Dec 15, 2016
By Christy Brooker, owner of Damask Tattoo and Laughing Buddha Tattoo & Bodypiercing.
I started working at a tattoo studio right out of high school in 1997. I knew I wanted to be an artist, but the wannabe punk rocker in me didn’t want to work for The Man. I realized in my senior year that doing tattoos was a way to make living in art, be super cool, and probably popular.
Despite my attempts over the years to look like a badass, I’ve been told by several people that I’ll never lose the innocent and friendly look that I was born with. Only time will tell.
I worked at the studio in my hometown of Missoula, Montana for a few years. After completing a tattoo apprenticeship, I realized the town was way too small for the big dreams of my 21-year-old self, so I started planning my move to the big city!
In 2001, I arrived in Seattle and tattooed at several amazing studios in the area before opening my own in 2009. Damask Tattoo was born out of my desire to create a tattoo studio that was warm, welcoming and friendly – a space with a vibe more spa than biker parlor. Damask calls upper Queen Anne home and is well known for being the all-women tattoo studio. But not everyone here is, or identifies as, women. We hold an inclusive environment with a feminine touch.
When the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity arose to purchase the 20-year-old landmark on Capitol Hill, Laughing Buddha Tattoo & Body Piercing I jumped at the chance! Laughing Buddha has always been a woman-owned studio, and we were excited to keep it that way. The people at Laughing Buddha are incredibly kind and welcoming. We’re planning a complete makeover coming in the new year and we invite everyone to come take a look.
It’s very important to me to be a member of GSBA because I can’t possibly keep up with all the changes in laws or threats to equality that would affect us all. It makes me feel good to be a member of an organization that does and can. I am also a very proud member of SEW, GSBA’s Seattle Entrepreneurial Woman group. I look forward to meeting with SEW every month to gain inspiration and keep up with the latest changes in laws and business. It’s also a monthly reminder that we’re not alone and that there are other women business owners who are happy to help or just grab a cup of coffee and talk about the hilarity of owning a business.
I feel incredibly lucky to live and work in Seattle. This is my home and will be for a very long time. During this season especially, I feel honored, humbled and blessed to curl up to the warmth of the Seattle people. This is such a beautiful and accepting city. It’s good to be a part of something bigger and know that we’re all working hard to keep Seattle inclusive and safe. Happy, whatever holiday, if any, you celebrate and I wish you a prosperous and joyful new year!
