Niki Rain

What motivated you to get into tattooing?

When I was a kid living in the Philippines, I saw my older cousin get in real big trouble for getting a tiny little rose tattoo on her wrist. I was like, “ooh, she’s bad, real bad,” and that was it. Living in Manila at the time, the only tattoos I remember really seeing were simple little, roses, a tiny dragon, crosses, or names—nothing too fancy. Back then, it wasn’t very common to see visible tattoos just out there on people’s bodies in public like that, but the few tattoos I did see were burned into my brain forever. After my family moved back to the States coupled with the early stages of high speed internet, I started to become obsessed with Japanese tattooing and tattoo bodysuits—most importantly, the concept of tattooing as a ritual process. Even though I’m not someone who does Japanese style tattoos, I think it’s Asian origin was a massive influence in finding a familial connection as an aspiring tattooer who came from a mixed Filipino-American background. Throw a bit of punk rock, skateboarding, freight train-riding, and lawless living in my late teens and early twenties—that just about sums up how tattooing ultimately presented itself to me. The rest is history.

How did you end up at Idle Hand in SF?

Before moving back to the Bay Area in 2021, I lived in New Orleans for thirteen years. I would regularly come back to visit family in the Bay and was guesting regularly at Idle Hand whenever I was in town. To be honest, I never thought in a million years I’d make the cut working at such a prolific tattoo shop—with being a black and gray fine-line tattooer at a very traditional street shop. Maybe it was my sense of humor, impeccable charm, or my angel of a dog who won everyone over, but either way it got me the honor of filling a highly coveted seat at Idle Hand’s legendary bold and traditional table.

Do you prefer doing giant back pieces or smaller one off tats?

I’m pretty obsessed with doing giant full back pieces or other large tattoos. With larger pieces the opportunity to build out and zoom into the narrative of a tattoo’s story is the coolest freaking thing ever. It’s been such a gratifying experience to be able to cast a spotlight on a very specific mood and moment through the tattoos. Being able to integrate my own flavor of visual vocabulary that I’ve developed from my own life experiences and using them to transform a tattoo into a story that’s more than just a massive tattoo is incredible. I see a large tattoo as a way to manifest this fragment of a story, that only exists in this multi-dimensional realm of ink and flesh. As each big project progresses from simple outline to a build up of contrast with shading and texture is such a trip. I think ultimately I realized that it’s a part of tattooing where I’m able to fully nerd out with creative freedom.

What is Sombra Gray’s all about?

Sombra Grays’ mainstay is a collection of graywash tattoo ink made in intentional batches by tattooers, for tattooers. It was co-founded by one of my favorite humans and fellow tattooer, Carlos Truan out of Austin, TX (who’s an amazing skater as well). Shortly after Sombra first made its way into its bottles, Carlos gave me a few to test out and I’ve been using it for almost every tattoo since 2018. For a black and gray artist, it’s been a complete game changer to have a set of gray tones that allow for smooth shading and texture control with such dependable consistency per shade of bottle.

Best shop you’ve gotten to do a guest spot at?

Does it count if I work there now?! I would have to say that out of all the shops that still exist, Communion Tattoo in Austin, TX, (Carlos’s shop and Sombra’s TX headquarters) is hands down my favorite place to guest. It’s a very warm and welcoming shop that just emanates positive and good vibes. For a tattoo shop or any work environment for that matter, that’s it for me. Anytime I’m there I always feel like I’m hanging with the tatt fam.

What kind of terrain do you prefer to skate?

I’m a low gravity kind of guy, so I love curbs and freaky DIY spots. I’m very easy to please and usually have the most fun skating little spots that someone out there created.

Favorite spot in SF?

I live in Oakland, so on this side of the bridge I think the curbs at Rockridge are where it’s at. I’d follow that up with the Emeryville park, it’s got that fun little pump bump/bump quarter thing with the pool coping. 

Originally published in Issue 2 - January 2024