Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Karina North. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Karina, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?
I have had plenty of mentors in my career who have taught me a lot of what I know- but I believe the best way to learn a new skill is to practice and experiment, I learned a lot through trial and error – when I first started tattooing I would practice on close friends and family until I felt confident enough in my muscle memory and skillset to take on clients.
Knowing what I know now, I wish I would have grasped the concept of creation first, but that’s what the journey has been all about for me.
You can be a great artist and follow the “rules” of tattooing to execute a great tattoo- I believe that in order to create a tattoo that speaks, you have to be willing to surrender to the hum of the needle a bit. It requires you to slow down, and listen to the spirit of the tattoo or “Tattoo Gods” as my shop says.
Once I understood that I was more comfortable in the natural movements of my hand and what it looked like what I was doing it. My biggest obstacle was really just needed to let go of the idea of perfection, being perceived, and trust myself- I don’t think that my process could hav been sped up though. I think that everything blooms in perfect timing as long as you allow it to.
Some of the most essential skills to have is the ability to maintain an open mind in exploration and criticism.
Learning the craft of tattooing will be a lifelong devotion, and with each tattoo you gain more knowledge.
Each tattoo is a practice of mindfulness and intention – and through these practices with each tattoo. I am able to learn more about the craft and myself as an individual and as a creator.
Karina, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My name is Karina Hope North, and I am — well, still becoming. But I can tell you what I do know.
I’m a tattoo artist, creative builder, and founder of The North Project, based out of Baltimore. My work is a mix of raw energy, sacred storytelling, and community-driven rebellion. Whether I’m tattooing flash at a festival, organizing an autism awareness event, or cleaning up storm drains in Station North, everything I do is about reclamation — reclaiming our bodies, our spaces, and our stories.
I got into tattooing through my dad. He taught himself how to tattoo while he was incarcerated, and I remember watching him mix pigments, build machines, and stencil designs using deodorant sticks. That bond planted the seed. By high school, I was skipping class to tag buildings, throw parties, and tattoo my friends in my mom’s kitchen with an Amazon machine and no gloves — just making sure the evidence was gone by 1:30. I knew I wasn’t made for a traditional path. I needed something real.
After a few failed apprenticeships and a whole lot of trial and error, I eventually found my way to Chapterhouse Tattoo, where I was able to deepen my craft and rediscover the soul of what tattooing meant to me. These days, I focus on bold flash, ornamental styles, tribal-inspired work, and spiritual tattoos that honor transformation and personal symbolism. Every tattoo I make is a little ritual — a marker of where someone’s been, where they’re going, what they’ve survived, or simply because they like it.
For years, I tried to find a way to integrate all my passions — tattooing, storytelling, crafting, mysticism, activism, art, and community — into something that didn’t quite exist yet. Since I was 15, I’ve carried a vision of a traveling creatives’ caravan: an RV-turned-sacred-studio (or many) where artists meet people where they are and turn spontaneous connection into permanent expression and experience.
Now, I’m bringing that vision to life. I’m in the process of converting my vintage RV into a traveling tattoo studio, so I can take this work on the road — to festivals, healing spaces, and communities that might not otherwise have access to intentional, soulful tattooing. And beyond the art, I’m building The North Project — a grassroots initiative dedicated to environmental healing, neurodivergent empowerment, and creative activism in Baltimore. Our events and cleanup efforts help people feel seen, supported, and connected through action and art.
What sets my work apart is that it’s deeply personal and intentionally imperfect. I’m not interested in sterile perfection — I’m interested in magic, memory, and meaning. I’m most proud of the way I’ve created something that didn’t really exist: a fusion of tattooing, community organizing, ritual, art, and punk-whimsy ethos — and made it my own.
My clients and collaborators know that when they work with me, they’re not just getting a tattoo, a flyer, or a cleaned-up alley — they’re stepping into a space where they can feel raw, real, and powerful.
Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?
One thing I think non-creatives might struggle to understand is that this kind of path isn’t linear — it’s layered, chaotic, and often invisible to the outside world until something “tangible” is produced. Creativity isn’t just about making art — it’s about becoming. About listening to your gut when there’s no blueprint. About following signs that no one else sees.
There were so many moments where people didn’t understand what I was doing — when I walked away from stability, took detours, or poured time into things that didn’t make money right away. But creativity isn’t always efficient. Sometimes it takes years of wandering, breaking down, and rebuilding just to arrive at one clear vision. That doesn’t mean you were lost — it means you were gathering the tools you’d need to do it your own way.
People tend to ask “how do you make it work?” or “what’s the plan?” But for me, the magic has always come from not having a perfect plan — from trusting the mess, the magic, the mystery. Being a creative means letting your life be art, even when it’s uncomfortable or misunderstood. And the moment I stopped trying to fit into systems that were never made for me, everything started to click.
So if you’re watching someone you love carve their own path — or you’re standing at the edge of your own — just know: it doesn’t have to make sense to anyone else. Keep creating. Keep becoming.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
Yes — my mission is to make art that transforms, not just decorates. I’m driven by the belief that creativity can heal, connect, and reclaim what’s been forgotten, stolen, or silenced. My goal has always been to blend the sacred and the raw — to meet people where they are, whether that’s in a tattoo chair, on a city block, or under a festival tent — and remind them of their power.
I want to create spaces, experiences, and art that help people feel seen. That means tattoos that hold meaning, events that spark belonging, and projects like The North Project that take overlooked corners of the world and bring them back to life. I’m also working toward building a traveling caravan of creatives — a sacred studio on wheels — that brings intentional art and healing directly into communities that don’t often get access to it.
Ultimately, I want to leave behind a trail of beauty, boldness, and impact. I don’t care about being “perfect” — I care about being real and helping others do the same.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tinyxtatter.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tinyxtatter?igsh=OWZlZDQxN3h1cTh1&utm_source=qr
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karinanorth?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@karinanorth?si=EfQ3yZsDdU-4CQAg
- Other: Linktree
https://linktr.ee/karinanorth.tattoos
Image Credits
@solonetree