background:

I am a licensed machine tattooer working out of a shared private studio located in downtown Asheville, North Carolina.

I’ve been tattooing for a little over a year now and my pricing/how I conduct booking reflects that. My goal is to be fully transparent with clients about my learning progress as someone who is self & community taught. If you have any questions about tattooing, please ask!

I still have a LOT to learn: experimental placements (most torso placements, hands, neck, etc) and styles outside of my current comfort zone (color, realistic shading, bold traditional, handpoke, etc) will be discounted accordingly.

I want to do my very best to ensure you have a tattoo that you’re happy with – if any touch ups/additions are needed they will be free and prioritized.

schedule a touchup

pricing:

I do not charge by the hour and can give you an estimate based on the size, complexity, and placement of the piece. Let me know if you have a lower budget and I’m happy to try and work something out. I’m open to trades when I can afford to do so.

My minimum is $80. Most custom tattoos over 3 inches start at $150.

Also: I am new to doing very large pieces (9+ inches, half or full sleeve, symmetrical pieces etc) and, while still compensating myself for my time, I am currently offering those at a much lower flat rate to build my portfolio. Feel free to ask about specific predrawns or your own custom concepts.

booking process:

I have a booking form linked below for both flash and customs. If I accept your proposal, I’m happy to correspond directly through email or instagram DM, where I can answer any other questions you may have. There I’ll send you a link to my calendar to schedule a date and time.

A deposit must be paid after scheduling to confirm your appointment.

To confirm your appointment, I take a $50 deposit for all flash, fully going towards your total.

For customs the deposit will be $100, $50 dedicated to drawing time and the other $50 going towards the final price of your tattoo.

After the deposit is paid, I’ll send you directions to the studio.

flash:

I have available drawings posted on my instagram and here. When filling out the booking form, please include a screenshot of the piece(s) you’re interested in and desired size/placement.

I’m happy to make minor adjustments at no cost. If you would like major changes to a design I’m also happy to do a custom project inspired by old/new flash.

book flash

customs:

I’m open to ideas that I feel capable of executing and generally align with what I’m interested in tattooing/learning. The more details and references, the better I can understand your vision.

If I don’t accept your project, I can recommend artists more equipped for your idea, or hear about other tattoos you’re interested in. Feel free to submit multiple proposals.

custom form

I’m happy to do coverups, reworks, and blastovers too – just be sure to include pictures of your current tattoo(s) while booking.

If I accept your request, we will touch base on any additional details regarding your tattoo. Then I’ll send over my calendar to schedule our appointment. If my typical availability (Mon-Thurs) doesn’t work for you, let me know and we can work something out.

If you submit a form and either of us find that it would be best to meet in-person for a consultation, I’ll send a link to my calendar and you will not be required to pay a deposit until after we meet and decide to move forward with scheduling.

deposit:

After we set a date, a non-refundable deposit is required to hold your appointment. If we need to reschedule, your deposit will be applied to the new date. No-shows will not be rescheduled.

I take a $50 deposit for all flash, fully going towards your total.

For customs the deposit will be $100, with $50 dedicated to drawing time and the other $50 going towards the final price of your tattoo.

When paying (particularly if you are using Paypal), please select payment between friends/family to avoid unnecessary fees/shipping info, and use emojis in the description (I can sort payments by name).

I prefer venmo but have other options available. If possible, cash is ideal on the day of our appointment.

venmo
paypal
cashapp

additional information:

  • The act of tattooing (and getting tattooed) is a rewarding exchange of energy and time, while potentially very tiring emotionally and physically. My goal is to cultivate a welcome space with mutual respect, there are a lot of boundaries to communicate between the artist and client, and I encourage you to let me know if you are feeling uncomfortable in any way at any point throughout the session.
  • COVID: The studio is located on the lower level another business, but I will be masking during our appointment and ask for you to do so as well. Please do not bring more than one person at this time. If you’re feeling any symptoms or are exposed to someone sick please reschedule, I’m happy to honor your deposit for another date.
  • SCARS: it’s best to let scars heal at least a year before tattooing over them, and several more years for deeper scars
  • SKIN CONDITIONS: happy to chat about any precautions or risks
  • ALLERGIES: everything I use is vegan and latex free, if you have any less common allergies, let me know
  • SENSORY NEEDS: the door to my studio can be shut for additional privacy and sound management, you’re also welcome to wear headphones or request a silent appointment. I’m happy to dim the lights and offer anything I can to help manage the discomfort that comes with getting tattooed, so please ask!

I CANNOT tattoo:

  • anyone under 18
  • over sunburns, bruising, rashes, or moles
  • anyone that is pregnant
  • anyone on antibiotics or immunosuppressants in the last week, or Isotretinoin (accutane) in the last 9 months

before your appointment:

Avoid alcohol and blood-thinning painkillers the day before your appointment.

Exfoliate and moisturize the area leading up to your appointment date, then stay hydrated and eat a good meal beforehand.

Bring a form of government issued ID (drivers license, passport, etc) and anything you’d may want for a longer session, like headphones or book (I can also put on a movie/show)

numbing cream:

If a client has no allergies to lidocaine (such as Bactine) and is comfortable with its use, I can use a topical antiseptic spray during our session to help manage pain and redness.

For extra painful placements, some clients may consider numbing cream. While this has worked for some of my clients in the past, it’s important to note that large amounts of lidocaine, even topical, can be risky. As of March 26, 2024, the FDA issued a warning for some brands to avoid here .

If you consider numbing cream, please do so with caution.

Pros

  • REDUCES CORTISOL LEVELS FROM NERVOUSNESS
  • HELPS WITH SITTING STILL
  • CAN HELP WITH TWITCHING
  • HELPFUL FOR SMALL tattoos or SESSIONS that are 2 hours OR LESS

Cons

  • HEIGHTENED PAIN RESPONSE AFTER IT WEARS OFF
  • CAN INCREASE SWELLING
  • CAN CHANGE SKIN TEXTURE ~ harder application
  • SLOWS HEALING RESPONSE since the body doesn’t receive pain signals

Numbing is entirely your choice, no judgement, just communicate with me beforehand and I am happy to help.

A DETAILED AND IMPORTANT GUIDE ON NUMBING CREAM
  • DO NOT USE IF YOU HAVE A HEART CONDITION, LIVER DISEASE, METHEMOGLOBINEMIA, OR TAKE BLOOD PRESSURE MEDICATION
  • CANESTHETICS ENDING IN -CAINE (ex:lidocaine) RAISE BLOOD PRESSURE & HEART RATE
  • ABSORBING TOO MUCH LIDOCAINE CAN RESULT IN SEIZURE, SEVERE ALLERGIC REACTION OR CARDIAC ARREST
  • DO NOT USE CREAMS WITH MORE THAN 4% LIDOCAINE O DO NOT COVER MORE THAN 18% OF YOUR BODY’S SURFACE AREA (ex: whole back, an entire limb)
  • SEARCH COMPANY ON FDA. GOV FOR ANY RECALLS (compound topical anesthetic creams are not reviewed by the FDA for safety & are not FDA approved)
  • DO A TEST PATCH PRIOR TO YOUR APPOINTMENT DAY IN CASE OF AN ALLERGIC REACTION
NUMBING CREAM APPLICATION
  • only do this if you have done a patch test prior to your appointment
  • SHAVE THE AREA AND SANITIZE WITH 70% ALCOHOL. LET DRY for 3 mins
  • APPLY A VERY THICK LAYER
  • WRAP WITH SaRAN WRAP
  • LET IT SIT FOR 1 to 1&1/2 HOURS BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT
  • it’s more effective when applied while your pores are open; taking a hot shower or applying a heating pad prior to application