My tattoo career began back when acetate stencils and charcoal powder were still being used. I've retained most of what I learned back in the 80's but most of it was relearned in the school of common sense and hard knocks. Back when I first opened my shop in Paradise I called on the expertise of another female shop owner, Prof. Pat Fish, who was very helpful, and as the months passed we stayed in touch over the phone. Pat agreed to be my sponsor when I applied for membership to the National Tattoo Association. After three years of waiting I finally got my membership. Thank you Pat!

I love to tattoo a lot more than running a tattoo studio. But I do both, and more. I've always been fascinated by piercing but never thought that I would be doing it. I know a lot of piercests that don't think that you should stick your nose into their business if you're a tattoo person, and tattoo people that think tattooing and body piercing should be kept separate. But I'm a business woman and I think to keep your business viable you should adapt to the market.

I've been piercing since February of 1995. I don't have a certificate from any school, and I don't hide that fact. Anyone that prefers a piercest with a diploma from the 4-day crash course will not be frowned upon at my studio. I am honest about my training and my limitations. I don't pierce below the waist..

I've been doing cosmetic tattoo since August 1995. I found that my experience in the skin as a contemporary tattooist for 16+ years was plenty to move into the cosmetic field, though it took a little getting used to working so close to the eye. I'm very happy to say that due to follow up calls to my cosmetic clients, the results are very good. I've never had an unhappy client. All my work is guaranteed, and touchups are free for six months, as is the case with all my tattoo work. I want my clients to always feel comfortable enough to call me if they have a question or a problem.

Our artists cover any style of tattoo that you could want. The subjects I like the most are realistic portraits, wildlife, flowers and Japanese style. Some of my work has picked up an award or two in local shows here in the north, and once at the Tattoo Tour in San Diego one of my pieces received a second place for "most realistic". That was pretty cool.

I try to go to conventions as much as the budget will handle. It's fun and you keep in contact with your tattoo buddies that way. We enter my tattoos whenever we can, but the competition is usually very stiff.

My studio is located in a small town, in comparison to say Sacramento. We are not the only studio in town, but I believe between the two shops here we are able to service all the needs that our area can come up with. There are many hackers in our area, as I'm sure there are in every area. Some work on occasion is good, but you know it was not done in a sterile environment or using sterile equipment. Most of the home jobs that come in are inquires about cover-ups. If you are in the tattoo world, most, if not all of this information is old news to you.

Cover-up work is a challenge I welcome. Some are easier than others of course, depending on the size, complexity and darkness of the tattoo to be covered, as well as the taste of the client. Some people just don't understand that you can't cover things up with flesh colored ink or put a big red heart over a big black name. Not to mention the people that don't want it any bigger.

It's way fun when someone comes in and says "Do whatever you want to do. I've seen your work and I trust you". Of course I don't just pick up the machine and go, we consult and reach an agreeable cover, but with much less hassle. Most tattoo artists can spot a cover-up a mile away. It's cool to finish a cover-up and truly not be able to tell that it started out as something else. That gives me extreme pleasure, especially when you see the client smile and say "Thanks man, that looks better then I ever imagined, and that stupid thing I had is finally gone".

Max and I tattoo and pierce. Max has been a semi-permanent fixture since August 1995. He is an extremely talented artist in many areas: airbrush, oil painting, sign painting, cartoonist, pin striper and a damn good tattoo guy.  He has been known to travel the world and recently has been "guesting" in a tattoo shop in Madrid, Spain.  Check out his page for more info about his artistic stylings.

For an article published by the Chico NewsReview, CLICK HERE

For more images of Roni's work, CLICK HERE