About Me
I’m a 9-year tattoo artist, currently living just outside Cincinnati, Ohio. I grew up in upstate New York, and I’m a Korean adoptee (I don’t know any Korean, sorry!). I went to Ithaca College for Art & Environmental Studies, and graduated in 2014. I got into tattooing in 2016, while working at a coffee shop (The Shop Cafe) that had a tattoo shop in the back. It was such a lovely space! I received my apprenticeship at Model Citizen Tattoo from James Spiers, in Ithaca, NY.
Ever since taking private art lessons at the age of 8, I’ve had a passion for the arts. I have experience in many different mediums and art forms, from painting to animation to architectural design.
In 2020, I moved from Ithaca to Newport, Kentucky to be closer to my brother. I worked at Mothers Tattoo for a couple of years, before then joining a friend to work at Mosaic Tattoo.
In 2024, I decided it was time to venture out on my own and open up my own tattoo studio. I worked with the City of Newport to help legalize tattooing here, and I successfully became the first tattoo studio to open in Newport, Kentucky! My tattoo studio, called My Friends & I Tattoo, was my tattoo home for a coupe of years, along with several other artists.
In 2026, I made the decision to close down the brick-and-mortar shop to pursue other ventures such as being a traveling tattooer as well as a tattoo vendor at the Ohio Renaissance Festival!
My wife & I were planning to move to Minneapolis, but unfortunately plans fell through and we decided to stay in the Cincinnati area for a bit longer.
I decided to join the Ren Fair crew to become the first tattoo vendor at the Ohio Ren Fair! It was a fun venture, and we got to meet plenty of amazing people while I tattooed my Ren Fair Flash designs on many enthusiastic attendees.
Now, I’m back to my travels! I have several guest spots lined up, and I’m excited to be back to working on some larger tattoo projects again. I’ve recently picked up learning music as a hobby, and I’m excited to see where the next chapter of my journey brings me. :)
I believe that tattooing is a lifelong journey and learning process. I’m always looking to improve and broaden my skills, and although I have primary styles that I focus on (Suminagashi, Hypnotic, Dark Psychedekic), I’m open to trying new things when creativity strikes!
- Erin <3
QUALIFICATIONS
Owner of My Friends & I Tattoo - Erin worked with the City of Newport from January - March 2024 in order to legalize tattoo shops. She became the first tattoo shop in the city! After 2 years of running the shop, she decided to close it down in June 2026, in order to focus on her travels.
Tattoo Conventions - Erin won 5th place in Tattoo of the Day “Black & Grey” for a tattoo that she did on her brother, Mike Blaney, of a Korean tiger climbing rocks, to represent his love of climbing.
Mentoring - Erin mentored two artists, Erica Jackels (her wife) and Sadie Kern.
Apprenticeship - She completed her tattoo apprenticeship at Model Citizen Tattoo, located in Ithaca, New York, under her mentor James Spiers.
Schooling - Erin graduated from Ithaca College in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in both Art and Environmental Studies. She also had a concentration in Architecture.
INTERESTS
Travel / Hiking — Erin has been to over 17 different countries, and loves being immersed in different cultures and landscapes. Whether it’s trying new foods, hiking in a national park, going on a pub crawl, or visiting art museums, botanical gardens, or ruins, she loves adventure and exploration.
Music — Erin loves attending music festivals and concerts, especially EDM. Her favorite Artist/DJ is Rezz. Erin finds Rezz’ music style as well as visuals very hypnotizing and compelling, which greatly inspires her tattoo art style. She feels most at home at music festivals, and her favorite festival is Lost Lands.
Snowboarding — she grew up snowboarding, and would spend as much of her winters on the mountains as possible.
Film / TV — Erin has a huge appreciation for these forms of storytelling. She even enjoys learning about screenwriting and doing her own writing in her free time, just as a personal creative outlet.
Video games — Her favorites are Zelda, Diablo, Animal Crossing, Pokemon, and Overcooked.
