Common Questions

Where is the studio?

I work at the KuBe Art Center in Beacon, NY, a converted high school built in 1913. My room was originally a science lab. It's warm and earthy, with good light, and it doubles as a psychotherapy office, so it has a certain quality to it: quiet, contained, a little removed from ordinary life.

Can I visit?

The studio is open by appointment only. Parking and access details are sent by email before your appointment.

What is a hand poked tattoo?

A hand poked tattoo is made without a machine. I place ink using a single needle by hand, dot by dot. It's a slower, more meditative process than machine tattooing, and the results tend to have a softer, more organic quality.

How is it different from machine tattooing?

A few ways. The process is quieter. Healing is generally faster because there's less trauma to the skin. Appointments run longer because the work moves at a different pace.

The aesthetic can also differ. Hand poke work sometimes carries a slightly more rustic quality. I think of that as part of the character, not a limitation.

Do you do color?

I work in black ink only. Black ink is less prone to irritation than color pigments, and it suits the kind of work I do.

Do hand poked tattoos hurt less?

Pain is subjective. Many people say yes. It varies by person and placement, so I wouldn't promise anything, but it's a common experience.

Are there styles you don't do?

I don't do precision tattooing or designs that require absolutely crisp, straight lines. The handpoke process has a natural quality to it, and my work honors that. If you're looking for hyper-geometric or technical fine-line work, I'm probably not the right fit. If you're drawn to something with more life and movement in it, we'll likely get along well.

What kinds of designs do you do?

I'm drawn to relics, symbols, natural forms, animals, the human body, and what I think of as visual spells. Things that feel like they've always existed somewhere. Folk art, botanicals, the natural world. I'm equally at home in millennial nostalgia: Y2K, cartoons, fashion, and the irreverent visual language of the late 90s and early aughts. I'm influenced by Hilma af Klint, Georgia O'Keeffe, and Miro, among others. If you've seen my work and something in it speaks to you, that's usually a good sign.

Do you copy other artists' work?

No. If you have a design you created yourself, or one that another artist has given you written permission to use, we can talk about it. Otherwise, the work we do together will be original.

What happens when I reach out?

You fill out the consultation form on this site. I'll respond within 48 hours to schedule a free 15-minute call. On the call, we'll talk through your idea and figure out if it's a good fit. If it is, we'll schedule an appointment, usually 1 to 3 weeks out, which gives us time to work through the design together.

What if I don't have a design, or I'm not sure what I want yet?

That's fine. Reach out and we'll start with the consultation. You bring an idea or some inspiration. I bring a drawing. We go from there. The collaborative part of the design process is something I genuinely enjoy.

How long is an appointment?

Plan on at least 90 minutes. Depending on the size and detail of the piece, appointments typically run 1.5 to 3 hours.

How does the design process work?

After the consultation, you send me inspiration photos and your thoughts on sizing and placement. I'll draw something and send it to you. The design process includes up to 3 rounds of edits. If additional drawing time is needed beyond that, I charge $100 per hour.

What does it cost?

Pricing is confirmed at least 48 hours before your appointment, along with the final design. You'll have a clear number before you come in.

Is there a deposit?

Yes. To hold your appointment, I ask for a $100 deposit via Venmo. This goes toward the cost of your tattoo.

How do I pay on the day of?

Full payment is due at the time of your appointment, by cash or Venmo.

Is there anything I need to do ahead of time?

You'll receive a link to a waiver after your appointment is scheduled. Please sign it at least 24 hours before you come in. If it's not signed by then, your appointment may need to be rescheduled.

What is the recovery process like?

Keep the tattoo out of standing water for 4 weeks. Showers are fine. No soaking (baths, pools, rivers, lakes, ocean). In the first month, moisturize only as directed in the aftercare instructions I'll send you. After that, regular moisturizing is good.

Can I use sunscreen or moisturizer on a new tattoo?

After the first month, yes to both. In the first month, follow the aftercare instructions closely. I'll send them to you after your appointment.