An anniversary or birthday is always a time of automatic reflection and for looking ahead at the next year to come. A time to pause.
Spirit of the Woods first birthday is a time I thought I might be all fit out and set up, maybe celebrating with a party drinking champagne and acknowledging the wonderful people apart of the walls of the studio that fell (quite heavily) into my arms. Alas I am not having a party just yet, though I am having a tipple of whiskey!
I’m 12 months down the track and still working through the backlog of (tremendously patient) clients from Covid lockdowns. I’m chipping away at the space and am constantly reminded – with the juggle of parenting a small human and having a studio to manage now – that I’m doing everything I possibly can and it doesn’t look even remotely how I imagined it would… but I’m doing it. Head down, bum up. It’s not at all glamorous and I’m burning at both ends, but it’s wholesome and rewarding.
Sammi holding keys to her new space and a mug of red wine. Ratbag!
The last twelve months I’ve begun to foster deeper connections with my clients awakening a curiosity – how deep does this go? I’m finding the ‘something more’ I’ve been looking for, the something more is the connection. The depth is in the process and the facilitation of that transition for you, my client. The lines between client and friend becoming more and more fuzzy and the reciprocity of that transformative experience. It’s happening more and more that as much as I’m physically transforming your body to be permanently modified, I am also being transformed by the process of tattooing you. I’m being enlightened, I’m being inspired, I’m finding magic, in you.
Hippy bath-day my darling Spirit of the Woods Tattoo! May this first year be the first of many and a peek at the beauty to come. May more artistic endeavours ensue, more marvellousness come through your doorway, more essence seep into your bones, more deep connections be made, and excellent conversations be had. I’m mind blown. May you all find as much beauty in this place as I and may you all come to share it in one way or other.
Much love.
Sammi