Amid tattoos and testosterone
There is little obvious activity at 10:30 p.m. on east Central Avenue, but the lights are on at Fine Line Tattoo until 11 p.m. Examples line the walls at the shop, 5511 Central Ave. N.E.
Sitting on the desk is Danielle Tanner, trading barbs with male tattoo artists about a compatibility test in a men’s magazine.
Tanner says she fills the role of “office manager, receptionist and lackey — everything except artist.”
In an environment that courses with testosterone and could be uncomfortable for a woman, Tanner says the men at Fine Line are “like my big brothers.” She doesn’t mind being the only woman working there.
“I try to keep the boys in line,” she says. “They know I’m to be respected. They really take care of me.”
Although Tanner doesn’t look the part, she says, “Where else do I have a chance to be a tomboy all day long?”