A woman with long blonde dreadlocks, dressed in black, sitting on a moss-covered stone wall in a lush, green forest with tall trees and a flowing river in the background.
  • Keisha is deeply inspired by Southeast Asia, Yoga, Bellydance, Art nouveau & mehndi.

    Keisha studies Buddhist philosophy, Hinduism ,Quantum meditation/ mechanics ,and has a devoted path to Yoga & Bellydance.

    With that being said her style has all the love in the details when it comes to creative freedom. Bold, Black , and Beautiful flowy shapes that adorn the bodies canvas. Keisha also loves dainty ornamentals and mehndi flows , similar to henna.

    She is also know for her bold color saturation and blends.

    Tattooing since 2008, Keisha would like to make freehand, large scale ornamental and mehndi body suits a goal fulltime.

    Keisha also enjoys art nouveau, nature motifs, tattooing deities or demons , flames, clouds, fire, and eyes.

    She would prefer to keep tattooing flowy shapes to fit the skin , but can also incorporate

    Hands , eyes flames , clouds, lady faces, deities, goddesses , psychedelic influence, florals , dancers, yogis ,botanicals , suns, moons and esoteric subject matter incorporated in the vision.

    Keisha just loves connecting with her clients , and creating a magical experience, so if any of his is resonating - just reach out and let the destiny unfold !

  • Tattooing can be therapy for some people, and can be extremly painful for others.

    I want to create a space for you to have the most comfortable sitting.

    If you prefer to chat to be distracted through the pain, and can do so without moving (especially your hands or face ) then I am open to do so.

    If you are someone that needs headphones ,then do so!

    When I get tattooed , I bring a pillow and a scarf to throw over my face and headphones to meditate and get into a place. Sometimes I really want to get to know the artist though , so I try my best to do the chatting in spurts or before the session .

    I don’t ever want my clients to feel ignored or bored, so I want to do what is best to keep you sitting for prolonged hours and entertained !!

    I am methodical and have my process down pat so I am very efficient . However, I never rush my process.

    Sometimes free handing or stenciling can take hours before the tattooing process can even begin. please be aware that my full days consist of taking a break for the restrooms, stretching, give my eyes a break, eating, and drinking.

    DRAWING PROCESS

    You can reread “when can I see my design?”

    Between work life balance tattooing 6+ hours a day and designing each evening , I do not have time for each person to see a design.

    If you like my work, please allow this creative freedom so that I can do my best to work without being put in a tight box where I doubt and question my technique. If you are someone who needs constant guidance - or are picky about every little detail and aspect of your tattoo , then maybe I am not the right fit. My designs will always look like my portfolio and can only grow with the trust and confidence in choosing me to do the tattoo, with love.

  • In order to book an appointment with me, I require to schedule a free consultation first (over phone or in person) to discuss the project/concept. From there, we decide if I am the best artist for the project. I do not take on every project that is brought to me, I only take on concepts that are best suited for my artistic style and If I don’t feel best for the concept I will refer you to someone!

    If our visions align and we both decide to move forward in the booking process, I require a non-refundable deposit of $150. This deposit goes toward the tattoo and is taken off of the final appointment!

    I only allow 2 reschedules per despot before requiring a new deposit .

    If starting a large project, I ask that you book the first 3 sessions (at least 6 weeks apart).

    I take you tattoo request very serious and I ask for the same reciprocal energy.

  • Half days 700.00

    Full Days 1100

    My rates are typically between 150-175 an hour.

    During our consultation, I see what is best fit for the tattoo, or tattoo project.

    I want my tattoos to be accessible, so if you are working with a budget please still inquire ! I would love to see what I can do to accommodate.

    Please only book what you can afford per session , or what you can sit for time wise !

    I take 150 deposit to put you on my calendar. I only allow 2 reschedules per deposit, before I take another deposit.

    I take your request to be tattooed very serious, I ask for the same reciprocal energy.

Learn about my process

My policies

By submitting your deposit, you acknowledge and agree to these terms


  • I take a non refundable deposit of 150.00 to book an appointment with a design we consulted about .

    This 150.00 will be applied to your last sitting.

    I only allow 2 reschedule per deposit before requiring another deposit .

    Please read separate info about “design changes” or “reschedules and cancellations “

  • You may reschedule up to two times as long as I am given 48-72 hours notice and I will transfer your deposit to the new date. If less than 48-72 hours notice, the deposit will be forfeited and a new deposit will be required to rebook.

    I only allow 2 reschedules before a new deposit is required.

    If you don’t not show up to your appointment without notice your deposit will be forfeited and I will not tattoo you moving forward.

    As your artist, I reserve the right to reschedule appointments any time at my discretion. This may occur due to participation in tattoo conventions, emergencies, or unforeseen circumstances. If I need to reschedule your appointment your deposit will be transferred to the new date.

  • Please arrive on time, if you are more than 15 min late your appointment may need to be rescheduled.

    Make sure you eat a good meal for dinner the night before and for breakfast the morning of your appointment. This will keep you energy up and prevent lightheadedness.

    Wear comfortable clothing that gives easy access to the area being tattooed. Dark clothing is preferred to avoid ink stains.

    Avoid alcohol, drugs, blood thinners or excessive caffeine for at least 24 hours before your appointment.

    Arrive clean and well groomed and avoid heavy fragrances or lotions on the area being tattooed.

    You are welcome to bring guests :-)

    Be prepared to fill out paperwork and bring your legal ID and be 18 years + of age .

    Feel free to bring snacks, water bottles, headphones, sunglasses,kindles, books, handheld gaming, or your favorite blanket or fuzzy socks. I want you to feel comfortable and at home :-)

    My goal is to give you the best tattoo experience possible, so come prepared, comfortable and trust the process <3

  • I am typically between 150 -175.00 an hour

    I have 150.00 minimum

    I do half day rates for 700.00

    And full day rates 1100.00

    Pricing is something we can discuss during your consultation.

    I want my tattoos to be accessible, so if you are working with a budget please still inquire ! I would love to see what I can do to accommodate.

    Please only book what you can afford per session , or what you can sit for time wise !


  • KeishaNicoleAtelier@gmail.com

    @KeishaNicole.tattoo - New Portfolio

    @KeishaNicoleTattoo - HACKED ACCOUNT portfolio purposes only.

    Founder and Artist of Dark Nouveau Tattoo

    244 N E Franklin ave suite 3

    Bend Oregon 97701

  • My books stay open, and here’s how to book!

    Booking Online - Id love for you to book a consult , and we take it from there.

    Most tattoos require a consult <3

    I will be taking on selective custom projects each booking cycle to ensure the appropriate time it takes to design these , while still balancing personal art <3

    Never hesitate to reach out, as my interests are always growing !

    I choose clients based on my interest in the requested subject matter, if our communication styles feel compatible, and if you have a realistic budget for the piece (pricing info below).

    An in person consultation is always preferred , however I can accommodate a Phone Consult for those traveling long distance!

  • For MOST appointments the design is ready the day of the appointment , and there is enough time to edit the design in person together

    ( please read design changes).

    If you are getting a backpiece or Sleeve- something large and complicated , I will schedule 2nd and 3rd consults prior to your appointment.

    Please consider my life outside of tattooing, teaching dance and having a home with loved ones.I typically book a 4 months to a year or so out, so every project is complex and can take a lot out of me. I have a strict system that ensures me to not burn out and make everyones tattoo special with putting love in the details.

    Please make sure you are choosing me with total trust , as this is team work ♡ I tattoo 8 hour days, and design the night/ morning prior or days leading up to your appointment.( depending on size) Large scale projects sometimes take me a month to design

  • I will allow 2 minor design changes after viewing your illustration that are within 15 mins of change time.

    Anything longer or more complex requires me to redesign and then re study my color palette , my shapes, and my light sources.

    These changes are totally fine however they will require us to RESCHEDULE and NEW DEPOSIT will be taken.

    It is only fair I get paid to draw. Thank you for understanding what it takes to make this perfect for the both of us to be happy with the illustration and for us to work in harmony with one another <3

  • What does all this tattoo terminology mean!?

    All this info is never to scare one away with a book of offerings to read however, this allows you to understand the process !

    Creative Freedom -

    Being micro-managed in art takes away the freedom to create whatever comes to the mind while drawing. To make a readable - legible- cohesive design one must stay within the “rules” of art that apply when it comes to technical application, composition, color, value, light source, etc .

    A straightforward idea makes for a readable design.

    Example-a Buddha face with lotus.

    A lady face with florals

    A Tibetan tiger with flames

    a peony with black work ornamental motifs.

    Anything more then 3 Elements per tattoo , becomes a whole other tattoo.

    PreDrawn

    These are designs or tattoos I’ve already drawn and colored and are ready to be tattooed with zero changes! This is what I spend my free time curating in hopes of getting the opportunity to tattoo.

    Freehand

    This is one of my favorite approaches , however it usually takes repeat clientele or trust. I just draw on the skin and you let me do my thing. Period!

    Custom Tattoos

    Custom tattoos are all your ideas, and I make something from them! As amazing as this process can be , and the teamwork that it takes between the two of us ( sometimes even my mentors chime in on designing ) This can be extremely taxing and difficult to accomplish unless appropriate time is planned.

    It takes about 2-8 hours to design the average tattoo. For large scale projects - I usually spend a few days researching references. Planning my layout and composition for the project. Then I spend days drawing it. Once I have a good foundation and framework for the tattoo I come up with a color palette, a mood, the lighting and the emotion that can then go into this piece. This is why designing things can be so complicated when you have so many variables of being told exactly what to do because its the most meaningful.

    I want to give you those meaningful tattoos and experiences, but I also want my tattoos to be readable, age well, and keep me interested to do my best!


  • Serious Inquires Only

    For multi session tattoos,I schedule a minimum of 3 appointments every 4 -6 weeks. I only take on large scale if the client is willing to commit to the sitting and expense it takes to finish the project. Due to progressing as an artist daily , my styles grow and we want the project you are collecting to look as cohesive as possible without a lot of break time in between appointments. This ensures the tattoo settles the best way it can , as well as keep my interest in the project. Please understand taking on a large tattoo requires a budget as well as mental strength and good health!

    I love a client who wants to smash out back to back full day sessions, and get progress done done done.

    Please consider how your year will look with continuous healing.

    please budget correctly as your days will be 700-1100 every time .

    I will only take those on with large deposits and seriousness around the commitment it truly takes to do this !

    please only ever book what you can handle pain wise what you can afford time was.

  • Aftercare

    I prefer all of my clients to use Second Skin ♡ Dermalize ♡Saniderm ♡ Tegaderm

    to heal their tattoos.

    This ensures it to heal flawlessly and not loose any details

    Second skin is a Wound dressing that causes the tattoo to heal as a contusion instead of an abrasion, what that means is that; it is healing the wound using your own plasma ( that yucky soupy stuff)

    The wound dressing is breathable ( unlike saran wrap that creates a sweaty wet reservoir )so your good!

    Leave this bandage on 5 to 7 days

    Only change after 24HOURS IF plasma is stuck in the bandage and hasn’t dried. Please come back to studio for a change, or

    Remove bandage , clean with antibacterial soap. Dry tattoo as good as possible , re apply second skin and leave on remainder of the days.

    That plasma soup stuff is great for your tattoo, you only want to change the dressing if there’s to much that cant dry underneath !!!!

    Do not be alarmed that there is liquid, you got tattooed for hours and this is completely part of this healing process.

  • I get this a lot because I am vegan and so are a lot of my clientele. My entire process is Vegan ♡ Cruelty Free . I do not use petroleum based products , or beeswax. I used a vegetable based Thermal Transfer as well as soap less razors. I also make sure every ink company I use is Vegan and Cruelty Free

    ♡Dan Kubin &Fk Irons Machine ♡ Eternal, Fusion,World Famous, and Solid Ink as well as Dynamic and intenze ♡Ink Eeze lubricant , Stencil stuff Applicator and Spray♡Second skin /Dermalize Aftercare Product

"I chose the path of this career because it allows me to operate outside of the typical colonial and bureaucratic systems that are set in place for this “matrix” The Taboo act of tattooing itself is radical and aligns with my moral compass and passions.”