Our Mission

  I started my tattooing career working the floor at the late Sailor Moses’ California Studio in Biloxi Ms in 1987.  Shortly thereafter I was offered an apprenticeship from Moses and Scott Sterling.  After my apprenticeship I worked at California Studio until 1992.  Which happens to be the same year of the inception of APT.  I then got the great honor to work with Juli Moon at her studio in Seabrook New Hampshire.  In 1994 I moved back to my home state of Minnesota, and opened Electric Dragonland. We have been in Hopkins for 26 years now.  I have been in the APT since the year of its inception in 1992.  Member number 112p.  I served on the Board of directors for 10 years and was president for 4 of those years.  In 2019 I rejoined the Board after the passing of our good friend and president Mike Martin.  I came back to continue the good works of the APT, bring it into the future, and make it as relevant and stronger than ever.  

  Mick began in 2003 as a body piecer at Stiehl’s Body Modification and came to work at Shotsie’s Tattoo?. In 2004 he went through his apprenticeship. Mick was Shotsie Gorman’s last apprentice. He left to buy a tattoo shop in Guttenberg, NJ and then sold it to open Revolution Tattoo Co. in Pearl River, NY.  In 2014 he and a few other tattooists fought against unjust ink laws that were put into law with out NY tattoo artists knowledge and ultimately had the laws reacted and rewritten and approved by then Governor Cuomo.   As an advocate for tattooing he is, as of 2021, a Board Member of the Alliance of Professional Tattooists (APT) and now the Vice President of the APT. He continues to fight for the rights of tattoo artists everywhere. Mick took over Shotsie’s Tattoo in July of 2022.   

 Matt Thrash is a lifelong resident of the Black Hills of South Dakota. He credits the world-renowned Sturgis Rally for first introducing him to the (then) counterculture of tattoos and motorcycles. He considers himself incredibly lucky to have this exposure as a young man. Tattooing professionally since 1997, he had the honor of apprenticing with Bill Stewart who taught him much about tattooing and so much more about the art of living. Thrash’s Tattoo originated in 2001 with his wife Cathy, and their family includes two teenagers and three boston terriers. Together, they have been working diligently, promoting acceptance and safe tattooing throughout their community, while building a life together. Matt has been a member since 2002 and recently accepted the honor of representing the state of South Dakota within APT.

As he watches tattoo go more mainstream, he continues to evolve in several graphic styles as well as cosmetic areola pigmentation. With an undying love for the art form, Matt feels the future of tattoo is in educated hands and adds his voice to the chorus of others taking tattoo to higher levels than ever dreamed. He is honored and humbled to be on the board of directors as of March 2023.

  Caroline majored in Visual Art with a concentration in oil painting and a minor in psychology at Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University. She started tattooing in 1998 under Steve Ferguson in Green Brook, NJ, and became an APT member as soon as possible as member #1898P. Caroline owns and operates Radiant Energy Tattoo in Brick, NJ (opened 2015) and works at domestic and international tattoo conventions. Most recently, she’s created a seminar for navigating your taxes as a tattoo artist which is given in-shop and at conventions throughout the year. She also appeared in season five of Ink Master. Caroline’s personal site is www.tattoosbycaroline.com and the shop’s website is www.myradiantenergy.net.  

 I owe everything to tattooing. I began my tattoo journey in 1996 and apprenticed under my mentor, Robert Freriks, rest in peace, who introduced me to the APT in 1999. I am honored and privileged to be a part of tattooing and its long history, its fantastically interesting people, my clients and my tattoo family I have made during my time as a tattooer. I hope to give back to tattooing as much as I can, and I am grateful to be on the board of directors for the APT. I hope to learn and share as much as I can to help tattooing and tattooers as we all head out into the future and next chapter tattooing.

I am proud to help in education for body art, and thankful for my opportunity to contribute to betterment of body arts. Member of Alliance of Professional Tattooists starting in 1999. Member National Tattoo Association. I have worked on body art work groups to aid inspectors and members to establish city and county code for Lincoln Lancaster County Health Department in 2002. Again to help the state of Nebraska in 2005-2006 establish the state body art code. I am honored to have helped educate the public and work closely the Nebraska community blood bank and new regulations for blood donations and body art.

I have owned Iron Brush Tattoo since 2002, in Lincoln, Nebraska, giving me the chance to work with some of the best artists and people I have ever known. Daily, I am very thankful for the opportunity to make tattoos on those individuals who chose to decorate themselves in one way or another. 'Any day in a tattoo shop is a good day'.

Selina Medina has been a tattoo artist since 2000 and is passionate about tattoo safety, tattoo product compliance, and international tattoo safety standards. She believes that tattooing should be a safe and enjoyable experience for both the artist and the client, and she is

committed to using the highest standards of safety in her work. 

Selina spends time weekly working on nonprofit boards as a project manager and experienced corporate employee to help the APT grow.

Selina has been tattooing for over 20 years, and she has a deep understanding of the risks involved in tattooing. She is certified in Bloodborne Pathogens and Universal Precautions, and she follows all of the safety guidelines set forth by the Alliance of Professional Tattooists (APT). In addition to her commitment to safety, Selina is also passionate about compliance. She is a member of the APT, and she stays up-to-date on the latest safety and industry standards. She is also a strong advocate for the safe and responsible practice of tattooing, and she speaks out about the importance of safety at tattoo conventions and other events.

Selina has been a member of the APT since 2017 and working with regulatory efforts since 2016. Selina is able to contribute management experience, accelerated growth experience and strategic management that benefits the tattoo industry to stay ahead of regulatory efforts.

    James Wisdom is a tattooer, fine artist, and educator. James does tattoos in Indianapolis, IN, at Artistic Skin Designs in Broad Ripple. After his tattoo apprenticeship, James began tattooing professionally in 2001. He also pursued higher education and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a specialization in oil painting from the American Academy of Art in 2013. In 2016, he was awarded a Master of Fine Arts in Studio Arts from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
He is proud to be a member of the APT, which offers valuable resources and support to its members, such as access to educational materials, networking opportunities, and legislative advocacy.

  I’m a tattoo collector with a body suit from 25 (and counting) artists and about 550 hours of work. I’m also a physician, psychiatrist specifically, having practiced for 15 years. I particularly enjoy working with patients with severe and chronic mental illnesses. I believe tattoos can help people heal from psychological/emotional pain. Indeed, tattoos have helped me immensely in this regard and as such I’m honored to be on the APT Board so that I can give back to the community that’s given me so much.  

 I've been in the industry for over two decades, but my roots in art go back much further. Drawing, painting, sculpting—it’s all been part of who I am for as long as I can remember. Over the years, I’ve pursued (and will continue to pursue) courses, certifications, and countless hours of practice to grow both as an artist and a professional. My work has earned awards, but more importantly, it’s helped people reconnect with themselves.

I co-own Studio68 Inc. and was previously the owner of Mirror’s Truth Studios. Both spaces were built on a foundation of care, ethics, and high standards—values that continue to shape everything I do.

My role with the APT has given me the chance to contribute in ways that matter deeply to me. I’ve helped contribute to the Apprenticeship Syllabus and updating the PDTT, and will continue to focus on the work and projects through the Educational Committee.
I regularly write educational content to support artists and protect clients. A lot of my focus is on harm reduction—ensuring people aren’t hurt by under trained practitioners or poor procedures and lack of care—and for higher standards in the industry- believing deeply in proper training, ethical practices, helping artists understand how trauma, health, and tattooing intersect and the power of tattooing as a tool for restoration, confidence, healing, and self-expression.

I’m certified in trauma-informed care, laser tattoo removal, and early detection of skin cancer. I was also trained in piercing, with nearly 10 years experience, although I do not practice this anymore. I take my continuing education seriously—there’s always more to learn, especially in a field where art, science, and humanity meet.

This work isn’t just a job to me—it’s advocacy, artistry, and responsibility all at once.

I’m incredibly thankful for the opportunities I’ve been given and for the mentors who’ve believed in me, challenged me, and guided me with wisdom, patience, and support. Their support—sometimes quiet, sometimes fierce—has shaped not only my craft but my values. To the mentors I haven’t met yet—I’m looking forward to learning from you, too. This is a lifelong journey, and I’m committed to showing up with curiosity, humility, and respect for the work we do.
My door is always open for those who need support, guidance, or simply someone to listen. We're all in this together—and I believe we rise by lifting and supporting each other.

 Mikayla Brooke is a body art, cosmetic, and medical tattoo artist with over ten years of experience. Her current work centers on floral and nature-inspired designs, as well as advanced genital restorative tattooing. Based mainly in the greater Cleveland area, she co-owns Reflection Room Tattoo Co. + Academy, and serves on the board of Lorain County Public Health. Mikayla works internationally, between the United States and Europe to serve a diverse client base and collaborate with global practitioners. She is also an educator and public speaker, where she shares her expertise in medical tattooing and bioethics. Beyond her tattoo practice, she is deeply involved in philanthropy and is pursuing graduate studies with a focus on public health and industry-related research. She is honored to serve on the APT board, where she hopes to make a positive impact within the tattoo community.  

 Angela Torresi began her tattooing journey in New York City in 1997 and started in permanent cosmetics in 2003. With over two decades of experience, she has built a career that focuses a passion for precision, client safety, and education. While she is primarily known as a permanent makeup artist, Angela is also an avid oil painter and continues to work in both the traditional and cosmetic tattooing realms.

She has served on the Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals (SPCP) Board of Directors as Communications Chair from 2018 to 2020 and served as President from 2020 to 2023.

Angela brings to the APT Board a unique perspective that honors the technical skill and shared values of both tattoo and permanent makeup communities. She is deeply committed to bridging the gap between these worlds—promoting collaboration, regulatory clarity, and the protection of artists and clients alike. Her work reflects a lifelong dedication to raising the bar in education, ethics, and inclusivity within the tattoo industry.

Born in 1958 to WWll era parents, father; US Navy veteran and tattoo collector, Mother; factory dressmaker turned defense factory worker. I was born completely devoid of tattoos, but because of the tattoo images my father wore, I set about to aquire and collet them as quickly as I could.

After many hours as a client in the Tattooist's chair, and an attraction for all genre of art, I used a Christmas  profit sharing check from a job in a foundry to purchase tattoo equipment, and an old used pelton and crane sterilizer form a local medical equipment store, and spent the next few years reworking old jacked up tattoos on friends and acquaintances.

I made the leap to setting up a studio, and offering services to the general public in 1980, even though my state of Indiana had no tattoo regulations. Myself and others adopted a pressure campaign directed at state legislators to create tattoo regulations by which legal tattooing could be professionally practiced.

1996 brought about those changes, it also was the year that I joined the APT, in 1997 I was asked by my local health department if I would participate in a group effort to write county tattoo regulations, I happily obliged.

To date;

I have owned an operated numerous tattoo facilities in Fort Wayne, Indiana for the last 40 years under the name of Artisan Tattoo.

I have maintained continuous membership in the APT since 1996, I have humbly served on their Board of Directors for three consecutive terms, served as an officer in the capacity of Secretary,  became a Instructor in their PDTT seminar program, served as the Health and Education Coordinator, served on the Bylaws committee, and when meeting the terms of eligibility, I am extremely proud to say I was the first member to convert to Lifetime Membership.

I continue to tattoo daily, working alone now in a private studio, by appointment only.

I continue to believe in the value of the business league, and the potential opportunity it affords the individual practioners to make collective improvement to their Trade.

And I am proud to continue serving the APT as a member of the Board of Directors Advisory Committee. 

   Lori has been an APT member since 2015.  Lori has been getting tattooed since 1999, and has become increasingly involved with the art and industry since that time. She is now completely tattooed, from the back of her head down to her feet, except for her hands, face, and the front of her neck.  By day, Lori is a Physical Therapist in a religiously affiliated hospital. This experience provides her insight regarding how tattoos are perceived in professional settings, as well as professional knowledge of infection control issues.  She hopes one day she will not have to cover her tattoos while at work.  Lori has also been a member of the National Tattoo Association since 2010 and brings the perspective of a long-time tattoo client to her position on the APT board.  She is passionate about seeing tattooing flourish safely with appropriate regulation based on sound science, not misinformation. Though she is not an artist, she has the utmost respect for artists, and is grateful to have been welcomed into APT with such open arms.  

 Jesse began his career as a tattoo artist in 1999 after an apprenticeship with a prominent local artist. From 1992 until 2000 Jesse studied all aspects of visual art, art history, theatrical design and faux painting at the University of Nebraska’s Omaha campus eventually graduating with degrees in both Studio Art and Dramatic Arts.

Performing in an AIDS(HIV) educational play with discussion groups after each performance in 1992 led him to an early understanding of Bloodborne pathogens issues and gave a start to speaking to groups about the facts and encouraging safe behavior as well as treating those suffering with sympathy rather than hostility.

During his tattoo apprenticeship, his mother (an operating room nurse) passed along important articles about autoclaves, sterilization and clean procedure.

He has been a member of the Alliance of Professional Tattooists since 1999 and strongly promotes their ethics of safe and responsible tattooing.  After taking their seminar, Prevention of Disease Transmission in Tattooing, annually for many years, he became an instructor in 2010 and enjoys teaching folks in the Midwest and at conventions all over.  Jesse currently serves on the Board of Directors of the APT and has been involved with pigment labeling guides, the Body Art Model Code and other great progress that The Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) and NEHA (National Environmental Health Association) are accomplishing.  He is looking forward to how the Body Art Education Association (BAEA) will help these groups and others interact and help our ancient profession fit into these modern times.

Tattooing since 1976. APT Member #5P and #2L, Pat is an original founding member of the APT since it formed in Maryland in 1992 and is now a Lifetime Member. In her nearly 28 years of membership, she has served as President, Vice-President, Secretary and Director for a total of 19 years of dedication to the organization and to the tattoo trade. Pat is also an Instructor for the PDTT course and on subjects as pigment and pigment mixing for the trade show. Additionally, she administers the Tattoo Mastery Test at our live events. 

Owner of Pat’s Tats, www.patstats.com, located in Woodstock, NY since 1990. Established in NJ in 1976. Achieved Master Tattooist Certificate issued by the APT. She is semi-retired. Pat is also involved with NTA Cruisers as an advisor and Art Director for their online news magazine. She continues to tattoo and create art in various mediums.

"After a short hiatus from serving on the board, I’m very happy to be back again. This time I have fresh eyes and renewed energy and trust you, our members will help us to re-energize the organization to the potential we, on the board, know it has. Please join, support and reach out to me personally at patstatstattoo@gmail.com."

   MASTER TATTOOIST

40yrs Armadillo Red Incporated 

27 in FL/13 in MI

NTA / NTA cruisers Director

BOD Florida Professional Tattoo Artist Guild

BOD 20 + yrs A P T

"My future goals for APT is to maintain their forefront of safety education throughout the United States...

Pushing the high level of professionalism; highest standards and safety education along with a platform for us to professionally protect the future of our trade...."

American born 1972

Tattooer 1993-present

Owner of Philadelphia Eddies 621 Tattoo, Hunter Gatherer Tattoo, Floating World Tattoo, Villainarts.com, Texor2152 real estate, and Totem real estate.

Award winning tattooer, fine art painter, publisher,  Clothing designer, author, real estate developer and tattoo convention organizer.  Troy has been featured in multiple magazines, TV appearances, art galleries, and has hosted tattoo conventions since 2003.  The Villainarts Philadelphia and Chicago tattoo conventions are now the 2 largest tattoo conventions in the world, with a 2020 attendance of 35,000 people at the Philadelphia event.  He has curated multiple museum installations on the subject of Tattoo History.  His large scale painting installations have been featured at Art Basel, and multiple live painting installations at tattoo conventions and galleries around the world.