Sorry Sorry Tattoo is a Queer Femme-Body Friendly Shop
Seattle's Raychelle Ordonez is
the People's Tattoo Artist
Why, yes, I did wait to get my first tattoo until I was over 40. Just like many of my xennial peers, I thought about what kind of tattoo I'd get with all my adult freedom when I turned 18. It's just that I like to be really sure of decisions with lasting consequences, so it took me a couple of decades to decide. The easiest part of the decision was choosing a tattoo artist. Do you know about Seattle's Raychelle Ordonez of Sorry Sorry Tattoo Shop?
I started following Raychelle on Instagram when local artist and community organizer Nikkita Oliver shared their experience with Raychelle, calling her "the People's Tattoo artist."
Raychelle is an illustrator, truly a genius with bold color and shading, and the owner of Seattle's Sorry Sorry Tattoo Shop on Capitol Hill. If you know, you know, but if you're not local you may not recognize Capitol Hill is our city's Gayberhood. With rainbow-painted crosswalks and pride flags hanging in most of the storefront windows, this is the best spot for a queer-friendly body-affirming women-owned tattoo shop!
As warm and welcoming as Sorry Sorry is, it's not easy to get in. Sorry Sorry is not a walk-up tattoo shop. Not only is there a security code-locked door that Raychelle will open to greet you at your appointment time, but she's booked out for at least a month anyway. My boyfriend and I made our appointment about 7 weeks before his trip into town, knowing we only had a short window ourselves if we wanted the experience of getting these tattoos together. So, think ahead and look at your calendar before you reach out to her. Then, once you do, she's great at getting back to you to chat about what you're looking for and when you can connect for a virtual consultation ahead of your appointment.
We emailed Raychelle a couple of reference photos so she had an idea of what we each wanted, but the real magic is watching her interpretation come to life. Raychelle Ordonez's style is unmistakable. Getting to meet and chat over video and see real-time what she was working on was a very special way to be able to ask questions and get excited about this art piece that would be going onto my body.
Then, as if I needed any more confidence in my choice of tattoo artist, the same week I was headed in for my tattoo, Raychelle was featured as The Stranger's Artist of the Week. Check out Corianton Hale's write-up about Raychelle here.
Raychelle Ordonez featured in Seattle’s The Stranger as Artist of the Week
Once we arrived at Sorry Sorry Tattoo and were welcomed in, we signed a quick consent form, confirmed the outline sketch and placement, and then Raychelle carefully shaved the area before she began. It's tough to tell if all the light in the shop is coming from the big front windows or Ray's literal soul. She is so bright and fun! She's into kicks and music and books written by Pinay authors. She'll chat about relationships and tricky generational immigrant family dynamics and queerness and art. If you're going to sit and have ink cut into your skin slowly for a few hours, Raychelle Ordonez is the good company you want to do the cutting.
Thank you, Raychelle, for my beautiful birthday tattoo. I'm thrilled with every detail.
If you're looking for a queer-friendly, body-affirming, phenomenally talented tattoo artist in Seattle, check out Raychelle Ordonez of Sorry Sorry Tattoo.
