"Transformative Blackwork roots people into who they are."
Please reach us at tattoos@dionkaszas.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
Yes!
As a Nlaka'pamux artist I share designs, symbols, and motifs from within my culture as a gift to the world. It is from my rights, relationship and responsibilities that I share Nlaka'pamux Blackwork. It is from within the boundaries of my culture that these things are offered.
I am becoming more and more convinced that it is when we come together and honour the gifts being offered from each community through humility and compassion that we can move forward in protecting the earth and all that is. This is why I offer my practice as a transformative blackworker to those who wish to wear it, and participate in a contemporary ceremony for transformation and change.
I started Nlaka'pamux Blackwork as a way to bring awareness to the beauty and sophistication of my ancestors visual language. Every new piece created using Nlaka'pamux visual language is a way to reinvigorate and enhance our lives. I see the wearing of our designs when applied by someone who has rights relationship and responsibilities to the designs as a form of reconciliation and reparation.
When you book your next tattoo with me or another Indigenous tattoo artist you are contributing to the lifting up of cultures and communities.
I also offer designs based on teachings, gifts, and knowledge based to me by friends and colleagues from the Northwest Coast and do this with humbleness and gratitude. It took me a long time to understand that this knowledge with me because these people saw something in me. I take no ownership of this design language and am honoured to be offering this style again based on the relationships I hold.
No!
I speak about cultural appropriation as a question of rights, relationships, and responsibilities. In the case of tattooing at least one person in the interaction needs to have rights, relationship and responsibilities to the design. Many times it is the practitioner or tattoo artist who have the relationship to the design through their culture. This can also be true if the person receiving the tattoo has the relationship through their culture, in this case it is irrelevant who the tattoo artist is. There is another case that I can see as within this framework or rights, relationship and responsibilities, if an Indigenous artist was commissioned to do the artwork and then gives consent for that artwork to be used as a tattoo.
If there are no rights, relationship or responsibilities to the designs, symbols and motifs being tattooed by anyone in the equation then this is cultural appropriation.
It is important to honour the boundaries of our cultures and communities in the same way that it is important to honour the boundaries of our bodies and beings as individuals. I see cultural appropriation as a violation of our cultural boundaries and when they aren’t respected, then it can be understood that the individuals, corporations, institutions, and entities that are violating our boundaries, are unsafe to contribute to and operate within, and alongside.
It is my responsibility to protect the things that are appropriate for me to share and not share. With this in mind I am aware that there are patterns, combinations of patterns, and designs that are not appropriate to share with none Nlaka’pamux and Interior Salish peoples and it is my responsibility to hold and protect these patterns.
However the patterns, designs, symbols and motifs that are appropriate to share are offered as a gift from me and my ancestors to the individual who is offered that gift to wear and assist them on their journeys.
Hello, my name is Dion Kaszas, I am a Hungarian, Metis, and Nlaka'pamux ancestral skin marker, professional tattoo artist and podcaster. I have been tattooing since 2009.
My work has appeared in The New York Times, Skin Deep Magazine, The World Atlas of Tattoo, Tattoo Traditions of Native North America and most recently the television series Skindigenous which premiered in 2018 on the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network and USA Ink on FOX Nation.
I have been an invited artist at international tattoo festivals in Spain, New Zealand, Samoa and across Canada.
I focus on heavy blackwork/neo-tribal tattoos fashioned after my ancestors designs, symbols and motifs. This is a style I developed over the past few years called Nlaka'pamux blackwork.
I also specialize in blackout, handpoke and skin stitch tattooing, however I am open to any tattoo project you wish to embark on, send over your ideas through the consultation form.
You can book a virtual or in person consultation appointment through the consultation page on this website. You can also book your tattoo by filling out the consultation form. You could also send me a dm via Instagram to begin the conversation of email me at tattoos@dionkaszas.com.
I require a deposit between $50-$200 when we set the date for your tattoo appointment. There is no charge for a virtual or in person consultation appointment.
The healing time for a tattoo or piercing depends on various factors, such as the size and location of the tattoo or piercing, the individual's immune system, and how well they follow the aftercare instructions provided by our artists. Generally, tattoos take about 2-4 weeks to heal.
I currently have three options:
I charge an hourly rate of $200 an hour plus taxes for smaller projects.
If you are booking a flash piece or available design these will priced by piece based on size, colour, intricacy etc.
If we are working on a larger piece, it is at a day rate of $1000 plus taxes. This means we tattoo as long as you can sit for and this allows for as many breaks etc. that are required throughout the day. This also means the whole day is reserved for you and no other appointments will be booked on the day of your appointment.
I look forward to booking your next session
A bodysuit is the most committed version of this work. You get my full attention, one client, one vision, built over time at a pace your body can sustain. Sessions are booked at my day rate of $1,000 plus tax. The full scope and timeline come together in a free consultation. If you're serious about this, start the conversation.
Please reach us at tattoos@dionkaszas.com if you are having troubles with your healing tattoo
To prepare your skin for your appointment, it is recommended that you moisturize daily the week prior. Avoid scented creams; instead, use unscented or organic creams or oils. Coconut oil or shea butter is recommended. You can also use arnica oil before your appointment. Apply the arnica oil three times daily for three days before your appointment. It has anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties.
Make sure you have enough sleep the day before your appointment. Eat a nourishing meal before your session, and make sure to drink lots of water; it will help moisturize your skin from the inside. Bring snacks, water, and sweets if you can.
Please wear comfortable clothes; it is preferred that you wear dark colors, and especially avoid your favorite outfits. Ink can splash despite my best efforts, and it can transfer to your clothes. Be aware of the area on your body where you are getting a tattoo, and wear a comfortable outfit that allows you to move freely and access the area we are tattooing.
Ensure you're hydrated in the days leading up to your marking. Drink lots of water and hydrating fluids. Bring water and/or electrolytes with you to your session.
Remember:
1. Remove the dressing the next day.
2. Thoroughly wash with soap and warm water to remove plasma, ensuring no residue remains. This prevents thick scabs and healing delays. Pay special attention to cleaning skin dips over scars where ink may sit and be hard to remove.
3. Only re-wrap with a provided tattoo armour bandage or clean cling film/cling wrap dressing with no cream or balm underneath for the first two nights. Leave unwrapped during the day.
4. Wash three times a day with gentle soap or hot water for three days, and leave the tattoo uncovered during the day to prevent bacterial build-up and infection.
5. You can use any unscented lotion after three days, but only when your skin feels dry and itchy. Applying little and often helps prevent excess moisture and irritation.
Do Not:
1. Go swimming, sauna, sunbathing, excessive soaking.
2. Engage in contact sports during the healing process.
3. Expose the tattooed area to excessive friction or sweating.
Troubleshooting:
1. Spots on the skin around the tattoo: This is generally caused by heat rash from the bandage or cling film or by shaving the area before the tattoo. It could also be blocked pores. We recommend removing the dressing, cleaning thoroughly with soap and hot water, and allowing the tattoo to dry. Do not continue wrapping the tattoo with cling film.
2. Weeping: This can be common in areas with a lot of movement and which can be prone to sitting a little more moist, such as the elbow or knee ditch. Keep washing the tattoo to remove the weeping and help it dry out. Use soap and hot water whenever possible to clean the tattoo, encouraging the entire area to dry out. Leave to dry for as many days as possible, and use a tiny bit of lotion or healing balm only when essential to loosen the scab enough for movement. Do not apply cream too early or too thickly, as it will encourage the tattoo to weep even more.
3. Excessive Scabbing: This is usually caused by excess blood, ink, and plasma not being appropriately removed during the first few days when the tattoo is sore. Some areas of the body are more prone to this, too; unfortunately, it is sometimes just unavoidable. Do not pick these scabs, as it will result in a loss of colour and can cause scarring. Keep the tattoo clean by washing daily, but not soaking. Allow the scabs to fall off on their own.
If you experience any other symptoms or you have tried the above and it isn't working, please don't hesitate to contact us. Complications are infrequent, but do need to be dealt with properly if they arise.
Conclusion:
Proper aftercare is essential for ensuring your tattoo heals correctly. By following these guidelines and addressing common issues with care, you can ensure your tattoo remains vibrant and beautiful for years to come. One thing to keep in mind is to keep your home and workspace clean while your tattoo heals, and to be careful when handling pets. With this in mind, make sure to change your sheets before you go to sleep on the first night, and be prepared for blood or plasma to leak onto your bedding for the first few nights.
Remember the permanent and best outcome of your tattoo relies on how you care for it and yourself. Do your best, closely follow the above recommendations, and don’t hesitate to contact me by phone or email with any questions or concerns.
The permanent and best outcome of your tattoo relies on how you care for it and yourself. Do your best, closely follow the above recommendations, and don’t hesitate to contact me by phone or email with any questions or concerns.
Location: HFX Tattoo Company, 30 Damascus Road, Bedford, NS. Contact: tattoos@dionkaszas.com
Copyright © 2026 Transformative Blackwork - All Rights Reserved.
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.