Ziggy, Tattoo Artist from Tacoma, WA
What mediums do you use for your art?
I am primarily a tattoo artist, using both machine and handpoke techniques. I also paint acrylic realism
portraits and create digital cartoons in my free time.
What is your core inspiration for your art?
I am inspired by the floral and fauna of the PNW, as well as the unique individuals in the LGBTQ+
community.
What do you think your role as an artist is in the community?
In tattooing, I prioritize creating a consent-based and accessible environment where anyone can feel
comfortable. It’s important to me that people have an artist they can trust to advocate for them and
deliver quality work. I strive to provide an experience that leaves clients feeling empowered and more
at home in their bodies.
What would you like to see happen in the art world to include the LGBTQ+ community more?
I’d love for LGBTQ+ individuals to confidently enter art spaces, knowing they will feel welcome. This
can be achieved through more inclusive language, gender-neutral restrooms, and accessibility
accommodations for disabled LGBTQ+ individuals. These aspects are often lacking in community arts
events.
How has art impacted your life?
Art has been a lifelong outlet for expressing my experiences as a trans person, celebrating and
connecting with the LGBTQ+ community and gaining confidence as an artist.
Who are your favorite artists?
Rebecca Sugar, a queer cartoonist and animator, greatly inspires my visual art. Their work in cartoons
like Steven Universe and Adventure Time has been influential. Doug Martsch from Built To Spill has
impacted me and the PNW music scene with his support of smaller local bands. Kimya Dawson is
another artist who advocates for all communities, particularly disabled folks who are often overlooked.
What does it mean to be a queer artist to you?
In the face of efforts to erase the queer community (especially the trans community), simply existing as
a queer non-binary artist is a form of protest and resistance. It’s essential for queer people to continue creating and coming together to voice our experiences through art and music.
