Tattoo artist · Fort Lauderdale

Mari

Tattooing has always been a family business for Mari. A Fort Lauderdale native, she grew up around her mother’s tattoo shop and was scrubbing tubes by the time she was 14. She did her first tattoo nearly three decades ago and has worked in shops across Broward County, including the past five years at Ink Addiction. Donna and Jeff were already family to her long before she joined the crew, so coming to the shop felt natural.

Mari loves black and grey with strong lines, good shading, and plenty of contrast—tattoos you can read from across the room. She also enjoys bold color work, and a cohesive black-and-grey forearm sleeve is a project she’d love to take on. One piece she’s especially proud of is a bulldog memorial, down to the crooked teeth and drooping eyelid that made that particular dog unmistakable. Years later, seeing how well it has held up and how much it still means to her client is what makes the piece special to her.

In her chair, communication and comfort come first. She welcomes changes while working through a design and wants clients to feel confident saying exactly what they want. During the tattoo, she checks in, makes room for breaks, and wants people to feel appreciated and looked after. For Mari, the experience becomes part of the tattoo, and a client leaving happy is a big part of what keeps her excited about the work.

Outside the shop, she’s often making glass art, gardening, paddleboarding, fishing, painting, or drawing—with a little crocheting mixed in, too.