Ornamental
Blackwork
Dotwork and 3rl Shading
Black and Gray Realism
Color Realism
Floral
Geometric
Illustrative
Fine Line
Cartoon and Anime
Traditional and Neo Trad
Custom Body Art with Respect for the Planet
Welcome aboard The Mothership Tattoo Collective—an Auburn based Tattoo Shop where fine art meets mindful tattooing. Our crew of versatile, eco-conscious artists brings over 20 years of combined experience to the table, specializing in black and gray, ornamental, color, realism, fine line and illustrative styles. Whether you’re after something bold, delicate, or deeply personal, we approach every piece with care, creativity, and a respect for both your story and the planet. This is more than a tattoo shop—it’s a space for collaboration, transformation, and art that lasts. Our various artists specialize in the following tattoo styles:
Nestled in the Sierra Nevada foothills, Auburn, California is a hidden gem for anyone looking to combine their tattoo journey with a little adventure. With its rich indigenous history, charming downtown, and easy access to scenic trails, rivers, and local wineries, Auburn offers the perfect blend of art, nature, and relaxation. Whether you're traveling from near or far, it's a peaceful and inspiring place to get tattooed—one where you can slow down, explore, and leave with a beautiful piece of body art and some unforgettable memories.
We are a Good Judy Certified Eco Tattoo Shop
Female Owned LGBTQ+ Inclusive Studio
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Penguin Rafferty
CO-OWNER
Filipino American tattoo artist who finds inspiration in nature, pop-culture, plants, and animals. She tries to bring a sense of connection, curiosity, and care into everything she makes. With a background in Graphic Design, and a Visual Communication Degree from The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, Penguin’s work feels bright, playful, and bold. Penguin also practices Filipino Batok, Hand-Tapped cultural tattoos, for anyone with Filipino heritage.
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Ashely Foreman
CO-OWNER
Ashely is a multidisciplinary artist from Auburn, California. She blends black and grey illustration, ornamental, and geometric styles with nature and floral inspired motifs to create visually stirking high contrast body art. With a background in studio art and multimedia from Humboldt State University, Ashely's work emphasizes anatomical flow, client collaboration, and eco-conscious practices. She is heavily influenced by her mixed ancestral heritage. Ashely is an enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation, but also has Mexican and Celtic descent.
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Joan Khristyuchenko
RESIDENT ARTIST
Joan specializes in fine line, black and gray, and expressive gestural tattooing. She often creates beautiful tattoos based on her own illustrations of animals and mythical creatures. Her work is defined by delicate detail, flowing movement, and thoughtful composition, creating tattoos that feel both elegant and timeless. Joan enjoys collaborating with clients to create custom pieces that reflect their vision while naturally complementing the body.
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Rich Hudson
RESIDENT ARTIST
Rich is a tattoo artist whose work spans illustrative, dark imagery, and neo-traditional styles. Known for his meticulous attention to detail, strong composition, and rich, saturated color, Rich creates tattoos that are both visually striking and built to stand the test of time. Whether tackling bold statement pieces or intricate custom designs, he brings technical precision and a collaborative approach to every project, ensuring each tattoo is thoughtfully crafted to complement both the client's vision and their body.
Ashely Foreman - @faelien.ink
Ms. Penguin - @tattoosbypenguin
Joan Khristyuchenko - @yet.forgiven
Rich Hudson @rackdaddyrich
Blog
TESTIMONIALS & REVIEWS
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Custom tattoos start with your ideas—whether it’s a specific image, a feeling, or a story you want to tell. From there, you’ll work with your artist to talk through the concept, placement, size, and style. You can have a consultation in our Auburn tattoo shop, or give full trust in your artists to create something unique for you. Once everything’s aligned, the artist creates a one-of-a-kind design tailored just for you. It’s a collaborative process that combines your vision with the artist’s creativity, experience, and eye for flow—so the final piece feels personal, intentional, and made to live beautifully on your body.
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Every artist creates some pre-made tattoo designs from time-to-time. If you decide that you want one, from their website or social media, reach out to your artist for pricing and specific details. Once you make an appointment we’re stoked to see you at our Auburn based tattoo shop.
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Each artist at our tattoo shop offers their own pricing. If you’re interested in working with an artist, reach out to them to find out their minimum, hourly and even day rates.
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The Mothership Tattoo Collective uses various biodegradable supplies including ink caps, plastic-alternatives and setups. We are adding new earth-friendly supplies every day. We also are planning to host events at our tattoo shop and gallery that can give back to the community and nature.
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Auburn, CA is closer than you think. Just 30 miles East of Sacramento, we’re located in the Sierra Foothills.
Many clients say the beautiful scenic hour-and-a-half drive from Reno or Lake Tahoe to our tattoo shop is well worth the journey.
San Francisco and the Bay Area are only about 2 hours away and the rates here are usually much lower than those near you.