MEET KAT
Kat Dukes is a stick and poke tattoo artist located in Oceanside. She completely self-taught and has been tattooing full-time for five years. She was tattooing out of a refurbished Dodge van, but now has a private studio on PCH where her clients receive machine free tattoos in a relaxing atmosphere. Kat’s private studio is part of a collective of women-owned small businesses.
In addition to providing the unique experience of machine free tattoos. Kat wanted to create a space for clients that offers an elevated experience; comfortable and private, so she built out a 2010 Chevy school bus to serve as a mobile studio.
OFFERINGS
ABOUT STEEL HONEY
Steel Honey Stick and Poke Tattoos began when Kat, a lifelong artist, first discovered the art of hand-poked tattoos seven years ago. After giving a friend their first stick and poke tattoo, she quickly fell in love with the process. Initially, she tattooed herself and friends purely for fun, but over time, people began asking to pay for her work. Driven by a passion for perfecting her craft, she started to create more intricate and detailed tattoos, ultimately realizing the many advantages of stick and poke techniques. Hand-poked tattoos are not only less painful but also heal much faster. Despite experimenting with tattoo machines, Kat preferred the slow, meticulous nature of hand-poking, embracing the challenge of creating tattoos that looked as if they were done by machine, all while staying true to a machine-free process.
The name "Steel Honey" was chosen to reflect Kat's dual nature—hard yet soft. She wanted something that felt both strong and welcoming, a contrast to many intimidating tattoo shop names. After considering several options, she remembered calling her van "my little steel honey," and the name clicked, embodying the essence of her tattoo journey.
