How old are your kids and how long have you lived in the area? I recently had a son, and I have lived in the Westport area for about 9 years now.
How did you end up where you are now in terms of your job, or whatever passion project it is you might be doing? I started tattooing 12 years ago on Long Island not far from my home town of Hewlett, NY. I moved to CT 9 years ago when I met my now husband. For the first few years in Connecticut I worked at a couple of local tattoo studios, which were very male dominated. I didn’t feel like I found a comfortable home for what I wanted for my clients and I so I decided to create a space myself. That’s when Rebel & Rose Tattoo was born. In February of 2022. I opened a welcoming, professional environment for other like-minded female artists and we became the first ever female owned and operated studio in Westport, as well as Fairfield county.
What was your best memory from the last few COVID years, a strange time we know… Before Covid I was working 10-12 hour days with very little time for anything but tattooing. When we were in lockdown, I decided to start painting again (my first love in art form before ink) commissions for clients, friends and family. I painted on designer leather goods as well as denim and leather jackets. I even painted pet portraits to raise money for Westport Humane Society, where our Rescue dog Gary is from.
What is the best show you have recently (binge) watched? AND/OR what is the last book you read? I’m not a big TV person. I prefer writing or reading self help/improvement books. My favorite book recently was “You Are A Badass” by Jen Sincero.
What is your favorite podcast? I do not listen to podcasts. I sometimes feel like I am a grandma and if it weren’t for social media being great for business I probably wouldn’t have that either.
What is one food you could not live without? Avocado? I’m not sure that’s tough…
What is one product you could not live without? Apple Pencil/iPad. It has made life so much easier for drawing for appointments. I remember the day of drawing on paper and if your client didn’t like it or wanted to change something you had throw it out and start over.
What is your greatest fear? Failing. I’m a bit hard on myself with this. No one’s perfect and I know sometimes it takes trial and error and it’s ok to learn from mistakes and get back up to do better but I’m a very calculated person. When I put my heart and soul into something I expect to get only the best out of it. I’ve learned sometimes though, it’s ok to pivot and change course for what needs to be done.
Which talent would you most like to have? I always wanted to do something in the car industry. I have a classic car my grandfather built, a 1932 ford coupe. I always wanted to do something like that one day, building one is fascinating to me.
What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you? I have a 1932 Ford Coupe my grandfather built and left to me when he passed away. He was my buddy, we went to all the car shows together. It was so important to him to pass this piece of history and hard work down to me and I can’t wait to one day tell my son all about it.
If you weren’t doing what you are today, what might your career path might have been? Before I got into tattooing I wanted to work in Art Therapy with children. It amazes me how you can speak through a picture or painting your deepest emotions without saying a word out loud.
If you could travel to one place this next year, where would it be and why? Montana. I hear it’s one of the most serene, beautiful places in the states.
If you had 24 hours to do whatever you wanted to do, what would it be? Escape to the mountains somewhere with no phone.
Are you a morning person, or a night owl? How does sleep fit into your life? Morning person. I like to go to bed early and to get the most out of the day.
What thing has surprised you most about being in the suburbs? I’m in Easton now and I find it funny that I’ve had a loose horse or cow in my yard a few times.
What is the first thing you do when you walk in the door after a long day? Now things are different tending to a newborn but prior to maternity leave I’d come home from work and get the best greeting from my dog Gary.
Who is your favorite hero of fiction? I’m more of a non fiction, documentary kind of woman. Who are your heroes in real life? My mom. She raised 4 of us children while working and juggling anything else that life may have thrown at her while making it all look easy. She’s one of the most selfless and caring people I know and I admire her for all she has handled in life.
QUICK THIS OR THAT:
At a movie: Candy or Popcorn? Candy-sour patch lover
Cook or order in? Cook
Cake or Ice Cream? Ice cream
Iced Coffee or Hot Coffee? Iced
Beach or Mountains? Mountains
Puzzle or Board Game? Puzzle
Wine or a Cocktail (if cocktail, which one?) Wine- preferably my dads homemade
Reading or writing? Writing
Before bed: Social media or book/TV? Social media
Watch or play sports? Watch
Stay in or go out? Stay in
Comedy or Drama? Comedy