Our Story
Rock & Rose Tattoo Studio is a Latinx, military family-owned business. Kira, the resident artist, and Michael, also known as Mr. October, first met in Virginia at the beloved Mom & Pop coffee shop. At that time, Kira was a teacher in Pensacola, Florida while Michael had plans to relocate to the panhandle. In a whirlwind romance, they fell in love and soon wed. A few years later, their two children, Rockwell and Andy Rose came along, giving them the inspiration of the Rock & Rose name.
During the rise of Covid, their family was presented with an opportunity that would forever change the trajectory of their futures. A new tattoo shop called Eleven 11 opened just down the street, and they quickly became regular clients and fast friends with the owners. "We would roll up with our baby in a stroller and hang out for hours," they recall. "TJ and Jayme felt like family."
It was at Eleven 11 that Kira was offered an apprenticeship under TJ Byard. She bid farewell to lesson plans and parent-teacher conferences, dedicating herself to perfecting her craft. "I wouldn’t change it for the world. Every day, I have the opportunity to be creative, meet new people, and connect with my community."
After relocating to the DC metropolitan area, the Rock & Rose clan decided to embark on their next adventure: opening their own shop. They have big plans to eventually expand and create a true haven for the arts with multiple artists, but for now, it’s just Kira working in her cozy space.
Meet the Artist
Kira Doumas is a dynamic Virginia-based artist renowned for her custom tattoos. With years devoted to mastering fine-line artistry, she also thrives on collaborating to create traditional and darker motifs. Kira identifies as a true artist at heart, constantly experimenting with various mediums including photography, acrylic painting, graphic design, ceramics, culinary arts, and face painting.
Before stepping into the tattoo world, Kira embarked on a fulfilling career in education as an Elementary Special Education teacher. During her free time, she not only taught painting classes but also dabbled in event planning, becoming the go-to person in her family for organizing special events, designing custom t-shirts, and conjuring up fun crafts and activities for her nieces and nephews.
Her tattoo journey began with an apprenticeship in 2020 in Navarre, Florida. Coming from a conservative background, the choice to pursue this path was challenging, yet her morbid curiosity ultimately led her to leap into this new artistic venture. Filled with eagerness, Kira embraced her apprenticeship. She has dedicated herself to mastering her craft, and that passion drives her to continually expand her knowledge through ongoing education—attending seminars, delving into the science of tattooing, and taking various drawing courses.
Moreover, Kira has committed herself to practicing areola restoration, learning proper application techniques over scars and stretch marks, as well as exploring the realm of cosmetic tattooing. Her relentless pursuit of artistry ensures that her skills and creativity flourish in everything she does.
