WELCOME TO VALKYRIE

YOUR NEW FAVORITE TATTOO STUDIO

Valkyrie Tattoo Gallery was founded by Saga Wilkko + Aadam Morgan with the help of our amazing family of artists.

The goal was to create a comfortable space for our clients, as well as our chosen family of artists so that we could all continue to grow + showcase our talents as we continue to bring high art to the good people of Dallas, Texas as well as those who travel to visit us. The most important aspect of our space is inclusion. We are LGBTQ+ friendly + work with all skin tones + we care about the comfort + safety of our clients + artists first + foremost.

The Gallery itself features stylistic nods to the Nordic backgrounds of both Saga + Aadam, while the art styles Valkyrie Tattoo Gallery has to offer are as diverse as our artists' roots.

RAY’S APPROACH

TRAUMA INFORMED TATTOOING

A MINDFUL APPROACH TO TATTOOING

Trauma Aware / Trauma Informed Care seeks to:

• Recognize the signs and symptoms of trauma in clients

• Anticipate clients’ needs and signals

• Understand how to encounter and support clients if past trauma/PTSD/C-PTSD surfaces

• Integrate knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures, and practices

• Encourage open and honest communication

• Eliminate assumption and implied consent

• Being gentle both verbally and physically

• Answering any and all questions truthfully

• Maintaining trustworthiness and transparency

• Actively avoid re-traumatization

The nature of tattooing places clients in a vulnerable position where we are working directly with the body. Whether we are aware of our traumas or if they sit in our subconscious, getting tattooed can re-activate them. Ray understands her responsibility as a tattoo artist and strives to handle instances of trauma resurfacing with empathy, patience, and safety. Getting a tattoo can be a nerve-wracking experience and it can feel difficult to speak up in the moment. Ray encourages client input with open communication and pressure-free engagement. Ray approaches each client with the goal of creating stunning tattoos with positive experiences.

Some factors like abuse, self-harm, marks and scars of all natures can be difficult or uncomfortable to talk about. It may be necessary for Ray to discuss scars when assessing things like age of the scar/mark, whether they are flat or raised, the sensitivity of the tissue, the texture of the tissue. These are details are important in order to create a beautiful tattoo with integrity. However, Ray leaves the personal details of the scar(s)/mark(s) for clients to talk about when and if they choose to.

CREATING A COMFORTABLE EXPERIENCE

Ray offers the following to make your session as comfortable as possible:

• Pillows (with single-use coverings)

• Chiropractic wedges

• Around the neck phone holder for hands free phone use

• Chargers

• Sunglasses (the lights can be quite bright)

• Single-use eye drops, tissues, snacks, and water

• Mask adjusters like stick on nose strips and ear loop cinchers

• Regular in-session check-ins

• Bactine Max and optional tattoo numbing cream

• Providing clear information ahead of time about what to expect before, during, and after your appointment

A SAFE PLACE FOR EVERYONE

EMPATHY · EQUALITY · EMPOWERMENT

Ray believes in creating an environment that fosters kindness, courage, and respect. Clients are guaranteed a personalized experience free of judgement and prejudice. Inclusivity and diversity are paramount. Ray respects the power balance between client and artist and approaches each client with care. All bodies and skin types are welcome. Ray strives to encourage open, honest communication and maintain a stress-free, no-rush environment. Ray cares about people and believes in the power of tattooing to genuinely impact peoples’ lives.

Ray is dedicated to continued growth and education. If ever you have critiques, concerns, or feedback about your experience, please let us know.

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