I believe modern tattooing can honor Spirit and respect the non-ordinary state created by and through the craft.

I’m interested in the technical aspects of tattooing, fine art, and bring a lifetime of working with the body to my practice.

I create custom, illustrative tattoos through a collaborative design process beginning with consultation and continuing through research, design development, thoughtful placement, and careful execution.

I often work with folks who are called to tattooing or “want a tattoo but don’t know what yet”—I shine in these circumstances. I understand experience lives inside our bodies and minds; the tattoo process is a mechanism to transform one’s inner world into an external and aesthetic experience.

My work is process-oriented, guided by emotional attunement, and a love for drawing and synthesizing ideas. The final piece will feel both intentional and personal.

Tattoo estimates account for the full experience, from set-up and design adjustments to time for rest and nourishment, final photos, and closing care.

I start custom work with an in-person consultation. This is an opportunity for me to digest your ideas or begin discovering. Each piece is individualized. Meeting in person allows me to match your energetics and map anatomy notes.

If you are unable to make an in-person consultation, video sessions can be arranged.

I do not require consultations for flash tattoos! Designs from the “Available” section may need a small consultation to ensure everyone’s on the same page.

When booking, it’s helpful but not required, to use the “Add Note” button and provide a short description of your thoughts related to the work. If there is anything you’d like me to know prior to our initial meeting, use this section or send me an email.

Pricing for initial consultations is built into my overall rate. If we choose to move forward, I take a deposit which goes towards the total price of tattooing. If you do not want to continue, there is no charge for the consultation.

During our consultation, I’ll check in about budget, price estimations, aftercare, and other considerations relevant to our work together. All questions are welcome and appointments can be booked here.

My booking system has three appointment options: Consultation, Available Design, and Flash Tattoos.

If you would like to design a piece together, have a tattoo idea, or are looking forward to the “discovery experience”, book a Consultation! If you need a video session, please click ‘Add Note’ and let me know. Most of my appointments start with consultations.

Flash tattoos and “Available Designs” have their own booking options to expedite the process.

I’m going to support you through additional scheduling during the consultation. Some projects will be ready to schedule an appointment for tattooing and others may need intermediary consultation or “Design Attunement” sessions.

Designs are available at the time of your tattoo session—I will not email artwork.

‍However, you are invited to book an intermediary “Design Attunement” appointment. These appointments are designed to be 30 minutes to 1 hour and in-studio. At this time, you will have the opportunity to experience your finished design. If you are outside the region, we can set up a video call. I understand there are many emotions involved in tattooing—it’s my experience that offering a short session, separate from your tattoo appointment, supports nervous systems and a consent-driven, agency forward experience.

In order to make diligent use of our time together, I attempt to capture the scope of your vision, communicate potential obstacles, and find alignment during the consultation. Your influence over the scope of our work matters and intermediary sessions are not necessary for every client.

There will be room at every tattoo appointment to play with sizing, make adjustments, substitutions, and altogether change some design aspects.

Reach out to me here if you need an appointment time not accommodated by the booking system.

You can book a flash tattoo straight from my booking page!

When booking, the default appointment is set to 4 hours and the system will require a $150 deposit. This deposit will go towards the total price of tattooing. I estimate 4 hours gives us a comfortable window to chat about the tattoo, make any small individualized adjustments (color, perhaps?) and for you to comfortably explore placement. Many flash designs will not utilize the full 4 hours. Pricing reflects the flash piece and not the number of hours spent in the studio.

What is a flash tattoo??
I’d be happy to give you a very geeky history of flash tattoos during our session.
In short, flash tattoos have evolved to be pre-drawn, usually single-session tattoos that are typically tattooed by the artist who created the drawing (or “flash”).

For the most part, I will tattoo a flash piece more than once. Tattoos that are pre-drawn and not intended to be repeatedly tattooed are considered “Available Designs” as opposed to “Flash”. Currently, Available Designs are located in the Portfolio Gallery or visible on my Instagram.

Please email me if you have flash related questions or would like a piece priced prior to booking.

Deposits signify a mutual investment in the work.

I collect deposits at consultations or at the time of booking a flash tattoo.

By leaving a deposit, you are communicating you understand our shared tattoo process.

Deposits are non-refundable, non transferable, and go towards the total price of tattooing.

When a tattoo needs multiple sessions, deposits are applied to the final session.

If you need to reschedule, at least 48 hours notice is required to retain your deposit.

If you cancel an appointment and you are not ready to reschedule, deposits are valid for up to 6 months from the date of your appointment. Appointments rescheduled outside of this window will need to leave a new deposit. If you reschedule more than once, you will need to leave a new deposit.

If you arrive looking for a concept that is substantially different than the tattoo we prepared for, you will forfeit your deposit.

My ability to accommodate lateness to an appointment is deeply specific to the appointment and our plans for the day. I appreciate notice if you anticipate running behind schedule. If you are late enough to meaningfully impact our session, you risk losing your appointment and will need a new deposit to reschedule.

On rare occasion, I also have to reschedule an appointment. If I reschedule, your deposit will remain intact and I will prioritize scheduling to the next mutually available appointment.

In the week prior to your appointment, hydrating well and moisturizing the skin will prepare you for easier healing.

On the day of your appointment arrive with clean, unshaven skin. Do not apply topical numbing creams. Do not consume aspirin or other NSAIDs (Ibuprofen, Aleve)—if you are consuming these medications under the direction of a medical professional please communicate with me.

Remember to eat sometime before your session!
You will also need a valid form of identification.

I recommend bringing a water bottle, snacks, and anything to support your comfort during the session. Items such as, headphones, a book, charging cables, a blanket.
The temperature of our studio is very mild and I have a heater for the colder months. I also have pillows!
Some clients bring items to set up a small alter.

I recommend you wear clothes that you do not feel precious about! In some circumstances, ink may transfer to your clothing and ink transfer will most likely be permanent. Please remember to wear clothing that allows us to access the area to be tattooed while maintaining a level of privacy you are comfortable with.
I can make clothing recommendations during our consultation.

I tattoo with a headlamp and an overhead light. Sunglasses are a great choice to support light sensitivities.

Our studio is on the first floor with a retail storefront. There is a small 1 inch lip on the floor after the door.
We have parking and bike racks out front. The Ashby BART station and multiple bus lines are within walking distance. More studio information is available at the bottom of the page.

The bathroom at Modern Electric Studio is narrow. If you use a wheelchair, the bathroom is accessible but awkward. Let’s chat if you have concerns.

If you are feeling ill please reschedule your appointment. If you are feeling well but taking antibiotics, I’d consider rescheduling your appointment because antibiotics can affect how a tattoo heals.

What payment methods do you take?
Deposits and sessions can be paid via cash, card, or Apple Pay.

When should I expect to hear back from you?
Under regular circumstances, I respond to emails within a week.
Using the various “contact” links corresponding to their section (for example on the aftercare page!) helps me prioritize time sensitive communications. Email is the best way to get ahold of me.

Do I need to arrange child or pet care?
Yes!
It’s extremely difficult to have young children in the studio. Other artists may be working, we have strict clean spaces, sharp objects, and breakables.
We cannot accommodate animals in the studio except for qualifying working service animals as defined by the ADA.

Do you tattoo minors with parental consent?
No. You must be at least 18 years of age at the time of your tattoo appointment.

What if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?
I do not tattoo folks who are currently pregnant or breastfeeding. I prefer to wait until after an infant is weaned to support everyone’s well-being and safety.

What if I recently had surgery?
Let’s definitely chat! Tattooing may interfere with surgery and other medical procedures. Your immune system is involved in all of these practices and we can only ask so much of one body.

When healing your fresh tattoo keep the area clean, dry enough to breathe but not dried out, and protected from excessive rubbing, contaminants, and prolonged moisture.

A fresh tattoo is a healing wound. Please follow the aftercare instructions to minimize the risk of infection and maintain the quality of the art.

I generally do not wrap my clients in RecoveryDerm, Saniderm, or any adhesive second skin bandages.
I find many folks have a reaction to the adhesive and the seal is so strong that folks struggle in removal. It’s my personal experience that this can affect the epidermis and subsequently how the tattoo heals. Our studio carries these bandages and they are available by request. For some circumstances, I believe wearing these adhesives is the appropriate choice. We will discuss and discover individualized aftercare routines in our session together.

For detailed aftercare instructions, click here!