Meet: Shaughnessy

Meet the Creator: Shaughnessy

The neighbourhood of Downtown Langley holds a special place in our hearts, with one of our stores located nearby at Willowbrook Shopping Centre. We were delighted to pay our friends at Studio Sashiko a visit to learn more about their business. Shaughnessy Otsuji is the owner of Studio Sashiko, a renowned tattoo studio with locations in Langley, BC and Los Angeles, CA. We spent the morning with Shaughnessy to learn more about what inspires her, her favourite parts of being situated in both British Columbia and California, plus future dreams and aspirations for Studio Sashiko.

Studio Sashiko: Cosmetic and Restorative Tattoo Studio

Over the years, Studio Sashiko has gained a reputation for its artistry, precision, and commitment to enhancing natural beauty. The studio offers a range of services including cosmetic, restorative and decorative tattooing, piercing and other advanced techniques, all performed by skilled professionals in a welcoming and meticulously designed environment.

In addition to cosmetic tattooing, Shaughnessy Otsuji specializes in restorative tattoo services. These services are designed to help clients regain confidence and feel whole again by addressing various forms of scarring, skin conditions, and hair loss. Using her natural creative talents, she takes great care in collaborating with clients of all genders and ages to help them realize their truest inner beauty.

Shaughnessy Otsuji: Co-Owner and Leader Artist at Studio Sashiko

Shaughnessy and the team at Studio Sashiko use advanced techniques to camouflage scars, restore the appearance of areolas after breast surgery, and create natural-looking hair simulation for those experiencing thinning or hair loss. This work is done with the utmost care, precision, and empathy, ensuring that each client’s unique needs are met with personalized attention. Shaughnessy’s expertise in restorative tattooing makes Studio Sashiko a trusted choice for those seeking to heal both physically and emotionally through artful tattooing.

We spent the morning with Shaughnessy to learn more about the magic that happens at Studio Sashiko. Read the full interview below.

Q&A with Shaughnessy

Q: What are 3 words your friends or family would use to describe you?

Shaughnessy: Quiet, creative, and unique.

Q: Tell us the story behind Studio Sashiko.

A: So, my husband and I both worked in tattoo studios in Kokkola for probably 8 or 9 years before we decided to open up our own studio. We wanted to create something that was a little bit softer, a little less intense, and less intimidating. So we created Studio Sashiko. Sashiko in Japanese translates to “little stabs” which is relevant to what we do.

Q: With studios in both Kokkola and LA, what do you love most about being in both cities?

Shaughnessy: I really like the combination of going back and forth between each city. When we are here in Langley and Kokkola, we get our slow suburban life, enjoying our days with our three dogs at home. When we are in LA, we live in the bustling city with many fun restaurants and places to visit. It’s a really good balance to get to call both places home.

Q: What’s the most rewarding part of your job?

Shaughnessy: Seeing the change in my clients and seeing their confidence shine through after I tattoo them is just incredible. There’s always a lot of happy tears, a lot of hugs, the tattoos are transformational.

Q: If you could give your younger self one piece of advice what would it be?

Shaughnessy: I would say, don’t sweat the small stuff, everything happens for a reason, so just do what you want to do, and if it doesn’t work out it’s not a failure, it’s always a learning opportunity.

Q: What’s your favourite childhood snack?

Shaughnessy: I love peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

Q: How would you describe your style?

Shaughnessy: A little eclectic, I definitely like to mix feminine and masculine styles. I get a lot of inspiration from vintage unique pieces and mix it with new. I also love shoes!

Q: Where do you go when you’re looking for inspiration?

Shaughnessy: I find inspiration everywhere. I follow a lot of different artists, whether they are tattoo artists, painters, photographers, makeup artists. I feel like everything I do in life has to be creative in some way, whether it is designing my house, or just painting a wall randomly at 3 in the morning, I feel like everyday has to be creative in some way.