Meet Kat Dukes

Today we’re excited to be connecting with Kat Dukes again. If you haven’t already, we suggest you check out our prior conversation with them here.

Kat, always such a pleasure connecting with you and thank you for sharing your stories, insights and inspiring messages with our community. We’re looking forward to getting the download and what you have been up to since our last interview, but first can you briefly introduce yourself to folks who might have missed the prior conversation.
My name is Kat Dukes, owner of Steel Honey. I’m a stick and poke tattoo artist located in Oceanside. I’m completely self-taught and have been tattooing for five years. Most of my clients describe the machine-free experience as less intense and more tolerable than traditional tattoos. Overall, the process is gentler on skin and heals faster. My style is inspired by nature and the wild west; you’ll see my Instagram profile is awash with desert scenes and an array of animals. I also adore creating pet portraits and memorial pieces for those who have lost their beloved companions.
When I did my first interview back in 2021, I was tattooing out of a Dodge van I had refurbished. I now have a private studio on PCH where my clients receive machine free tattoos in a relaxing atmosphere. My private studio is part of a collective of women-owned small businesses. There’s waxing, facials, brows etc. I love working in this beautiful space with such exceptional people. In the meantime, I’m converting a school bus into a mobile tattoo studio. It’s very close to completion but I’ve already stretched her legs and participated in a few markets, events and a wedding last year!

Awesome, so we reached out because we wanted to hear all about what you have been up to since we last connected.
I’ve had a lot of significant changes over the last couple of years, especially with my business! I’m no longer working from my Dodge van doing “Tattoos with an Ocean View.” Although it was a difficult decision, I knew it was time to level up and expand with the growth of my business. I purchased a 2010 Chevy school bus and turning it into my new mobile tattoo studio. This buildout has taken me an incredible amount of time, money and patience, but I can finally see the finish line! I’ve had to overcome numerous obstacles during this renovation. Everything from the roof leaking, over six months of replacing parts to pass smog, plumbing issues, and a river of tears. This has been a mammoth undertaking, it’s basically a house on wheels. I truly had no idea what I was getting myself into. I thought, ‘I renovated the van, how hard could a bus be?’ The answer is, painstakingly hard. That said, I’m incredibly grateful to have acquired so many skills during this process. My confidence with building, fabricating and welding has never been higher. My favorite step was the attention to detail I put into the woodwork; defining touches that represent the Steel Honey brand are throughout. In addition to providing the unique experience of machine free tattoos, I wanted to create a space for my clients that offers an elevated experience; comfortable and private.

We have now arrived at one of our favorite parts of the interview – the lightning round. We’ll ask you a few quick questions to give us all some fun insights about you.

Favorite Movie: Misery – 1990

Favorite Book: All The Ugly and Wonderful Things – Bryn Greenwood

Favorite TV Show: Freaks and Geeks

Favorite Band or Artist: Judas Preist

Sweet or Savory: Used to be sweet, now it’s savory

Mountains or Beach: Desert! haha

Favorite Sport (to watch): Hockey

Favorite Childhood movie: The Dark Crystal – 1882

Favorite Breakfast Food: Eggs Florentine

Life is often about tough choices – can you talk to us about your thought process, strategy or philosophy when it comes to making difficult choices or tradeoffs.
When I think about tough choices they don’t typically coiincide with big events, but rather the moments I challenge myself with arduous tasks. These tasks have their own category, “things I could put off endlessly.” They include, but aren’t limited to: waking up early, choosing to exercise, working on my bus buildout instead of hanging with friends. All these little decisions make up the life I’m able to have, as well as giving me the courage to make tougher decisions and bolder moves. It’s taken time and patience to cultivate this mindset and I’m still learning. These seemingly mundane actions done consistently provide me with the structure and balance I need to thrive. I also believe the thoughts we have, what we consume and the people who are close to us is a true reflection of the life we lead.

Website: https://steelhoneyshop.com

Instagram: @steel_honey

Image Credits
Katie Sturgill