Karen Roze

Born in Castro Valley California in 1967, Karen was raised in the Bay Area. With a degree in fine art from California College of the Arts (formerly CCAC) and modest success as a muralist, painter and illustrator, Karen began tattooing in 1992, serving as an apprentice to Richard Cyr at Picture Machine in San Francisco. She opened Sacred Rose Tattoo in 1998. Karen is married to musician and author Christa Hillhouse and has two adult sons. She has resided in Berkeley since 1993. 

Sacred Rose Tattoo studio also became an alternative art gallery when the business moved to Berkeley in 2006. The SR2 Gallery enjoyed local success with featured exhibits by Mark Mothersbaugh of DEVO, Jason Holley, Mark Bode, KRK Ryden, Fred Nocella, Patrushka, and Roze’s own solo exhibit in 2009 among others.

When the tattoo shop moved locations in 2018, the gallery closed. Since then Karen has worked tirelessly to rebuild a dedicated gallery space.

Being a tattooist for over 35 years while also painting regularly has confirmed a dedication to craftsmanship in the arts as well as the attention paid to interpersonal relationships between artist and client. Karen’s broad range of styles and kind, engaging personality contribute to an all around positive experience when you visit Sacred Rose Tattoo and become a dedicated client. For tattooing, Karen is booked by appointment only. You can email her directly at karen@sacredrosetattoo.com

As the Director of Starfish Arts Gallery, Roze has dedicated herself to representing alternative fine artists and craftspeople, continuing the tradition of supporting local and international artists who value craft and social awareness in their work. By offering instruction not only in producing artwork, Starfish Arts Makers’ Space will also engage students in how to exhibit and sell their work to the public.

Gallery inquiries should be emailed to Karen@starfish-arts.com

Natasha Distiller

Natasha was born and raised in South Africa, and has lived in Australia, England, and for the past 15 years, the U.S. She has worked in gender justice non-profits (trans women are women), as a tenured academic and academic and creative writer, and, most recently, is an Internal Family Systems therapist. She has published extensively on all these topics. The throughline in her work has been the relationship between individual agency and structural change, in the contexts of place and history. She is a crazy dog lady, a sci fi nerd, the mother of two teenage boys, and proudly queer.

She has always been an amateur artist and a wanna-be drag queen. Starfish Arts is the chance for her to bring together all her passions, for art and artists, for community, for social responsibility, and for beautiful, glittery things.

Business and boutique enquiries should be emailed to Natasha@starfish-arts.com