Appointments:
Instagram: @tattoosbykj
Examples of KJ’s Work:
Instagram: @tattoosbykj
Krystin “KJ” Jones got her start in the tattoo world before she even picked up a machine—hanging around the legendary Bert Grimm’s shop at just 8 years old, where her mom painted signs and dated iconic tattooer Rick Walters. Inspired by the scene and its characters, KJ knew early on that tattooing was her path.
She began her formal tattoo career in 2006 under Greg Boardman in 29 Palms, California, and after his tragic passing, she returned to Orange County to work at All Hallows Ink under the mentorship of Randy Harris. In 2009, she was featured as an artist on A&E’s Tattoo Highway with Thomas Pendleton, marking her national TV debut.
In 2014, KJ joined her stepdad at his shop in Sunset Beach, CA, before relocating to Washington in 2015. There, she continued working with Thomas Pendleton at Peninsula Rose and also tattooed alongside the legendary Vyvyn Lazonga—the first lady of tattooing in the Pacific Northwest—at the iconic Madame Lazonga’s in Pike Place Market.
Since 2016, KJ has hosted annual Breast Cancer Survivor events across Washington state, bringing together artists to donate their time and skills to cover mastectomy scars with meaningful tattoos—an effort she calls one of the most rewarding parts of her career.
Today, KJ tattoos out of Red Peony Studios in Bremerton, WA with Aaron Tingey. She frequently travels for guest spots nationwide, including appearances at the Punk Rock Museum in Las Vegas. Her work blends technical skill with deep empathy and storytelling—and you can see more on Instagram: @tattoosbykj.