On a calm Saturday afternoon inside HK Tattoo in Greenville, a client prepared to get her dream tattoo: a “Bulbasaur” from the beloved Pokémon franchise. The soft hum of the tattoo gun filled the air as it glided across the client’s forearm, bringing a cherished part of their childhood to life. In just an hour or two, what had once been an image on paper became permanent art on skin. The studio transformed into a quiet space of trust, creativity and a little pain, but for most customers it was all worth it to see the final result.
The artist behind the needle: Moth.Doodlez, a Greenville tattoo artist known for their colorful, anime-inspired and illustrative style. Their journey into tattooing began at East Carolina University’s College of Business. “Although my degree is in business, my entire life has been a pursuit of art,” said Moth, who goes by Moth.Doodlez and uses she/they pronouns and declined to give a last name. From glassblowing and painting to ceramics and sewing, they explored every form of creative expression they could find.
“What led me to tattooing specifically is my background as a cosplayer,” they add, referred to as the act of dressing up as a character from a work of fiction. Today this cosplayer with a degree in entrepreneurship has become one of five go-to artists at Harm the Karma Tattoo, bringing beloved characters from shows like “Pokémon” and “Gravity Falls” to life?
Moth works tirelessly to bring their clients’ vision to life. They ask about inspiration, preferences, and limitations, adjusting designs based on what can realistically be done within a given timeframe. “I go through a checklist: no tangent lines, proper color theory, and at least one-third of the design has black ink or shadows,” they explain.
Some tattoos stand out more than others. “My most memorable ones were the circle I gave my future mother-in-law, and a client who’s been with me since the beginning,” they say. “I tattooed a perfect circle on her ribs, which is notoriously difficult, and I still get invited to family functions!” they said, laughing. “As for the other client, I was only two months into tattooing when she first came to me. I’ve done over a dozen pieces for her since, and her joy and excitement make me incredibly happy. She still chooses me to be her artist.”
Beyond the art, Moth has made it clear that their studio is a safe and welcoming space for all. “Around the time of Trump’s election, many of my queer friends were facing physical and verbal assault from emboldened voters,” they say. As someone who identifies as queer, Moth made a choice: her space would be different. “I refuse to tattoo anyone who expresses homophobia, sexism, xenophobia or transphobia,” they say. “At the very least, I knew I could create an LGBTQIA+ safe space to let others in town know they’re not alone.”
Moth’s impact isn’t just felt through her clients; it resonates in the tattoo community itself. “They take art seriously, but doesn’t take themselves too seriously,” says Stephanie, who declined to give a last name who goes by batbitepiercings on Instagram, a body piercer who works alongside Moth at HK Tattoo. “From coming in groggy in the morning to being the energy unicorn of the shop, there never seems to be a dull moment when she’s here.” She adds that Moth does a great job at interacting with other artist at the shop. “Her ability to reach out to other tattooers and book guest spots all over is incredible. I’m an introvert, so seeing her talk to people like it’s nothing, it’s awesome.”
In a small city like Greenville, where creativity can sometimes feel limited, Moth finds a way to shine. They share some of their dream projects that are high on their tattoo wish list: “I would love to do a large back piece featuring the legendary ‘Johto Pokémon Ho-oh’ and ‘Lugia’ in a traditional Japanese style, or a Wonderland or deep-sea girl ‘Hatsune Miku’ half sleeve.” From colorful anime characters to intricate designs, Moth.Doodlez’s tattoos are works of art.