When people hear that I grew up in Alaska, they usually ask what the winters were like.
The short answer is that they were long.
The days were cold, the nights seemed to last forever, and everything moved at a slower pace. You couldn’t rush the seasons, and you couldn’t expect things to happen overnight. Looking back, I don’t think I realized how much those winters were teaching me until years later.
Now, as a tattoo artist and painter, I can see that patience has become one of the most important parts of my work.
Good Work Takes Time
We live in a world where people expect fast results. We can order almost anything with a few clicks and have it at our door in a day or two. It’s easy to fall into the habit of thinking everything should happen quickly.
Art doesn’t work that way.
Whether I’m designing a tattoo or working on an oil painting, I’ve learned that rushing usually leads to something that feels unfinished. Sometimes the best thing I can do is step away from a piece for a while and come back to it with fresh eyes.
That pause often makes all the difference.
Winter Doesn’t Apologize for Being Slow
One thing I remember about growing up was that winter never seemed to care about anyone’s schedule.
Snow would fall when it wanted to. Ice would stay around as long as it needed to. The landscape changed gradually, and everyone simply adapted to it.
As a kid, I didn’t always appreciate that. I wanted spring to arrive faster.
Now I understand there was something valuable in learning to accept the pace of things.
That mindset has followed me into my work. I don’t believe every creative problem needs an immediate solution. Sometimes an idea needs time before it becomes what it’s supposed to be.
Learning to Trust the Process
There have been plenty of times when I’ve started drawing a design and immediately felt stuck.
Years ago, I probably would have kept pushing until I forced something onto the page. These days, I usually do the opposite.
I’ll close the sketchbook.
I’ll go for a walk.
I’ll make a coffee or spend some time painting instead.
More often than not, the answer shows up when I stop trying so hard to find it.
I’ve learned that creativity isn’t always about working harder. Sometimes it’s about giving your mind enough space to connect the dots on its own.
Tattooing Rewards Patience
Tattooing isn’t just about putting ink into skin. Every design deserves careful thought before the machine ever turns on.
The consultation matters.
The placement matters.
The size matters.
Even small adjustments can completely change how a tattoo looks years from now.
I’ve had clients come in with one idea, only to leave with something different after we talked through it together. Those conversations aren’t wasted time. They’re part of the process.
When someone is getting a tattoo they’ll wear for life, slowing down is never a bad thing.
Painting Reminds Me to Slow Down
Oil painting has taught me patience in a different way.
Unlike tattooing, where every line is permanent the moment it’s made, painting allows me to build gradually. I can layer colors, adjust textures, and revisit an area over several days if I need to.
There’s something calming about that.
It reminds me that not every decision has to happen all at once. Sometimes a piece becomes stronger because it develops little by little.
I think that’s true for artists, too.
Growth Isn’t Always Easy to See
One of the hardest parts about improving is that it rarely feels dramatic.
Most days, you don’t notice yourself getting better.
You finish one drawing, then another. You learn from one tattoo, then move on to the next. Weeks turn into months, and months turn into years.
Then one day you flip through an old sketchbook and realize how much has changed.
That kind of growth is quiet.
It’s easy to miss if you’re only focused on the finish line.
There’s Value in Taking Your Time
Living in a busy city like Chicago has been an incredible experience, but it also reminds me how easy it is to feel like you’re always supposed to be moving.
People are constantly chasing the next project, the next goal, or the next opportunity.
I understand that feeling.
But I’ve also learned that slowing down doesn’t mean falling behind.
Sometimes taking your time leads to better ideas, stronger work, and decisions you’re proud of years later.
Patience Builds Confidence
One thing I’ve noticed over the years is that confidence doesn’t come from rushing through challenges.
It comes from facing them enough times that you learn to trust yourself.
Every sketch that didn’t work taught me something.
Every painting that needed another layer taught me something.
Every tattoo that required extra planning made me a better artist.
None of those lessons happened overnight.
Looking Back
When I think about the winters I grew up with, I don’t remember them as obstacles anymore.
I remember the quiet.
I remember the stillness.
I remember learning that not everything needs to happen today.
As an artist, I carry that lesson with me every day. Whether I’m drawing, painting, or creating a custom tattoo, I try to give each piece the time it deserves.
In the end, patience isn’t just about waiting.
It’s about trusting that good work is worth the time it takes to create.
That’s probably the greatest lesson winter ever taught me.