Dot by dot, Rachel Paton's tattoo art is a lesson in the beauty of patience. The hand-poke tattooer adheres her work to clients' bodies using the no-machine-necessary stick-and-poke process.

Jane Romm is a high school art teacher in Niskayuna and also works as a hand-poke tattoo artist. This year marks her sixth year at Niskayuna High School and her thirteenth year in art education.

The hand poke process is less painful for the client, but the pain experience or being still in one position will last longer as the tattoo generally takes longer! Hand poked tattoos tend to heal ...