My Philosophy: How I Approach Tattooing
The tattooing experience
In essence, I believe tattooing is a sacred energy exchange between the tattooer and the client. When you are being tattooed by me, my body’s hands are using a machine to insert ink into your body’s skin, and you and I are collaboratively imbuing that ink with energy at each moment of our appointment! The energy of our shared session stays in the ink, and that ink stays with you as you walk around the planet.
Basically, I believe that you carry the tattoo experience with you, as well as your new tattoo. Thus, I strongly believe in collaborating with you to create a positive, safe, and warm tattoo experience, as well as giving you a solid tattoo!
Tattoos as body art
I think art is magic! Art holds and transforms energy. Think about how a painting can change the entire feel of a living room - I think we as humans use tattoos to do the same with our bodies.
Tattoos offer such an easy way to express ourselves—our weirdness, our beliefs, our vibes, aesthetic. Tattoos help us know our own identities and to tell the world who we are. But most importantly, tattoos can help us love being in our own bodies more. I know that with each tattoo I get on my lil’ skin suit, I feel more like authentic myself. Finally, my essence is made physically manifest! My living room is decorated! Hallelloooo!
Memorial tattoos
Sometimes, there is nothing more powerful than to honor our passed loved ones—humans and animals alike—with a physical symbol on our bodies to honor the memories we shared with someone. If you email me for a memorial tattoo, I likely will ask for a photo of your passed loved one so that I may reflect on their existence while drawing the design prior to our appointment.
During our session, I am always open to talking about your memories with your passed loved one, and I am always open to hearing about your grief process. I also understand that not everyone would like to talk about these things, as it may be too much! If this is the case, please feel free to email me prior to our session, and I will not ask a single thing! I want to make sure you have the tattoo experience and the memorial tattoo that you want to have.
Tattoos with no “meaning”
I’m a strong believer in the energetic power of a tattoo. Not every piece needs to have a logic-based rationale behind why you get it. Sometimes, the joy, emotion, silliness, or vibe of a design is what makes it worth getting and enjoying. I love looking at my black & grey floral tattoos and being like “damn, those are beautiful,” and then looking at my silly cartoon tattoos and literally laughing aloud. None of these tattoos have meaning behind them, but they are still powerful in their impact on me and others around me. And to me, that is seriously beautiful!
If you align with what I wrote here, then it is likely that we will have a magnificent and juicy time working together.
I can’t wait to meet you!
“Tessa is not only a fantastic tattoo artist but an incredible human as well. When I initially reached out to Tessa, I only had a vague idea of what I wanted; Tessa took the time to ask me questions, answer all of MY questions, and genuinely worked with me to come up with a gorgeous design that I wasn’t able to envision on my own. They truly had so much patience and not once made me feel like a bother.
During the session, Tessa was just naturally pleasant to be around, super accommodating and enthusiastic the whole time. Their work came out perfect and my tattoo is beautiful. I’m really looking forward to my next tattoo with Tessa, the entire process/experience was exceptional!”
~ Lauren J.