ABOUT

Candi Kinyōbi is a Japanese-American tattoo artist based in Los Angeles, working full time at Dark Horse Tattoo. Her current focus is on traditional Japanese style tattooing, and while she works across many styles and sizes, she has a strong interest in large-scale projects such as sleeves, backpieces, and bodysuits. Her design approach is rooted in clarity, flow, and longevity — she’s attentive to how a tattoo will age, how it fits the body, and how to make each piece both bold and flattering.

Candi has been tattooing professionally for 13 years. She began her career in San Francisco at Tuesday Tattoo, where she spent several years as a shop assistant before completing a formal apprenticeship under Jesse Tuesday in 2012. Her training emphasized technical discipline, artistic range, and a deep respect for the craft. During her apprenticeship, she also worked as a graphic designer and sign painter at New Bohemia Signs — skills that continue to shape her tattooing through a strong foundation in lettering, composition, and linework.

In addition to tattooing, she takes on illustration, lettering, apparel design, and other visual art commissions. Her work has been featured in Best of Los Angeles and VoyageLA, highlighting her as a multidisciplinary artist with a thoughtful, intentional practice.