help queer filipinx handpoker open tattoo studio

Hi, my name is Dayze (they/them), and I am a queer non-binary filipinx tattoo artist. Ever since I started tattooing almost a decade ago, I’ve been dreaming. I've been dreaming of spaces where we can reimagine tattoo culture, spaces where informed consent is prioritized, and spaces where you and your needs will be respected and honored. I’ve been lucky enough to be a part of multiple tattoo spaces like this, and I’m so excited to create another extension of all that I’ve learned so far.

Everything has aligned for me to open up a sweet little private handpoke studio in Barrio Logan, San Diego! Everything… except my bank account. It would mean the whole world to receive help with the costs of opening a studio, because I can’t do it alone. There are a lot of start up costs and licenses needed to make the space comfortable and sanitary for me and everyone I tattoo. As much as I love the shop I currently work at, it is not financially sustainable for me with a ~60/40 percentage split. I want to continue offering sliding scale pricing on my tattoos because I want my art to stay accessible. Tattooing in this new location will mean being able to live with a LOT less financial stress and a lot more energy for creative exploration. There is a detailed list of how I came to my budget at the bottom of this post.

I feel it’s important to state that the tattoo industry in the US, where I live on stolen lands, has a long brutal history of upholding white supremacy, homophobia, and misogyny. I have a lot to say about this but I’ll leave it for another time. Fortunately, things are changing. With the rise of social media and DIY-queers-turned-professional tattooers, we are experiencing a huge shift in tattoo culture. Artists are no longer looking for apprenticeships under abusive gatekeeping structures, we are pursuing our dreams and taking up space that is rightfully ours. We are shifting towards empowerment, autonomy, joy and compassion. Thank you for being a part of this radical culture shift.

My dream for this studio is to create a comfortable and adaptive space where clients can feel empowered, safe and joyous. Tattooing is a huge responsibility and privilege, which is why in every tattoo session I actively prioritize informed consent, sanitation, communication, joy, care, accessibility, and sustainability. I’m grateful to continue learning from my tattoo artist community, client community, queer community, and everyone in between. With all of you, I continue to learn how to deeply and energetically align my creativity with my dreams for the world.

My practice deserves this intimate and intentional space to breathe life and healing into the dreams of my clients, many of whom are QTBIPOC like me, and who share so much vulnerability with me.

As healing as getting tattooed is for many of my clients, it’s healing for me too. I feel at peace when I think about my Filipino ancestors being proud to see me carry on a tradition of handpoke. While our tattooing methods and meanings have differences, we are divinely connected by threads of intention, protection, and manifestation.

Maraming salamat (Thank you so much) for reading, donating, sharing, and being! I will keep this post updated, and you can also follow along behind the scenes on my Patreon.

Venmo : @sleepydayze

Goal: $6000

$2500 - Tattoo Furniture and Equipment (storage cabinets, printers, lamp, tray table, barriers/PPE, mirrors, etc etc etc)

$1300 - Comfort Furniture (AC, curtains, sofa/chairs, plants, etc)

$2200 - Rent, Licenses, and Legal stuff (rent while setting up and waiting for licenses and inspections, ~2-3 months)

<3 <3 <3