We are The Velvet Collective – a studio of self taught handpoke and
machine tattooers in Boston, comprised of @sugartatty, @ros_j_tats,
and @ktchnwnch. Even though not many tattooers were able to work as
much as we would have liked over the past year, we have seen some
incredible work made by other DIY tattooers and have been able to
appreciate the feelings of embodiment and community that come with
tattooing even more. Here are some of our favorite DIY tattooers in the
New England area and their favorite tattoos from the past year:

@vegan.ballgag

Esk is a self taught machine tattoo artist currently based in Hartford, CT

@prettyskinstickers

Caleb attempts to understand the reality of being through the use of
communication theatrical metaphor and precious adornment

@godstooth

godstooth is an artist and tattooer based in the northeast, on stolen
Pocomtuc land; their work is devoted to understanding death and birth
as inextricable, constant, and holy.

@rubydoom666

Ruby Nienna Doom is an organizer and artist living in the northeast.

@paopokes

pao (they/them) is a trans queerdo artist who believes in the magic of all
the little and big things we do to continue making a safe and warm
home in ourselves!

@beyon.wren.moor

beyon wren moor is a painter and handpoke tattoo artist living in
Pocomtuc. She is two-spirit and from Pimicikamak Cree Nation in
“northern manitoba”
Angels Collective is a multidisciplinary collective of queer & non-binary
artists and practitioners based in Providence, RI. Here are some
favorites from their resident tattoo artists.

@twoconestattoo

Hi I’m Jessa aka @twoconestattoo! I’ve been tattooing for almost three
years and am based in Providence, RI. I started handpoking DIY but
now co-own a licensed shop with my incredible studio mates: Angels
Collective. We’re looking forward to hosting guests from out of town and
celebrating our new space when it’s safe! I love my tattoo community so
much.

@shuuinn

I’m Becki, and I’m a Chinese-American queer/non-binary tattooer based
in Providence, RI. When I’m not tattooing, I’m walking dogs or playing
with my cat 🙂

@bbypokes

@ratboy_blue

Blue is an illustrator, machine tattooer and amateur baker living in RI.
Blue’s work is influenced by retro video games, fantastical forest hikes,
folk art and all the fun times in life. You can connect with them via IG or
Twitter @ratboy_blue, and visit their website bluewallick.com for other
work.