I am excited to tattoo:
I will not tattoo:
I added tattooing as part of my practice, primarily as a visual way of supporting people’s autonomy over their own bodies. I want to be able to offer this art as a reminder that the body it makes a home on is a body uncontrolled by the state, by institutions, or by anyone external- at least in the moment we meet- although hopefully this art travels with you and adorns your many other moments of liberation past our meeting. In particular I enjoy doing work for and with other trans people, disabled people, and people fighting for a more liberated future.
Because autonomy and liberation are central aims of my work, it is also central to how I would like to approach the process. It is incredibly important to me that the work feels right to you, and I am happy to provide opportunities to see it at the initial sketch and at the final design stages to make sure it does. If you have access needs, PLEASE list as many as will make the session itself feel more comfortable for you in the intake form below. I have done my best to try to prompt through everything I can think of to help offer you multiple points where you can be in control of this process through that form, but if there is anything I missed, I want to know where I can improve. I am trying to price my work within a sliding scale that both supports my own access needs in being able to do this work (one hour of tattooing often equates to 2-3 hours of design and prep work), and is also financially accessible to the degree it can be while still meeting my baseline needs. This ranges from $110-$200/ hour, with occasional spots for further reduced rates available with trades.
Please take your time while filling out this form, and read everything in it before submitting!
If your proposal is accepted, I will reach out to the email provided with a link to book a session. Please keep an eye out for messages from [email protected] – if you do not book a slot in a week of receiving your link, your slot may go to someone else and we may need to book your appointment at a later date.
What does your work cost?
Sliding scale suggested tiers;
Additional adjustments
Sliding scale is not a way to just pay the cheapest price available- it functions when people pay on the basis of what they actually have access and capacity for. If what you need is slightly between tiers that is ok (especially since I know humans are complex and not every example provided in the tiers fits every person). In order for me to be able to continue offering this work, and in order for those with less access to be supported in not paying above their means, please use these tiers to help honestly estimate what you have the ability to pay! Tips are welcome but not required.
Can I see the design before our appointment?
Where are you located?
I work out of a private studio in west Asheville, address provided upon confirmation of booking! There is a small flight of stairs to access the studio, if this is a barrier please let me know so we can make alternate arrangements
Are masks required?
Yes! Health safety is important to me and my ability to do good work- and is important to my immune compromised loved ones. If you have a covid exposure within a week of our session, please let me know so we can reschedule. I ask that upon arriving at our session, you wear a mask for the duration of our appointment (I can provide it if you don’t have one). Getting tattooed while sick is no fun! It hurts more and might have a harder time healing, and I would rather reschedule than push through an uncomfortable experience that may not turn out as well.
Should I bring food?
I will have some snacks and drinks on hand, but please make sure you eat before our appointment, and if you have a particular comfort food or drink, feel free to bring that to make sure you have what you need throughout our session- there is space you can heat things up if you bring a microwave safe container.
What else should I bring?
If you have fidget toys, a book, headphones, or anything else that helps you feel grounded throughout a session, please bring them! (So long as we can keep the tattoo area clean)
How can I reduce the pain?
The best tattoos come from listening to your body and not pushing too far past your limits with pain. If you are pain sensitive, you are welcome to use a tattoo numbing cream beforehand, but please ensure it is fully washed off before the start of the session. I also have numbing spray which can be used during the session, but it is intended for use once skin is already broken so cannot be used for the beginning of the session. I recommend not taking aspirin or ibuprofen beforehand (due to their blood thinning properties). Regardless, if you get to a point during the session where you need to stop, I prefer a minimum of 4 weeks before we book a follow-up session. Usually, pieces large or detailed enough to take longer than 5-6 hours will be best suited to multiple sessions.