Nikki X. James San Diego, CA

What’s up and nice to meet y’all I tattoo from my home city of San Diego and alongside my brother and dope coworkers. My brother had this dope idea about opening a brand-new shop as I was chilling in Oklahoma at the time. I told him that I would move, pack my family up and come back to live in San Diego and work at his new shop opening up Yokai House. The rest is history. I opened up doing tattoos at his shops in 2020, doing every style and anything but found that I have always loved anime. So, I was like, damn well, I love anime all my life, so that’s the type of tattoos I want to do. I’ve been focusing on anime for the last two years and have been having traction from the love of the community. Thanks to them, I am able to keep on pushing out my anime tattoos and designs. I have always been a firm believer in doing something you love doing no matter what, and in the end, it will always work out; as long as you push and keep on going, nothing can stop that happiness ⸺ What makes you a better tattoo artist? It’s the people, it’s the growth, it’s time that helps us learn from our past mistakes. Try and fail to be able to try and succeed. Tattooing is a bumpy road and can have long days and short days but get through those obstacles to learn and understand what works for you in the end ⸺ What should you wear while getting tattooed? Everyone was very surprised, but supportive ⸺ What would you say is your favorite part of the job? Seeing someone feeling better about themselves and more comfortable with their body ⸺ Who and what influences you to create your work? Other artists, illustrations, movies, architecture, and geometry ⸺ Are

there any tattoos you would refuse to do? (face, private areas,

etc) So far I haven’t received any unreasonable requests :D ⸺ What do you think is in store for the future of tattooing? Wear something comfortable as dressing up is not necessary. Feeling comfortable is key, as tattoo sessions can last for hours on end ⸺ Is tipping necessary? Tipping in my book is not necessary. I am here to do a great tattoo, no matter what. When the price is set, it is set in stone. As the price is set in stone, it is very frowned upon to change an idea or redraw the image agreed upon as the price may then change as more work is being added. ✕