The Process

 

  • As a neurodivergent and queer artist, I am committed to providing body affirming and positive tattoo experiences. I provide free color tests for melanated skin, am happy to make sensory accommodations, and am experienced tattooing all shapes, sizes, and skin tones.

    My tattoos focus on the collaborative quality between myself, the artist, and the client, the canvas. My tattoos are one of a kind abstract expressions of themes  that my clients are going through or calling into their lives. They are  imbued with the symbolism they need to nourish themselves, and designed for their unique body alone.  My tattoos provide my clients with an experience and a ritual to ground themselves in their body, finding strength, courage, and beauty in themselves. 

  • My process begins with either an intake form or conversation to make sure I'm the right fit for the project. If I am able to glean all the necessary info from it, I will have you schedule an appointment with my online booking system. I will have a design ready for you at your appointment. This usually applies to smaller projects.

    For larger projects, we may sometimes do a zoom consult. This is aimed more for large pieces, abstract pieces, or cover-ups.

    I do not email drawings/sketches at any point in the process. I will have your design ready for you at your appointment. This will be a basic outline and we will discuss shading in person. Depending on the design, I will sometimes have elements of it drawn, but size and place them to fit your body. Depending on the project, I will draw directly onto the body. This is also the time we have to look at the images I have made and make any modifications. I prefer this process in person so we can have a real time convo and get it just right! This also allows us to make sure it fits YOUR body and shape perfectly.

    Getting a tattoo is a big deal! And my process is not right for everyone. I strongly encourage you to go with your gut. If looking at my gallery makes your body feel calm and like you would be stoked to get the drawing I make from your idea, we're a match! If not being able to see the design beforehand doesn't feel right for you, that's ok! I encourage you to find an artist whose design process feels good for you.

  • YES!

    I love botanical pieces of all sizes, but am super stoked to make 'em real big! I am love abstract and texture pieces, and love mixing up representational and abstract imagery. I also enjoy doing fonts, large blackouts, negative space, and funny things! I tend to make large, bold, and high contrast, contradictory, and silly tattoos.

    I am happy to tattoo lettering from around the world, but only on those it directly relates to (ie. I will only tattoo Chinese characters on Chinese people/Chinese Americans. Or Hindi on Indian people, etc.)

    Not so much:

    Fineline/very small, or watercolor style. There are so many good tattooers who do these styles!

  • Pricing:

    Tattoos are priced by the piece for single sessions (anything less than 3 hours) and $200 is my hourly rate for anything more than 3 hours.

  • Consultations:

    Cancellations must be made 48 hours in advance. No shows are anything later than 15 minutes to your appointment start time.

    Tattoo Appointments:

    There is a $100 non-refundable deposit required to schedule your appointment. The deposit is deducted from the final cost of your tattoo. You may reschedule your appointment once with at least 48hours notice (an email or text with a time stamp.) To reschedule a second time, I require another $100 deposit.

    Last minute Cancelation and No-Show Policy for tattoo appointments:

    If you cancel in less than 48 hours or no-show your appointment, I will charge you in full for the time booked, at my hourly rate of $200.

    No shows are anything later than 15 minutes to your appointment start time.

Michelle

“working with Frankie was fantastic! she made the who process really easy. Frankie Oakes is friendly, safe, fun and creative artist to work with. I will definitely be returning to her for more ink.”