Omaha native Kelley Healey started her apprenticeship in the tattoo industry at twenty years old. Some may know Kelley as Red Fox which is a nickname given to her by the talented and respected artist/mentor Robby Holmes. After gaining knowledge and experience through her peers, she decided to embark on a new journey to Florida. After spending over two years in Florida, she returned home with plethora of knowledge to incorporate into her role as an Artist. Kelley’s pieces can be described as photo realistic, mostly done in black and gray with incredible detail in her line work, shading, and dimension. The pieces which involve color and done in a bold and beautiful way.

Kelley’s biggest influence will continue to be the people who place trust in her to deliver their vision through the art of tattoo. The experience with Kelley is very much a collaborative effort between the soul being tattooed and her as an artist. From the moment ideas are exchanged to the time spent in the chair bringing art to life, there is a lifelong bond formed. As someone who has experienced being tattooed by Kelley, the journey is beautiful and quite therapeutic and healing. Sitting in the chair while she brings a story to life, you feel a sense of safety to feel, to think, to reflect, and ultimately heal. Kelley also draws inspiration and influence from her boys, Mike, Rayvin, and Rownix. Each moment spent with her family either boating during the summer or as simple as being at home making memories, she feels inspired and full of love which translates into her art.

“It is believed that while the body is embroidered in tattoo, the soul is also engraved.” This quote has stuck with Kelley along with the tradition and history of tattooing from our ancestors. She feels it is important to pay attention to the time of your life, so you have a strong tattoo that signifies where you are going and not where you were. Symbolic meaning of tattoo art dates back to the late 1800’s where you could find women being tattooed with symbols almost like a diary or a request from the Gods. Certain symbols were believed to ward off evil spirits and some symbols were used to ask for strength from the universe. The spiritual meaning of the tattoo being placed on the body is a tradition from our ancestors and something Kelley wishes to honor and carry on as an artist. “The tattoo chooses you in a sense,” Kelley states, “the artist will deliver, but the tattoo is meant for you”.

The name Crimson City has sentimental meaning to her and the people who walk through the door. This will be the first time in her career where Kelley is creating the energy around her and not walking into someone else’s energetic field therefore, she felt the name had to represent something profound and meaningful. Kelley wanted to incorporate red in the name to honor the nickname of Red Fox. Red also symbolizes tattooing from the heart with passion and meaning. Everything we do during our physical experience on Earth should be done with passion and meaning. City was chosen as a nod to Emerald City from The Wizard of Oz. In the movie, Emerald City represents the journey home which is exactly what Crimson City is to not only Kelley, but the clients. Each piece of art is a symbol, a story, and a representation of the journey back to oneself; the most important home of all.