Tara Shinn

“Tara combines technical excellence with creative vision through an extensive study of traditional as well as experimental drawing processes. Her meticulously rendered multilayered works relate to an interest in identity, transformation, and tattoo arts.”
~2014 GMU Undergrad Academic and Artistic Achievement Award

My artistic career began further back than I can recall – my parents always made sure I had a pencil and paper near me. That was standard equipment for everyday life growing up; I felt odd without it. It wasn’t until High School that the thought of becoming a tattoo artist occurred to me. I began by drawing on my friends in between classes with pens and sharpies. They put the thought into my head, and I ran with it.

I hit my artistic stride in college, at George Mason University. I was fortunate enough to have phenomenal professors that challenged me in every way possible. I graduated in May of 2014, and was surprised with the honor of receiving the Undergraduate Academic and Artistic Achievement Award.

My tattooing career began in August of 2011, and I tested and received my license in the state of Virginia in May of 2014. American Traditional and Illustrative tattooing have been my main influences, though I strive to push my tattoo work in my own unique ways. I am ecstatic to be doing what I love every day, and I am always pushing myself to be better.