There are things I just don’t tattoo. Some for ethical reasons, some for comfort and safety, and some because my work is rooted in healing and self-love, not harm or judgment. These boundaries aren’t about limitation… they’re about respect, integrity, and keeping tattooing safe for both artist and client.

Below is a look at what I don’t tattoo and why.

Hate Symbols

Anything rooted in hate or cruelty has no place in my work. Tattoos carry meaning long after the ink settles, and I refuse to create or replicate imagery that promotes harm, discrimination, or exclusion. That includes things like swastikas, white power imagery, confederate flags, or any symbol used to intimidate, dehumanize, or divide.

Tattooing can reclaim and transform identity… but it should never reinforce oppression. My studio is a space for safety, creativity, and empowerment. What we put on your body should reflect who you are becoming, not the harm others have caused.

Crosses, Crucifixes, or Bible Verses

I know this one can be surprising and I might get some backlash. I truly don’t mean to offend anyone, but this is a hard line that I cannot cross.

Faith can be deeply meaningful and healing for many people. For me, though, these symbols are tied to personal trauma and painful experiences that shaped my boundaries as both an artist and a survivor. I grew up in a religious environment that often used fear, guilt, and control as tools of devotion… and those messages left deep scars that I’ve spent years healing.

No tattoo is worth shattering my own peace.

Choosing not to tattoo crosses, crucifixes, or Bible verses isn’t about your religion or faith… it’s about protecting my peace and keeping my workspace emotionally safe. My studio is centered on reclamation and healing. To honor that, I avoid imagery that reconnects me or anyone in my space to harm disguised as holiness.

Themes of Violence or Cruelty

My work is rooted in healing, not harm. I won’t create imagery that glorifies pain, abuse, or cruelty in any form. There’s a difference between honoring what someone has survived and celebrating the things that caused the damage. I’m here for reclamation tattoos that transform the past into something empowering… but I draw the line at visuals that amplify fear, aggression, or suffering.

Tattooing can hold incredible emotional power. The right piece can help someone reclaim their body, their story, or even their voice. I take that responsibility seriously. Every design that comes through my studio should feel like an act of care… not a continuation of harm.

Face and Permanent Makeup

I don’t tattoo faces or do permanent makeup. These areas require specialized training, tools, and intent that fall outside the scope of what I offer. The skin on the face heals differently, fades faster, and carries a level of visibility that deserves focused expertise.

Face tattoos also make me nervous because of how deeply tied they are to personal identity. The face is the first thing the world sees, and altering it carries emotional weight that goes far beyond technique. I believe facial work should only be done by artists who feel fully aligned with that responsibility.

If you’re looking for facial tattoos or cosmetic work, I can happily recommend a professional right here in the Phenix Suites who specializes in that area. My focus is on body art that blends symbolism, artistry, and personal meaning… and staying within that lane helps me keep every client safe and satisfied with their results.

Genitals

I don’t tattoo genitals. It’s an intimate area with a higher risk of infection, irritation, and healing complications. The skin there is thin, vascular, and more prone to trauma during the tattoo process. Even with experience, it’s a region that demands a specialized environment and a comfort level I simply don’t have, and I’m okay with that.

Every tattoo experience should feel safe for both the client and the artist. Choosing not to work in that area allows me to maintain clear boundaries and protect the energy of my studio. My goal is to make each session comfortable, professional, and rooted in respect… and that means keeping certain areas off limits.

Requests Outside My Style

I can adapt to different styles when it fits the project, but I have my own voice too. My strengths are in illustrative, watercolor, iconic, fine line, woodcut or archaic styles, and designs with witchy or floral elements. These are the areas where my creativity thrives and where I can give clients my best work.

Some ideas, like anime or hyperrealism, fall outside that range. When that happens, I’m upfront about it and will happily refer you to someone who specializes in that style. The right artist makes all the difference. Staying true to my strengths keeps my work consistent, intentional, and in tune with the kind of art I’m proud to put on skin.

Copying Other Artists

I don’t replicate another artist’s work exactly. Inspiration is welcome, but copying someone else’s design without permission isn’t something I’ll ever do. Each artist puts time, energy, and emotion into their creations, and reusing that work without credit takes away from their craft. Please don’t ask me for a verbatim tattoo. It’s disrespectful to me and to the artist of origin.

When clients bring reference images, I use them as a jumping-off point… a way to understand mood, symbolism, or structure. From there, I create something new that carries the same spirit but is entirely original to you. My goal is for every tattoo to feel personal, intentional, and ethically made, something that belongs only to you.

Under the Influence

I don’t tattoo anyone who’s been drinking or using anything that thins the blood. It affects how your body responds to pain, how much you bleed, and how well your tattoo heals. Alcohol and ibuprofen both interfere with clotting and can cause extra bleeding that blurs lines and pushes pigment out of the skin.

I want your tattoo to heal cleanly and look its best. Showing up sober helps your body stay steady, your mind stay clear, and your tattoo process go smoothly from start to finish.

Living Romantic Partner Names

I don’t forbid partner name tattoos, but I always recommend against them. Most of the coverups I do are former partners’ names that didn’t last, and I’d rather help you create something meaningful that still feels right years from now. Relationships evolve, and your tattoos should represent something permanent in you, not just a moment in time.

If you’re set on honoring someone important, we can find a symbol, phrase, or design that captures that connection without locking you into a name. It keeps the sentiment while leaving room for growth.

Tattoos That Don’t Last

Some designs just don’t hold up over the years. Tiny, overly detailed tattoos or designs in high-wear areas tend to blur and fade faster than people expect. I’ll always be honest if something isn’t built to last because I want your tattoo to heal beautifully and stay legible long-term.

My goal is to create work that ages gracefully with you. Clean lines, strong composition, and mindful placement make all the difference. A tattoo should be art that looks good on day one… and still makes you proud twenty years from now.

Final Thoughts

These boundaries aren’t about saying no for the sake of it… they’re about keeping tattooing safe, intentional, and rooted in care. Every piece I create carries energy, story, and trust, and I take that responsibility seriously. Holding these limits allows me to show up fully for the clients and work that align with that purpose.

Tattooing is more than ink on skin. It’s a collaboration between body, memory, and meaning. By honoring these boundaries, I make space for the kind of art that heals, empowers, and lasts.

Boundaries Make Better Art: What’s Off Limits for Me as an Artist