CUSTOM DESIGNS VS. PRE-DRAWN DESIGNS: WHY I LIMIT CERTAIN PROJECTS
2026-04-23 11:51 One of the most common questions I get is why I focus so heavily on pre-drawn designs and why I take on only a limited number of custom projects—especially large custom sleeves. The short answer: they...
BASELINE VS MASTERY IN TATTOOING
2026-02-11 16:30 And Why the Difference Isn’t Always Obvious in Vermont     I’ve been talking about standards in Vermont for years. At this point I probably sound like a broken record about testing and competency...
MY DESIGNS DON’T STOP AT SKIN
2026-02-04 13:41   This is a look at how my original tattoo designs moved from my available design gallery to a traditional art gallery.     For years, I’ve spent countless hours creating original, “pre-drawn” t...
THINKING ABOUT GETTING A SLEEVE? READ THIS FIRST.
2026-01-29 13:36   Nature's power expansion   1.29.25   Sleeves work best when there’s a strong plan from the beginning. After years of tattooing sleeves, I’ve learned that most problems can be traced back t...
WHAT CHANGES WHEN YOU HIRE AN ARTIST VS BRING A DESIGN
2026-01-23 12:29   What changes when you hire an artist to design a tattoo versus bringing an outside design.     Are You Getting a Tattoo — or Commissioning an Artist? Tattooing often gets talked about as if i...
THE FUTURE OF TATTOOING: WHY COVER-UPS ARE ABOUT TO EXPLODE
2026-01-21 14:04 Over the past few weeks, I’ve put a lot more time into TikTok. One thing surprised me: the sheer number of messages asking if I do cover-ups.     This question comes up so often now that it felt ...
WHY “HOW MUCH WILL THIS COST?” ISN’T A SIMPLE ANSWER
2026-01-10 14:07 Tattoo artists have a reputation for being cranky or hard to deal with, especially when it comes to pricing.     I want to clear something up: most of us aren’t cranky — we’re “somewhat exhausted...
AN ARTIST-LED APPROACH TO LARGE SCALE TATTOOING
2026-01-01 14:51 Large scale tattoos work best when they’re approached as a collaborative and artist lead process built on trust, planning and clear direction from the start..     When you book a large-scale tatt...
IT’S NOT PERSONAL
2025-12-29 14:53 If someone values what I do, paying for it isn’t an issue. Here’s why I don’t do trades.     I just got asked by someone on TikTok if I’d be open to a tattoo trade — they wanted a full sleeve—and...
WHAT I CAN DO VS. WHAT I’M CHOOSING TO DO
2025-12-20 14:55 The absence of small or simple tattoos in my portfolio reflects my artistic focus, not my capability. With extensive experience, I’m fully capable of executing clean, straightforward work alongside mo...
A LABOR OF LOVE
2025-12-18 14:58 Tattooing stopped feeling like a job for me a long time ago. When I leave the shop, it doesn’t turn off. The projects stay with me — the planning, the pacing, the execution, the stages, how the tattoo...
WHY GOOGLE REVIEWS MATTER (AND WHY YELP HURTS SMALL TATTOO STUDIOS)
2025-12-10 15:30 In a one-artist studio like mine, reviews aren’t just “nice to have.” They directly determine whether new clients ever discover my work in the first place.     Almost every client I book finds me...
HAPPY ACCIDENT?
2025-12-06 15:32 I started painting Bob Ross landscapes as a joke. Turns out it rewired my art brain.     When COVID hit, my friend bought us a “paint along with Bob Ross” class. At the time, I hadn’t made any ar...
WHY BLUE EYES DON’T BELONG IN BLACK & GRAY PORTRAITS (AN ARTISTIC + TECHNICAL DISCLAIMER)
2025-12-04 15:37 In black and gray realism, every decision is about balance — smooth values, believable texture, and a cohesive overall look. One question that comes up surprisingly often is: “Can you make the eyes br...
THE “NO CHAOS ERA” — WHY MY BOOKING SYSTEM IS THE WAY IT IS
2025-12-04 15:34 Running a tattoo studio alone for years forced me to operate in a constant survival mode. Rebuilding my life meant rebuilding my boundaries - and that’s when the “No Chaos” era was born.     I’ve...
WHY I DON’T OFFER GIFT CARDS (AND WHY IT’S NOT A BAD THING)
2025-11-26 15:39 Every year around the holidays, I get questions about gift cards.     Every year around the holidays, I get questions about gift cards. I genuinely appreciate the thought behind it — tattoos are ...
17 YEARS OF ROCK CITY TATTOO
2025-11-16 15:42 In 2008, I opened Rock City Tattoo with nothing but commitment and a very stubborn belief that it had to work.     In 2008, I opened Rock City Tattoo with nothing but commitment and a very stubbo...
LIGHT FROM WITHIN: WHY LAYERING MATTERS IN REALISM
2025-10-23 15:45 There’s a reason some realism tattoos look incredible in photos but fall flat in real life. It’s not always about lighting, equipment, or editing — it’s about how the piece was built.     Light F...
COMING OUT OF 5 YEARS OF TOTAL IMMERSION
2025-10-05 11:58 Five years of total immersion in large scale realism taught me more than just technique- it re-shaped how I think, create, and connect to my craft.   For the last five years, I’ve been in what I c...
HOW TO TAKE A PROPER PHOTO OF YOUR BODY PART FOR TATTOO DESIGN
2025-09-20 13:23 When planning your tattoo, one of the most important steps is providing a clear photo of the area you want tattooed. How to Take a Proper Photo of Your Body Part for Tattoo Design When planning yo...
MY FIRST VERMONT TATTOO CONVENTION – TWO WINS AT GREEN STATE
2025-09-10 13:25 Aug 1-3, I attended the second annual Green State Tattoo Convention at the DoubleTree in South Burlington. It was the only tattoo convention in Vermont this year, and my first time taking part in a lo...
WHEN LOVE DRAINS THE MUSE
2025-05-25 13:28 No one really talks about how much a toxic relationship can mess with your creativity. No one really talks about how much a toxic relationship can mess with your creativity. It’s not always about d...
ARE TATTOO ARTISTS THE NEW CHEFS?
2025-01-30 13:59 Tattooing, like cooking, is both an art and a service.     Is Tattooing Becoming More Like Fine Dining?   Tattooing, like cooking, is both an art and a service. A chef carefully curates a menu ...
WHY WAS YOUR TATTOO IDEA REJECTED AND HOW TO AVOID IT
2024-12-01 14:04 Let’s face it, getting told “no” is never fun. But when it comes to tattoos, a rejection isn’t personal— it’s about making sure your idea is going to translate into a killer piece of art that lasts a ...
WHY CHOOSING AN INSPIRING PROJECT MATTERS FOR YOUR TATTOO ARTIST AND YOU
2024-11-05 14:08 Finding a project that inspires both you and your artist can elevate the entire experience, enhancing not only the quality of the artwork, but the connection to its meaning. The Importance of Inspi...
EMBRACE THE DARKNESS
2024-09-13 14:12 Black ink, the cornerstone of tattooing, often evokes a sense of fear and hesitation among both clients and some artists. There’s a common misconception that using black in tattoos will make the de...
SELF PORTRAITS, TRANSFORMATION AND THE POWER OF TATTOO
2024-08-22 14:16 Photography has always been more than just a hobby for me. It’s a way to explore express and transform my identity. Through the lens of my camera, I can capture different versions of myself, experi...
REKINDLING PASSION AND PUSHING MY CREATIVE BOUNDARIES
2024-07-20 14:18 I’ve been tattooing for over twenty years, and throughout this time, I’ve experienced a significant evolution in my style and approach. For a long period, my work primarily consisted of smaller, so...
THE SECRETS TO GETTING AN AMAZING TATTOO
2024-07-04 14:34 Have you ever scrolled through Instagram and been awestruck by impressive tattoos that seem almost too incredible to be real? Ever wonder WHO is wearing these? Chances are, those jaw-dropping piece...
DISCOVERING THE ART OF PRE-DRAWN DESIGNS: YOUR GATEWAY TO A UNIQUE TATTOO
2024-06-19 14:40 Over the years I’ve put together a gallery of pre-drawn designs that serve as a foundation for countless creative possibilities. These designs are not just finished products waiting to be tattooed ...
FLASH TATTOOS VS CUSTOM TATTOOS AND REALITY TV
2024-06-13 14:47 In the late 90s and early 2000s the world of tattoos was vastly different than it is today… In the late 90s and early 2000s, the world of tattoos was vastly different from what it is today. Walk in...
TATTOO TRENDS: A 20 YEAR PERSPECTIVE
2024-06-08 14:57 As a tattoo artist with over two decades of experience, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the ebb and flow of various tattoo trends. Each era brings its own set of popular designs that capture t...
WHY I DON’T OFFER IN PERSON CONSULTS; THE POWER OF THE FORM
2024-06-01 15:06 Why I Don’t Do In-Person Consultations: The Power of the Form As a tattoo artist with 20 years of experience in the shop, I’ve seen it all. From the excitement of walk-ins to the detailed discussio...
MY JOURNEY FROM SELF TAUGHT OIL PAINTER TO REALISM TATTOO ARTIST
2024-05-29 15:09 As a self-taught oil painter, I have always been fascinated by the intricate details and depth that can be achieved on a canvas. Over the years, my journey in painting has not only refined my artistic...
SECURING AN APPOINTMENT / GETTING A TATTOO WE’RE BOTH EXCITED ABOUT!
2024-05-01 15:12 Securing a tattoo appointment is easiest when your vision aligns with the themes and subjects that currently inspire and excite the artist. I’m refining my focus to specialize in large-scale tattoo...
WHY I SAY NO TO TATTOOING MINORS: UNVEILING THE SURPRISING RISKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
2024-04-13 15:17 In my years as a tattoo artist, I’ve had numerous opportunities to ink a diverse array of clients. Through these experiences, I’ve come to a firm policy: I do not tattoo minors. Moreover, I believe th...
THE STRATEGIC BENEFITS OF PLANNING A SLEEVE TATTOO
2024-04-11 15:20 Among the various approaches to tattooing, wanting a sleeve has gained immense popularity. Planning one seamless design, as opposed to acquiring tattoos piece by piece without an overarching plan, pre...
THE LACK OF TESTING FOR TATTOO LICENSING IN VERMONT: ACCOUNTABILITY IN QUESTION
2024-04-10 15:35 Did you know Vermont doesn't require ANY testing for tattoo artists? While other professions undergo rigorous exams, your tattoo artist have not had to prove their skills. In the world of tatto...
MANAGAGING EXPECTATIONS VS. REALITY
2024-04-09 15:38 As a tattoo artist,I've navigated the paths of skin and ink, transforming blank canvases into beautiful tattoos that carry the weight of personal stories, dreams, and sometimes a desire to start a...
THESE ARE THE SAME TATTOO
2024-04-08 15:40 When it comes to tattoos, the difference between a design that stands the test of time or one that fades into a blur hinges on execution. To break these two tattoos down, I'll start with my tat...
CHOOSING THE RIGHT ARTIST AND TATTOO STYLE
2024-04-06 15:46 Are you dreaming of the perfect tattoo but not sure how to choose the right artist? Let's dive into the art of selecting your ideal tattoo creator, focusing on two popular styles: illustrative vs....
WHY TATTOO ARTISTS CHOOSE TO NOT SHARE ARTWORK BEFORE APPOINTMENT.
2024-04-05 15:49 Tattoo artists may have several reasons for not sharing designs before the appointment, which can range from artistic concerns to practical business considerations. 1. Artistic Integrity and Process:...
MY JOURNEY AS A TATTOO ARTIST THROUGH A HEALTH CRISIS
2024-01-19 15:51 I'm a passionate tattoo artist based in the scenic state of Vermont. Recently, I experienced a health emergency that not only tested my resilience but also deepened my appreciation for my craft. ...
THE VALUE OF PATIENCE AND INVESTMENT IN QUALITY REALISM TATTOOS
2023-11-14 15:54 When it comes to tattoos, the phrase "good things come to those who wait" could not be more fitting. In Vermont, with it's ever populous tattoo scene, the quest for a realism tattoo is more tha...
MY BACKPIECE; VERMONT TO RHODE ISLAND IN 12 TRIPS
2022-02-01 15:58 My 60 hour journey to a magnificent backpiece..... I'd thought I'd share with you the insane "journey" I embarked upon-a journey not just of miles, but of endurance, art, and transformation...
DOES YOUR TATTOO ARTIST POST HEALED WORK?
2015-04-01 15:43 When we think of tattoos, the vivid, crisp lines and saturated colors of a freshly inked design often comes to mind. Think sleek shiny Instagram posts... THE IMMEDIATE ALLURE OF FRESH INK Fresh ta...
WHY MY SHOP MINIMUM IS $500: A THOUGHTFUL SHIFT TOWARDS LARGE SCALE TATTOOS
2015-03-17 14:37 I’ve been doing tattoos for a long time. I’ve seen trends, tools, and client expectations evolve. A few years ago, I made a significant decision to increase my shop minimum to $500. While this migh...
THE ART OF ILLUSTRATIVE / NEO TRAD TATTOOING: WHERE BOLD TRADITION MEETS MODERN EXPRESSION
2015-02-12 16:02 As a dedicated tattoo artist, one style I work in is illustrative/neo traditional tattoos, a style that marries the bold lines and vivid colors of traditional tattooing with contemporary design and ...

ROCK CITY TATTOO

65 ELM STREET
BARRE, VT 05641