An AOK 2024 Year in Review

Hey y'all,

As 2024 wraps up I find myself doing a little reflecting. First and foremost I want to say thank you to each and every one of you who has ever supported me or collected any work from me, whether it be a tattoo, painting, print, stickers, shirt, you name it. Thank you!

As some of you may know this year marked 20 years that I have been tattooing and I feel it has changed quite a bit along the way. With that change has come a good number of lessons I do my best to keep in mind. One of the biggest and most constant things tattooing has taught me is perseverance.

Tattooing is something that I love, it is at times insanely fun, and at the same time it can be incredibly frustrating, and something I would never categorize as easy. I've seen it take a toll on relationships whether they be friendly, familial, or romantic. It exacts a physical toll the likes of which those who do not actively practice this craft likely underestimate I'm some fashion at the very least. And it is work. It is work to improve, work to maintain those aforementioned relationships all the while, and at the same time measuring what we are willing to sacrifice to be great at it, be it sleep, nutrition, health, or any number of other things too numerous to list.

Still we march on. That perseverance is very much a part of what birthed AOK and remains an integral part to its mission.

You all play a major role in that mission as well. It isn't an easy thing to tend to but the response, appreciation, and support we receive from you all absolutely helps me to keep pushing forward. That said, once again, thank you all!

Enjoy your time tonight, get home safe, and I'll see you in the new year. And when we arrive alive in 2025, let's not just survive. Let's strive to thrive!