Check out the Story of Christel Perkins of Ginkgo Tree Tattoo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Christel Perkins.

Hi Christel, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I began my tattoo apprenticeship in 2008 under Ryan Deppe and Sal Tino in northern Denver. At that time, I had just gotten my BFA in Painting from RMCAD, and that love of art is how I met Deppe. We both had paintings in the now defunct Phoenix Gallery in the basement of 3 Kings Tavern in Denver. At the time I only had a few tattoos, and had never considered tattooing as a career until he suggested it and agreed to mentor me.
The first day at his shop was a rough start: I was cleaning out the attic of the new location when I fell through the floor and fractured a vertebrae in my spine. After 6 months of recuperating post surgery, I returned to that same shop and resumed my education. I’m proud to have completed a traditional apprenticeship, where I learned a deep respect for the history and culture of tattooing, proper sterile practices, correct application, client care, and much more from a group of experienced professional tattooers.
After working at various shops across the front range, I moved to Fort Collins and eventually opened Ginkgo Tree Tattoo. Originally it was planned as a private studio, an intentional departure from the hustle and bustle of large shops I had worked at previously. Lucky for me, I met Shiv Tuck as I was preparing to open and we hit it off immediately. They have been there since the beginning, as an indispensable business partner and close friend. In 2024 we took on our apprentice, J Gonzalez, who has also become a vital part of the shop and an artist to watch. Together, we built a carefully curated space to welcome people of all bodies and identities in a safe and inviting atmosphere. Our priorities are the comfort and empowerment of our diverse clientele, ongoing education and honing of our craft, and giving back to our community. As a shop composed of individuals belonging to multiple marginalized identities, we want to provide an alternative to the typical male-dominated, ego-saturated, and money-focused institutions so prolific in the tattoo industry. We want to create a place where people of all identities feel seen, heard, and respected.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My goal was to open Ginkgo Tree on August 1st of 2022. Since the intention was to be the sole artist in the space, I did the majority of manual labor in renovating the shop by myself. With the occasional guidance and assistance of a friend, I ripped up carpet, installed flooring, painted walls, replaced the ceiling, and furnished the shop in under a month. Unfortunately, due to seemingly endless contretemps with building inspectors, evasive contractors, and ancient plumbing, the official opening was 2.5 months late! There were countless moments when I thought the whole plan was cursed, but I’m so grateful I never gave up!

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I enjoy a variety of styles, but I am most excited by portraits of people or pets, art reproduction, Japanese, and illustrative tattoos. I love drawing from nature, pop culture, art nouveau and other design elements. I honestly enjoy working in a wide range of styles and subject matters and am always up for a challenge!
Over the years, I have developed an abiding appreciation for tattoos as more than just self expression. For many people, tattoos can be therapeutic, empowering, and cathartic. Marking one’s body can be an act of reclamation, rebellion, remembrance, connecting to one’s roots, and more. These important moments are woven with people’s histories and experiences. I have found just as much fulfillment in making genuine connections with my clients and sharing their stories as I have in making their vision come to life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.christelperkins.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robotattoos
• Other: https://www.ginkgotreetattoo.com