Meet Ivy Hunter

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ivy Hunter a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Ivy, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.

It’s been six years since I started my tattoo journey, but even now I’m not sure I’ve fully overcome the looming imposter syndrome. However, that feeling is the smallest it’s ever been, and I can already see the mass of progress I’ve made since the beginning. I gained most of my artistic confidence during college (2018-2022) where I learned the principles of art through various media, history classes, and critiques. In terms of sanitation -the most important aspect of the tattoo process- I’ve established my self-esteem through hours of research, a bloodborne pathogens certification, and with the first aid knowledge I gained during my four years of lifeguarding (2014-2018). The state I’m based in has their own parameters, plus my understanding of the standards of sanitation established in the Western tattoo industry. The business side of my tattoo confidence came through trial and error, hours of drawing, research, and practice, along with guidance from tattooist peers and experts throughout the years. I’ve learned and experienced the most since my growth after establishing my LLC in 2023, and I am so proud of how far I’ve come not only as a tattooist, but as an artist and businessperson.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I am a tattoo artist based in Idaho who specializes in handpoked tattoos. My favorite thing about my job is creating a custom piece of art, and working closely with the client to ensure they have just what they want. I do create flash, but most projects are a collaborative effort, which is fun because I get to meet individuals with all kinds of backgrounds. It’s a joy to help clients create a piece of art on their body they can love forever, whether it’s sentimental, placed to cover or accentuate something on their body helping them feel more confident, or just as an exciting form of self expression.
I specialize in linework and stippling, and I’ve been slowly branching into color and blackwork. Themes and imagery in my tattoos usually include stars, flowers, animals, and nondescript forms. I also love creating lettering, portraits, and combining machine and handpoke disciplines.
I officially started my business in 2022, Poked to Pieces LLC, and I have been learning handpoke style since 2018 (machine since 2020). I work in a home studio as it’s more comfortable for many of my queer and female clients. I offer a sliding scale for Trans, disabled, and BIPoC individuals because I think it’s important that tattoos are accessible especially to people who identify with historically underrepresented and marginalized groups. I happily offer scar coverups, and old handpoke coverups done unprofessionally in the past, as well as free touchups on my own work.
I’ve tattooed at several events in the Boise area such as Fusion Exposition, Grrl Rave, and a halloween party at No New Vintage. I currently don’t have any upcoming events, but I am looking forward to more in the future. Next steps for me as a business owner include further branding, saving for a better studio space, and looking into getting licensed in other states.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

At this stage in my career, I believe that the application of art fundamentals, consistency in the steps of setup and breakdown, and self-preservation are the three most important skills to train as a tattooist. When designing a tattoo, two critical things to think about artistically are composition and contrast. I still have a long way to go before mastery, but with these fundamentals in mind, I’ve seen my tattoos improve greatly over the years. I advise new tattooists to draw as much as possible, especially in the early stages, to hone these skills. When setting up and breaking down, every step of PPE, standard precautions, and sanitation matter. It’s best to learn how to do it right from the start, and practice until it becomes second nature. Tattooists are responsible for the client’s and their own safety, so it’s imperative that consistency is prioritized so you can easily focus on making a great tattoo. In terms of self-preservation, I mean this physically and mentally. I am the artist but also the receptionist, bookkeeper, social media manager, and more. I find so much value in self-preserving by making sure I take care of my needs, schedule my weeks out to manage stress, try to exercise and stretch as much as possible, and value rest. Now that I have my dream job, the last thing I want is burnout, so putting myself first in these ways allows me to do my absolute best. Starting a business of any kind can be so daunting, but also one of the most empowering and freeing things you can do as well. I don’t feel like a replaceable cog being overworked and underpaid like I did for years in the workforce. Instead I get to put my art degree to use pretty much immediately after earning it, and make sick tattoos for wonderful folks.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

I do artist collaborations, I’ve tattooed a few events, and sometimes do service trades! For a couple years, I’ve worked with various friends and artists who create a flash sheet of their own art, and I promote and tattoo the pieces! These projects are fun because it helps artists in the community boost their platform while I get to practice my craft. Part of the payment for the tattoo goes to the artist who drew the flash, so they get to earn money off their amazing work too! I’m open to more of these inquiries, especially if they’re local. As my business expands, I’m looking for more queer, women-run, and arts centered events to be a part of, similar to Grrl Rave and Fusion Exposition in Boise. Lastly, I love trading tattoos for goods or services when I can. I’ve done several which have resulted in me getting some incredible terrariums, haircuts and color, hand-crochet cardigans, and beautiful handmade ceramic jewelry. I’m always open to discussing trades, and as an interdisciplinary artist, I encourage artists of any kind to reach out to me! My email is pokedtopiecestattoo@gmail.com, and my direct messages are always open on Instagram.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: pokedtopieces
• Other: Email: pokedtopiecestattoo@gmail.com

Image Credits

Fusion Exposition
Grrl Rave