About Kim Saigh

I came into tattooing at a magical time when a handful of us realized how special it was, when the trade and its underground universe were still something of a best-kept secret.

I was born in Cleveland, Ohio, where I started tattooing at the age of 18 in a biker street shop. It was high-volume, equal parts client relations and dues-paying — an old-school introduction to the art and the craft that I cherish to this day.

In the mid-‘90s, I moved to Chicago to tattoo with the legendary Guy Aitchison at Guilty and Innocent Productions. I learned volumes — enough to open my own shop, Cherry Bomb, in Wicker Park, 1999. Here I got to work with my friend, the excellent tattooer Patrick Cornolo, and honed my style.

In 2006, I relocated to Los Angeles, California, to work on the first three seasons of the reality show L.A. Ink with Kat Von D, Corey Miller and Hannah Aitchison. Immediately after, I started Memoir Tattoo in Los Angeles, alongside Shawn Barber.

Years of working in both walk-in shops and custom-only studios — and living through some of the defining stages of tattoo styles and development — have lent me a versatile approach with the flexibility to execute a wide range of styles. But my heart lies with illustrative classics like art nouveau, with natural subject matter like plants, animals, mythical creatures, decorative shapes and filigree. And of course, I love cats, of which I own three, Ned, Gossamer and Sweetums.

My client list includes many musicians, actors and other luminaries, as well as musical artists like Puscifer and Rob Zombie. Among my commercial clients are the author Leigh Bardugo, Bulleit Frontier Whiskey, Discovery Channel, Four Eight Wineworks, Jeep, Ridgid Tools, Vans, Yellowman Clothing and many others. I’ve also done pro-bono work for organizations such as the Keep A Breast Foundation.

I enjoy collaborating with my clients to build their ideas into premium artwork. For tattoos, commercial work and commissioned art inquiries, contact me directly at kimsaigh@gmail.com.