Pat's husband, Steve Della Ruffa. He too, is excellent at his craft—caring, precise, sterile and a great sense of humor.

A year into piercing, I started my three-year apprenticeship with Pat to begin learning the Art of Tattoo. My apprenticeship has been completed. But, I have a lifetime of learning still ahead of me.

A tattoo is more than a mark on one's body. It is deeper than just a beautiful image. It touches the soul. Tattoos can heal a broken heart. A memorial tattoo of a loved one can hold there memory forever in a permanent mark. The pain that is endured during this process is freeing, unexplainable. It releases the

hurt.

I love the permanence of tattoos. Once a decision is made and the tattoo is complete, it is now a part of you. It becomes such a part of the natural skin that as time goes on, we often forget that the tattoos are even there. So you get more and more and more…Soon, your new skin is complete with stories of your life; people you've loved; places you've been to or dreamed of going. And, at the end of your life, it is the only thing you take with you. What a beautiful thing!