House of a Thousand Roses Karl_TheTattoo_Plug

Independent Artist

Portland, OR

Location

Gilded Serpent Tattoo

Shop

Elias is a nonbinary tattoo artist in Portland, OR making art and tats with love. They enjoy making art full of movement that compliments nature and the body. They love walking in the forest, doing crossword puzzles, and saying hi to cats in the windows. They are so thankful to their partner and friends for all of the trust and support in their work!

How do you create a space for tattooing that is welcoming and inclusive?

Tattooing is a vulnerable and intimate experience. Navigating pain, touch, and new sensations in the company of a near stranger require a lot of trust and bravery, and I’m honored by every single person who places that trust in me. As an artist, it is my job to cultivate a space in which my clients feel comfortable experiencing their feelings openly and bringing their whole selves into this transformative practice.

Because every person has different needs, inclusivity becomes a requisite on the individual level–I need to welcome a whole person, not just a myriad of labels and identities. My first step is, therefore, to listen. Trusting that my clients will express their needs is hard sometimes! I do my best to encourage questions; I explain what I’m doing and using.

I also try to work inclusion into the design of the appointment.

Surreal, Freehand, Nature-inspired, Human-inspired

Specialization

skribblestattoos

@gmail.com

@skribblestattoos

Instagram & TikTok

ELIAS VINSON

Asking for pronouns, preferred names, and medical needs all happens on my client’s consent form. Sliding scales for BIPOC and budget flexibility are available on my Instagram highlights. For all color designs, I adjust the colors to show the flash on several different skin tones. It is so important to me that every client comes away with not just a great tattoo but a positive experience. And if anyone has ideas or recommendations for more improvements I can make to my practice–my inbox is always open.

How does consent inform your practice?

Tattooing spaces can make navigating discussions of consent can seem redundant. If the client signed the release form or even just walked in the door to the shop, you could assume they’re ready for all that comes with a tattoo. However, I find that skimming through the process misses an opportunity for the client to give an empowering, enthusiastic “yes!”. Maybe the consent discussion doesn’t take the form of “yes or no,” but rather an opportunity for the artist and client to ask questions, reaffirm respect, and provide more information about the tattooing process.

There are many reasons to get tattoos. Many folks that I speak to, especially in my communities of queer and trans people, cite autonomy and power over one’s own body as guiding factors. How special it is to choose what marks us for life, to choose what and how and when we have pain. As an artist, I can play a role in my clients’ experience by reinforcing their autonomy at each step and giving them information about what is happening to their bodies. Asking my clients about their comfort also lets me provide better accommodation for those who need it!

I would recommend the book “Could This Be Magic: Tattooing As Liberation Work” by Tamara Santibañez to anyone interested in further reading on consent—this book provides an amazing framework for more informed and compassionate tattoo work. ✕