Ms. Mikki
I began my professional tattoo journey in 1987 under the ever kind and watchful eye of Professor Don Deaton of Sea Tramp Tattoo Co.
Bert and Julia Grimm. Annie and Carli.
Sea Tramp Tattoo began as one of Bert Grimm’s last shop endeavors. As the story goes, when Bert Grimm fell ill in 1977. Colonel Todd asked Don and Dave Orlowski, Colonel Todd’s nephew, to go to Portland to help run the shop. They were only supposed to come up to help for two years. However, Bert eventually sold the shop to Don and Dave under the agreement they retain the “Bert Grimm” name. Over time, he agreed the name needed to be changed. That is when Don named the shop “Sea Tramp Tattoo”, after one of Don’s favorite drawings of a seafaring temptress. Don stayed on and Dave went back to work at the shop on the Pike in Long Beach in 1980. Which is now owned and honored by Kari Barba.
So, many threads of history.
Bert Grimm passed away in 1985. He and his beloved wife Julia are buried next to each other in a plot just outside of Astoria.
We are fortunate in Portland to have such a rich history in the ever evolving Tattoo Story. If you have the time wander down to Sea Tramp Tattoo (thee oldest tattoo shop in Portland), and get tattooed.
That being said, I am beyond thrilled to have begun my tattoo history with who I did and in this particular city.
Here’s my online portfolio.
Please take a gander. The pieces I showcase here, will hopefully convey to you the wide range of techniques, styles that I am capable of doing.
Thanks to all my clients for offering me their never ending ideas and inspiring me to push my boundaries as an artist. I would not be able to do what I do if it were not for you.
To Professor Don Deaton, thank you with all my heart, for showing me the way. Much love and respect.
