Robyn Pallotta shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Robyn, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
My day starts like most people, with coffee. I’m pretty much useless without it. I don’t drink much coffee, just one cup in the morning. It really helps the eyelid muscles work much better.
I should mention that this is usually brought to me, in bed, by my husband Ty because he is much more of a morning person than I am. He has absolutely no issues popping right out of bed and starting his day. I prefer to take it slow until my coffee is done.
I do my absolute best not to grab my phone, but I also need to check my emails to see if I have any replies or messages from clients.
Once I am done with my coffee, I am up and off. I really don’t slow down for the rest of the day.
My morning chores include checking on my vegetable garden, harvesting anything that is ready to be picked, feeding and watering my 3 chickens (Gretchen, Regina and Karen). I peek in to see if they laid any eggs overnight, but they usually lay during the day and I’ll collect those after work in the evening.
I make sure the house is tidy before hopping in the shower and get ready for work.
Grab some leftovers to eat for lunch and I’m out of the door and on my way to another full day of tattooing until 7pm.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Inside Bluebonnet Tattoo, the shop I own with my husband, Ty, in Austin, Texas, you’ll find a studio unlike any other. When we created this space, we wanted it to feel different. We used warm woods, live cacti, and decor inspired by the Texas Hill Country State Parks to create a vibe that’s both unique and deeply personal.
As avid campers, we wanted to bring all the things we love about being outdoors, indoors, and surround us while we create art for our clients.
I’ve been a tattoo artist since 2009. Over the years, I’ve developed my own signature style that is a mix of styles, but I can only describe it as antique florals in black and white ink, with some skulls and critters mixed in.
This shop is my latest brainchild, a place where I get to do what I love in a space that feels like home. I’ve found a way to merge my passion for tattooing with my love for nature, creating a sanctuary where art and the outdoors come together.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
My work ethic isn’t something I was taught; it’s something I had to build for myself, piece by piece. Growing up, I’d have described myself as lazy—but not in the sense of a couch potato. It was more a refusal to engage with anything that didn’t spark my interest. If a required reading book at school didn’t grab me, I simply wouldn’t read it. Some subjects utterly fascinated me, while others were so uninteresting I couldn’t be bothered to participate. My grades were a direct reflection of this.
However, a switch flipped when I entered the workforce. Almost every job I’ve had has involved customer service, and I’ve always given 100%. I think the natural “people-pleaser” in me instinctively wanted to do my best for others. That drive to provide excellent service and make someone else’s day better became the foundation of my work ethic. It was in those moments, serving others, that I discovered my own motivation and learned what it truly meant to invest myself in a task.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
YES! Very recently too!
Finding a space for Bluebonnet Tattoo was a fight. The stigma surrounding tattoo shops is real, and it led to us being rejected 27 times by landlords and brokers. Many wouldn’t even present our offer to the property owners, shutting us down before we had a chance to make our case.
I even created a detailed “look book” to show them who we are—not just as tattoo artists, but as a family and experienced business owners with 21 years of experience. The book outlined our vision for the space, showcased our professional clientele, which includes doctors, Ph.D.s, and lawyers, and emphasized our commitment to a welcoming environment. Despite our best efforts, it seemed to make no difference. They simply had no interest in leasing to a tattoo business.
We also discovered that some large companies, like Whole Foods, HEB, and Michaels, have clauses in their leases that prevent any tattoo shops from operating in the same complex or even the same shared parking lot. This dramatically limited our options to independently owned or smaller strip malls and stand-alone spaces. Even in those cases, the answer was almost always no.
The few places that did say yes were in undesirable areas that didn’t align with our vision or our clientele. We were starting to lose hope. But finally, we landed the exact space we wanted. Whether we manifested it or it was simply meant to be, we’re not sure, but we are incredibly grateful to have found a home for Bluebonnet Tattoo.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
This is a great question. I’m not really sure what the public version of me even is. I’m sure there’s some stereotype of what a tattoo artist should be, but I couldn’t be further from it. I often tell people that being a tattoo artist is my occupation, not my identity.
I don’t have a lot of visible tattoos, I don’t wear much makeup, and I have no distinct personal style. Comfort always wins over fashion for me.
I’m a notoriously private person and don’t put myself out there much on social media. I prefer one-on-one connections where you can really get to know me.
So, throw all of your expectations about who I am out the window because I can only be myself.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
That’s a powerful question, and the answer is a simple, absolute yes. The work I do is driven by an internal compass, not by the need for external validation. I don’t seek fame or praise for my work; my motivation comes from a deeper place.
Of course, it’s always nice to be acknowledged by a client when a job is well done. Hearing that they love their new tattoo and that the experience was great is a rewarding part of the process. But that’s a bonus, not the goal. The true reward is in the work itself—the focus, the artistry, and the satisfaction of knowing I’ve given it my all. My work ethic is something I’ve cultivated for myself, and it’s fueled by the pride I take in my craft, independent of anyone’s applause.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bluebonnettattoo.com
- Instagram: @bluebonnettattoo
- Twitter: @bluebonnet.tattoo
- Facebook: bluebonnettattoo
- Other: pinterest: bluebonnettattoo
