When I was first getting into tattoos, I learned pretty quickly that tattoo shops with art created by the resident tattoo artists were now few and far between. I would love for my shop to be a return to the traditional tattoo shop concept, of walking in, and picking something off the wall that was designed by the artist that will be doing the tattoo.

I did my traditional apprenticeship in Wahiawa, Hawaii in 2008, by 2009 I was a licensed tattoo artist with the state of Hawaii. When my daughter was born in 2011 I moved back home to Maryland, where I took three years off of tattooing and worked in business development. I have been working as a full time tattoo artist for the last seven years.

One of the things I love most about tattoo history is tattoo styles, how they’ve developed over time and why, and how they are reflected in tattoo flash. No matter what the style I’m working in, the traditional desire for longevity is prevalent. Making a tattoo that will last as long as possible, as true to the original design as possible is my goal. My favorite styles of tattoos are rooted in the teachings of traditional tattoos and the tribal roots of tattoo art.

I call my style 90s Traditional, or 90s New School. I am not really interested in the new new School tattoos as they are understood now. I prefer very traditionally based tattoos, with varied lines and a lot of black, I like more detailed designs, but more limited color blends. I would rather not tattoo something that will look completely different after a few years.

I am currently the only tattoo artist and piercer at Queen’s Gambit Tattoo, and we are running as a private tattoo studio through the rest of 2024.