I'm Ava, also known as Ava Nilou.

I’ve loved art for as long as I can remember. My grandfather was an abstract artist, and as a little girl, I’d sit beside him and draw while he painted. He was what most would call a “starving artist,” but his passion for creating never faded—and that dedication has always inspired me.

After his passing in 2019, I stepped away from art to focus on my academics, eventually earning my Biology degree from SUNY Oneonta with plans to become a physician assistant. But in 2025, during my junior year, I picked up art again as a relaxing hobby and quickly found myself heavily immersed in tattoo culture—the history, the craft, and the community.

In May of 2025, I was lucky enough to meet Ash, who took me under her wing and helped me learn skills I could’ve never fathomed.

What began as a path toward healthcare has transformed into the pursuit of my true and unexpected passion—tattooing. It’s been a wild ride, and I’m endlessly grateful to make the little girl I once was proud. From paint and paper to ink and skin, I’m honored to continue creating art from a new perspective—one made just for you.