Meet the Artists
and Artemis, beloved Leopard Gecko
“Tattooing is a sacred practice and I am continuously humbled by it. I consider it an honor when you trust me with your body and your stories and your own mycelium connections. Let’s make more tattoo magic together!”
Gabriela
studio owner and tattoo artist
Aries sun, Sagittarius moon, Leo rising
Gabriela is a Salem resident, born and raised on the North Shore of Boston. She’s always been interested in art—including visual art, music, and performance art. She was considered an artist by her peers and her teachers growing up, which gave her confidence to pursue her dreams of creating as a career.
For her undergraduate degree, Gabriela studied Graphic Design at MassArt in Boston. After working as an in-house designer for an established print shop in Boston, she started working at a new tattoo shop and later moved to a shop in Salem where she continued building her tattoo foundation and earned her professional body art license.
As you will see upon entering her studio, the natural world is her greatest inspiration. She loves challenging herself and is always perfecting her craft. Her careful attention to detail and thoughtful approach are frequently noted by clients.
Virgo sun, Scorpio moon, Libra rising
Jillian is a Salem-based artist, originally from the woods of New Hampshire. She earned her BFA in painting at Umass Amherst where she completed her undergraduate thesis on tattoos, their history, and cultural impact; her ultimate goal was to be a tattooer. Her biggest inspiration for art has always been nature and its inherent magic. Her nature-based art practice ranges from dark and witchy to delicate and fairy-like. Now she gets to channel that admiration for nature into her tattoo style, as well as a love for bold, historic illustrative techniques, like medieval woodcut prints and classical engravings. Her dedication to and passion for the art of tattooing makes her curious and excited to try anything new, and expand her skills as much as possible.
Jillian
tattoo apprentice
Cancer sun, Gemini moon
We were at a reptile convention in Manchester, New Hampshire where we met Doug of Firehouse Geckos in Seekonk, Massachusetts. Artemis came to live at our studio a few months later, in May of 2025 and we were instantly smitten! She is a female Giant Eclipse Leopard Gecko, het bell albino morph, which refers to her unique coloring (the albino trait is carried but not expressed). She’s an elegant lady with a flawless temperament. She’s most active at dusk and dawn but she does come hang out with us in between napping. Come see for yourself!
Artemis
studio companion
Photo magic by Shining Darkness Photography
Q&A
What is the mycelium?
In the natural world, mycelium refers to the network of tiny tendrils which form the root-like structure of fungi. To us, mycelium is community. We have established ourselves as part of a growing network of creatives, professionals, friends, acquaintances, and others. Like fungi and other organisms, we are all part of the same ecosystem. We often find ourselves referring to “the mycelium” in conversation because community is the very structure that supports and grows our creative practice.
Where did the name come from?
The short answer is, my inspiration comes from the natural world, both visually and conceptually, and the name speaks to that. The Mycelium logo (which I am very proud of) was inspired by the Inky Cap mushroom—the closest we’ll get to a tattoo pun. Coprinopsis atramentaria, commonly known as the ink cap, tippler’s bane, or inky cap, is one of many types of fungi that assist in the decomposition of wood, dung, grass, and other types of forest debris. Most of them have black spore prints and gills that liquefy as the mushroom matures. The resulting “ink” can actually be used as writing ink. Unlike tattoos, inky cap mushrooms are ephemeral, often appearing and liquifying within hours. These fungi are also edible despite their somewhat morbid appearance (although we wouldn’t recommend eating them without doing some research first). They’ve also been traditionally used for select medicinal purposes.
Isn’t mycology fascinating?
Mycelium Tattoos is located at 27 Congress Street, Building #1, Suite 1110A, Salem, MA 01970 in the building that says “Prime Group Shetland Park” on the awning.
We’re on the first floor, all the way down the hall from the front entrance, next to the rear elevator. When you walk in through the front entrance, head past the reception area and the mail room. There are restrooms here to the left, next to the glass doors. Continue through the glass doors and down the hallway which will come to a solid door and turn left; go through the door and to the end of the hallway. You'll know you've arrived when you see our logo and a small hallway leading to a green door. Feel free to call the studio if you have trouble finding us!
How do I find your studio?
Is there parking?
Parking in the lot out front of the building closest to the bridge is free and we recommend parking anywhere that says “visitor parking” such as behind the historical navy blue house named Stardust and along the wall facing the Pickering Wharf marina. Anywhere that says “reserved parking” is not advised.
The studio is about a 15 minute walk from the MBTA commuter rail station in Salem. From there, walk straight down Washington Street, turn left onto New Derby Street and walk all the way down to the Salem Visitor Center, turning right onto Congress Street. You will pass Eastern Bank on your left and over the bridge is a white building with a blue awning that says “Prime Group Shetland Park” and a small sign that says “Building 1” on the front.
What about public transportation?
Yes! Our studio is located on the first floor, next to the rear entrance where there is a wheelchair accessible ramp leading to the doors which are equipped with automatic open buttons. There are also elevators at the front and rear which give access to the whole building.
Is the building handicap accessible?
Can I get a tattoo if I am not yet 18 years old?
Only people 18 years or older are legally allowed to be tattooed in Salem. Because local regulations govern body art establishments in Massachusetts, the Salem Board of Health sets the standard. Parent and/or guardian consent does not apply. Government-issued identification such as a driver’s license, Real ID or passport is required for all clients at the time of their appointment to prove they meet this age requirement.
We do offer touch-ups for a small set-up fee. There is no expiration date, however we suggest waiting until the tattoo has fully healed and settled before reaching out to schedule a touch-up appointment (usually at least two to four weeks after your initial tattoo appointment).
Do you offer touch-ups?
How do I take care of my new tattoo?
At your tattoo appointment, we will provide aftercare instructions verbally as well as in written form. We are also happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have as your tattoo is healing. The instructions are as follows:
Your tattoo artist will wrap your tattoo, which should remain covered between 1 to 3 hours. If your tattoo is wrapped with SecondSkin or Saniderm or another brand of sterile adhesive bandage, leave it covered for 24 hours to 3 days. You will likely notice some ink and blood under the film. If the bandage begins peeling prematurely, carefully remove it in a warm shower which will loosen the adhesive. If you suspect you are having a reaction to the bandage, indicated by increased redness and itching around the edges, promptly remove it and clean the area using our recommended method.
Upon removing the bandage, wash your hands and gently wash the tattoo with room temperature water and unscented antibacterial soap until any excess blood and ink on the surface of the skin is gone. Pat, do not rub, the tattoo dry with clean paper towels or let it dry naturally. Some tattoos may feel warm as they are initially healing, which is normal.
Your tattoo healing may feel itchy, scab, and peel. As the tattooed area of skin dries out, use an unscented lotion or balm (brands like Aquaphor, Eucerin, Lubriderm, Aveeno, Cetaphil etc.) once or twice a day to hydrate the skin. Do not apply moisturizer in excess as it will clog the pores and prevent proper healing. Let your body heal naturally and do not pick at or scratch your tattoo.
Keep your tattoo protected from sun exposure and tanning, pets, bacteria, and full water submersion for at least two weeks after the body art procedure.
Tattoo infections are somewhat rare. Signs of an infected tattoo are fatigue; unexpected redness, tenderness, or swelling at the site of the body art; unexpected rash; unexpected drainage at or from the site of the body art procedure; fever within 24 hours of the body art procedure. If you experience these symptoms, contact your tattoo artist and/or consult a health care provider immediately.
If you have any questions or concerns during your healing process, please contact us.
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