*~•; welcome ;•~*

My name is Megan. I’m a self-taught tattooer currently focusing on the hand poke method and hope to integrate machine work in the future. My dream is to open a tattoo studio one day. This space is dedicated to manifesting my values as a tattooer and the philosophy I bring to my practice. I am ever-changing and evolving and here to learn! Thanks for stopping by!

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works

Flash
on flesh

About Me

PRONOUNS: She/Her/they/them

I am a fifth-generation Japanese-American with a dash of Hawaiian style. I was proudly born and bred in the suburban desert outpost of Castaic and now reside in the City of Angels. With a background in Psychology, Ethnic Studies, and Child Development, I am a nerd for examining the core foundations of human thought, behavior, and emotions, and how these intersect with the tattooing practice. I believe the process of tattooing can be a medium for healing and social justice. Currently, my day job is being a preschool teacher and I love it!

Blood Borne Pathogens Certified

What I'm About

Values I am committed to upholding in my practice:

Influences

The following people have helped shape the philosophy of my practice. I highly recommend visiting their pages to learn more about their work.

Tamara Santibañez (They/Them)

is a multidisciplinary artist who offers valuable knowledge and perspective regarding tattooing as liberation work. They dissect and dive into the topics like a trauma-informed approach, compassion fatigue, boundaries, and burnout. With training at the Columbia University Oral History Master of Arts Program, they are passionate about “researching, archiving, and documenting underrepresented tattoo histories, particularly around queer and trans tattooing and prison tattooing.” Santibañez offers online workshops and a free download of her book Could This Be Magic? Tattooing as Liberation Work.

Check them out!

InfOrMaTion

To access the google document for detailed information, click on the corresponding icon.

Faqs

What is a hand poke tattoo?
A hand poke tattoo is a manual method of pushing ink under the skin by hand. A needle, often multiple needles, and ink are used. This method has been documented in various indigenous cultures across the globe. For example, in Japan, this method (known as tebori) has been found to date back as many as 2000 years. Hand poke tattoos are permanent and less traumatic to the skin compared to using an electrical tattoo machine.
What is a color test?
Currently, I am focusing on black ink work but will do color tests for free in the future. Color tests are simple designs that usually consist of small dots or lines executed in a rainbow spectrum of colors. Color tests are used to observe how various (or specific) colors will appear under the skin after fully healing. During the tattoo process, ink is inserted just under the top layers of the skin. Due to the unique hues and undertones of the skin color, certain ink pigments may appear altered when viewed under the skin. This is because the natural tone of your skin will be blending with the pigment of the ink, resulting in possible modifications of the ink color. If you are thinking of getting a colored tattoo, I recommend getting a color test to see which colors complement your natural skin tones.
What is flash?
Flash are pre-drawn designs for tattooing. The flash I draw is non-repeatable and will be tattooed once.
Do you offer touch-ups?
I offer free touch-ups for life.

Contact Me

Openings for tattoos are limited at the moment. I am focusing on foundational techniques, so I prefer to tattoo designs that consist of simplistic, solid lines and are palm-size or smaller. If you have any questions, concerns, or would like to inquire about scheduling a tattoo session, send me an email at megpokes@gmail.com!

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