My history with tattoos started back in 2012, working as an apprentice part time for an underground tattoo artist. This went on for about a year before finally getting the chance to do my first tattoo. My mentor built me a custom coil tattoo machine and challenged me to do a piece on my forearm. I chose to do a Bible verse in cursive, Psalm 23:4, "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil." Suffice to say, he was impressed and let me start doing line work on his clients.
Eventually life got in the way, as it usually does, and I ended up in a 13 year career as a truck driver in Denver and 2 years as a CNA hospice nurse in Englewood. During this time however, I continued practicing my tattoo art, almost finishing an entire sleeve. Then in 2025, I was 2 years into a 4 year nursing degree to become an RN nurse when suddenly things took a very dark turn... This would be when a hand tattoo literally saved my life in the darkest moment of my existence.
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November 5th, 2025. I had met a guy at random two weeks prior who seemed like a nice person to hang out with. That night, I wasn't feeling good due to losing over a unit of blood from a colon injury, I was very weak and anemic. So I texted this guy and asked if I could come over to watch a movie... Big mistake. Not only had this person been silently stalking me but he was also a violent r*pist, things I was completely unaware of at the time.
While I will not be getting into the details of what he did to my body I will say this; after months of hospital visits, a forensic examination, a r*pe kit, and extensive pain from relearning bodily functions; police did nothing. Multiple Denver county police stations refused to investigate and discouraged me from filing a police report. The reason? Colorado had almost a 2 year backlog of r*pe kits and the police apparently didn't have any detectives available to conduct an investigation.
For my safety, I went into hiding. I lost my job, my home, my friends, and my college attendance. It was at this time that I spiraled into alcoholism and had horrible flashbacks from RTS (R*pe Trauma Syndrome) every night for hours. Amongst the tears and screaming coming from within the darkness of my room, something kept the thoughts of s*icide from taking control of me; on my left hand, a tattoo of a pentagram with beautiful night camouflage, empowered me to fight back and stay alive. Tattoos can be a very powerful symbol of encouragement and a source of incredible strength when we need it most.
"You can be a victim or you can rise up and be a survivor." - (From the nurse in the sexual assault unit that was treating me at the hospital.)
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After several months of healing, I started living a much healthier life, moving to Centennial in the process. This got me thinking about what I truly wanted to do as a career. While my nursing education got derailed, I thought about tattooing again but as a fully licensed tattoo artist. I've always been a huge fan of Hawaiian culture, so I thought why not start a tattoo studio that honors the 'Aloha' Way? Thus, in 2026 on my birthday, July 10th, Botanical Ink was born.
So to honor Hawaiian culture, I dedicate 3 hours of my work day to doing volunteer tattoo work for those that cannot afford it. I don't ask for any financial proof, I only ask that people are honest about their situation is all. This is my way of giving back to the community, a chance to share the Aloha Way.
I wanted this tattoo studio to be a safe space for anyone who has been through serious trauma. A place of positive energy, white noise, and a sense of peaceful transformation. I don't want people to be afraid of being tattooed or having anxiety from a bad experience in their life. This is a time of connection with the inner self, through 'good' pain, transforming the 'holy temple' (the body) and decorating it with handcrafted art. Our body's uniqueness is amazing and is something to be celebrated. My studio is a judgement-free zone, I welcome all people, gay, straight, trans, black, white... everyone.
Remember, the Lord loves all humans, regardless of identity. Don't let any person or organization tell you whether you are right with the Lord, He loves you for who you are and that is all that matters. No painting is perfect, the flaws you were born with are what makes you human, broken is beautiful. Blessed be His name.
Jenesis,
Nurse & Tattoo Artist
