Hello!

Im Iris, and I am the owner of Song Dog Studios and full time resident artist. I am born and raised on the Monterey Peninsula and currently call the beautiful Carmel Valley home.

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I am a Mama, lifelong artist and maker, lover of nature and entrepreneur. I came into tattoo later in life at 42, fulfilling a dream I've had since I was 14. It has felt like a homecoming. Nothing else has ever felt so intuitive, and like a remembering.

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To me, tattoo is healing. It marks important stages of our journey, and is often trauma alchemy. Tattoo moves energy, and in my work I dive deep into honoring this. Sometimes it feels as though I am actually pulling a design out from under the skin. Something that has been waiting for its right time to be revealed, instead of marking it into the skin.

 

I believe that tattoo is a sacred remembering and powerful right of passage for different stages in our journey. Holding this space in co-creation, and sometimes in community with others, is an important part of my work and what I strive to create in my studio. I have pulled other like minded artists into the studio to carry this energy together.

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My designs frequently represent energy movement and portals. I am attracted to ornamental design, nature and celestial design. The moon is a frequent visitor in my work as well.

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Marking our bodies with intention, in the slow, quiet process of handpoke is an honor to share with you.