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Shelly's story

I’ve been an artist all my life, learning to paint from my mother and singing a solo at age five. I sometimes feel I should’ve been born during the renaissance, as I’m passionate about performing, writing, and painting.
I was heavily involved in theatre for 12 years, as a director, actor, singer, writer and producer. One of my greatest accomplishments was organizing, directing and securing funding for a traveling production of the musical “Heidi” that toured to over 2500 students. I wrote and directed eight mystery dinner shows for “Audacity Productions”, a traveling troupe. I also taught theatre to youth through Lane Arts Council for seven years, managed the Cottage Theatre full time for two years, and worked part time in the LCC Theatre Dept. researching and writing grants for two years.

I’ve always dabbled in visual arts, from batik to mosaic tile. An avid learner, I was able to teach myself. While attending college in my thirties, thinking of an arts administration career, I finally had the chance to take a variety of art classes. My focus soon switched from performing arts to visual arts.

To the surprise of many who knew me as the administrator type, I switched gears completely and attended tattoo school. About eight years ago I secured my license and opened a studio. Surprisingly, the paths I’ve traveled through working with non-profits, producing, teaching, and immersion in performing and visual arts, laid the ground work for the biggest challenge in my life…owning a business! I feel blessed to have a career where I’m paid to do art. Two years ago I added a school to my studio, through a painstaking, year-long curriculum development process. I’m thrilled to now use my skills to teach tattooing and I envision developing the first comprehensive tattoo textbook!


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About Garden of Ink

Industry: Arts
Years in operation: New Business
Website: gardenofinktattoo.com

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