Last month, Viola Armitsead celebrated her “tattooversary” in Anchorage, marking her third year in the industry.
“I’ve always loved to make things,” Armitstead said. “Even when I was a little kid I loved finger painting, building forts and drawing pretty girls in fun outfits with my glitter pens.”
Their art style lends itself to American-traditional tattoo style, featuring bold, black lines and bright colors, from a pin-up alien cowgirl to a psychedelic buffalo with three eyes.
Armitstead is part of an uptick of young artists entering the tattooing scene. Earlier this year, the Alaska Current reported on Anchorage’s growing tattoo scene; as of March 2023, there were 214 active licensed tattoo artists in Alaska, with 39 active tattoo apprentices.
She began working the counter at a shop with a close friend, Ariel the Tattooer, who works at Brightside Tattoo in south Anchorage, a shop that recently just celebrated a year in business.
“Since my days working the front counter I’ve felt that the other tattooers in Alaska have always been very warm and welcoming to me,” Armitstead said. “From little art nights to running into each other at shows, I feel there is a strong support for each other as artists and individuals.”
Armitstead currently works at Black Heart Club Tattoo in downtown Anchorage alongside mentor and owner Brie Sladen, and artist Kevin Taylor. The three artists previously worked together at different Anchorage tattoo shop before Black Heart Club Tattoo opened in early 2022.
“I’ve learned so much under their guidance and I’ve loved every second,” Armitstead said. “Building our shop together has been such a journey and watching the walls fill with art over time is so rewarding.”
This summer, Armitstead partnered with Van’s Dive Bar for their annual anniversary show and tattooed a custom flash piece all day on artists, musicians and regulars: a heart with an arrow through it, titled “Vans.”
“The community I met through the music scene continues to be one of my biggest supporters. I felt so much gratitude from my community,” Armitstead said.
Armitstead has an upcoming solo show on Oct. 6 from 5-8 p.m. at Ravens Ring Brewing Company, their first First Friday event since they started tattooing.
“It’s been really fun working on some larger scale paintings and mixed media pieces,” Armitstead said. “I can’t wait for people to see what I’ve been working on!”
Sam Davenport is a writer residing in Anchorage. She's a leo and a plant-person, and loves spending quality time with her dog, Aspen. She is a Real Housewives fan and has been called a Bravo historian.
