Before she owned her own tattoo shop, Scarlet Sinclair performed in NYC doing burlesque shows. And now that previous life has helped her reach a lifelong goal.

Sinclair, who owns Tattoo Ritual in Farmingdale, NY, is going to France in August to attend art classes taught by film illustrator Brian Froud ("Labyrinth"). She couldn't have done it without those girls she used to work with.

"They threw benefit shows, donated money, the bars donated percentages from the shows," she said. Also aiding her was IndieGoGo, a website where donors are allowed to contribute funds to causes that catch their eye.

A graduate of Pratt Institute, Sinclair went from performing in burlesque to tattooing many of the performers. She then worked in an art gallery before settling on owning  her own shop. She describes her tattoo design skills as "an illustrative style, not cartoony but not based on realism."

Sinclair has high hopes for the class and getting the chance to learn from Froud. "He's had an incredible influence on m work," she said, "It's going to be a magical experience."

Sinclair's Tumblr

Source: Farmingdale Patch