Today we’d like to introduce you to Cheryl Shohet
Hi Cheryl, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Healing Ink & Art is the culmination of years of artistic passion, craftsmanship, and a deep commitment to healing through creativity. Cheryl Shohet’s journey began long before tattooing—she earned a master’s degree in metalsmithing, dedicating years to curating art, creating unique, one-of-a-kind jewelry, and working closely with other artists. Her background in fine art and craftsmanship gave her a deep appreciation for storytelling through materials, whether in metal, ink, or paint.
Her path into tattooing was never about trends—it was about restoration. Cheryl started tattooing as a way to help people heal, working with breast cancer survivors to provide areola restoration and scar cover-ups. It was only later that her tattoo work expanded into high-end illustrative body art, where she applies the same attention to detail, purpose, and meaning in every piece.
In the fall of 2024, Healing Ink & Art was born from this foundation—a space where Cheryl’s restorative work could exist alongside other artists who believe in the transformative power of art. Though still young, the vision has already grown into something much larger: a space where people come to connect, express, and find pieces that resonate with them. Whether through Cheryl’s tattooing, handcrafted jewelry, or the work of the many talented artists in the space, Healing Ink & Art is more than just a business—it’s a reflection of a lifelong dedication to art, craftsmanship, and healing.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Like any meaningful journey, building Healing Ink & Art hasn’t been without its challenges. Cheryl’s transition from fine art and metalsmithing into tattooing required not just skill but an entirely new way of working—one that involved people as the canvas. Learning the intricacies of tattooing, especially for restorative purposes, meant years of honing technique, understanding anatomy, and working with clients on an incredibly personal level.
Opening the space itself in the fall of 2024 came with its own hurdles. Finding the right location, designing a space that balanced both a healing atmosphere and an artist’s energy, and bringing together a collective of like-minded artists—all while launching a new business—was a massive undertaking. The learning curve of running both a retail space and a tattoo studio, navigating regulations, and ensuring everything aligned with the vision took time.
One of the biggest challenges has been shifting perceptions. Healing Ink & Art is not a traditional tattoo shop, nor is it a conventional gallery or gift shop. It’s a space where art and healing intersect, where tattoos are deeply meaningful, and where every piece—whether ink, jewelry, or fine art—carries intention. Helping people understand that has been both a challenge and an opportunity.
Despite the struggles, the response from the community has been incredible. Seeing people connect with the space, watching clients experience restoration and self-expression through art, and collaborating with talented local artists has made every challenge worth it.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Cheryl’s work has always been about transformation—whether through metal, ink, or curating spaces that foster creativity and healing. With a master’s degree in metalsmithing, she spent years crafting one-of-a-kind jewelry, curating art, and working with artists to showcase meaningful pieces. But her journey took a profound turn when she began tattooing—not as a stylistic choice, but as a means of restoration.
Specializing in restorative tattooing, Cheryl helps clients reclaim their bodies after life-changing events, particularly breast cancer survivors seeking post-mastectomy tattoos. This work is deeply personal, requiring not just artistic skill but empathy, precision, and an understanding of each client’s journey. Her illustrative tattooing style, marked by fine details and a thoughtful, collaborative process, extends beyond restoration to custom pieces that are rich in meaning.
What sets Cheryl apart is her dedication to intention—every tattoo, every piece of art in Healing Ink & Art, and every collaboration with other artists is about more than aesthetics. It’s about connection, healing, and storytelling. She approaches every tattoo as a carefully planned piece of art, ensuring it aligns with the wearer’s vision and purpose. Seeing her clients walk away not just with ink, but with a sense of empowerment, is what she’s most proud of.
Healing Ink & Art is a reflection of this ethos. It’s not a typical tattoo shop or gallery; it’s a space where art and healing intersect, where handcrafted work—whether on skin, metal, or canvas—holds deeper significance.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
As a child, Cheryl was always drawing—any chance she got, with whatever she could find. She never liked crayons, preferring the precision of a pencil or pen, and she’d grab any scrap of paper within reach—even paper plates—just to put her ideas down. She was quiet and shy, often retreating to a corner where she could lose herself in sketching, letting the lines and shapes speak for her. Art became her way of understanding the world, a private space where she could create freely, long before she ever knew it would shape her future.
Pricing:
- Breast Cancer Survivors get FREE services
Contact Info:
- Website: http://healinginkandart.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566942459621
