Well, here we are, after what seems like the longest month in the history of time (anyone else feel like that???), it's FINALLY February!
As much as I love the snow (yes I know the Torontonians will not be impressed to hear that, but I've only been here for 8 years so it's still special to me), I am tired of the cold now. But winter does last for about forever in Toronto, so it'll be a while before things really warm up. I am looking forward to seeing all the spring flowers bloom thought (at some point, lol).
For me winter basically means hibernation, so, as usual, I've spent most of my January inside being cosy, reading, sketching, and napping, and the addition of my heated blanket has been WONDERFUL!
So I don't have many exciting activities to tell you about, but I have had the pleasure of completing (and beginning) so many wonderful tattoos this month, so let's get into it…
Tattoo Time
Emily
Emily came to me for her first tattoo, and jumped right in, with not one but two pieces! First, this stunning protea to honour her South African heritage, and second, an adorable Totoro and soot sprite Ghibli design (check it out here) 🖤🥰.
Nicole
I spent a lovely day with Nicole, freehanding a floral patchwork mix on her lower arm, incorporating a peony we did a few months ago. The flowers were inspired by her wedding bouquet, plus we added a sweet little tribute to her daughter (check the whole piece out here).
Jacqui
Jacqui jumped on a last minute cancellation (through my newsletter) and her new tattoo is more than just art—it’s a tribute to her two grandmas 🌹. One grew 200 rose bushes at her first home, where she raised Jacqui's mum, and the other always added beautiful floral stickers to their pen pal letters. These roses carry so much love and memories, forever 🖤.
Alicia
It was so great to see Alicia again after so many years!
We added this lovely freehand duo 🌿✨ A coverup on the back of her arm and a sweet little floral hand addition. Check HERE to see a video, as it's hard to capture the flow in a photograph!
The peony on the back of her arm is a coverup/blastover. After 8 laser sessions over several years to lighten a VERY dark tattoo she no longer loved, she opted to let a hint of the old design show through the new peony to keep it as light and soft as possible.
Cheyenne
If this isn't the cutest bird I've ever tattooed 🥰.
Cheyenne asked for a Gambel's quail, bougainvillea flowers, and a Saguaro cactus, as a cheerful nod to her Arizona adventures with her fiancé—who she’s marrying in the Vegas desert this year! 🖤 What a special piece to commemorate such beautiful memories.
Megan
Megan and I got started on an amazing leg project this month, she champed through the outlines and we'll get the details done in February! It has a lot of beautiful Megan for her that I'll explain when the project is finished 🙂
Jordan
It was so great tattoo Jordan again! After spending two years in the UK for her master’s, she’s back in Canada and came by to continue her leg project. We incorporated two elegant betta fish in a Pisces shape, to honour her grandfather, along with a delicate water lily. 🌸🐟
Celia
Celia came back to this month today for this bold and beautiful chrysanthemum piece 🌸🖤. This one was extra special—it’s a scar cover-up, and I’m so honoured to help her reclaim this space with something she loves.
Thank you for trusting me with this journey, Celia—it means the world.
Siobhan
Siobhan’s beautiful piece came together after a reschedule from December 🌿✨. This tattoo features a mix of personal and meaningful elements: thistle for her Scottish heritage, gladiolus flowers, a magical book, and a little clover as a nod to her best friend.
She wanted something that connected her to her history while reminding her of the strength it’s given her—and I think we nailed it.
Cindy
I had the pleasure of tattooing this elegant crow surrounded by blueberries for Cindy. The design is extra special because Cindy’s last name means crow in Italian. It’s always a joy to weave personal stories into tattoos like this one.
Lindsey
🌙✨ This tattoo for Lindsey was extra special—a crescent moon with the birth flowers of her daughter and herself: poppy and lily of the valley 🌸
Christina
A super sweet and meaningful butterfly with forget-me-nots for Christina. This was her first tattoo so we just did the butterfly for now, but she's planning on adding a peony to her shoulder. I can't wait to add it 🥰
Maegen
Maegen came into the studio to build on her stunning collection of blackwork pieces, and we added some freehand florals to the top of her shoulder 🌸✨. We added a peony, poppy, anemones, and blackthorn.
Thank you for trusting me to add to your beautiful collection, Maegen! 🖤
Devon
Devon came in for a freehand cover-up of a tattoo she no longer loved. We transformed the area with elegant peonies and delicate blossom flowers 🌸🖤. There’s something so rewarding about turning an old chapter into something beautiful and meaningful.
Thank you, Devon, for trusting me with this special piece!
Colin
I got to start this increeeedible new project with Colin this January. We spent two days outlining and then starting on the details of his new sleeve. He has the longest arms I have ever tattooed 😂! Can't wait to continue it in March!
Here's sneak peek...
Jess
Jess came back for this winter-inspired cardinal tattoo to pair with the spring swallow I tattooed on her other calf two and a half years ago. It’s always such an honour when someone trusts me with matching tattoos, and this one feels like the perfect complement to her collection 🖤❄️.
Fun fact: Jess first saw this cardinal as a sketch in my newsletter and knew it was meant to be!
Wendy
Wendy grabbed a last-minute cancellation slot and we did this beautiful freehand peony cover-up! We worked with the natural flow of her shoulder to create something organic and timeless, using soft blackwork shading to blend everything seamlessly.
Flower of the Month
As some of you may have seen over on my IG, I have been doing some research on different flower meanings in my sketchbook lately. I have a great collection of books that I have been referencing, and some clients have been asking what books I have, so I set up an amazon recommendations page with my favourites!
Did you know that in floriography (the Victorian language of flowers), wood sorrel represents joy and maternal tenderness? 🌿💛 I thought this would be a beautiful way to symbolise maternal love in a tattoo—whether it’s for your children, your own mother, or simply celebrating your role as a mum.
This delicate flower could be a meaningful addition to a larger piece, or it would work perfectly as a standalone design. You could even include a flower for each of your children for a truly personal touch. ✨
This delicate flower could be a meaningful addition to a larger piece, or it would work perfectly as a standalone design. You could even include a flower for each of your children for a truly personal touch. ✨
Remember, with any tattoo design, just because it can mean something, doesn't mean it has to mean something. The only thing that matters is what is means to you.
In Other News
I've been watching...
- A Complete Unknown (movie // in theatre) - the Bob Dylan biopic, a good watch.
- Schitt's Creek (tv // streaming) - thanks to Alicia and her partner for the final push into starting it, yes I know I'm late to it 😂 but I have managed to smash four seasons this month.
I've been reading...
I have read soooo much this month! I'm genuinely shocked. The whole list is over on my good reads, but here's some of my favourites….
- Spaces // Jess Sui (my client Jess's beautiful book of poetry - a gift from her when I tattooed her cardinal 🥹)
- Onyx Storm // Rebecca Yarros (had to be done - man is the audiobook looooong)
- Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder // Salman Rushdie (answering violence with art 🖤)
- The Light Eaters: How the Unseen World of Plant Intelligence Offers a New Understanding of Life on Earth // Zoë Schlanger (absolutely fascinating)
- Never Been Better // Leanne Toshiko Simpson (fiction, based in Toronto, the story of three friends that meet in a mental institution, all the characters are wonderfully messy)
I've been listening too…
- Mac Miller // Balloonerism (mixed feelings on this one, then reddit forums are saying he actually requested this project be released after his death, and I do think his esate has handled the post-humous releases of his work respectfully so far, so I'm choosing to believe that it is what he wanted, but there's still a little trepidation there. It's beautiful to hear ‘new’ music, I think anyone choosing to listen to this without knowing about Mac's music, it's important to know the context of this project, when it was made. It is pretty dark)
- Doechii // Alligator Bites Never Heal (it's soooooo good)
I've been doing...
- I visited my client Leif's goldsmithing studio! His work is so beautiful. He very very generously made me a pendent that is soooo pretty.
- I did brave the cold and went to the ROM wildfife photography of the year exhibit, it's on until 4th May so still plenty of time to check it out.
- Drinking lots of tea! Last month Serena gifted me some orange and tumeric tea that I've become obsessed with
Thanks so much for reading 🖤.
Stay warm!
Lu