About Grae Salisbury Studios
Grae Salisbury (they/them) is an illustrator, graphic designer, and tattoo artist currently living on the unceded territories of the Lekwungen and W̱SĂNEÄ peoples (âLaw-guawn-ganâ and âWas-say-nuchâ or so called Victoria, BC, Canada).
Grae moved to Canada in 2012 and graduated with a Bachelor's of Arts and Sciences from Quest University Canada, focusing on âArts Based Social Change Theories and Practicesâ.
Grae has been professionally tattooing since 2021 and is a resident artist in the Black Cat Collective working out of their new location at 2105 Dowler Place. Beginning their illustration career creating event posters, Grae has since created business logos and branding, advertisements, portraits, short comics, cover photos, pieces for magazines, and media for theatrical shows and films.
As a disabled queer and trans human, Grae is excited to pursue more projects that explore disability justice as well as queer and trans stories.
Email me
I am happy to answer any questions you have about my tattoo and illustration practice! Thanks for reaching out!
graesalisburystudios@gmail.com
Recent Events:
The Sick Times Summer Fundraiser
This July I created two stickers for The Sick Times summer fundraiser! Stickers designed by Dimitrea Tokunbo (@comix.dimitrea) and me!
2025 & 2026 Queer & Trans Farmerâs Market
I was thrilled to be create the 2025/2026 poster for the 2025 Queer and Trans Farmerâs Market!â âšâ
A celebration of 2SLGBTQ+ communityâš, the QUEER & TRANS FARMERS' MARKET âšis on Saturday, June 28, from 11am-4pm at âšOaklands Community Centreâš #1-2827 Belmont AveâšVictoria, BC.
ASL Interpreterâš & Masks Required Indoors. âšâš
Organized by queer & trans people, for queer & trans people! Featuring over 75 farm, food, craft, and art vendors - live music & performances - food trucks - an afternoon non-alcoholic beer garden - a family area - and more!âš
Opera Mariposa May 2026
I was delighted to create this year's graphics for Blue Sunday put on by Opera Mariposa and The ME/FM Society of BC.
Drawing the elephant: Nine artists illustrating Long COVID and the ongoing pandemic
The Sick Times Jan. 2026
âThese artists create spaces where audiences can reflect and engage with stories that can broaden our understanding of ourselves and the world. In this way, art is not only a community-building tool, but also functions as a âmirrorâ: for those who struggle to look directly at the elephant in the room, they can engage with its reflection.â - Grae Salisbury
Recent Events:
The Self Advocate Podcast Episode
July 2025
In this episode, Alison Klein talks with @KenofSwords and Grae Salisbury about their tattoo careers, disability, and visual art. If you have any questions or comments, please email Alison Klein at alison.mira.klein@gmail.com.
Tender Touch Podcast Episode
March 2025
In episode 14, Mel Granley curator of Tender Touch spends time with participating artists Geri Kramer, Simran Dhaliwal, Kaman Lu, and Grae Salisbury talking about their histories, practices, and considerations around tattooing in Victoria. The exhibition Tender Touch, at the Gallery November 2023 to May 2024, explores the cityâs growing tattoo community and the art practice as a source of bodily autonomy and trust.
Tender Touch
November 25, 2023 - May 5, 2024
Curated by Mel Granley, AGGV Assistant Curator
âTender Touch delves into Victoriaâs unique and proliferating tattoo community. In recent years, the tattoo industry in Victoria has grown considerably, with more and more queer and BIPOC artists beginning their career and opening up their own tattoo shops in town. Alternatives to the traditional western tattoo scene, these spaces are bastions for many seeking to adorn themselves with ink.â -AGGV
Gallery: Works I exhibited
This series of cast torsos made of paper and plaster was a group project created with Bella Pat (@princehunbun), Kristy Craword (@Kristycrawford.haida + @potlatchchiccreations), and Eryn Alexander (@erynalexanderr +@boygorgeousdrag) [casts appearing in name order- right to left].
Quotes that hung inside each decorated chest cast:
âTattooing is equal parts serious and simple to me. Itâs beautiful that itâs a means to express yourself, reclaim your body, and represent your culture. Itâs great to also unlock new customizations and get something silly just because.â
- Bella Pat
âGetting a tattoo I love makes me feel like it is representing a feeling or part of my personality in a way nothing else would. I feel peaceful, powerful, and content. Giving a tattoo makes my heart happy. Helping someone show something they feel represents them or shows where they are from is an amazing feeling. â
- Kristy Crawford
âGetting tattooed is a commitment to self love and creation. Itâs a commitment to taking care of my transgender, disabled self. If this body is my home through thick and thin, then Iâm decoration the walls and making damn sure it feels like home. The more Iâm covered in artwork, the more I get to be in tune with my own person, the more I feel human and whole. Getting to share this practice with others is an honour Iâm not fully sure how articulate. We get to grab hold of a beautiful historic art form in order to make our bodies our own. Everyone expects us to make ourselves digestible- hide our identities, keep quite, noses down. Fuck that. We are our own gods.â
-Eryn Alexander
Tattoos are gender affirming care
February 20, 2025
Written by Rae Dawson
Local transgender tattoo artists speak on the intersection of trans joy and tattoos.
WHN Kidâs Zone Feature
December Issue 2024
World Health network is a global community dedicated to protecting health, minimizing harm, and building a safer, healthier world for all. Although COVID-19 is a serious topic, living a COVID-Conscious lifestyle can be fun and rewarding. Kidâs Zone magazine highlights the many ways Covid conscious kids explore, share, and connect!
