Meet the Artists
Jordan “Jo”
Owner of The Gallery
@jo.thegallery // Style: black and grey, illustrative, fine line
Jo has lived in and around Aptos since 2010. She studied art and photography in San Francisco and Chico before making her way back to the area. Jo opened The Gallery Tattoos in March of 2021 and has since expanded the business.
When she’s not tattooing, you’ll find her taking beach walks with her two kiddos and husband, listening to the newest thriller audiobook, sipping a latte at the local coffee shop, or practicing reformer Pilates. You’ll also see some of her etched mirrors handing in the shop.
Jo specializes in black and grey tattoos, focusing mostly on subjects from nature - flora, fauna, animals and birds.
Hannah
@hbrimer // Style: black and grey, illustrative, fine line. Machine and hand poke.
Hannah grew up in Washington and Southern California before moving up to the Monterey Bay. She has been tattooing since 2020, but started taking clients at The Gallery in 2022.
Hannah specializes in machine and hand poke hybrid tattoos. Her main interests are human forms, scientific illustration and fantasy while using all eco-friendly supplies.
When she’s not tattooing, you’ll probably find her rollerskating, creating Lino blocks, or cooking something delicious.
Dianne
@jdrileytattoos // Style: varying from fine line black and grey to bold lines with full color
Dianne grew up in Germany and Chicago before moving to Atlanta where she spent most of her life. There, she met her husband and had her first of three children. They moved to California at the end of 2014 and has since had two more kids.
Dianne has been tattooing professionally since 2019, and can do a variety of styles from fine line black and grey to bold lines and full color. She is ordained and performs weddings, elopements, and does wedding reception and event tattoos.
When she’s not tattooing, she’s taking care of the family which includes a plump cat and a cane corso puppy. She’s also learning Brazilian jiu jitsu at Claudio Franca BJJ, and exploring spiritually.
Kristen
@kristenashley.ink // Style: black and grey, illustrative, realism
Kristen started her apprenticeship at The Gallery with Jordan as her mentor in June 2024, and has been keeping busy with clients since October 2024.
Born and raised in Santa Cruz, she fell in love with the diverse wildlife of the Bay Area. Kristen specializes in black and grey illustrative tattoos, and is working towards growing her portfolio in high contrast realism.
When Kristen isn’t at the shop tattooing, she is usually painting or printmaking. She’s had her work displayed in multiple exhibitions including galleries like Radius Gallery and Empire 7 Studios. In her free time, you probably will find her at the gym, walking her dogs or traveling.
Lauren
@lapotattoos // Style: black and grey woodcut, with bold lines
Lauren has been with The Gallery since May of 2025, but has been tattooing professionally since 2019. She was born in San Jose, lived in Southern California for 12 years, and is now back up north living in Capitola. Lauren loves horses, is a certified bird nerd, and loves swimming with whale sharks and scuba diving.
Lauren is a very diverse artist, specializing in black and grey woodcut-style tattoos. If you see her at the shop, you will probably see her service dog, Cliff, too! He is super friendly and loves belly scratches.
Molly
@bobojeet_ // Style: folk, bold, fine line, pops of color
Molly was born in Monterey but grew up in Humboldt. She’s back on the Monterey Bay making art and raising two kiddos. When she’s not tattooing or creating insanely unique sculptures out of paper mache, she is practicing Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu or traveling to new places.
Molly specializes in folk style tattoos, often with pops of color, and she’s been tattooing at The Gallery for about two and half years now.
Marley
@artzky_tattoos // Style: black and grey, fine art, expressive
Marley is truly so talented in so many ways. Black and grey fine art tattooing her main niche, but she is uniquely talented in so many areas! Marley has been an artist all her life, and her mom has kept art pieces from when she was just a tiny two year old. She started tattooing when she was 19 after receiving her first marching as a birthday gift, and has been tattooing ever since.
When Marley isn’t tattooing, she’s probably spending time building and wood working, painting, sketching, or thrifting.
