Knoxville, Tennessee

Tattoos by Mariella — Neo Traditional Tattoo Artist in Knoxville, TN

Full-color neo traditional tattooing. Plants, animals, and the small wild things — made for one body at a time.

Submit a tattoo idea

Now booking out of Born This Way Body Arts on Kingston Pike

Mariella Myers, full-color neo traditional tattoo artist in Knoxville, TN

Hi, I'm Mariella.

I've been tattooing for over twelve years, and you'll find me at Born This Way Body Arts on Kingston Pike, here in Knoxville. My work is full-color neo traditional — bold lines, saturated color, and a long-running love for the natural world. Plants, animals, flowers, the small wild things.

I want every tattoo I make to feel like it was always meant to be on you — the kind of piece that holds up over a lifetime and feels more yours every year.

The studio is private, calm, and clean. Private rooms are available on request, and every session ends with full aftercare guidance so your tattoo heals as well as it looks. Whether this is your first piece or your fifteenth, I'd love to hear what you're thinking about.

  • Private, comfortable, relaxing environment
  • Full-color custom designs, made for you
  • Top-tier safety and cleaning standards
  • Full aftercare guidance for tattoos that heal beautifully

Recent work

A snapshot of recent pieces. For day-to-day work and process, follow along on @rawr_mariella.

How it works

  1. 01

    Tell me about it

    Fill out the form below with your idea, references, placement, and rough timing. The more detail you can give me, the better I can imagine it.

  2. 02

    We'll be in touch

    Mariella or a staff member at Born This Way Body Arts will reach out to finalize your appointment and collect a deposit. We'll lock in the design together so you walk in knowing exactly what's getting tattooed.

  3. 03

    You get tattooed

    Show up rested, eat a good meal beforehand, drink plenty of water, and bring snacks if it's a long one. We'll make a beautiful afternoon of it.

Kind words

"Mariella took my half-formed idea and turned it into the most beautiful botanical sleeve. She listened, suggested where I'd never thought to, and made me feel comfortable the whole time."

Sage Whitfield · Knoxville TN

"I drove three hours for my appointment and would do it again tomorrow. Her line work is unreal, and she's an absolute joy to spend an afternoon with."

Margaret Holloway · Asheville NC

"First color piece I'd ever gotten and I was nervous. Mar walked me through everything start to finish. Healed up gorgeous and still looks like the day I got it."

Frequently asked questions

A few things people ask before booking. Mariella — please review and edit these answers before publishing.

Where can I get a neo traditional tattoo in Knoxville?

Right here. Mariella works out of Born This Way Body Arts at 6911 Kingston Pike in West Knoxville — a private, calm studio with private rooms available on request. She specializes in full-color neo traditional tattoos featuring plants, animals, flowers, and the natural world.

How much does a tattoo with Mariella cost?

Pricing depends on size, placement, and complexity. The studio minimum is $150, and most pieces fall between $300 and $1,200 — full sleeves and back pieces run higher. After you submit a tattoo idea through the form below, Mariella will reply with a quote. A non-refundable deposit secures your appointment and is applied to the final cost.

How do I book a tattoo appointment?

Use the Submit a tattoo idea form below. Tell Mariella what you're thinking about — subject, placement, rough size, and timing. She replies by email, usually within a couple of days. Once you're ready to book, you'll send a deposit and lock in a date together. Mariella does not book by Instagram DM — the form keeps everything in one place.

What is neo traditional tattoo style?

Neo traditional is a tattoo style that builds on American Traditional — bold black outlines and saturated color — but adds finer detail, broader color palettes, and more naturalistic shading. Mariella's neo traditional work leans botanical: lush flowers, animals, and natural-world subjects rendered with painterly color and confident linework that holds up over a lifetime.

Do you take walk-ins?

No — every piece Mariella makes is custom-designed for the client, so all appointments are booked in advance through the form. Born This Way Body Arts has other artists on staff who may take walk-ins; call the shop at the Kingston Pike location for current availability.

How long do neo traditional tattoos take to heal?

Surface healing takes about 2 weeks; full healing through the deeper layers of skin takes 6 to 8 weeks. Color tattoos sometimes look slightly milky as the top layer flakes off — that's normal. Mariella sends every client home with full written aftercare instructions and is available by email if anything looks off.

What should I do before my appointment?

Sleep well the night before. Eat a real meal in the hour before your appointment — blood sugar matters. Drink plenty of water that day and the day before. Skip alcohol for at least 24 hours and don't take blood thinners (aspirin, ibuprofen) the day of. Wear comfortable clothes that give easy access to the area being tattooed. Bring snacks if it's a long session.

How long is the waitlist?

It varies. Quick palm-size pieces often book within a few weeks. Larger custom work — half-sleeves, back pieces, multi-session projects — typically books out 1 to 3 months. The form has a "preferred timeframe" field so Mariella can slot you in to a date that works for both of you.

Submit a tattoo idea

Tell me what you're thinking about. I'll reply by email — usually within a couple of days.

Submissions go straight to Born This Way Body Arts. Mariella will reply by email.