Meet Douglas Lopretto

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

Douglas, so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?

My optimism comes from a saying my grandmother used to always tell me, “never give up & never give in.” I grew up in a small town where I looked different from most and realized at an early age that I was gonna have to fight hard for anything and everything if I ever wanted to succeed or get out. I lived in my car and on friend’s couches in order to learn how to tattoo. Rather than giving up, I swore to myself that I would persevere and prove to others that I could make it. Most of all, I found my optimism and strength in simply wanting to be a better role model for my niece.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

Myself and Kyle Rybak opened up KSD & The Radio Room in 2020. We were open from 2020-2024. The space was the original WAMO building where Porky Chedwick brought rock ‘n’ roll to Pittsburgh as well as the first place to host non-segregated dances. For those four years we were a tattoo shop, music venue, art gallery, and charity space that focused on community. Kyle and I wanted to have a space where all felt welcome and also figure out a way to give back to the community. So we did just that, working with local organizations like WQED, Rivers of Steel, the Persad center, and all the local shelters. Every month we do a different flash event that would help local charities or provide toys and clothing for those in need during the holiday season. We moved towards the end of 2024 to Greenfield, which is where we reside now solely as KSD Tattoo. We no longer have an art gallery or music venue but still do tattoos in a welcoming atmosphere and still focus on being part of the community as much as possible through charity and events that the GCA put on. For example, we just did temporary tattoos on kids for the Greenfield Family Pride event as well as come up with their new logo. Our tattoo shop has 3 private booths, 1 open, and 3 different tiers of pricing and experience. This helps in making sure no one feels left out due to budget concerns. We all have different styles but all stem from traditionalism and most of us still use coil machines unless the tattoo requires a softer touch. All in all, we’re just a group of tattooers who like to give back to their communities through art, kindness, and solidarity.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

I learned how to tattoo from an old biker in a shop where most are now dead or in jail. I sold and sacrificed everything in order to tattoo, so failure wasn’t an option. It was hard, degrading at times, and frightening but it made me grow up really quick. Street smarts are almost just as valuable if not more than anything I ever learned from college. My skills as a tattooer came from constantly shadowing others , tracing everything I could get my hands on, and refusing to be intimidated by others. If I could give any advice to young artists it would be to listen to your mentor and surround yourself with people who are just as determined as you and passionate about the craft.

Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?

I was very fortunate to get into a strict traditional shop after less than a year after my apprenticeship where we were forced to draw/paint/clean if we weren’t tattooing. This made me care about the craft more and realize that it was something worth fighting for and not something to be taken for granted. That thought me the skills to be a better tattooer.
In life though, a few people taught me how to be a better human. Liz Kostandinu, Jerry Lyon, Jeffrey Ryan, Jon Engel, Ron Baraff, Shane Pilster, and Brooke Seman, all helped me come up with my plan for purpose. KSD means Kindness Solidarity Design, and with that we found a way to give back through tattooing and also change the face of tattooing. We pride ourselves on being nice, inclusive, and a group of artists always willing to try something out of our comfort zones. We welcome a good challenge and live for conversations from neighbors. As far as success goes, I’ve been tattooing for 20 years and I’ve survived by not being a one trick pony. I find the most success in the families I tattoo and the clients who became friends along the way. The truest currency is and will always be the energy we share.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://KSDtattoo.com
• Instagram: @ksd.412 @Ironlung80
• Facebook: KSD and the Radio Room
• Youtube: KSD & the Radio Room

Image Credits

All photos taken by Douglas Lopretto