Outlaw Tattoo opens in Sisters

Truly an artist at heart, local resident and 2000 graduate from Sisters High School Ashley Reed has opened a tattoo studio and art gallery at 210 S. Elm St., adjacent to U.S. Bank in downtown Sisters.

Reed's circuitous educational path following high school passed through Southern Oregon University, COCC, University of Oregon and finally the Art Institute of Portland, where she received a bachelor's degree in architectural design in 2007.

"I have always loved art and found the design work I was doing for Steele Associates Architects after graduation satisfying, but with the economy affecting the construction industry so much, work was fairly slow for me earlier this year," she said. "It was during that slow time that I began to think of other ways to use my art background and creativity."

Reed got her first tattoo at age 18 and continued "collecting" tattoos ever since.

"Tattooing is actually an ancient art form and I have found it to be both spiritual and therapeutic, so I decided to share that with others by becoming a tattoo artist," she said.

Her studio includes artwork from other locals who happen to be friends, including the photography of Beau Dyer, a totem pole created by Jon Stark, and a piece commissioned through Adam Haynes. Another friend, Kevin Breedlove, created the logo for the window.

Reed believes the timing is perfect for a tattoo studio in Sisters.

"People of all ages are getting tattoos these days as attitudes have changed and made tattoos much more mainstream," she said. How mainstream tattoos have become was evidenced on Reed's first day of business as a pastor and his wife, Scott and Karriann Box of Portland, came by to inquire.

"We've been thinking of getting tattoos for quite some time and since Sisters is such a special place to us as a couple, it would be really cool to get them here," said Scott Box.

Reed's first official tattoo at her site will be for her friend Kyle Krumvieda, who is adding to the artwork on his left arm.

"Tattooing is very personal since the client is permanently altering their physical body with a design they have chosen and I feel honored to be able to be part of that experience with them," Reed said.

Reed's collection of art samples, along with her own personal creations, give potential clients a deep resource from which to choose and, as an artist, she can do custom designs as well.

"Sometimes people just come in with an idea and we begin the creation together," she said.

Reed spent 250 hours in the classroom as well as an additional 150 hours of actual tattooing (over 50 tattoos) to be eligible to take the licensure exam, which she passed in July.

"Oregon and Hawaii are the two most demanding states for becoming a tattoo artist, so I feel well-prepared to get started," she said.

She is looking forward to having people stop by and visit Outlaw Tattoo.

"I tell people that they should leave their judgment at the door and just come in and look around," she said.

Reed can be reached at 588-6162 or at [email protected]