Sam was born and raised in the Quiet Corner of rural Connecticut and grew up with a pencil in hand and a song in her head. From tracing magazine ads to diving into every special arts and music class she could take in school, creativity has always been at the core of her life.

While studying journalism and criminal justice, Sam took a brief hiatus from pursuing her artistic endeavors for a career as a local news reporter after college. It was during this time she got her first few tattoos and soon caught the bug. She had to have more.

A restless spirit and a need for change lead Sam to leave her home state at 25 and move south. She lived in Charlotte for five years and connected with tattoo artists there who gave her an introduction to the workings of tattoo shops behind the scenes. From answering phones to cleaning tubes, Sam began learning the ins-and-outs of tattooing and forged friendships in the Queen City that eventually helped lead to an apprenticeship opportunity in South Carolina, where she found work at her first shop. For six years she dedicated her time to learning and growing as a tattooer, finding herself drawn to illustrative, traditional, art nouveau, and linocut-inspired tattoo styles with bold lines and bright, vibrant colorwork.

The heat was brutal, though, and she missed the snow and seasons she remembered from growing up in New England. Sam’s search for a new adventure landed her in New York, where she found a home and a family at Sink or Swim in Niagara Falls. When not at the studio, she can be found at home drawing and watching horror movies, cuddling with her sweet dog Furby, and exploring everything there is to offer from Wheatfield to Buffalo. If she’s not sharing tattoos or flash on her page, Sam loves to post silly reels and content to make others laugh. Just don’t ask to see her toes (for free).

You can check out Sam’s most recent work and silly videos on her Instagram - @tattoocansam