• I am part of a collectively owned and operated private studio called Keepsake Tattoo Collective, located in NE Portland, OR. The studio is on ground level and ADA accessible. You will receive the studio address via email before your appointment. If you need it sooner than 2-3 days before your appointment, feel free to email or message me!

  • I graduated tattoo school (it’s an Oregon thing) and got licensed in 2018 and have been tattooing full time ever since!

  • Because of the soft stippled nature of my work, folks sometimes assume that I am a handpoke (otherwise known as stick-and-poke) artist, but I actually do use a machine for all of my work! My stylistic approach is similar to handpoke in the sense that I still poke each dot individually using my pen-style wireless machine; I sometimes refer to myself as a machine-poke artist because of this.

    I have been told that I am a very lighthanded tattooer.

  • Yes, I use Dynamic Triple Black ink, which is vegan and not tested on animals.

  • I don’t do throat/side of the neck or finger tattoos.

    Rib/stomach/sternum/back placements need to be explicitly requested via email before your appointment - these areas are more taxing on my body to tattoo and often take longer to work on than other areas of the body. Because of this, I am selective about which designs I will tattoo in these areas and how I space them out in my schedule.

    If you have a placement in mind and you’re not sure if it’s an area I will tattoo, just ask!

  • Not very often. My work utilizes fine lines and dotwork, which is somewhat transparent by nature, so any existing tattoo underneath will likely show through the new tattoo to some extent.

    That being said, I’m happy to tattoo over parts of other tattoos or even entirely over an old tattoo, if it makes sense stylistically and you are okay with your old tattoo not being entirely concealed.

  • I have and will tattoo over scars that are fully healed (by tattoo standards, that means 2 years). My style does not work well if your goal is to cover up or completely conceal scars, but I am happy to tattoo over or around them.

  • My pricing starts at my minimum of $250 - this is the price of all designs that take an hour or less to tattoo.

    I price my Flash Book designs between $250-$550, based on size/complexity/estimated tattoo time. I drop the price if it goes much faster than I anticipate. If you want to significantly enlarge any of the designs that are already priced, I will provide an updated quote.

    For larger Flash pieces and custom work, I will quote you a price range that your tattoo will fall within. I honor my quotes, meaning if your tattoo takes longer than anticipated, I will not charge more than the highest amount I have already quoted you.

    All of my pricing is based on roughly $200/hr. This rate reflects my experience level as well as the fact that I am a fairly quick tattooer.

  • The short answer is yes, I do! 

    The longer answer: 

    Tipping is generally pretty standard in the tattoo industry, similarly to how you would tip a massage therapist, hair stylist, etc. Because tattoo artists are often self employed/independent contractors, there is a lot of behind the scenes labor and expenses (supplies, taxes, health insurance, pay outs to the shop, etc) and tips can really help offset some of these costs.

    Some tattoo artists have opted to adjust their rates to essentially include what they would expect/want to be tipped, so that clients are not pressured to factor in additional costs. At the moment, I don’t feel comfortable raising my rates any higher than they currently are, which is why I still accept tips. Tipping is never expected, but when you do decide to tip, know that you’re helping to keep my rates accessible to more folks who otherwise might not be able to book if my rates were increased overall. 

    Clients sometimes ask me what is standard as far as tipping goes and there really is no standard %. Folks who tip typically tip between $20-100 on tattoos of any cost and there is never any assigned meaning on my end to what you do/don’t decide to tip. 

    My desire is for folks to never feel anxiety or pressure around tipping and to do so only if it feels aligned with their tattoo budget.

  • I offer a sliding scale payment option for all BIPOC identified individuals, in an effort to make my work more accessible and as an acknowledgment that BIPOC folks are often denied the same access to tattooing as their white peers as a result of racism that has been historically present in the western tattoo industry.

    Sliding Scale is open to all individuals who identify as BIPOC or otherwise non-white. Sliding Scale usually starts at $50-100 less than the listed price.

    Sliding Scale is completely optional and not required based on your race, ethnicity, or identity.

  • Yes, I require a $100 nonrefundable deposit in order to book you in my calendar. This deposit goes towards the total cost of your tattoo day of.

    *For Custom work, 50% of the deposit goes towards the cost of your tattoo, the other half is absorbed as a drawing fee, since I am designing something exclusively for you.

  • I can transfer your deposit (1 time) to a new date if you give me notice within 3 days of your appointment and your new date is no more than 6 weeks out, otherwise you will be asked to submit a new deposit for your new appointment date.

    If you have booked through my calendar for a Flash Book appointment, PLEASE email me so I can manually reschedule you.

  • If your tattoo is quoted at $600 or more, I am happy to discuss breaking payments into smaller chunks.

    One option would be to pay smaller portions leading up to your appointment, which would result in you owing less day of. Another option would be to split your tattoo into multiple sessions, where partial payment is owed at each session. I automatically break very large projects into multiple sessions regardless.

    Payment options need to be discussed and agreed on at the time of booking.

  • If you have purchased a gift card, there is no need to bring proof of purchase - just remind me at the time of booking that that you have purchased one.

    Gift card recipients can “skip the line” and email me to book any time. I don’t require a deposit for booking with a gift card.

    You may use your gift card towards any available flash piece(s). If you are booked for a custom, you may also use it towards that as well, but please note that having a gift card does not guarantee that I will accept your custom booking proposal.

  • I book on a rolling basis. Flash spots are usually available 1-2 months out. Customs may be booked further out.

  • You can find all of my currently available flash designs on my booking page or on my instagram (@strange_vessel) under the “available” story highlight.

  • You can book a design from my Flash Book by following the link to my booking calendar. You can access this link through my Instagram bio as well.

    For custom inquiries, or to book larger flash pieces that are not available in my Flash Book, you must submit the booking form located at the bottom of my Booking page.

  • It depends on whether the design is a good fit with my style and expertise.

    I have tattooed multiple designs from illustrator Heidi Chanel and am always happy to consider tattooing more of her work.

    Please reach out to me via instagram or email if you have questions about whether or not I will book you with a Tattoo Ticket from another artist.

  • I don’t guest in other studios super often, but I will announce any upcoming guest spots on my Instagram.

  • Flash designs are pre-drawn designs that are booked as is. Most of my flash is repeatable (I tattoo it more than once on multiple clients). Larger flash pieces are typically non-repeatable (only tattooed once on one client). I can usually make very minor alterations to Flash, but the idea is that they are ready to go as is. I am happy to consider custom versions of current or retired Flash designs as well.

    Custom work is when you describe to me what you’re wanting to get tattooed and I design it exclusively for you. Custom work is collaborative in the sense that we will be emailing back and forth regarding the details of your design and you will have the opportunity to request changes/adjustments before your appointment. Since custom work is more time consuming than Flash, I am selective about what/how many custom projects I take on.

  • Once you submit a booking form for a custom piece, I will review it and respond with whether or not I will be able to accept your booking request. This is based largely on my current work load and whether or not I believe that I am the right artist for this particular project. I also may deny custom proposals if your budget is significantly lower than what the project would require.

    Once I decide to take on your custom project, I usually gather some more basic information from you regarding what you’re envisioning, if needed and then take a deposit and schedule you.

    It is important to me that my clients are given the opportunity to see their design before their appointment.I want you to be able to sit with your design without the pressure of having to absorb it all on the day that you are getting tattooed. This allows my clients the time to reflect and request changes to their design before their appointment. If changes need to be made, I will make the adjustment(s) and send you the updated design.

    I usually start drawing 1-2 weeks before your scheduled appointment and send the design 1-3 days before your appointment.

    If needed, I might ask for you to come in for a consultation to discuss the design/placement or for a photo of the area you are wanting tattooed (especially if there are other tattoos we need to design around).

  • If you don’t completely dig your design when you first see it, that’s ok! That’s why I send designs beforehand, so that we have time to talk about what you want and make changes. I don’t start drawing until I feel like I fully understand what you’re wanting your design to look like based on the info you’ve provided me.

    I typically do not charge for changes to your design, but if the change is major and requires a total re-draw, I reserve the right to charge a $50-100 design fee based on how much time I’ve put into your design already. This will not be deducted from the overall cost of your tattoo. 

    Although it’s a rare occurrence, if I ever feel that I cannot make the change to your design that you’re wanting, I will let you know and may refer you to another artist. I don’t cancel appointments often, but if I feel that I can’t quite nail what you’re asking for, I will not move forward with your tattoo. As a client, you also have the right to decide not to move forward with your tattoo at any time for any reason- while deposits are non-refundable, I will never charge a cancellation fee if you decide not to move forward with your appointment. At the end of the day, I am invested in you getting the tattoo that you’re wanting, regardless of whether or not it is with me.

  • Yes, but this can be a tricky one!

    I know some people have a very specific vision in mind for what they want their tattoo to look like and sometimes sending photos helps get that idea/concept across. Please be mindful when sending photos of other artist’s tattoos or other artwork in general- I will decline a proposal when I feel like I’m being asked to copy another artist’s work or emulate another artist’s unique style, as I feel like this creates an unrealistic expectation for the piece that I will be designing for you. Ideally, I want folks to book with me because they like my work and trust that I will create a unique piece for them.

  • Yes, I check in with clients via email 1-3 days before your appointment to confirm. This email will also include my digital consent form, the studio address, and other appointment related info.

    If I do not reach out to you the day before your appointment, please check in with me through email or Instagram.

    In the super rare case that I get sick or have an emergency and need to cancel, I will contact you with as much notice as possible, usually by text if it is day of. I highly recommend checking your email before leaving for your appointment just in case something has changed on my end.

  • Keepsake Tattoo Collective is a small appointment only studio located in NE Portland. It is ground level and ADA accessible. Our group consists of 3 full time artists and 2 part time artists split between 4 tattoo stations.

    It is an open layout studio, so there are no dividers between tattoo stations, however, we do have folding room dividers that separate the front waiting area and the back office area which can be moved to create barriers between the other tattoo stations for more privacy, upon request.

    All of our artists are queer and trans identified and many of our clients are as well. If you don’t know someones pronouns, please ask! Otherwise, please default to gender neutral pronouns and language when referring to artists and other clients.

    • Your ID! The state of Oregon requires that you provide a valid drivers license or passport in order to get tattooed. I cannot accept birth certificates, expired IDs, or non-govt issued IDs (like school IDs).

    • Bring a bottle of water and a snack.

    • Headphones. It’s always nice to have the option of zoning out if you need to.

    • Comfy clothes that allow access to the area being tattooed. You can change if you need to before your appointment. Pro tip: if you are getting a sternum tattoo, a button down shirt usually allows plenty of access to the area while still providing some privacy, especially when worn backwards for back placement!

  • Yes, we allow clients to bring ONE friend with them to their appointment. We have very limited space in our waiting area and our studio in general, but you are welcome to have a buddy sit with you during your session if you’d like some company.

  • The studio does not have a shop wide masking policy - some artists and clients may be masked while others are not.

    I am still masking during each tattoo session, as it is most comfortable for me to do so, but I let my clients choose whether or not they want to mask.

  • I prefer for folks not to use numbing cream unless they strongly feel that they need it - numbing cream slightly changes the texture of the skin which can make it more difficult to tattoo.

    If you would like to use numbing cream, you will need to apply it to the area that you want tattooed about an hour before your appointment. Clean and shave the area, then apply the numbing cream and wrap it in plastic wrap before arriving. Please only use a lidocaine based tattoo specific numbing agent and do a spot test before applying for the first time.

  • Most of my work falls within the 1-3 hour range. I will do my best to quote how long I expect your tattoo to take, but sometimes things go more quickly or take much longer than expected.

    With the nature of my stipple technique, completing large areas of dark saturation can be time consuming. Occasionally for bigger pieces, or designs with a lot of dark/mid-tone shading, we may split your tattoo into two or more sessions for your comfort and my own (you can also always request to split a session regardless of anticipated length). I tend not to tattoo for more than 4 hour chunks at a time.

    Whatever of the length of our session, please give yourself ample time in your schedule to get tattooed and to rest and recover at home afterwards. 

  • At the end of our session I will ask if we can photograph your tattoo. I try to keep a record of every tattoo that I do, but if you do not want your tattoo to be photographed for any reason, you may decline a photo at the end. Any photos I take of your tattoo will never be shared privately.

    I will always ask permission before posting a photo of your tattoo on Instagram/my website. In general, I only post a small amount of the tattoos that I do - I promise it is not personal if I do not post yours.

  • I prefer cash, but will accept Venmo payments. Since I have a business Venmo account, there will be an up charge of 3% to cover the cut that Venmo takes.

    I do not often have change, so please plan accordingly with what bills you bring. 

  • It’s such an honor to do someone’s first tattoo and I find that our studio’s generally quiet atmosphere is a great environment for a first tattoo.

    Getting your first tattoo is super exciting, but it can often be little anxiety inducing when you’re not sure what to expect. Here’s a brief rundown of the process and some helpful suggestions to make your experience as comfy as possible:

    • Think about where you want your tattoo. We will apply a stencil (a print of the design) to the spot you want tattooed. I’m happy to try the stencil in different spots if you’re undecided and we can re-apply it as many times as we need until your happy with the placement! Stencils can easily be re-sized or mirrored to face the other direction. This is the stage where we can experiment and exhaust all of our options before committing.

    • Allow yourself plenty of time in your schedule for your appointment. Do not schedule something immediately after your tattoo. I always try and give a rough estimate of how long your tattoo will take, but it’s important to schedule your tattoo on a day with plenty of flexibility and down time, in case it takes longer than expected. You may also feel tired after your tattoo and need some time to relax or eat afterwards. 

    • Be prepared to properly take care of your tattoo as it’s healing. Your tattoo will take about 4 weeks to fully heal. Getting tattooed right before a big backpacking trip or a vacation where you’ll want to swim or hot tub is not recommended. Feel free to review my aftercare sheet before you come in or reach out with any questions or concerns before your appointment! 

  • I will discuss aftercare with you at your appointment, but please scroll down to the bottom of this page to review my aftercare instructions if you need a reminder!

  • Touch ups are always free- I want you to be happy with your tattoo! 

    Adding new elements onto an existing piece does not count as a touch up and will follow the same booking process as a new tattoo. 

My aftercare instructions are based off of my experience tattooing clients over the years and what has worked well for me in healing my own tattoos.

BANDAGING

At the end of your appointment, your tattoo will be bandaged with either a clear adhesive bandage (I tend to use Derm Shield or Saniderm) or, if you have a sensitivity to adhesives, a non-adhesive soaker pad secured with sensi-wrap. 
For Derm Shield/Saniderm: adhesive bandages are meant to keep your tattoo safe for the first few days of healing while it is still fresh. I recommend keeping the bandage on for 1-3 days. If you notice any skin irritation, like your skin turning red around the edges of the bandage or if you are experiencing itching beneath the bandage or any other unpleasant sensation, please remove it. It’s ultimately much better for your skin and your tattoo to remove the bandage early if you sense your body is unhappy with it. 
For non-adhesive bandaging: if you have this type of bandage, please remove it after 2 hours and begin your aftercare routine that night.

AFTER CARE INSTRUCTIONS

Aftercare starts after the bandage is removed. Day 1 = the day your bandage is removed. 

You will need the following items to care for your tattoo:
  1. Unscented liquid soap (no bar soap). I recommend either Dial or Dr. Bronners. You are welcome to use a different brand that you prefer as long as it is liquid and fragrance-free. 
  2. Aquaphor healing ointment (or another tattoo specific ointment like Hustle Butter). No petroleum based ointments. 
  3. Unscented Lubriderm lotion. 
  4. Paper towels. 

Day 1-3:

  • Before touching your tattoo, wash your hands with the unscented antibacterial soap. Create a small amount of suds and gently clean your tattoo. Rinse with water. Pat dry with a clean paper towel. 
  • Directly afterwards, apply a SMALL amount of Aquaphor to the entire tattoo in a thin layer. A pea sized amount or less is usually all you need. It is important to not smother your tattoo - less is more. 
  • If skin becomes irritated after applying Aquaphor, discontinue use. 

Day 4 until settled:

  • Continue to clean your tattoo twice a day as instructed above, but discontinue the Aquaphor.
  • After cleaning, moisturize your tattoo once a day with Lubriderm.  Again, a little goes a long way. Your tattoo needs to breath and over-moisturizing can cause the skin to break out and result in a poor heal for your tattoo. 
  • Continue with washing and moisturizing until your tattoo is completely settled and no longer flaking/peeling (usually 1.5-2 weeks). 

DO’s AND DONT’s

  • Avoid restrictive clothing during the first week. Tight clothing can rub against your tattoo and cause irritation or potentially infection. 
  • Ideally you do not want to exercise during the first week or so of getting your tattoo. If you do end up doing any exercise/movements that cause sweating in the area of your tattoo while it is healing, be sure to clean it thoroughly afterwards.
  • Do not submerge your fresh tattoo in water for a full 4 weeks. 
  • Do not sauna for the first 3 weeks. Clean afterwards.
  • Do your very best to keep your tattoo out of direct sunlight while it’s healing. You may apply sunscreen after 3 weeks (or until fully settled, after it has finished flaking/peeling). Continuing to use sunscreen on your tattoos throughout your life will help them age well over time.