Joelle Missildine was born and raised in Massachusetts in an extremely strict Christian household. However she rejected the ideals of her Jehovah’s Witness parents and moved to Connecticut choosing her own path. Soon after she began pursuing her dream of becoming a tattoo artist. As a child, Joelle was surrounded by art and encouraged to develop and hone her skills in various mediums, including oil, acrylics, pastels, watercolors, charcoal and colored pencils. She was privately tutored by an art teacher from a young age learning fundamentals such as perspective, color and tones. At the time, her teacher’s perfectionism may have been a thorn in her side but now credits that attention to detail as the building block which she has developed her art career upon.
As life went on, she found her true passion and calling in life as a tattoo artist. Although it has cost her much to pursue this dream she has never regretted it a moment. Her determination to succeed and enter this field was apparent from the start. She walked into every tattoo shop in her local area until she found someone willing to take her on as an apprentice. About four months in to her first tattoo apprenticeship at, Tommy’s Tattoo Studio, the artist she was learning under, experienced health problems leaving her to seek another apprenticeship, this time at Sacred Body, in Enfield. She continued to work there for two years during which time she completed her apprenticeship and earned her license. She next joined Body Graphics and worked there for an additional two and half years. Opened a private studio called Elemental Arts Tattoo and spent nearly a year there. Needing a change, she joined Nautilus Tattoo in Newington, spending two years there before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the shop for three months. During that time she took the opportunity to start her own business again, opening a private studio in Manchester called Valkyrie Ink. She spent two years in that location and then moved her studio to a cozy lake house in Andover CT. It's a clean, peaceful, and welcoming environment where she can give her full attention to each and every client. Appointments are never tightly scheduled so clients never cross paths. It's just you and your artist! No one walking in and gawking as you get tattooed or asking questions dividing your artist's attention. Joelle offers a completely focused approach in a hygienic and homey environment where you can feel truly comfortable and confident that you will receive the best care and attention to detail. She welcomes you into her home and her heart!
She enjoys both black and grey and color. Intricate linework and geometric pieces are her specialty, as well as floral, fauna, and organic designs. Working closely with the client to create a one of a kind tattoo is what she is all about! Set up a consult with her to discuss the tattoo of your dreams!
