Hi, I'm Kara!

I am an ambassador of excitement. My mission is to change the standards of service and care in the tattoo industry; giving you not only a beautiful tattoo, but a beautiful experience to go with it.    

This page contains info about me, plus my Commitment to Equity:

• Tattooing Melanated Skin
• Supporting the LGBTQ+ Community
• Accessibility Info 
• Anxiety and Mental Health Concerns 

After graduating, I studied art at Vancouver Island University for a year and then began a three year private apprenticeship with a local painter. 

In 2013 I began working in a tattoo and piercing shop, and in 2016 I found my opportunity to apprentice as a tattoo artist. I spent a year and a half shadowing my mentor and working hard on my illustration skills, before picking up my first tattoo machine in early 2018. 

I love to travel and to learn, and have attending tattoo conventions across BC and Alberta. I even travelled to Los Angeles for the first Explorer Women's Tattoo Summit in 2019! In 2024 I began co-hosted the Women's Tattoo Collective conference, and have presented at conferences too.

My tattooing home base is Nanaimo, and in 2024 I fulfilled my dream of opened my own private space: Rainbow Raptor Tattoo Studio! I also work in Victoria, BC one week a month, and I travel to Vancouver a couple of times a year too.  

• Favourite dinosaurs: Carnotaurus and Deinonychus. 
• Favourite Pokémon: Oshawott! (My sweet lil sea otter baby) 
• Favourite treat: Ice cream and macarons from Burnt Honey! 
• Favourite art medium: Besides tattooing, I love my Copic markers. 
• Favourite travel destination: Who could choose? Anywhere I can see or swim with a shark! 
• Favourite colour: Like, all of the blue and teal. All of it. Wait - is glitter a colour? 
• Favourite smells: I'm a Lush girl through and through. I love Pansy, and everything citrus or lavendar! 

On my days off you can probably find me at home with my wonderful husband, two corgis, and bunny, or hanging out with friends.

Now you know me a little better! 

 It's your artist's job to ensure that your tattoo is placed and sized appropriately for the design and for your skin type - but barring medical concerns, everybody can be tattooed. 

Though everyone can be tattooed, not everyone can confidently access tattoo spaces. My studio was designed with access, comfort, and flexibility in mind. Read on for a few examples and more info. 

Yes, even colour. I specialize in colourful tattoos, and am happy to offer colour work to anyone who wants it. If you've been denied colour tattoos in the past, I want to change that. 

To ensure that our relationship starts strong, I've included a spot to provide your pronouns and preferred name in my tattoo request form. (My pronouns are she/her.) I always prioritize working in spaces where queer folks will thrive and feel supported. My most frequent guest spots are at Tattoo Zoo, a queer and trans owned shop in Victoria. 

I also love to support the community financially whenever I can, donating to organizations like The Trevor Project and Trans Lifeline, as well as sponsoring vendor booths for emerging artists at local Pride events. I hope to continue expanding my financial support as my business grows.   

My goal in building Rainbow Raptor was to create a fully accessible space. I consulted with an accessibility planner as the studio was being built to ensure that the bathroom would be ideally setup for wheelchairs and a variety of needs.

Furniture weight: My tattoo table has a working weight of 700lbs, and has a step stool with a 500lb capacity. My guest chair is armless and has a capacity of 500lbs. 

Doorways: The front double doors open to 6 feet and the bathroom door to 3 feet. The bathroom door opens out into the studio, not into the bathroom. 

Bathroom: The bathroom has grab bars behind and on both sides of the toilet. (The left side bar can be moved up and out of the way) There is a 5 foot turning radius and no storage or floor clutter in that area. The sink is wall mounted and the pipe has a plastic cover. There is a small garbage bin next to the toilet, as well as a larger can in the corner under the sink. In case of a fall or emergency, the bathroom can be accessed from two different doors. 

Wheelchairs: You can park on cement next to the studio, with room for a side or back opening van. The distance from the parking space to the studio is under 20' over cement and paver stones. You can be tattooed in your chair (my tattoo table can be moved out of the room), or if you have a portable lift that you'd like to bring, you can transfer to the tattoo table which can lie flat or recline.      

Victoria appointments: Tattoo Zoo, my regular guest spot in Victoria, has details about their accessibility here.  

Mental health is important and tattooing can be a part of your self care, but it can also be challenging.

I have tattooed many people with anxiety and phobias triggered by needles and medical environments, and have always found communication to be the key. If something about the tattooing process might cause you stress and anxiety, please let me know during our consultation so that I can adjust my procedure to best help you manage your concerns.

Sometimes little things, like having me explain what I'm doing more (or less), a type of music, or a slower appointment with more breaks may be needed - and those are all things that I can offer you.    

If there is anything that I can do to make your time in the studio more comfortable, please let me know!