How did you get started?
My boyfriend back then gifted me a “tattooing beginner’s kit” for my birthday and generously offered himself as my first canvas. At the time, he had zero tattoos and a lifelong fear of needles — the perfect combination, really.

What advice would you give to your younger self?
Raise your standards — in your work, your time, and the people around you. Work harder, party a little less, and invest in the right people.

Besides tipping, what makes a client great to work with?
Connection. The stories we share during a session — or the silence we share. Being comfortable in silence together is just as meaningful as a good conversation.

What sets you apart from others in your field?
I’m one of the few artists who applies eco principles to tattooing. Our industry generates tons of plastic waste on top of biohazardous waste, so choosing sustainable tools matters. I love brands that prioritize biodegradable materials, reusable or recyclable packaging, and vegan inks. It’s not just about being responsible — it feels good knowing every tattoo I do is a small step on a planet notorious for waste. If you want to join the movement, I’d recommend checking out goodjudy.ca for all supplies in one place. EZ makes nicer ink cups, Magic Moon leads in cartridges, and there are plenty of smaller brands worth exploring.

What are your go-to tools and why?
I was born in Russia, where the older generation associates tattoos with the criminal world — in their minds, the only place to get tattooed is jail. Naturally, I sometimes asked myself: if i were tattooing in jail, how could i simplify my setup? what’s essential? i think i’d go with stick-and-poke — much easier to hide than a full machine. But in real life, i don’t have the patience for poke, so rotary it is. If i had to pick just one needle for life, it’d be the 1003 RL by WJX. Anything thinner is a nightmare for big pieces, anything thicker kills fine lines. Plus, it holds a lot of ink, so you don’t have to keep dipping while shading.

How do you think cosmetology impacts the world?
Cosmetology has an enormous impact on today’s world, especially among people with disposable income — though even those with less often indulge in small rituals, like getting their nails done for a special occasion. it’s one of the leading industries, and notably one of the few that hasn’t yet been taken over by AI — at least not completely. people don’t want to get old anymore; looking young and fitting narrow beauty stereotypes is put on a high pedestal. cosmetologists are like devils, offering magic that can take 10 years off someone’s shoulders. once clients start using these services, they’re essentially selling their soul; stopping is difficult, because they can’t let anyone see their real, unfiltered face. in this sense, cosmetology reflects broader societal obsessions: perfection, artificiality, and the pursuit of eternal youth. the movie Substance captures this tension vividly, showing how appearance can dominate identity and influence the ways people interact with the world.

Top male and female celebrities you'd love to work with?
Jiho Yoon – i’d be humbled to do a tattoo swap with him, maybe a halftone design for one of the trippy back cats. Elena Sheidlin – she’s incredibly creative; i’m sure her tattoo idea would be fascinating to bring to life. Travis Barker – though i doubt he has any room left. Patti Smith – though i doubt she’d want another, since she was very particular about the only one she has…but hey, a girl can dream!

Fun fact about you:
"I made my first money at the age of 4 selling flowers at the cemetery gate. It was 4 months after the very fist McDolands had opened in Russia, and that’s where i went to spent these money. The line to get in took 2 hours. Soviet people were very hungry for capitalism. I learned how to speak english in India, where i went to study for my masters in Radio&Video production. Before that, my skills were limited to “halo, wha teez ur neim.” Somehow, nobody asked for proof of language knowledge. The program was sponsored by the Indian government to diversify the student body. I moved to New York without ever visiting it first, because everyone who knew me and had been there kept saying i’d love it. The first time i applied for a visa, it was denied because i already had a visa from Iran in my passport. I had to get a new ‘clean passport’ and enroll in a documentary program, because student visas tend to get approved more easily. I packed my life into 2 suitcases, including tattoo equipment, camera gear, and snowboarding boots.

For my birthday in 2020 i went to Peru to try ayahuasca, but then the world announced Covid, and I ended up stuck there for 5 months. I met incredible people during that time, but the only one who stayed with me until today — or better to say, the only one who actually left Peru with me — is my cat. She was my payment for painting a mural at a sushi bar. Peru was still locked down, so we had to run away to Ecuador illegally to catch a plane before my U.S. visa expired."

How do you see beauty professionals giving back to the community?
I can’t speak for other niches — they’ll define that better. but tattoo artists definitely give back beyond the art. We often end up working as therapists in our chairs — listening to clients, hearing their stories, helping them mark life events, heal emotional wounds, or reclaim their bodies. A tattoo session can be just as much about letting go and feeling seen as it is about the design on skin. In the end, we’re not just making art — we’re holding space, giving people a bit of empowerment, and sometimes letting them leave feeling a little lighter, even if we’ve dragged them through some pain along the way.