Award-winning tattoo studio in Middletown, Rhode Island owned by master tattooist Jen Beirola. Built on tradition, made to last, and done with the care your skin deserves.
Jen Beirola is a Rhode Island native who has been tattooing professionally for more than 25 years.
After joining the United States Air Force, Jen was stationed in Omaha, Nebraska, where she discovered her passion for tattooing while serving on active duty. After completing her enlistment, Jen decided to remain in Omaha and pursue tattooing full-time. What began as a temporary detour quickly became a career.
As her reputation grew, she eventually had the opportunity to take over ownership of Grinn & Barrett Tattoo from her mentor, Dick Warsocki, allowing him to retire. During her years in Omaha, Jen built an internationally recognized tattoo career while traveling extensively for guest spots and tattoo conventions throughout the United States and abroad.
By 2016, however, another long-held goal was calling. With her GI Bill benefits nearing expiration, she made the decision to return to school and pursue a formal art education. She transferred ownership of Grinn & Barrett Tattoo to her coworker/former apprentice and returned to New England to attend the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University, beginning the next chapter of her artistic journey.
While attending school, she continued tattooing at studios in the Boston area, expanding her experience and refining her approach to custom tattooing. After completing her studies, Jen returned home to Rhode Island and reconnected with her roots on Aquidneck Island. Working in Newport allowed her to reconnect with the local community while building relationships with clients from across Rhode Island and beyond.
When the opportunity arose in 2023, Jen opened Rocky Shores Tattoo Co. in Middletown.
Drawing on decades of experience, RSTC was built to be a welcoming studio focused on quality craftsmanship, custom artwork, and a personalized client experience.
With more than 25 years of tattooing experience, Jen has developed a broad skill set spanning multiple styles and approaches.
Rather than limiting her work to a single specialty, she draws from a wide range of influences and techniques to create tattoos that best suit each client’s idea, anatomy, and goals. Whether it’s a simple walk-in design, a meaningful memorial piece, a cover-up, or a large custom project, her focus remains the same: creating strong, lasting tattoos that fit the person wearing them.
In the News
Newport Daily News, November 8, 2022
Rocky Shores occasionally hosts traveling tattoo artists. If you’re a professional artist interested in a guest spot on Aquidneck Island, reach out through the contact page with a link to your portfolio or Instagram and the dates you have in mind. When a guest artist is in the shop, we’ll announce it on the blog and Instagram.
Transform your vision into art! Explore our unique tattoos crafted just for you. Book your session today and let’s start your journey.
