Via Community News Service, a University of Vermont internship, for the White River Valley Herald
RANDOLPH — Nestled in the back of 15 N Main St. in Randolph, is a small tattoo shop owned by former licensed respiratory care practitioner Genesis Meyer. What was originally meant to be a side hustle became a full-blown career when she decided to hang up her stethoscope and open her own shop in 2024.
“People don’t really expect a medical person to end up in the tattoo world, but it happens once in a while,” said the 42-year-old artist. “It wasn’t really something I planned and chased after, which I think is kind of cool because it just seems to be destiny almost.”
In 2021, Meyer booked an appointment to have her eyebrows microbladed, a special kind of tattoo that gives the appearance of fuller brows. She was intrigued by the process, and began taking classes in permanent cosmetic tattooing while still working at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. She learned how to microblade permanent makeup for eyebrows, lips, and eyeliner. With encouragement from other tattoo artists on the way, she decided to open Arc and Curve, where she does tattoos, body piercings, and cosmetic tattoos.
“It was just seeing an opportunity and going for it, which I think sometimes people are afraid to do because they’re afraid of failing. But I figured if it didn’t work out, then I would just be doing what I was doing and working at the hospital,” Meyer said.
Zoe Cartwright watched Meyer transition from health care provider to full-time tattoo artist. The two crossed paths at Dartmouth, where Cartwright worked as a nurse, before they later became neighbors and friends.
“When she started talking about this and saying that she was learning how to do these things, I thought it made a lot of sense.” Cartwright said. “She has a very creative side. So I definitely get the sense that she’s a lot more fulfilled in the work that she’s doing now.”
Meyer’s interest in art first began when she took a film photography class at South Burlington High School. Now the Bethel resident has her own digital camera, which she uses for lifestyle photography, photographing weddings, families, or her kids. She has also expanded her skills into realistic graphite drawings of people and landscapes.
“I just kind of kept it as a hobby, and didn’t think I was going to build an art business, but life had other plans,” Meyer said.
After almost 20 years in the medical field, Meyer opened Arc and Curve in downtown Randolph in October of 2024. She shares the space with tattoo artists Claire Goldsworthy and Rune Shadowfax, who each run their own tattoo businesses. Meyer, Goldsworthy, and Shadowfax first met at Ink and Iron in Randolph, where they all completed their apprenticeships. When the shop closed its doors in 2024, Goldsworthy and Shadowfax joined Meyer at Arc and Curve to continue tattooing.
“Genesis is a lot of fun to hang out with,” said Shadowfax. “We all have our own space, but it’s all in one big open area. So we all are constantly interacting with each other and our clients joke and talk with each other while we’re all there.”
Meyer looks forward to continue growing her skills in the years ahead, with the hope of possibly opening a second location one day.
“I get to create not only art but the awesome vibe and processes that keep our clients coming back over and over,” Meyer said. “I love what I do so much it really doesn’t feel like work.”