Our Tattoo Awards took place the night of May 13th, and what a night it was! Narragansett Brewery was packed with tattooers, tattoo-bearers, and folks who just rolled in to see what all the fuss was about. A line of hopefuls waited outside before it even began, looking to get free Hi-Neighbor ink. Tattoo models paraded around the room, showing off their tats for the public to vote on. Fine art from local illustrators hung on display. And a select few tattoo artists left with awards! Here’s some more intel about these talented people. Thanks to our hosts Steven Tefft and Sam Bryan, and thanks to you all for voting and coming by.
FAVORITE ANIME
Ryan Dowden – Dark Ritual Tattoo Studios
Dowden has been tattooing with a professional license for about a year, but has been at Dark Ritual Tattoo Studios for three. He loves Anime, and tells Motif he sees a lot of “Bleach, Demon Slayer, and Naruto.” When asked if he likes seeing his favorite anime characters go to flesh, he responds, “1000 percent.” You can find Dowden on his socials, by just, in his words, “Looking up my name. You’ll find me, just look for the ginger, you can’t miss it.” Easy enough! – Mara Hagen
FAVORITE DOG, FAVORITE CHARACTER, and FAVORITE COVERUP
Mike Decay – Blackstone Tattoo
Mike Decay has owned Blackstone Tattoo for 12 years, making friends and winning accolades in the process. A double winner for Favorite Dog and Favorite Character, Decay’s talent is as clear as the characters he replicates. The studio is currently looking for another artist, so reach out if interested in joining the team. Blackstone Tattoo is located at 476 Central Ave in Pawtucket. Call 401-315-7151. – Bobby Forand
FAVORITE INSECT
Cheri Zhou
Bugs, bugs, bugs! This winner is all about em’. Turns out though, she’s turning a new leaf, confessing to Motif that lately she’s been really into doing “fish tattoos. I’ve been really getting into drawing them. My favorite animal is the fish.” Swapping the land for the sea, I see. Follow Zhou’s amphibians through her insta @cherizhou – Mara Hagen
FAVORITE COLOR TATTOO
Giulia Davis – Blackstone Tattoo
Davis is very happy she won in this category because, she says, “It is my favorite thing to do. I love big bold bright colors, so it’s a good feeling.” She has been tattooing for almost a decade, which she comments, “Is a long, long time. A lot of tattooers drop out before that. Truly.” Looks like sticking it out does come with a pay-off, she is opening her own private studio in less than a month, called Death Ray Tattoo. Her style is inspired by anything and all horror, and she loves “all creatures. I love them all. All the classic monsters.” Keep an eye on her upcoming studio through her insta @giuliarosetattoo – Mara Hagen
FAVORITE TYPOGRAPHY/CALLIGRAPHY
Kat Devaney – Dark Ritual Tattoo Studio
Kat Devaney is a tattoo artist/body piercer at Dark Ritual Tattoo Studio in Woonsocket. She has been working there for three years and tattooing for five. She has built a loyal following and is on the receiving end of many customer compliments. Even Google’s AI Overview recognizes her skills, stating that users specifically mention her because of “her talent and positive interaction with customers.” But it presents this feedback in Arial, not the ornate, handcrafted font we know Kat would use. “Winning an award makes me feel proud in the moment but continues to keep me wanting to work harder,” she says of winning for Favorite Typography/Calligraphy. “It also shows me how lucky I am to have some really amazing clients.” Dark Ritual Tattoo Studio is located at 32 Main St in Woonsocket. Call 401-769-3384 to book an appointment – Bobby Forand
FAVORITE GEOMETRIC
Robert Young – Altered Image Tattoo
Young and his wife have been proprietors of Altered Images Tattoo for over twenty years. Capable in all genres, he prefers the skull and portrait work. Lots of geometrics in those areas! Man, just by taking a peek through his profile you can see the intricacy and spookiness of his work. See it for yourself on their insta @ alteredimagestattootattoostudio or book an appointment through alteredimagestattoostudio. com – Mara Hagen
FAVORITE LINEWORK
Sunny Ruiz – FINAO Ink
Ruiz, like many of his compatriots, has an affinity for tattooing anime and Kirbys. That makes sense for his win in this particular category, considering precision is crucial for those subjects. This is his first award, and he tells Motif he is excited. Ruiz says his future is “hopefully full of more awards. I’d also like to have my own shop. It’d be cool, just a little anime shop where we do different types of artwork from anime, different styles, and what not.” He also loves color work and black work. Want to get something immortalized on your body? Check out his work @sunnystattoos or his website sunnystattoos.com – Mara Hagen
FAVORITE SKULL
Emily Parker – Memento Tattoo
On her win, Parker feels “great.” She loves a traditional and neo-traditional skull, and has been tattooing for three years. Her work ranges from colorful Kirbys to dancing skeletons and tropical landscapes, to houses with chicken legs. Whatever the client wants, she does it with her own flair and style. Find Parker on her insta @emilytattoo_ – Mara Hagen
FAVORITE MYTHOLOGICAL
Luis Sanchez – Cloud 9 Tattoo
This cat really seems to be on Cloud 9 – at least his work is! From crazy skulls to hovering dogs and intricate roses, Sanchez does it all. His works definitely exist in the realm of the mythological. Looks like he’s a genius with coverups too, transforming one sad looking vortex girl into a mad skull portrait straight from your nightmares. Buckle up, and check out his work @ da_vinci_ink401 – Mara Hagen
FAVORITE VILLAIN/HORROR TATTOO
Thomas Harris – FINAO
Ink Harris has been tattooing for over 20 years and tells Motif he loves doing “The Simpsons. I would do anything Simpsons.” Turns out a lot of people like to mix horror and the popular comic comedy, according to Harris, “I’ve done Bart Simpson as a zombie before. That was awesome.” Such explains his win in this particular category — it takes talent to make something innocent scary! Perhaps it’s no coincidence he shares a name with the prominent horror write who penned Silence of the Lambs. If you’re looking for a decomposing Barney or radioactive Spongebob, you can find Harris on his insta @ThomasHarrisArt or his email ThomasHarrisArt@gmail.com. – Mara Hagen
FAVORITE TRADITIONAL
Mish – Bold and Old Tattoo Mish moved here from New York a few years ago and tells Motif that their introduction to tattooing “was originally in school. I just kept getting tattooed and seeing the freedom and culture of it, and wanted to do that.” Their style is colorful and combative; angsty and cartoonish – not a fan of thin lines, stating that, “Bold will hold.” Figures Mish works at Bold and Old Tattoo! You can find more Mish work on insta @mish.inks – Mara Hagen
FAVORITE NEW SCHOOL
Sarah Sherman – Witching Hour Tattoo
Sherman’s work feels like you stepped into a page from Alice in Wonderland. It has mythical and astronomical influences, with hints of flowers and statues. It does take on that Russian doll effect, for example, one of the tattoos featured on her socials is a strawberry full of cosmos. Sherman pulls it off with that new school flair that earned her this award. Check out more of her work on her insta @ ses.artt – Mara Hagen
FAVORITE PORTRAIT
Rachel WS – Rachel WS Fine Art Tattoos
Rachel WS has had a challenging year. A detached retina sidelined her for a month, putting her career and eyesight at risk. She persevered and returned to tattooing while paying close attention to her health. During her recovery, she submitted tattoos for Motif’s RI Tattoo Awards. Three were chosen as finalists. She won Favorite Portrait for a piece she did to memorialize her client Jen’s son, Rosh, who passed away at 22 from fentanyl in dabs he received from friends. Rachel invited Jen to the award show and brought her on stage for her acceptance speech. “It’s really tough to articulate what winning the award means to me,” she says. “I kind of have a hard time receiving pats on the back. I always feel like I can be better, and I am always striving to outdo myself. I’m extremely grateful for the votes I received, so I guess if I had to use one word to say how I feel, it’s grateful. This is the first portrait I’ve ever done, so I really hope this brings more work like that because I’d love to continue to improve!” Rachel WS’s studio is at 140 Boon St in Narragansett. Call 401-284-6169 to book an appointment – Bobby Forand
FAVORITE BLACK AND GRAY, FAVORITE ANIMAL, MOST VOTES OVERALL
Tara D’Agostino – Iron Lion Tattoo
It’s understandable that Iron Lion Tattoo outgrew their Cranston home recently and moved to a new studio in Warwick. Owner Tara D’Agostino is a frequent winner of Tattoo Awards and racked up another three this year, including Most Votes Overall. D’Agostino plans to put the bigger space to good use. She offers sound healing sessions for singles, couples, and small groups. She is looking to “collaborate with Reiki practitioners, cacao facilitators, yoga teachers, card readers, breathwork guides, workshop leaders, and anyone with a heart for healing, growth, and connection.” Her vision will make Iron Lion Tattoo a healing experience in addition to a tattoo studio. •
Iron Lion Tattoo is located at 1201 Post Rd in Warwick. A grand opening will take place at some point in the summer. Call 401-228-7669.– Bobby Forand
