Tattoo artist makes national mark

It's a pretty good bet that when someone says “tattoo artist,” many picture a grizzly-haired biker type working in a dark, hole-in-the-wall shop.

Omahan Nikki Pettis is working to erase that stereotype.

The award-winning tattoo artist is a petite young woman with glossy dark hair, who works in a scrupulously clean shop. The only things about her that might conform to the earlier vision are her decorated arms and a lip ring.

Her shop, Hebe GB Tattoo, is bright, colorful and tasteful. Her work is strictly custom tattoos that she designs after consulting with her clients.

The style of work more closely resembles artwork done in pastels or oil paint than the anchors sported by Popeye.

“I don't like tattoos that look like tattoos,” Pettis said.

Pettis, who always was an artist, said she got her first tattoo at 15. Her parents didn't know, she said, but were accepting once they found out.

From there, it was a short step to trying that art herself. Her first “client” was a friend.

“I've worked in all mediums,” Pettis said. “Skin is by far the most interesting.”

She specializes in natural, realistic depictions, and her work has garnered national attention.

Pettis has won 11 top awards in the last four years at Alliance of Professional Tattooists national conventions. At this year's meeting in Kansas City, she picked up awards for best black and gray tattoo, best cover-up tattoo, best tattoo of the day for Saturday and best full back tattoo.

Clients come to her from across the country. An Australian found her online and made the trip to get a tattoo. And a fan of Grant Wilson of “Ghost Hunters” came to her to get a portrait tattoo of Wilson before meeting the television star in person. Wilson was blown away when he saw it, Pettis said.

Sharing her shop is Pettis' boyfriend, Wade Pellegran. They met seven years ago at a tattooist convention and lived in Baton Rouge, La., for a while before moving to Omaha.

It was a good decision. They left Louisiana two days before Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005.

Pettis' other partner is Dick Warsocki, who has been in the business for 35 years. He's a mentor, collaborator and friend.

Tattooing is a perfect fit, Pettis said.

“I love what I do,” she said. “I love it so much that I can give someone something that's beautiful.

“I was born to tattoo.”

Contact the writer:

444-1067, carol.bicak@owh.com

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