DIANE BASLER-WHITE

I've been an artist for as long as I can remember—probably since the moment I learned how to hold a pencil. Colored pencils and airbrush have always been two of my favorite mediums, although I've explored just about every form of art over the years. Growing up, art was my outlet and the one thing that helped me stay focused and enjoy school. I never imagined it would eventually become my career.

I began tattooing at a time when the industry was very different. There was no social media, Google, or easy access to information. Tattooing was still a very private and coveted craft and very difficult to enter into.

After getting my first tattoo, I remember asking my artist how someone got started in tattooing. Not long after, I was offered an apprenticeship after an admittedly terrible attempt at tattooing my little sister! The artist who fixed it happened to be looking for a female artist and gave me an opportunity. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to complete the apprenticeship because I had my daughter prematurely, but I continued practicing and eventually earned my first job as a tattoo artist. Those early opportunities became the foundation of my career.

Because I started in a traditional, flash-based shop, I had the opportunity to learn and practice many different styles. That experience helped me become a very versatile artist. Today, I enjoy everything from fine lines and intricate micro tattoos to detailed mandalas, geometric and dot work, cover-ups, and bold color. I also love black and grey realism, portraits, animal portraits, and traditional tattooing.

After only a couple of years of tattooing, I took a leap and opened my own shop in the back of a clothing store. That location lasted only three months before I opened my first “real” studio. Looking back, I was probably either incredibly brave or completely naïve to start my own business so early in my career—but it ended up being one of the best decisions I've ever made.

Over the years, owning a shop has come with plenty of challenges, learning curves, and growth. More importantly, it gave me the opportunity to create the kind of environment I wanted: welcoming, inclusive, safe, comfortable, and focused on quality work.

I'm incredibly proud to say that I've built that environment at Syncere Tattoo. I've surrounded myself with talented artists who are not only passionate about their craft, but are genuinely wonderful people. Creating a space where everyone feels comfortable and respected is just as important to me as the quality of the artwork.

I believe tattoos should feel personal and unique to the person wearing them. I love working with my clients through communication, ideas, and direction to create something that is truly their own.

I also believe choosing the right artist is incredibly important. Style, experience, personality, comfort, and compatibility all play a role—you can spend many hours with your tattoo artist, so finding the right fit matters. Taking the time to review portfolios and have an initial consultation can help ensure you've found the right artist for your project.

Over the years, I've attended conventions and seminars, continued my education, and constantly pushed myself to improve. Quality work and the experience my clients have while getting tattooed are my two biggest priorities.

One of the things I love most about tattooing is the community it has created in my life. I'm grateful that after all these years, this career is still largely built on relationships, referrals, and word of mouth.

Whether you're a longtime client, a returning client, or someone who was referred to us for the first time, I'm excited to help create a piece of art that you'll hopefully love for a lifetime.