Tattoos by Mariella Neo Traditional Tattoo Artist in Knoxville, TN

Right here. Mariella works by appointment at Born This Way Body Arts, 6911 Kingston Pike in West Knoxville. The studio is quiet, and a private room is available on request. She tattoos full-color neo traditional work: flowers and plants, animals, bugs and other things from nature.

Price depends on size, placement and detail. The studio minimum is $150, and most pieces land between $300 and $1,200. Full sleeves and back pieces cost more. Send your idea through the form below and Mariella will reply with a quote. A non-refundable deposit holds your appointment and comes off the final price.

Use the Submit a tattoo idea form below. Tell Mariella the subject, placement, rough size and timing. She usually replies by email within a couple of days. When you're ready, you pay a deposit and pick a date together. She does not book through Instagram DMs, because the form keeps everything in one place.

Neo traditional grows out of American Traditional. It keeps the bold black outlines and saturated color, then adds finer detail, a wider color palette and more realistic shading. Mariella's work leans toward nature: flowers, plants, animals and bugs.

No. Every piece Mariella does is drawn for the client, so her appointments are booked in advance through the form. Other artists at Born This Way Body Arts may take walk-ins; call the shop on Kingston Pike to check.

Mariella tattoos Monday through Friday, 10am to 6pm, at Born This Way Body Arts. She's flexible: evenings or weekends can work when they're agreed on in advance.

The surface heals in about 2 weeks, and the deeper layers of skin take 6 to 8 weeks. Color tattoos can look a little milky while the top layer flakes off. That's normal. Mariella sends every client home with written aftercare instructions and answers email if anything looks off. The tattoo aftercare guide has the day-by-day version.

Sleep well the night before and eat a real meal in the hour before your appointment, since low blood sugar makes it harder to sit. Drink plenty of water that day and the day before. Skip alcohol for at least 24 hours, and don't take blood thinners such as aspirin or ibuprofen the day of. Wear comfortable clothes that make the area easy to reach, and bring snacks for a long session.

It varies. Small, palm-size pieces often book within a few weeks. Bigger custom work, like half-sleeves, back pieces and multi-session projects, usually books 1 to 3 months out. Use the "preferred timeframe" field on the form and Mariella will find a date that works for both of you.