my books
‘no fear of depths’
a memoir
Description:
In her late teens Charlene is living life to the max, exploring her creativity and bisexuality. Adulthood brings harder things to navigate: death, heartbreak, purpose. Attempting to control her fears pushes her into bulimia. A desire for meaning leads her travel and extraordinary people. Erotic curiosity sends her to her deepest depths.
‘no Pain, no stain.’
memoir of a mindful tattooist
Description:
‘No mud, no lotus,’ wrote Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Han.
‘No pain, no gain,’ shouted Jane Fonda in her 80s workout videos.
‘No pain, no stain,’ said my tattoo mentor.
In the deeply personal world of tattooing, Charlene finds her own healing and self-acceptance.
As she reflects on her unconventional journey as an artist, tattooist, and highly sensitive person, she writes intimately about female freedom, sexual exploration, bulimia recovery, being a step-mum, choosing not to be a biological mother, and releasing shame.
Is pain always necessary for growth? Must we continue to suffer for self-development? Charlene’s apprenticeship in permanently marking skin makes her question the emotional–as well as physical–pain we push through in life, seeking completeness and validation.
This book is the sequel to her first memoir:
‘No Fear of Depths’