Styles of Tattooing I Offer
An Intentional Tattooing Project
Intentional Tribal Tattooing for Transformation
In a world that is dominated by technology, hustle, bustle, and busyness tattooing is a process that forces you to slow down and connect or re-connect with your core self. It is a time and space to sit with another human being who has your well being center most during the time we spend together, a place to experience the pain, triumph and power that is held within. To often we try to eliminate discomfort, pain and difficult things from our everyday experiences, this practice is about forcing ourselves to experience those things we have been running from. My work is about unapologetically having a physical human experience in a world dominated by augmented reality, artificial intelligence and algorithms.
Nlaka’pamux Blackwork Truly Tribal Tattoos
Nlaka'pamux Blackwork is a manifestation of ancestral knowledge, professional experience, and creative intuition.
Nlaka'pamux Blackwork is my own distinctive style created as a way of sharing my Nlaka’pamux ancestors designs symbols and motifs with my clients from all communities, cultures, ethnicities and walks of life. The designs, patterns and motifs and their interpretations found in this style are distinctive and unique to Nlaka’pamux and Interior Salish peoples. The fact that I am Nlaka’pamux gives me the right and responsibility to share my ancestral visual language with whoever I chose to share it with. It also gives the rights, relationship and responsibility to my clients to wear these marks and to share their stories. During the consultation process information about each individual is offered, including their life's journey, dreams, hopes, aspirations and the reason they wish to receive their marks.
From the things shared with me during this process I design a skin marking that is tailored to the wearers story from my understanding of my ancestral visual language, this is a guided intuitive practice. It is a ceremony that operates on a multitude of levels which changes and develops with the wearers understanding, needs, and development as a human being.
Nlaka'pamux Blackwork uses an ancestral understanding of the power of color to support the wearers life’s journey, and when the design calls for it, red and black may be included.
Blackout Tattoos
Blackout tattoos are a dramatic and bold choice within the tattoo community, characterized by large areas of the skin covered entirely in black ink. This style can be used to make a striking visual statement, to cover up existing tattoos, or as a canvas for future white ink designs over the black base. The appeal of blackout tattoos lies in their simplicity and the stark contrast they create against untouched skin, highlighting the body's natural lines or creating new shapes and silhouettes. Despite their apparent simplicity, blackout tattoos require a high level of skill and patience from the artist, as achieving an even, saturated black area over large portions of skin is technically challenging. This style has gained popularity for its modern, edgy look and the unique way it interacts with the body's form, offering a distinct and minimalist aesthetic that stands out in the diverse world of tattoo art. I have used blackout on arms, legs and large sections of the wearers to transform the wearers relationship with their mental, emotional spiritual and physical selves. Many times this is utilized as an alternative to cover-ups or laser tattoo removal. Many times blackout is used in combination with Nlaka'pamux Blackwork and Non-Symbolic Abstract Blackwork.
Non-symbolic Blackwork Tattoos
Non-symbolic blackwork tattooing is a bold and striking style characterized by the use of solid black ink to create a variety of designs, ranging from abstract and geometric patterns to intricate illustrative or tribal motifs. This style emphasizes the contrast between black ink and uninked skin, employing negative space effectively to enhance the design's visual impact. Blackwork can cover large areas of the body with solid black sections, detailed line work, or dot work to create texture and depth. Originally inspired by ancient and indigenous body art, modern blackwork also incorporates contemporary artistic expressions, making it versatile and adaptable to individual preferences. Artists specializing in blackwork must possess a deep understanding of form, composition, and skin as a canvas to create tattoos that are not only visually stunning but also harmonious with the body's contours. Blackwork tattoos appeal to those seeking a powerful, often symbolic statement, with their bold simplicity and timeless aesthetic. In this style I exclusively uses only black to the exclusion of all colors, as a way of telling the story of the individuals life journey represented through intense black patterns that complement and flow with the wearers natural skin tones. It is the flow, non-symbolic black shapes and the relationship between the positive skin tone and negative space of the black that transforms the wearers external and internal relationship with their bodies, and souls.
Blast-Overs and Cover-Up Tattoos
Blast over tattoos are a creative and innovative approach in the tattoo world, where new designs are tattooed over existing ones without completely covering them up. This technique allows for the original tattoo to still be partially visible beneath the new layer, creating a layered effect that adds depth and complexity to the artwork. Artists often use bold, dark lines and patterns in the blast over to ensure the new design stands out while still allowing elements of the underlying tattoo to peek through. This style is particularly popular among those looking to refresh or reinvent their older tattoos, adding a new narrative or aesthetic dimension without erasing the past. Blast over tattoos require a skilled artist who can balance the visibility of both the old and new tattoos, crafting a cohesive piece that harmoniously blends the two layers. This approach offers a unique way to evolve one's body art, symbolizing growth, change, and the continuous journey of self-expression. Blast overs can allow for the taking on of a Nlaka'pamux Blackwork or Non-symbolic Abstract Blackwork piece without completely covering your old tattoos and allows your tattoos to grow with you.