your tattoo artist.

About Me – Kalyea of VA Ava Ink

I’m Kalyea, the artist behind VA Ava Ink! I've been tattooing for four years now, but my love for art has been with me since middle school. Growing up, I entered a few art competitions and really honed my craft. However, like many artists, the uncertainty and financial challenges of the art world led my grandparents to steer me away from pursuing it professionally. They wanted me to have a stable lifestyle, so I took a bit of a hiatus after high school.

But guess what? Art found me again. After quitting my job as a veterinary assistant, I followed my heart and took the leap into tattooing. This journey has been all about discovering who I am and letting that self-expression shine through my work. For me, it’s not just about creating tattoos—it’s about having fun and embracing that childlike joy I feel when I’m making art.

Let’s follow that feeling together and see where it takes us! Whether you’re ready to get inked or just want to chat about art, I’m excited to bring your vision to life.

What VA Ava Ink Means to Me

The name “VA Ava” is rooted in Samoan culture. In Samoan traditions, “Va” represents the sacred space between—our connection to people, nature, and the universe. “Ava” signifies respect, honor, and the rituals that uphold these relationships.

To me, VA Ava is the transitional space we exist in before we become our final form. It is the moment before my pencil hits the paper, before the paint touches the canvas, before the needle meets the skin. It is the space where we do the inner work, where patience and effort shape who we are and what we desire. A tattoo isn’t just a design—it’s a manifestation of becoming. There is no reaching that final form without the work, the patience, and the journey in between.

Every tattoo I create is more than just ink—it’s a piece of that transformation, a marker of where you’ve been and where you’re going. Let’s embrace that space together and create something meaningful.