hello!

My name is James and I’m a tattoo artist living and working in Portland, Oregon. I enjoy clean, black and gray tattoo designs and colorful, multimedia, scrapbook-style illustration. I’m attracted to a variety of subjects, including faces, everyday objects, and irregular stars. I work to capture and document the raw, simple beauty around me no matter what media I am working with.

Though I did not go to college for art, I do not consider myself to be a self-taught artist. I was fortunate enough to have supportive parents who sent me to art camps, classes, and workshops as a child and teenager. I took drawing, photography, and ceramics classes in high school and spent countless hours of my free time drawing from life and reference images. For me, creating and art-making is as natural as walking. If I go too long without it, I get cabin fever.

When I’m not tattooing, you can find me on a picnic, at an art museum, cooking for friends, or working in my sketchbook at a cafe.

contact:

for all business inquires, please email bigleafytomato@gmail.com

 frequently asked questions

  • i have a booking form for all of my available flash designs, otherwise you can reach out to request a custom design via email or instagram. please note that i cannot accept all custom requests but i can definitely point you in the direction of another artist if you’re interested :- ) go to my “book a tattoo” page to get started!

  • gilded serpent tattoo in southeast portland! our address is 1100 SE taylor street <3

  • i am currently cash-only. i take drawing fees and deposits through venmo and through my booking form with stripe, a platform that is compatible with debit cards, apple pay, paypal, and more. if you forget to take out cash before our appointment, don’t worry! i can point you in the direction of the nearest atm :- )

  • if you use my referral link https://venue.ink/sign-up?referred_by=clownstoothh you’ll get $100 once you book your first client :- )

    you can use this link before or after you have started building your booking form!

  • great question! the short answer is no, i prefer to tattoo my own flash designs and draw original art for customs. however, if you would like something that is public domain (character from a movie or tv show, historical art, etc) OR if you have explicit consent from the original artist (personal message or email, tattoo ticket, etc) then i will consider tattooing it for you :- )

  • i provide complete aftercare instructions after every appointment verbally and by email. here are the main points!

    if you have a traditional bandage, leave it on for 2-8 hours. if you are using second skin, leave it on for 3-5 days. you may shower with second skin on, but please do not get a traditional bandage wet.

    after removing your bandage, wash your tattoo in the shower with liquid, unscented soap (i personally use dr bronners). pat to dry with a paper towel and apply a very thin layer of a&d ointment/vaseline/aquaphor. reapply ointment of your choice for 2-3 days after removing the bandage before switching to unscented lotion.

    FOR THE FIRST TWO WEEKS: no picking or scratching, no standing water, no tanning or direct sunlight, no tight clothing, and no licking from pets.

    LONGTERM CARE: lotion every day or at least after every shower, apply sunscreen, especially in the summer, or cover with clothing and shade. tattoos naturally fade a little as they heal but this will keep them from excessively fading or spreading out <3

    if you need a touchup, you may book one for as soon as 3 weeks after your initial appointment. i offer FREE touch ups for life, so if you need a refresher, don’t hesitate to reach out!

  • please send it by email or instagram dm!

  • whenever i reach 5k followers on instagram <3

  • absolutely! i am definitely no expert, but i am happy to share my experience and what has worked for me.

    i have hosted a few “shadows,” in other words someone who may be interested in tattooing and who wants to get the feel of a day at the shop. if you’re interested in coming in to see if it’s a good fit for you, let me know!

  • no <3 i love you