eric hopkins
I developed a love for tattoos at a young age, practicing on myself and my friends in high school. After an excessive amount of trial and error, I began to seek out an apprenticeship. It was during that time that I began to take tattooing seriously. I knew I wanted to do good tattoos, and quickly discovered that was not an easy task! Something I learned from my early mentors has still stuck with me. Tattoos are a big deal. How good is good enough? For us to improve, something can always be learned, and always done better. I try to remember this and be conscious of it. With 7 years of experience, I’m still learning every day.
Much of my passion and inspiration comes from midwestern nature and traditional Japanese artwork and tattooing. I love drawing plants, animals, fungi, as well as ornamental waves and clouds. I love to tattoo specific species of any type of critter, I’m a nature nerd at heart!
I also believe tattooers have great power to make a difference in their communities. I think that power is heightened in the small city of Kankakee. We host fundraising events with guest artists throughout the year, so keep an eye out! Taking action on issues that affect us is not only our right but our duty to those in need. Tattooing for a good cause becomes that much more powerful.
If you want to get a hold of me or have any questions about the process of getting tattooed I can be reached through my Instagram or email. Consultations for a tattoo are always free! Though I am experienced in a range of styles, there are some tattoos that are outside of my capabilities. If you want something that I don’t feel like I can do I am happy to refer you to someone that can do the best job.
I hope by reading this bio you feel a sense of empowerment to seek out artists who truly love and care for what they do. You never have to settle for mistreatment, laziness, or ego in your artist. Feel free to stop in the shop any time to talk to us about your ideas or just look around! Take care and stay true to your heart.
Tattoos are like magic, and putting the most amount of care into each person's tattoo is something I take pride in. Your piece is just as important to me whether it’s a full back piece or a small walk-in tattoo and I do my best to ensure everyone feels that enthusiasm when getting work done by me.
My view on tattooing is greatly influenced by tattoo history, and the people who have mentored me along the way, not only teaching me technical application but the right and wrong attitudes to have towards tattooing. Tattooing is a craft, and a craft first and foremost. Part of mastering that craft is understanding that we have a job to do, and no tattoo artist should make you feel less than. We work for you! I strive to create an environment where my clients feel encouraged to voice their needs when it comes to their tattoo whether it’s the design, placement, or the tattooing process itself. It is a collaborative effort on both parts, a transfer of energy, and that’s what makes tattooing special to me.
As a queer non-binary person, I have experienced difficulty navigating many spaces in the tattoo world, and I recognize this as a problem for LGBTQ+ people and other minorities wanting to get tattooed. It can be intimidating and difficult to know you will feel welcome when walking into a tattoo shop. There’s no shortage of hatred and discrimination among us, and tattooing is no exception. I do my best to go out of my way to make sure all people feel safe and welcome regardless of their gender identity, sexuality, skin tone, weight, disabilities, or trauma. I encourage feedback and always want to be doing better.
