shannon Kuzara

owner / tattoo artist

Shannon Kuzara, tattoo artist at Sink or Swim Tattoo and Piercing in Niagara Falls, NY
Shannon Kuzara, tattoo artist at Sink or Swim Tattoo and Piercing in Niagara Falls, NY

Shannon Kuzara has held a deep love for creating art— whether drawing, painting, or crafting—for as long as she can remember. Her pursuit of studio art classes in high school and college further fostered her interest in a wide range of artistic mediums. shannons entry into the world of tattooing came on her 18th birthday and getting her first tattoo—an anchor—at Twisted Tiki Tattoo in Tonawanda, New York. While drawing alongside her husband Keith kuzara, every night while they were dating, her interest in pursuing a career connected to her love for art, blossomed. In 2013, she began an apprenticeship under Dan Whipkey, then owner of Sink or Swim, and still remembers one of her assignments—recreating an entire wall of old Sailor Jerry tattoo flash. shannon later became co-owner of Sink or Swim with Keith, who purchased the studio from Whipkey in 2015.

Shannons distinctive approach to Neo Traditional tattoos is characterized by a vibrant color palette and unique stylistic approach. shannons style emphasizes different line weights to create dimension and features bright, eye-catching colors that allow her designs to stand out dramatically. She draws this passion for creating bright tattoos that “can be visible from across a room” to a childhood love for the bright aesthetic of Lisa Frank. In addition to tattooing, shannon has a wide range of artistic pursuits, including watercolor paintings of landscapes from around the world she has visited—reflecting her love of travel and experiencing other cultures. A lifelong passion for crafting and creating something tangible continues to inspire her, whose small, detailed art pieces showcase her meticulous attention to detail.

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Shannon smiling while tattooing a client at sink or swim in Niagara Falls, ny

Shannon is a huge supporter of, and only uses miss pillsburys tattoo glide and aftercare.

Keith and shannon kissing at a location in Scotland
group image of Iggy Luppino, Keith, and Shannon from sink or swim tattoo and piercing enjoying traveling with Notre dame in the background
shannon tattooing at a convention in western New York State
Shannon posing at a rock formation in scotland

shannon cannot get enough traveling in her life. she loves experiencing new cultures and plans the next trip before coming back from the last.

Shannon posing at the stairs in obidos in Portugal
shannon with a divers helmet while in front of her tattoo booth at sink or swim
shannon and Keith posing outside of Hong Kong with the city in the background

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