Growing up in the middle of nowhere Wisconsin, I had no idea I would be becoming a tattoo artist in the future.

I had my mind set on becoming an Art Therapist since I took my first psychology course in high school. I already had fallen in love with drawing, painting, metals, ceramics, and fiber arts by then and when I found out there was a career where I can combine those with helping others, it became my passion. I graduated with my masters in Transpersonal Art Therapy from Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado by way of the University of Wisconsin-Stout.

Five months after attaining my master’s degree, I started a tattoo apprenticeship. Why?

I wanted to create more art! I rarely stretched that creative muscle unless I was commissioned for a painting by a friend. I figured an apprenticeship for tattooing would help me stay on top of my creativity.

My “Why?” soon changed.

As I progressed through growing my craft I saw countless practices and spaces that were unethical and harmful. I was neither inspired to create in nor comfortable bringing clients into these environments. When I spoke up about my concerns, I was told my standards are too high for the industry.

And I took that personally.

It is now my mission to foster an environment where a client feels at ease for a tattoo appointment, to the best of my ability. I use my experience as a mental health therapist to practice mindful attendance during a session and attempt to make a welcoming environment for clients making a decision to trust me with their new tattoo.

I Opened Ink Shrink Tattoo in 2021

In a private salon suite in Boulder County, Colorado. I relocated home to Wisconsin in the fall of 2023 and brought the private tattoo studio experience with me. By February 2025 I was selling out 4-month booking periods in 30 minutes! I knew I needed to expand, but my tattooing capacity was full.

And so The Darling Collective was born.

Situated in cozy De Pere, I opened a private tattoo and body art studio suite collective. We had our Grand Opening November 2025. All artists must take trauma-informed and inclusivity training with me in order to operate there. I was regularly asked if I take apprenticeships but did not have the time individually. I had played around with what an apprenticeship curriculum would be.

By June 2026, The Darling Academy launched

with its very first cohort. This space has turned into an incubator for young entrepreneurs and artists to invest in themselves and grow together in a professional environment.