about alyssa
I’ve always found it easier to communicate through images than through words. From the comics and books I illustrated as a child to the years I spent exploring physical expression as a competitive dancer, my life has been defined by a deep-seated need to create a visual narrative. That early immersion in the performing arts taught me to understand the body through movement, rhythm, and the way physical forms occupy space—an education in "flow" that remains the quiet heartbeat of my tattooing practice today.
My formal training led me to the Alberta University of the Arts, where I earned a degree in Graphic Design. It was here, specifically within my illustration courses, that I deepened my relationship to visual storytelling. After graduation, I navigated the worlds of advertising and freelance design, but I often felt a disconnect. I was creating constantly, yet I was searching for a way to make art that felt more intimate, grounded, and human.
In 2018, I found that missing connection in tattooing. It allowed me to merge my design background with a deeply personal, collaborative experience. After several years of honing my craft, I moved from Calgary, to Canmore, then to the Kootenays, drawn by a desire for a life that felt more magical and connected to the natural world. In the fall of 2024, I opened my private studio, Vale of the Fae, as a sanctuary for this work to grow.
Now, with nearly eight years of experience, I focus exclusively on my own style of illustrative blackwork. My work is often described as storybook-like or "whimsical," though I prefer to think of it as a bridge between the physical and the magical—inspired by my Celtic and Asian heritage, Grimm’s fairytales, and the organic textures found in the forest. When I’m not in the studio, you’ll likely find me dancing, nerding out over my latest hyperfixation, or overfeeding treats to my horse, Nym.
my approach
Tattooing is, at its heart, a personal exchange of energy. For me, that energy is most visible in how a body moves, which is where my history as a dancer and my life as an artist finally meet. Because of that background, I don’t see the human body as a flat canvas, but as a moving landscape. I aim to create designs that feel 'held' by your natural anatomy—enhancing the curves of a muscle or the flow of a limb rather than fighting against them. My goal isn’t simply to adorn your skin; it’s to reveal the story that already exists beneath the surface.
Currently, I work mostly in blackwork because I am drawn to the enduring, timeless quality of dark ink on skin. My style is rooted in the dramatic contrast between light and shadow—much like the woodcut illustrations in an old book of folklore. I like a tattoo to feel as though it has always belonged to the body, which is why I prioritize the natural movement of your anatomy over a stagnant design.
My process is intuitive and collaborative. I find the most magic happens when we start with a simple, clear concept and allow the design to evolve into something that feels entirely its own. Whether we spend our session in a deep philosophical discussion or a comfortable, shared silence, my goal is to create a piece that feels both grounded in the present and like a relic from another era.
the space
Stepping into Vale of the Fae is intended to feel like leaving the outside world behind for a moment. This is an intimate, private sanctuary designed with your nervous system in mind—a low-sensory environment that is quiet, cozy, and filled with plants, local art, and felted forest treasures. My goal is to make the physical experience of being tattooed as gentle and predictable as possible. You’ll find a heated tattoo bed, soft blankets, and slippers waiting for you, and you are welcome to bring whatever comfort items you may need to stay grounded.
This is a space where your agency is prioritized; whether you want to choose our soundtrack for the day, wear your own noise-canceling headphones, or simply tuck into a book in a shared silence, you are welcome to show up exactly as you are. There is no pressure to "perform" or make small talk here—only a dedicated, inclusive realm where we can focus on the art and the experience of bringing it to life.
View the Space
let's create some magic
Whether it’s a custom vision or a piece of seasonal flash, there is always room for a new story. When the time feels right to bring an idea to life, the process begins here.
