Berkeleyside | Press
From Katie,
It's hard to believe that just a few months ago, Dark Water was merely a dream. Today, I'm feel like we’ve hit a small milestone – our first interview since opening our doors in November, and we couldn’t be more thrilled that its with our local paper, Berkeleyside.
We’re grateful to Mr. Dalton for coming by our space and crafting the above piece.
First off, I want to express my gratitude. This interview is a testament to the incredible support we've received from our clients, the Berkeley community, and the wider internet. We’re able to do what we do because of your support.
During the interview, I had the chance to share the story of how Dark Water came to be. From my daily jogs that led me to discover our perfect space, to the serendipitous meeting with building owners who envisioned a tattoo studio here – it felt like the stars aligned for us.
I also got to discuss my journey as a tattoo artist. From my film school days doing special effects makeup to tattooing my own legs to learn the craft. I shared how my husband Kento's encouragement played a crucial role in pursuing this passion, and how our different skills complement each other in running the studio.
We delved into my "suminagashi" style and the meaning behind our studio's name. I was able to highlight our talented team of six artists and the diverse styles we offer.
Most importantly, I had the opportunity to express my hope that through our work and our online presence, we can make tattooing more accessible and welcoming to people of all body types and skin tones.
This interview was more than just a feature about our studio; it was a chance to share our philosophy and vision with a wider audience. We're not just about creating beautiful tattoos (though we certainly strive for that!). We're about building a community, fostering creativity, and helping people express themselves through body art.
I can't wait for you all to read the full article. It's a wonderful snapshot of where we are now, and a reminder of how far we've come since that dusty, exhausting (but exhilarating!) build-out phase.
Thank you all for being part of this journey. Here's to many more milestones ahead!
Stay tuned for updates on when and where you can read the full interview. In the meantime, don't forget to follow us on Instagram for behind-the-scenes peeks, tattoo inspiration, and maybe a few more of those silly standoff videos!
With gratitude,
Katie
