maritime pride

(Squid & Whale Tattoo 181 Congress St., Portland, ME)

(Tattoo Flash and Tattoos by Kapten Hanna)

Portland, Maine is one of the most quaint and adorable port towns around. Recently, I had the pleasure of visiting Squid and Whale Tattoo, home of Kapten Hanna and Cyndi Lou. The shop is a total stunner, filled with beautiful art, reference books, antiques, and trinkets galore! I had the best time discovering amusing objects such as a harpoon, Russian dolls, and ceramic sea captains. It's definitely one of my favorite shops, completely original in it's decor. The tin ceilings are so lovely, embossed with Victorian bows and filigree. And I love the light blue painted walls, a much more serene and calming choice than found in most shops these days. It has a homey girl vibe for sure!

Not only is the shop itself a great interior design success, but the rad ladies who work there do incredible art too! Kapten Hanna does noteworthy traditional work, with super clean and delicate lines. Her personal art is full if totally fun themes: the circus , maritime pride, dogs, horses, and pretty botanics. I love her flash page illustrating a round of the popular decision-making game Rock, Paper, Scissors. The accompanying banner simply reads "I WIN." So cute!!! You do win, Kapten Hanna!