Tattooer, Musician, Artist

Bonnie Ramone (she/her) is a queer artist and musician from backwoods Appalachia between Wheeling, WV and Pittsburgh, Pa. She has been drawing and making art for as long as she can remember. After years of a very traditional fine arts background in photo-realism, she became fed up with the highbrow so-and-so’s and devoted her time to tattooing in 2010. While completing a BA in English Literature and performing shows with various bands, Bonnie also worked full-time at several street shops on Carson street in Pittsburgh’s South Side, building her skills and portfolio. Working her way up the shop ladder and traveling often, she learned what she could and honed her craft. Bonnie brings well over a decade of care, craftsmanship, and creativity to her process, and travels frequently to Nashville (at the Monolith Tattoo Co), Denver (at Disruptive Ink), and Asheville, NC. All of her experience led her to opening her own shop in January of 2023 with fellow tattooer, Kristin Hawk-Snyder, called the Kindred Spirit Tattoo Co. The Kindred Spirit is located in Pittsburgh’s Garfield neighborhood, and boasts a large number of talented artists, a dedication to craft, creativity, and technique, and a promise for care and inclusivity.

As a musician, she performs regularly and tours throughout the country often with her band, Bonnie & the Mere Mortals; a project OutFront Magazine described thusly: “For Bonnie & the Mere Mortals, the term “Southern gothic” is very literal, as they find themselves with one foot in country and the other in goth and shoegaze, all with queer lyrical themes. It’s a creative blending of genres that seems to attract listeners of both the country and gothic persuasions and finds odd connections between the two cultures.” They almost always have an upcoming show in Pittsburgh, so make sure to check the calendar if you think a blend of Dolly Parton and the Cure sounds like a good time.

Stylistically, Bonnie’s work floats between illustrative neo-traditional pieces, photorealism, and stipple work, but she’s happy tattooing most styles. She enjoys doing anything with a face or anything that grows, and she has a special place in her heart for anything dark or music-related. As a practitioner, full consent throughout the process, being trauma-informed, and inclusivity are at the utmost heart of how Bonnie operates. Regardless of race, gender identity, gender expression, age, size, creed, beliefs, or disability, everyone should be able to receive a tattoo that honors their body and should be treated with respect and care. When she’s not at the shop, she can be found playing with her band, at home cooking, or curling up with a good record and a good book with her wiener dog, Gilbert Cannoli, who can almost always be found at the shop.