ABOVE: private studio I currently tattoo at with Alicia Lyter
BELOW LEFT: Receiving a dope seashell book from a friend when I worked at Built to Last 2 in East York
BELOW LEFT: Receiving a dope seashell book from a friend when I worked at Built to Last 2 in East York
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ABOVE: Tattooing at Think Ink in Woodland Hills.CA
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Tattooing at Dogwood Studios in Ventura.CA
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Tattooing at Freedom Gallery in Lancaster.PA
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Tattooing in Wisconsin
....my full name is actually Ignes Vigilato. People have called me Ina since I was a kid. Easier to say I guess. I spent my childhood growing up on Pleasant Lake in Wisconsin with my Mom and summers on a remote island in Alaska called Loring, which was located in Naha Bay, with my Dad. I wasn't exposed to tattoo culture at all, really, however, my unique surroundings definitely shaped me to be the curious and creative person I am today.
My apprenticeship began in 2002 at Rock City Tattoo in Rockford, IL. There I worked with Jon Kenny, Rosemary Ognibene, and Paul Natale. These guys are incredible artists and I am so thankful for them helping me out as an apprentice. After 2 years, I left Illinois and moved out east for the first time...right here in Lancaster, PA. I was hired by Chris Hall and Rod Graybill of SkinTonz Tattoo Studio. At the time there were only 3, maybe 4 shops in Lancaster and I was really grateful that these two welcomed me to their studio, which was new in itself. The type of work they were doing blew my mind. I had very strict rules as an apprentice of what I was allowed to do, (for good reason), and when I moved to this new shop these two were doing the type of work I only saw in tattoo magazines...I was really humbled that I got to work next to such talent and watch them create. I learned a lot in such a short amount of time that I was there. I felt very privileged to watch how these guys worked, treated their clients, and to watch their creative process unfold. Working at SkinTonz is still by far my most cherished time in tattooing. I stayed in Lancaster for a total of 7 years...three of which included working at That Piercer Girl before I moved on to opening up my own studio, Freedom Gallery Tattoo.
After 3 years of owning Freedom, I decided to move out west. I sold the studio and moved to Oxnard, CA. I started out at Neuma Studios until I found an all female shop in Ventura, CA, called Dogwood Studio. It was a beautiful space. Ventura is a rad little beach community and lovely place. A little over a year went by and Dogwood closed for renovations and I decided yet again it was time for me to move on. I moved south to the valley and started to tattoo at Think Ink Tattoos and Body Piercing on Ventura Blvd in Woodland Hills. There I worked with Christian Halteman, Chespy, Debbie, and Leo Martinis. Christian and I both drove air-cooled VW's, and he was also from PA, like 20 minutes away from where I had lived. We had mutual friends that we both had still kept in touch with. Small world. He became like a big brother to me instantly and I learned a lot from Christian about tattooing. It was him that actually encouraged me to pursue my dreams of traveling. So, after a year at Think Ink I made it happen. I started traveling and tattooing full time. I did this for about a year and a half. Every time I made trips to PA I would end up being here longer than I had anticipated. I would plan a trip here for 2 weeks, and then up staying for 2 months. I decided to make PA my home and I left the Midwest, where I currently was staying the past 3 months near my hometown. Even though my time in the Midwest was brief, it was truly another one of my most cherished times as well. I learned a lot, definitely the most significant amount in such a short period of time. I was sad to leave the Midwest, but knew I wanted to be back on the east coast.
It's strange, sometimes, how that happens....you live in a space for a period of time...and then leave. For the longest time I pushed away the idea of moving back to PA. I would say things like, "it would be like if Frodo returned to the Shire!" "There's too much adventure out there to stay in one place," I would say. I cannot really pinpoint an instance, or grand epiphany, but when I moved back, I just knew it felt right. A great and wonderful person I know put it very simply, "sometimes when you leave home and return, people look at your adventure from the outside and measure it as "success" or "failure," when in all actuality, it's about gaining experience and learning about who we are, whether we leave our hometown or not." There is always space to grow....and for me, you can find me these days deeply rooted in Lancaster soil at The Lancaster Trophy House Business Center, a family owned and operated business where the first floor is entirely dedicated to making trophies and other beautiful awards. The 2nd and 3rd floors have suites rented out to various talented people creating all sorts of unique works of art and business. It is a private studio that is by appointment only.
The space is created for those who want larger scale work. Re-working older tattoos and cover-ups are also something I really enjoy. I am mostly known for my color work, however, I am loving black and gray and have a few large projects in the works that I have yet to reveal. Please look at my portfolio and if you feel that my style of artwork is a good fit for you, I encourage you to make an appointment for a consultation.
Looking forward to creating with you!
~ *ina
My apprenticeship began in 2002 at Rock City Tattoo in Rockford, IL. There I worked with Jon Kenny, Rosemary Ognibene, and Paul Natale. These guys are incredible artists and I am so thankful for them helping me out as an apprentice. After 2 years, I left Illinois and moved out east for the first time...right here in Lancaster, PA. I was hired by Chris Hall and Rod Graybill of SkinTonz Tattoo Studio. At the time there were only 3, maybe 4 shops in Lancaster and I was really grateful that these two welcomed me to their studio, which was new in itself. The type of work they were doing blew my mind. I had very strict rules as an apprentice of what I was allowed to do, (for good reason), and when I moved to this new shop these two were doing the type of work I only saw in tattoo magazines...I was really humbled that I got to work next to such talent and watch them create. I learned a lot in such a short amount of time that I was there. I felt very privileged to watch how these guys worked, treated their clients, and to watch their creative process unfold. Working at SkinTonz is still by far my most cherished time in tattooing. I stayed in Lancaster for a total of 7 years...three of which included working at That Piercer Girl before I moved on to opening up my own studio, Freedom Gallery Tattoo.
After 3 years of owning Freedom, I decided to move out west. I sold the studio and moved to Oxnard, CA. I started out at Neuma Studios until I found an all female shop in Ventura, CA, called Dogwood Studio. It was a beautiful space. Ventura is a rad little beach community and lovely place. A little over a year went by and Dogwood closed for renovations and I decided yet again it was time for me to move on. I moved south to the valley and started to tattoo at Think Ink Tattoos and Body Piercing on Ventura Blvd in Woodland Hills. There I worked with Christian Halteman, Chespy, Debbie, and Leo Martinis. Christian and I both drove air-cooled VW's, and he was also from PA, like 20 minutes away from where I had lived. We had mutual friends that we both had still kept in touch with. Small world. He became like a big brother to me instantly and I learned a lot from Christian about tattooing. It was him that actually encouraged me to pursue my dreams of traveling. So, after a year at Think Ink I made it happen. I started traveling and tattooing full time. I did this for about a year and a half. Every time I made trips to PA I would end up being here longer than I had anticipated. I would plan a trip here for 2 weeks, and then up staying for 2 months. I decided to make PA my home and I left the Midwest, where I currently was staying the past 3 months near my hometown. Even though my time in the Midwest was brief, it was truly another one of my most cherished times as well. I learned a lot, definitely the most significant amount in such a short period of time. I was sad to leave the Midwest, but knew I wanted to be back on the east coast.
It's strange, sometimes, how that happens....you live in a space for a period of time...and then leave. For the longest time I pushed away the idea of moving back to PA. I would say things like, "it would be like if Frodo returned to the Shire!" "There's too much adventure out there to stay in one place," I would say. I cannot really pinpoint an instance, or grand epiphany, but when I moved back, I just knew it felt right. A great and wonderful person I know put it very simply, "sometimes when you leave home and return, people look at your adventure from the outside and measure it as "success" or "failure," when in all actuality, it's about gaining experience and learning about who we are, whether we leave our hometown or not." There is always space to grow....and for me, you can find me these days deeply rooted in Lancaster soil at The Lancaster Trophy House Business Center, a family owned and operated business where the first floor is entirely dedicated to making trophies and other beautiful awards. The 2nd and 3rd floors have suites rented out to various talented people creating all sorts of unique works of art and business. It is a private studio that is by appointment only.
The space is created for those who want larger scale work. Re-working older tattoos and cover-ups are also something I really enjoy. I am mostly known for my color work, however, I am loving black and gray and have a few large projects in the works that I have yet to reveal. Please look at my portfolio and if you feel that my style of artwork is a good fit for you, I encourage you to make an appointment for a consultation.
Looking forward to creating with you!
~ *ina
Ink for a Cause Tattoo Convention in Ventura.CA
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On the road in Rockford, IL
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Guest spot at Built to Last in York.PA
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