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Jul 16, 2023

Pen and Oak Tattoo opens shop

New tattoo shop promises a unique experience The new tattoo studio, Pen and Oak

New tattoo shop promises a unique experience

The new tattoo studio, Pen and Oak Tattoo, is owned and operated by Chani Murat Ewing with both her and artist Jon Pavlakis. Pen and Oak specializes in traditional, neo-traditional, and illustrative tattoo styles. They opened on Oct. 1 at 107 East 2nd Street in Moscow, Idaho.

Pen and Oak Tattoo is different than some other shops in Moscow.

"We offer healing work integrated in the tattoo," Ewing said. "We will offer reiki and intuitive tattooing. We really want our studio to offer a more tailored tattoo experience."

Intuitive tattooing is a style that focuses and draws from the energy of the person and incorporates spiritual practices such as crystal healing, as well as the artist's own intuition, to create a more personalized and meaningful tattoo for the individual. Reiki is a Japanese stress-reduction and relaxation technique that also promotes healing. It is based on the idea that everyone has life force energy, and that energy allows us to live.

Not only does Pen an Oak offer alternative tattooing and healing methods – they also have the experience of not one, but two shop owners. Jon Pavlakis was previously the owner of Sci-Fi Tattoo – a now defunct tattoo studio in Moscow.

"At Sci-Fi it was just me, no other artists…and when you don't have a hard-enough drive you kind of let yourself slide," Pavlakis said. "…I talked to Chani about her opening up (Pen and Oak) and she invited me along – and I didn't want to pass up an opportunity to work with such a great artist. It was also a great way to light a fire under myself and reignite the fire."

The style of tattooing at Pen and Oak was also something that interested Pavlakis.

"I absolutely love neo-traditional and traditional," Pavlakis said. "Anything that will hold in 10 years – I absolutely love. Bold will hold."

Pavlakis said that he would look out for his clients’ best interest regardless of style. With Pen and Oak being a new shop, the question of how well the studio will do is also a prevalent one.

"(Business) is booming," Pavlakis said. "I was honestly taken aback how quickly it picked up. I’ve noticed every single person that has walked in front of the shop stop to look or take pictures."

Pavlakis is already booked through October and starting to take bookings for November. He did state that he is available to take walk-ins when he can. The studio has an extra station for any guest artists for when conventions and tours start opening up, Pavlakis said.

Pen and Oak Tattoo seems to be to a fast start and with them promising to offer a personalized experience for their clients – it's obvious that they are going the extra mile to ensure that their business is a special experience for all their clients.

Pavlakis can be reached at [email protected] and his work can be seen on his Instagram @slang_blade. Chani Murat Ewing can be reached at [email protected] and her work can be seen on her Instagram @chanimurat. The official shop accounts are penandoaktattoo.com, on Instagram @penandoaktattoo and via phone number at 208-596-3238.

Teren Kowatsch can be reached at

life-uidaho.edu.

Senior at the University of Idaho, majoring in Journalism with a Music Emphasis. Writer for the LIFE section and KUOI station manager.