Laura Bonfanti, a tattooer, and the owner of CPTC, was born in St. Louis City and graduated from CVPA High School, class of 1991 where she majored in visual art, and minored in photography, creative writing and silversmithing. She began tattooing in 1996 when she realized she could take her interests in visual art, cultural anthropology, healing arts, and body adornment and combine them into work as a tattooer. Her career began under the apprenticeship of R. Hammer Madison and ‘Tatu’ Tony DiPietro. near Daytona, FL. It was here that she earned the nickname “BoraBoraLaura”.
When she moved back to St. Louis in 2010, she knew she wanted to be back home on the South Side for good. She is excited to welcome you to her studio in lovely SOHA. Her diversity of experience with many different, talented artists and varied clientele during her travels over the years have helped her hone her skills in a variety of styles and techniques. Custom work only, and no stand alone lettering with the except of traditional flash. Laura is focused on neo-traditional, both black and gray and color, black and gray ornamental, fineline/textural black and grey, neo-Japanese themes, and larger projects in general.
Melissa began her apprenticeship under the guidance of Laura Bonfanti in the spring of 2021 and has been tattooing since June 2021. Melissa was born and raised in St. Louis and has dreamt of becoming a tattoo artist for over a decade. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BA in Art History from Arizona State University in 2020, and decided to pursue her dream of becoming a tattoo artist after graduation.
Melissa is inspired by botanical illustrations, animals (especially cats), ukiyo-e, Studio Ghibli, surrealism and abstraction. Melissa enjoys tattooing whimsical and colorful designs as well as fineline illustrative blackwork, and welcomes other styles of tattooing so that she can grow as an artist. Follow Melissa on Instagram @honeybee.tattoos to stay updated on available flash and current work.
Amanda is a multimedia artist. She enjoys painting, illustration, tattooing, and graphic design. Her tattoo work is colorful, soft, and semi-realistic, usually depicting plants or animals. She loves doing pet portrait illustration and abstract intuitive painting.
Amanda finds her inspiration in nature, as well as concepts of spirituality, dreams, energy, folklore and philosophy, healing and wellness. She also likes working with symbolism and bright color.
In recent years, Amanda pursued interest in the healing arts to receive training as an advanced Reiki practitioner. Her current area of focus is integrating trauma-informed principles into her life and work.
She is passionate about her purpose as an artist to connect the client with an image, whether it be on paper, skin, pixel, or canvas.
To contact Amanda, for more information, or to sign up for her newsletter, visit Amanda’s website at bemycanvas.com.
Gina started tattooing in 2018 but has been an artist as soon as she was old enough to smear paint on paper. Born and raised in St. Louis, she is beyond grateful to be able to tattoo in the city that she loves. She believes art can create transcendental moments of connection and excitement in ways that little else can, and tries to honor that in her work every day. She enjoys tattooing fine line black and grey pieces with pointillism or hatching. When she uses in color, she tends towards bold, neotraditional looks. She is inspired by scientific illustrations, queer romance, the human figure, lyrics, and the cycle of life & death.
When Gina isn’t drawing, you can find her traveling, dancing in the audience anywhere from a local bar to a stadium concert (especially if it’s Harry Styles or any former member of One Direction performing), or meandering around the neighborhood on a walk with her hairless cat, Banjo. Follow her on Instagram @damnginastl.
Well versed in cat whispering and collector of shiny objects, Jo Hunter was born and raised in St. Louis with a creative mind and an eye for whimsical art. When not collecting cool rocks or inspecting their fiddle leaf fig for mealy bugs, they can be found tattooing and drawing up the next custom piece on their list. Jo prides themselves in creating an inclusive and safe space for all people, whether it is your first tattoo or hundredth, and feels that the art of tattooing should be accessible to all. Gathering inspiration from nature, fantasy novels, the occult, and images of tiny frogs with hats, Jo specializes in black and grey illustrative, with the occasional pop of of color (typically red or green).
Jo is always dropping new flash via their Instagram and is taking inquiries for custom tattoos. Jo’s books are always open — inquire at Loud Moth Tattoo website!
Avacyn is known for her ethereal illustrations and realistic fantasy artwork. She attended Webster University’s art program, where she studied figure drawing and developed a passion for art history. With a love for video games, books and fantasy worlds, Avacyn combines her knowledge of art with her deep appreciation for these genres to create stunning and unique tattoos. Her work transports her clients to magical realms filled with mythical beings, life-like florals, witches and gods. She creates custom tattoos, as well as original artwork with the intention of making life a little more beautiful.
Alea Ahmadian is an artist whose work bridges the worlds of science, storytelling, and tradition. Drawing from a young age, she pursued her dual passions at Saint Louis University, earning degrees in both Studio Art and Biology. After taking time away from academia to refine her direction, she returned to merge these disciplines through a graduate degree in medical illustration at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Following graduation, Alea stepped into the world of tattooing through an apprenticeship that deepened her technical skill and artistic voice. She became a licensed tattoo artist in 2025, and in 2026 joined the Cousin Paul family, where she continues to grow and evolve within a community of artists.
Her work is inspired by fantasy, biology, and anatomy, often weaving together natural forms with imaginative elements. She is especially drawn to illustrative approaches and the bold, textured qualities of medieval woodblock print, creating pieces that feel both timeless and deeply personal.
