Truer word were never spoken. Building Cirque Du Rouge to it's full potential has become a long, worthwhile pursuit, and it's taking a great deal of time. Truth be told, it's taking all of my time and while I'm doing this, I'm very slowly working through my wait list as well as maintaining current works to the best of my ability. However, I'm going to put a hold on entertaining any new requests or adding to my waiting list for the next couple of months. I want to give everyone the attention they deserve within a reasonable amount of time, and the demands of opening Cirque, an already heavy workload, and the occasional need to take a day off or sleep are all pushing my wait list folks further and further back. I just don't want anyone to have to wait for months and become frustrated. So, if you can contact on of the many talented artists at Cirque Du Rouge for an appointment, please do so. They're all linked at www.cirquedurouge.com. And once I have all my ducks in a row and my workload has lessened a bit, I'll be shouting it from the rooftop. As always, I'm astounded by your trust, encouragement, patronage and above all, boundless patience. Thanks to everyone who emails. I hope to eventually meet you all soon.

Take four women, dedicated to their craft and to keeping each other creatively charged, send them South and turn them loose and you have the Four Horsewomen of the Apocalypse.
I was lucky to be a part of this sisterly movement of creativity that included my fellow artists of Cirque Du Rouge...Liaa Walter and Charon Henning and our friend, the incredibly talented Mulysa Mayhem of Good Mojo Tattoo. We combined our creativity to create a space that was full of fun, laughter and most importantly, good solid tattooing in our booth at the 19th Annual New Orleans Tattoo Voodoo Expo.
Though the convention itself was rather slow, we kept busy by chatting with our neighbors and met some of the friendliest artists ever while there, spent quality time with old friends and new, and laughed until our sides hurt and our faces ached. Friends and clients (Fryents?) came out to lend a hand and show off their art. My own friend Tommy managed to garner a First Place in Old School and a Second in Patriotic for his "Battle of 1812" chest piece we created. He then tested his mettle by getting a pig tattooed on his left foot and a chicken on his right, without batting an eye. He's one tough Naval officer.
We sealed our sisterhood with horseshoe tattoos, one for each "Horsewoman" given by another "Horsewoman" I wear my smoking, red horseshoe of War, tattooed by Mulysa, proudly.
We managed to fit in a little time running around New Orleans, trying to fit in as much food and fun as possible before returning to our respecitve homes. New Orleans on Halloween weekend is something to put on your bucket list. The cherry on the Crescent City sundae was observing a true invocation of Loa by their faithful. The drum circle alone was intoxicating and the calling for remembrance of those who have gone before came at a special time for me.
In a time for beginnings...this was a landmark beginning of our Sisterhood and I have a feeling the energy it generated is going to act like a creatively charged battery for weeks to come. Most of all, I think it's going to carry me through this long process of opening Cirque Du Rouge.
Thanks ladies...I can't wait to ride with you again.

After almost five fun years with Britishink, I've made a difficult decision to part ways and branch out on my own. If you've seen me removed from the Britishink web site, please don't panic. I'm still here, and I'm still working, but it's time to make room for a new person in my old stead while I begin a new chapter in my career and in the relationships with everyone who has trusted me with their art over the years.

I'll still be in DC, I'll still be available via my website, and I'll be sharing news about my new project as it comes to fruition.

It's all good. Very, very good. Stay tuned.

Since I've been back, it's been nothing but nose to the grindstone, working with my GREAT regular customers and welcoming a few new ones along the way. Summer brings an onslaught of requests and I've tried my best to maintain a waiting list. I still am, but I'm going to have to stop taking new requests for awhile in order to catch up with the folks who have already contacted me and are waiting for a response and subsequent chair time.
A 3 month backlog scares me! So as soon as I am comfortably through answering email that has been hanging in my inbox for over a month, I'll start accepting new requests again.
Besides, August, with all the last-minute beach and vacation plans, probably isn't the best time to sport a new tattoo.
Hope everyone is enjoying their summer! Thanks. :)

As many of you may know, I've been taking care of my Dad for the past few months. What some of you may not have known, is that he had metastatic prostate cancer and his time was limited. On November 5th, my Dad said goodbye to those he loved and passed with grace and dignity. And though I knew it was coming, saying I'm devastated is an understatement.

I'll won't be returning to the studio until December, and even then, it will take me a while to catch up with the appointments that had to be cancelled during my time as my father's caretaker, so I probably won't take any new work until the new year.

To everyone who has been in touch, sent messages, and been incredibly understanding and patient with my messed up schedule in these past few months, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Simply put, my Father is quite ill and needs care. So while I'm arranging for visits with his physicians, extra nursing, and all the things that come with caring for a loved one, it will take away from the time I am able to spend drawing and in the studio for a little while.

I'm not quitting work, but I will be scaling back my hours in order to tidy up my schedule with pre-existing customers. I won't be taking any new requests until further notice. I'd hate to put anyone on the schedule, only to reschedule while I'm juggling my father's needs.

Once I get his care worked into the rhythm of my daily "to dos", I'll begin to book new work. But at this point, I'm really not sure when that will be.

Thanks so much to everyone for their support and patience.

I'd love to take everyone who is interested in getting a tattoo from me and I'm honored you would consider me. Lately, I've been blessed with more requests than I have time to fulfill or even respond to properly.
So to alleviate the the feeling that I'm just ignoring anyone and to give time due to those who are in the middle of working on a project with me, I'm going to hold off on taking any new clients for consultations or new work until August.
I appreciate each and every one of you who has contacted me and I hope a little wait won't change your minds!
Cheers and have a wonderful summer!
Cyn

Despite the gobs of falling white death dumped on Baltimore this weekend, we still had a great time at the 3rd Annual Baltimore Tattoo Arts Convention with those that could make it and those that were snowed simply snowed in. I'm also happy that those who couldn't make it chose to stay safely at home...Saturday was just too dangerous to be on the road. We'll all catch up, no worries.

We may have to close this week as well, since Mother Nature has lost her bearings and thinks DC is a little further North than it really is.

Oh,and if someone out there owns or has access to a large snow removal vehicle...feel free to drive to my place and shovel out my driveway. Thanks!

For those who have been trying to get in touch...THANK YOU! For both your interest and patience. I've had several problems with my hard drive and subsequently, I'm awash in back-email. I'm doing my best to answer everyone...though at the present, my first openings are in February.
One of these days, I'll find an assistant who is willing to work for cookies, coffee and eternal gratitude, but until then...I'll get back with you, eventually. :)

I survived vacation. I'm back..a few pounds heavier but relaxed and excited to be back in the studio at Britishink again. And I'm almost caught up with email. :)

There are a lot of exciting things going on. The H Street Festival is this Saturday, September 19th...a celebration of all the good changes and new faces that are making up our little, artsy community in the Old City. Along with bands, fashion, art, food and drink, we'll be participating in a streetside tattoo competition, judging the Best, Most Unusual, and the Worst (which personally, I think should be retitled the Bravest). Crazy, fun times!

I'm really stoked about two new additions to the Britishink Crew, Liaa Walter and Robie Sayan. Both are talented individuals with strong backgrounds in art and design, on top of being incredibly good folks. They're both linked at the Britishink site...so check them out.

There's more to come too...and it involves PIE! Details soon...

Sorry...but if The Bangles are singing in my head...then I'm more than happy to share the misery. :)
I'll be out of the studio and offline beginning August 23rd through September 8th. No phone, no email, just a bit of end-of-the-summer silence.
For those getting in touch for the first time, I am grateful and thank you, but I won't be able to sit down and plan new tattoos until October. But as we all know, time passes quickly. :)

Thank you for checking in...enjoy the rest of your summer!
Cheers,
Cyn

...I'd really appreciate it. Due to a very full schedule, I currently am unable to take on any new work until after May 1st. I want to make sure everyone I'm working with gets my full attention. Thanks for your understanding and interest.

I'm happy to announce that Britishink will be participating in DC's month long multi-media event, ARTOMATIC. (www.artomatic.org). At last count, nearly 700 artists are participating. It's huge, it's vibrant, and best of all, admission is free.
This year's location is Capitol Plaza I
1200 First Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002
Metro: Red Line, New York Ave., M St exit

In our usual fashion, we're not just claiming a wall and putting up tattoo related art. Oh, no, no, no. We've been designated a 20' x 20' private space and we'll be recreating a working Victorian Tattoo Parlour, complete with a display of the history of tattooing, machines, art, and tattoo related photography. And yes, we'll be tattooing. So if you want to be part of the art, we can accommodate you and tattoo you at ARTOMATIC. It's a bit like a convention, but in a much larger, poshed-out space.

ARTOMATIC opens on Friday, May 9th. Days and hours are:
Wednesday: 5pm-10pm
Thursday: 5pm-10pm
Friday: Noon - 2am (yes, you read that correctly)
Saturday: Noon - 2am
Sunday: Noon - 10pm
Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays
The last day is June 15th

Yes, you read it right, Sunday. I can't promise that Paul and I will be tattooing or there at every hour on every day, but we will be taking appointments and even have unique art created for walk up service. Consultations will also be available while we're at ARTOMATIC. Calling for an appointment is always best, but if you come by, catch us in and want to chat, that's great too!

We'll also be making announcements for special events. A closing day "Day of Wrong" celebration is in the works, and an opening party is being planned as well.

If any able-bodied persons would like to help out, we're doing the heavy moving on Sunday April 27th. Because of the building restrictions, we can only move using one bay and one elevator, so the more hands we have, the quicker the big moving will go. There will be gumbo, red beans and rice, libations and our undying gratitude for those willing to lend a hand.

Needless to say, we're really excited about participating in ARTOMATIC and having the DC community recognize Tattoo as a legitimate art form.

We both look forward to seeing everyone there!

I'm booking appointments for the Baltimore Tattoo Arts Convention in February. Availability is limited for both Saturday and Sunday, February 9th & 10th.

Convention info here: http://www.tattooedkingpin.com/baltimore2008/main.html

More details to come as we can think of them but here's the scoop and we hope you can make it.

britishink tattoo studio and gallery is having a Summer Solistice Party/Opening/& celebration of all things Ren on
Thursday, June 21st, 2007@ six pm until, well...until the last of you decides to leave. The address is 508 H Street, Northeast, Washington, DC.

Garb is STRONGLY encouraged, be you Lord, Lady, Pirate, or Fae.

Why? Because I spend a LOT of time tattooing and the Faire community has been good to me in this endeavor. I'd also like Paul to meet my MDRF & VRF family and friends and we would both like to share our new space dedicated to art and tattoo.

And no, you don't actually have to get a tattoo. :)

So please, mark the date on your calendars. Come see the studio, the art, have a glass of wine, and enjoy a little "pregame" faire atmosphere.

Hope to see you on the 21st.


www.britishinkdc.com
www.chesapink.com

After April 9th, I happy to announce that I'll be tattooing with the talented Paul Roe in our nation's capital at BritishInk Tattoo Studio and Gallery.

It's a beautiful space with a great energy in an up and coming DC neighborhood at 508 H Street NE, very near Union Station.

I'll still be taking consultations and personal illustration and art commissions in Dunkirk.

If you're tired of the cold and planning to attend Bike Week 2007, in Daytona Beach, come and see me! The ever-so cool Kimberly at Built to Last Tattoo is hosting me as a guest artist from March 6th thru the 11th.

Built to Last is located on North 1st Street, right on the beach!, in Jacksonville Beach, FL.

So book an appointment or come to see me.

From January 19th- 24th, I'll be heading over the Bay Bridge to the Eastern Shore and tattooing at Solid State Tattoo in Salisbury, MD.
http://www.solidstate.com

As of February 1st, I'll be available to tattoo in my new Dunkirk, MD studio!

Please get in touch to schedule a session or begin a custom piece.

Looking forward to seeing everyone soon.

I'll be settled and working again. The location will be announced shortly.
In the meantime, I'm still acccepting requests for custom artwork.

A $50 deposit via Paypal or Money Order/Cashier's Check is required and will be put toward your tattoo once an appointment is made. My Paypal id is cynroux@yahoo.com

I'll be leaving Underground Tattoo. After three years, family obligations and distance have dictated that I need to move on to accomodate an ever changing schedule.

As of January 2007, I'll be doing guest spots in other locations, which I'll announce here. I'll also be taking a little time off to travel with my family.

Please check in occasionally to get an update of where I will be. And for those of you who have come all the way out to Underground, thank you so very much.

Underground Tattoo is still alive and well and remains open from Monday thru Saturday from 2 until 9 pm. As always, they're located in Millison Plaza, Lexington Park, MD...just outside Gate 2 of Patuxent River Naval Air Station.