Welcome to
Making art to last a lifetime.
A modern tattoo boutique in the heart of Berkeley, with deep roots in the Bay Area body art community.
Look no further than Katie Mizuno and the artists at Dark Water.
Looking for your next blackwork, geometric, or illustrative tattoo?
Start your tattoo journey here.
Take the first step towards your next (or first ☺) tattoo by sharing your idea and preferred artist through our booking form.
Meet your
Resident Artists
NOIR |
SCI-FI |
EROGURO |
CUSTOM ANIME |
SURREAL |
NOIR | SCI-FI | EROGURO | CUSTOM ANIME | SURREAL |
Born in the Pacific Northwest and raised in Korea + Bay Area, DUDURU comes from a symmetric cultural background of Western and Asian.
His art explores unconventional and contemporary realms within art, specializing in the captivating genres of eroguro, surrealism, and seductive sci-fi.
DUDURU
FINE LINE |
FLORALS |
VINTAGE |
ILLUSTRATIVE
FINE LINE | FLORALS | VINTAGE | ILLUSTRATIVE
Story radiates kindness, a trait that translates into her tattoos, which are always crafted with her client’s design requests in mind. Her portfolio is decorated with vintage-style artwork, botanicals, horror and the occult and she excels at both fine-line tattoos and bolder blackwork. During sessions, her connections to her clients are genuine and it’s likely that conversations will include movies, photos of pets, cooking recipes, her love for Colorado and for Oakland. Or, feel at ease during a quiet session with her. Her client’s comfort is a top priority and she warmly welcomes all skin and body types. Fond memories of the tattooing experience are certain to accompany Story’s art on skin as well as confidence and her client’s beauty accentuated.
Story Wilkes
COLOR |
ILLUSTRATIVE |
CYBER |
NATURE |
COLOR | ILLUSTRATIVE | CYBER | NATURE |
Josaline Green’s tattoos could come from worlds a thousand years in the future to eons past. Ancient symbology, futuristic patterns, or a unique concept you’re looking to explore, Josaline has years of experience working across different styles is ready to make your vision a reality.
Visit her portfolio below to browse her projects, concepts, and booking details!
Josaline Green
SURREAL |
FINE-LINE |
ILLUSTRATIVE |
SURREAL | FINE-LINE | ILLUSTRATIVE |
Kuya
Kuya creates tattoos that masterfully blend rigorous classical technique with imaginative vision.
His distinctive work features Renaissance-inspired imagery, elegant botanical and wildlife compositions, and meticulously rendered anatomical studies. Clients appreciate his refined aesthetic sensibility and technical precision, making him an integral member of our exclusive artistic team.
MICRO-REALISM |
NATURE |
FINE-LINE |
MICRO-REALISM | NATURE | FINE-LINE |
Whiskie
Whiskie (she/her) brings a distinctive artistic vision cultivated during her East Bay upbringing, where she developed her natural talent amidst California's inspiring landscapes. After dedicating many years to elementary education, she has embraced her true calling in tattoo artistry.
At our atelier, Whiskie creates elegant designs inspired by the natural world, specializing in sophisticated botanical and wildlife compositions that blend refined detail with playful nostalgia. Her unique perspective and technical precision make her an exceptional addition to our curated team of elite artists.
FINE LINE |
ILLUSTRATIVE |
NATURE |
FINE LINE | ILLUSTRATIVE | NATURE |
Sago
Sago crafts surreal dreamscapes that blend natural elements with cultural influences. Her artistic evolution spans from intricate ballpoint pen drawings to expressive watercolor and acrylic paintings, now culminating in her pursuit of tattoo artistry—a longstanding professional aspiration.
A San Francisco native, Sago draws inspiration from diverse landscapes and her Chinese-Burmese American heritage. This self-taught artist communicates her unique vision in both English and Mandarin, reflecting the multicultural foundations of her distinctive aesthetic approach.
BIOPHILLIC |
GEOMETRIC |
LARGE BLACKWORK |
BIOPHILLIC | GEOMETRIC | LARGE BLACKWORK |
Katie Mizuno
Lead artist and co-owner at Dark Water, Katie Mizuno is a cutting-edge geometric tattoo artist who draws from the shapes and textures of the natural world. Inspired by biophilia, Katie takes the soft and subtle patterns of flora and fauna and morphs them into abstract ornamental pieces.
She specializes in dot work, blackwork, shading, suminagashi, and blast-overs, and works closely with clients to create designs that flatter the contours of their bodies.
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