This Portland Tattoo Artist Is Making a Case for Retro Ink
Portland-based tattoo artist Shannon Wolf admits to having a thing for bright colors. Retro roller skates in teal, a fishnet bodysuit in Living Coral, and highlighter-yellow plantains are just some of the playful pieces she's renowned for. Her style is a mix of line work and color blocking, inspired by the memories of childhood (think: cootie catchers, rocket pops, and 1970s Volvo station wagons).
Daydream Tattoo (the recently opened collective where she works) aims to be a welcoming, inclusive place for everyone, but especially marginalized communities. “I view tattooing as a healing art and I love that [ink] allows people to reclaim their bodies," says Wolf. “A large portion of my clients are queer, trans, or womyn, who are all much more likely to have endured abuse or dysmorphia, and tattooing can help them to feel more at home in their bodies."
Wolf started with a few hand-poked tattoos and has transformed into machine work over the years. People from all across the country have fallen in love with her unique style, command of hand-mixed colors, and inclusion of old-school scenery. Click through the slides ahead to see examples of her ink.
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All photos via Shannon Wolf
Illustrations by San Trieu