✩₊⚘ kak ⋆ kaktus ⋆ cassi ⚘₊✩
to book, please dm me on Instagram or fill out the form below.
You may notice random bolded letters throughout the site- studies have shown this helps lead the eye over big bulks of text!
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who am i?
I go by many names in the shop- primarily Kaktus or Kak! But lots know me as Cassi Payne. I am a 24-year-old tattoo artist based out of Bowling Green, KY. I attended Western Kentucky University and graduated with a BA in Psychology in May 2023. I minored in Studio Art and very nearly pursued a dual degree with a concentration in printmaking (Intaglio is my favorite!)- but I was ready to graduate once I got my apprenticeship. I apprenticed under Tim Phelps at Age of Reason Tattoo for almost two years. I graduated from my apprenticeship in June 2024 and still tattoo at his shop to this day!
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where am i?
I'm located at Age of Reason Tattoo at 1328 Magnolia St, Bowling Green, KY 42101. We operate out of a little blue shop a street over from the hustle and bustle of 31-W. We have three artists total (Tim, Sonora, and me) & our piercer Pepper. A small but mighty shop! We prioritize a cozy, chill environment and the small crew is perfect for it. We each have our own private rooms, so if you are looking for privacy, we may be the shop for you!
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what tattoos do i do?
I love to tattoo critters, creatures, cryptids, botanicals, memorials/tributes, spooky things, cutesy things, meme things. Flora & fauna is the most fun for me! Due to how early I am in my career, I haven't specifically pinpointed exactly what things I love to do. So far- my absolute favorite thing to tattoo is cats & rodents! People ask to name my style often and the best answer I can give is "illustrative" or "blackwork" tattoos. Please look through my online portfolio before booking with me- I'm alwayswilling to try many different styles, but I will always refer out if it's a style or subject that I don't think I could thrive with.
pricing
My rate is $120/hr. The shop minimum is $60.
I only take cash, card, and venmo transactions.
There is a 6% sales tax on all transactions & a 4% processing fee for card & venmo transactions. (i.e. if you bring cash, you only have to pay sales tax!)
I give quotes based on placement, size, and level of detail.
You are not charged for design time, prep time, stenciling, etc. Just needle to skin time!
I will work with your budget! Please let me know your budget and I can design your tattoo with the time constraints in mind.
deposits
A $60 deposit (+processing fee if paying through card or venmo) is required at time of booking to reserve your appointment time. Failure to do so will result in no appointment being put into my books, regardless of any discussion beforehand. It isn't reserved until your deposit it placed. It is first deposit - first serve!
Deposits are nonrefundable but can be used for two reschedules.
The deposit will come off the final price of the tattoo. If it is a multi-session tattoo, I will let you choose which session the deposit comes off of.
You can leave more as a deposit if you wish, but $60 is the minimum.
In the occasion the deposit covers 100% of the tattoo, you will only owe sales tax (and/or processing fee if you paid with venmo/card) the day of the appointment.
I will hold your deposit for 3 months without a set appointment date. After three months and no communication, your deposit is forfeited.
cancellations & reschedules
You must give me 24 hour notice in order to keep your deposit towards a reschedule. Failure to do so will result in losing your deposit.
If you are over 15 minutes late to an appointment with no communication (i.e. a heads up), you will lose your deposit.
No call / no shows (after 15 minute mercy window) will result in a forfeit of your deposit.
tattoo restrictions
I will NOT tattoo:
ᝰ .ᐟ I set these boundaries for both of our best interests. Our health & safety is my priority.
hateful imagery
identical copies of another artist's work (without consent/permission of the artist - i.e. tattoo tickets!)
anyone pregnant or breastfeeding
anyone under 18
anyone with active sunburns or damaged skin
fingers,toes, and faces
designing
I will not draw without a deposit/appointment already in the books!
Due to my booking schedule, I don't usually get time until a day or so before your tattoo to work on your design. But I always schedule time to work on your tattoo beforehand. I call this my "drawing queue".
If I get time beforehand to work on it, I will send it as soon as I can.
Once I send the design, you are free to make as many adjustments and alterations as you'd like. Just let me know!
I prefer having the design completely finalized beforehand to help with time management the day of your appointment.
I like to offer the design at least the night beforehand so we can iron out details and you can sleep on it. I've been warned against this due to people taking mock up designs & taking them to a different artist- but I hope to never have to change this policy!
Getting a tattoo is an exercise in vulnerability and trust.
It is a process of altering the body permanently.It isn't a process to be taken lightly & I emphasize the importance of researching your artist beforehand.Through my experience with tattooing, I've come to understand that tattooing can be used to heal.
It can be an exercise of regaining body autonomy, of honoring or memorializing, working on body dysmorphia, or making the identity inside match the outside.It can mean so much to someone or mean absolutely nothing at all.
Both options deserve respect in return for the trust.On the other hand, tattoos can also be used for harm.
The industry has a bad background of uneven power dynamics, taking advantage of clients, and not prioritizing the health & safety of the client. As a new tattoo artist coming up in the industry, I can recognize these patterns and feel it's my responsibility to break the cycle. This can be done with honesty, reliability, returning vulnerability, and appropriate boundaries.
𓆝 𓆟 It has always been the responsibility of those inside of the industry to protect those within. 𓆞 𓆝
In the USA, there are no federal regulations in terms of tattoo application or products.At the state level, health department inspections and licensure can help with health & sanitation. But some states are more lax than others.For example, KY requires a health inspection of your studio (check for running hot water, sharps containers, autoclave, etc.) and licensure (no test or experience necessary, you just need a BBP course & $100 to register).There is absolutely no trouble with researching an artist or shop beforehand. I strongly suggest visiting the shop beforehand or viewing a portfolio before a needle gets anywhere near you. I often suggest our walk-in clients view our artist's portfolios beforehand and never leave the responsibility of choice in our hands. Some artists will take your trust (and money) and run as far as they can with it!Due to how unregulated the industry is, YOU (the client) are responsible for your own care.No matter what anyone says or does: it is YOUR body - you should always get the final say.
Tattoo artists will set boundaries for your protection and theirs.It is important to respect these for the health of both parties.
⊹ client rights ⊹
✧ YOU DESERVE:
a clean and sanitary place to receive a tattoo.
a space to feel safe to ask questions and discuss options with an artist.
the space to back out or alter a tattoo if you aren't 100% certain - completely guilt-free.
honesty about the integrity of a tattoo to ensure it lasts as long as you do.
honesty from the artist about their skill set and what projects they are comfortable taking on.
an open line of communication (in terms of questions, concerns, and expectations).
⊹ artist rights ⊹
✧ ARTISTS DESERVE:
the ability to reject certain projects, iconography, or placements. (you don't want an artist who isn't excited to work on your tattoo!)
the space to talk openly about the realities of your potential tattoo (i.e. longevity, integrity of a design, etc.)
Time away from their clients (i.e. many artists are designing, tattooing, book-keeping, marketing, and responding to clients 24/7 with no space for solitude or recuperation.)
TAMARA SANTIBAÑEZ's "Tattooing as Liberation Work" is a must read for clients & artists alike if you are interested in tattoo ethics & trauma-informed tattooing!
before the tattoo
Bring a valid government issued ID for paperwork. (You must be over 18 to get tattooed at our shop!)
Get a good night's rest - Your body needs the energy.
Have something in your stomach at least an hour before your appointment. We want to keep your blood sugar up! The sooner you eat before your appointment, the better.
Don't take any bloodthinners for 12 hours prior to the appointment. (i.e. acetaminophen, ibuprofen, alcohol, marijuana, etc.) They can thin the blood or slow clotting time.
Bring a snack or cold drink! (I supply some treats, but if you have allergies, I may not be able to accommodate!)
Don't shave beforehand - It may cause skin irritation which could impact the application of the tattoo.
PLEASE let me know if you plan on using numbing cream. I don't like tattooing clients with numbing cream (i.e. it constricts blood vessels which can cause for a rougher healing period once the numbing wears off, it can impact the texture of the skin & how the ink is retained, etc.), but I can as an accommodation. I don't offer any numbing cream (it's not a federally regulated substance - I won't put anything on you that I haven't used on myself or has years of research/usage backing it up). I DO offer bactine spray throughout the tattoo if you ask for it. The skin must be worked on prior to usage, but it is the strongest amount of lidocaine available over the counter.
during your tattoo
I advoacte for an open line of communication throughout the duration of your tattoo.
If you need ANYTHING- please let me know! There is no shame in taking breaks.
The way your natural painkillers (endorphins) work makes it so taking lots of breaks in a short amount of time may cause more pain in the long run. So choose your breaks wisely, but always know, I will never shame you for needing a moment or needing to split the session.
I have refreshments at the ready if you are feeling faint. Just let me know!Please see "cozy appointments" below for an explanation of accommodations that can be made for tattoo application.
I want to make the experience as good as the art!
after your tattoo
After the tattoo, I will wrap you up with a dri loc pad. I don't offer "second skin" or any primarily adhesive bandages at this time. Keep your bandage on until you get home (maximum of 5 hours). Remove the bandage and gently wash with warm water and unscented soap. Pat the tattoo dry with a clean paper towel.
Wash twice daily for the first two weeks. Do not reapply a bandage unless you frequent a potentially infectious environment. Keep the fresh tattoo covered and out of the sun as much as possible. Treat it like an open wound for the first two weeks.
After every wash, apply a thin layer (rubbed in extremely well- not sticky to the touch) of unscented lotion or moisturizer. Leaving lotion standing on the skin can trap bacteria and increase risk for infection.
DO NOT swim/submerge your tattoo for the first two weeks. (Showers are fine!)
Keep the tattoo out of direct sunlight for two weeks.
Remember less is more! Your body does a great job of healing things naturally.
Keep your sheets clean and human/animal germs away from the tattoo for the first week.
Don't forget: I offer a 90-day free touch up period. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you need one!
cozy appointments
What is a cozy appointment?
Starts at 9am (an hour before the shop opens - quieter and less people)
I have my own room in the shop with its own speaker. We can close the door and turn up your music (or bring your headphones, I don't mind)!
This allows us to take the time to ease into the process, I can walk you through each step if it helps you.
Alternatively, we can chat to keep your mind off of it. Or bring your headphones and we can have a completely silent session!
You can opt to lay down on the massage table for the tattoo if you know you have issues with feeling faint or weary around the process. I’ve got lots of pillows and stress balls!
I’ve got reserves of sodas, candies, and snacks at the ready to keep you safe and comfortable throughout the process. We even have tea!
If you’ve never gotten a tattoo before or have a history of bad experiences surrounding needles/tattoo/etc. - it can be a daunting process. I’m here to help! I know a variety of coping mechanisms that we can try out to make the process easier for you.
Communication is key. Please let me know when booking if you’d like to book a cozy appointment! I offer everything listed in my normal appointments, but things can get loud in the shop during business hours.
