Hey beautiful people!
Here's a little bit about me.
I’m Shelly Dax, an artist, writer, tattooer and fierce Pollyanna! This means I’m a fiesty, audacious rebel who ALSO intensely loves positive thinking and spreading encouragement! I believe in being radically authentic, fulfilling your creative spirit, and doing your life with outrageous joy.
Let's get real up in here!
Are you someone who never quite fit in? A born leader? A bit of a DIVA? Did you always feel like you were made for something special and that your DREAMS were much bigger than most people’s?
Yeah, me too. And it took me a lot of years to work up the courage to admit –I don’t WANT to fit in, I want to STAND OUT. I don’t want to be put in a box of expectations, shoulds, rules and assumptions. Get me out of that damn box!!
# of awesome children I raised
# of bands I've been a singer in
# of days in the week I eat tomatoes
# of years I've been tattooing
I’m here because I’ve challenged myself to be brave and offer my creative gifts out to the universe. No holds barred. No hiding behind excuses, fear or “what will they think”? (who are "they" anyway?) Doing things “by the book” was never my way. So we can choose to play it small or live large and make our fucking art already! No more excuses.
I’m writing to encourage the creative misfits, unyielding dreamers and gutsy rulebreakers.
And to anyone who says “what the hell does she think she’s doing now!?” or “She can’t do that!” I smile sweetly and say very politely: #Gomakeyourownfuckingart
Let’s start living our lives like we freaking mean it.
And till we meet again…Be fierce. Be kind. Be badass.
Artist
Writer
Here’s the deal. For me, writing is not an option. It has always been there, and it is always tapping me on the shoulder. It wants to be freed. It is always nagging at me like a cranky baby, it wants to be born. I can no longer neglect the intense desire because of excuses or doubts. So here I am, shedding excuses. I am a writer, and I shall write.
Fierce Pollyanna
People called me Pollyanna for years before I realized it was supposed to be an insult! We can’t all be cynics and “too-cool-for-school”. I happen to be fierce, nutty, funny, weird, optimistic and unbearably light most of the time. Sure, life pushes my cork down to the depths of the sea, where I struggle to breathe, but my sunny nature just keeps popping that cork back to the surface. I like to float!
It's All About Attitude
Being content and joyful, despite circumstances, seems to be a foreign state for most people. I would swear people love misery, and misery loves company, so we get an exclusive invite to their poopy pity party! Yet, I just keep on bringing the rainbows. Looking on the bright side and being cheerful is not childish or delusional. These are important qualities of successful people.
So why power down when you can power up?
“Shelly’s an inspiring and supportive woman to all the people that surround her. She is a student, and a teacher, and committed to personal growth . She is a voracious reader and retains all the information that she gleans to share it with others in hopes of healing the world. She’s a positive force, a real motivator and oh so motivated. She is one of the most inspired, talented and creative women I have ever met. Art, laughter and music is all around her and always flowing from her. I am blessed and honored to call her my friend.”
“I have known Shelly for six years As soon as I met her I was attracted to her self- confidence, openness and ability to speak her truth. Since then I have had the pleasure of doing some intimate personal work with her. What I admire about Shelly is that she is true to herself even when it’s emotionally painful and she trusts the universe will provide. She is a fierce Pollyanna who always sees the bright side and she is a master of manifestation. We share a lot of similar situations and she has been a great teacher for me. She is also an amazing artist and encourages and believes that everybody has the ability to succeed. She has done more personal work than anyone I have ever known and loves to share her wisdom with any who would like to hear it. I am excited to see where the future takes her.”
“If you’re looking for a bright spot in this world, Shelly is it!
As I walked through the door of her tattoo studio 5 years ago, I knew she was a person I could never forget. I was automatically drawn to her warm spirit and zest for life. Shelly is a “no bullshit” kind of gal, and you never have to guess where you stand with her. Shelly will inspire you, encourage you, and help you grow. I admire Shelly’s passion for her vision and her drive. She marches to the beat of her own drum, sprinkling her Fierce Pollyanna magic wherever she goes. Working with her has truly been a once in a lifetime experience. If you are looking for a genuine person and a true inspiration, I strongly urge you to meet Shelly.”
Choose Fear or Choose Love
Whirlwind of many months, no blog. Oops. I was living/doing/being and kind of forgot. “Only people who are capable of loving strongly can also suffer great sorrow, but this same necessity of loving serves to counteract their grief and heals them.” – Leo Tolstoy No way...
Relationships are the Garden
I think relationships are the tricky obstacle course on the journey to enlightenment. They provide the fertile ground for massive growth and delightful harvests. This is where we are truly tested to determine if our ego or our spirit gets to flourish. Hard to believe...
The Even Fierce-r Pollyanna
Gonna be honest here,Jan 2021 has been a rough start for me. I have been troubled by headaches this whole month thus far, not feeling like writing or doing art much at all. Pain in the side of your head is NO JOKE. OW! I kept asking myself why? I am not a headache...
Guard your Inner World
December! The holiday season…My 🎂 birthday month 🎂 ! And closing in on the END of the weirdest year I can ever remember. Oh yes, things have been upside down, inside out and dark and gloomy in so many ways. From the pandemic-that-never-ends to the fires here in Oregon...
Exhausted AF-But totally worth it!
Exhausted to the bone. 🦴 Yep. INTENSE! Putting yourself out there, getting your voice into the world, risking the ol “what will they think” BS. Having some rude responses, but actually getting mostly GREAT feedback AND encouragement. Seeing possibility where I...
Don’t Be Crabs in a Bucket!
I'm on a roll baby, I got my sights set on BIG changes in the tattoo industry. I am over my old, limited thinking... "Old school rules", "tattoo secrets for a chosen few", "I'll never be good enough", "I'm too fluffy", "I'm too bright and happy in this dark and...
