Voodoo Lily Tattoo Owner Shares Her Journey and Advice for First-Time Clients

Building a Career and Earning Trust

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — What began as a lifelong interest in drawing has grown into a 15-year tattooing career and ownership of a Bakersfield tattoo shop for local artist Bre Bratton.

Bratton owns Voodoo Lily Tattoo at 810 Norris Road. In an interview with What’s the Scoop With Broach, she discussed her path through the tattoo industry, the realities of operating a shop and what first-time clients should know before sitting down for permanent artwork.

Bratton said she has worked in the tattoo industry for approximately 20 years and has been tattooing professionally for 15 years. She had always enjoyed drawing, and discovering that tattooing could provide a creative career gave her a direction to pursue.

Her path was not always straightforward. Bratton initially learned inside a tattoo shop but later stepped away after becoming pregnant at a young age. When she returned, she said, she had to rebuild her skills and establish herself while working from home.

“I got a lot of backlash for being a female artist and for tattooing out of my house,” Bratton said. She does not believe being a woman necessarily prevented her from finding clients, but she said earning respect from other artists was sometimes more difficult.

Turning an Artistic Career Into a Business

Owning a shop is a goal shared by many tattoo artists, Bratton said, but the opportunity arrived at a time she had not expected.

“As an artist, our goal is always, at some point, to own a shop,” she said. “But it definitely wasn’t in my cards at the moment that it happened.”

The tattoo studio at the Norris Road location has operated for approximately seven years, according to Bratton. She has owned the business for a little more than a year; her self-maintained work profile identifies her as Voodoo Lily Tattoo’s tattooist and owner since June 2025.

She said ownership involves far more than creating artwork. Her responsibilities include keeping supplies stocked, maintaining a clean and safe environment, ensuring clients are treated properly, promoting the business and keeping daily operations moving smoothly.

“It’s definitely a job that never stops,” Bratton said. “Even when you go home, you are still working.”

Five Artists, Flexible Schedules and the Right Fit

Voodoo Lily Tattoo currently has five artists — three women and two men, Bratton said. Most work primarily by appointment because they have families and responsibilities outside the shop, and she considers a reasonable balance between work and home life important.

She generally tries to have at least one artist inside the shop, with another potentially on call for walk-in clients. Because schedules vary, customers are encouraged to call or message the shop before visiting rather than relying on fixed hours.

Bratton’s preferred styles include black-and-gray realism, neo-traditional designs, bold color and floral artwork in several styles. She does not personally tattoo portraits of clients’ loved ones and instead refers those requests to another Voodoo Lily artist who specializes in portrait work.

That willingness to refer clients reflects one of her central pieces of advice: Research artists carefully and select someone whose skills and style match the tattoo you want. “It’s on your body,” she said. “Get what you like, and make sure you do your research on your artist.”

Bratton cautioned clients against choosing an artist solely because someone else recommended that person. She advises examining an artist’s portfolio, reliability and experience with the particular style being requested.

Advice for First-Time Clients

Bratton said she generally discourages first-time clients from beginning with highly visible hand or neck tattoos, particularly when they have not yet established themselves in a career. She would rather see clients establish their careers before choosing those placements.

If a client remains committed after discussing the possible consequences, Bratton recognizes that the final decision belongs to the person receiving the tattoo. She nevertheless believes artists have a responsibility to explain those concerns before moving forward.

First-time clients should arrive with valid identification. California law requires tattoo clients to be at least 18; parental consent does not permit a commercial tattoo for a minor. Health and Safety Code Section 119302 sets the minimum age, while Penal Code Section 653 makes tattooing or offering to tattoo a person under 18 a misdemeanor, subject to a narrow provision for licensed healing-arts practitioners acting within their practice.

Prepare for the Appointment — and Expect a Friendly Shop

Bratton recommends that clients drink plenty of water, eat a good meal before their appointment and bring snacks, particularly when preparing for a longer session.

She said Voodoo Lily Tattoo currently provides tattooing only and does not offer body piercing. Because services and artist schedules can change, prospective clients should contact the shop directly before visiting.

Bratton describes the studio as a friendly, well-rounded environment with artists capable of handling a wide range of styles. “We always have a great vibe in here,” she said. “You’re going to have lots of laughs. We are extremely friendly, and we would love to see all of your faces.”

Voodoo Lily Tattoo is located at 810 Norris Road, Bakersfield, CA 93308. The shop can be reached at (661) 717-6091 or through Instagram at @voodoolily_tattoo. Bratton said hours vary by artist, and most artists work by appointment.