Alphabet Soup Studio:

How a Detroit Tattoo Artist Turns Color, Care, and Community into Art

Detroit has long been a city of makers. From its automotive legacy to its vibrant creative scene, artistry runs deep in its streets. Today, a new wave of creativity is reshaping the city through tattoo studios that blur the line between art and personal expression. At the heart of this movement is Alphabet Soup Studio, founded by tattoo artist Christina Krysiak, whose mission is to create more than just tattoos. She’s building a space where art, community, and self-expression converge in ways that reflect both Detroit’s resilience and its creativity.

In this in-depth feature, Studio117 sat down with Christina to talk about her path into tattooing, what makes her Detroit tattoo studio unique, and why color, safe spaces, and artistic community matter so deeply to her practice.

The Power of Tattoos: Confidence, Autonomy, and Self-Care

When asked about the kind of impact she hopes to have as a tattoo artist, Christina doesn’t immediately jump to grand statements about legacy. Instead, she emphasizes the micro-level, one-on-one moments that make up the heart of her work.

“Having a studio of my own, I really wanted to have control over each individual client experience,” she explained. “It all starts small. Just having a positive interaction with an individual, making them feel more confident in their skin, and giving them more bodily autonomy. That’s what matters.”

For Christina, tattoos aren’t just decoration. They’re a form of radical self-care. She calls getting tattooed “an extreme act of self-care,” because it allows people to take ownership of their bodies in a deeply personal way. In Detroit, where creativity has always been tied to resilience, her tattoo studio is a sanctuary for clients to feel safe, empowered, and seen.

Designing a Safe and Inviting Tattoo Studio in Detroit

Walking into Alphabet Soup Studio doesn’t feel like entering a sterile or intimidating tattoo parlor. Instead, Christina designed the space to feel like her living room.

“I work in a private studio, so there’s no worry about being interrupted or having strangers enter the space. I want it to feel warm, personal, and comfortable,” she said.

The studio is furnished with small, intentional details; a cozy couch, books, and handcrafted furniture. Christina’s father even built some of the pieces, grounding the space in family and care. Her goal is to create a home-like environment where clients feel safe in a setting that’s both intimate and inspiring.

From Art School to Tattoo Studio: An Unconventional Path

Christina’s journey into tattooing wasn’t traditional. She didn’t set out with the dream of being a tattoo artist from the beginning. Instead, her path unfolded organically.

“Midway through art school, I started tattooing some friends,” she recalled. “What more meaning could your artwork possibly have than to live on someone’s body for the rest of their life? That clicked for me.”

Traditionally, tattoo artists complete a lengthy apprenticeship, but Christina’s entry into the field coincided with COVID-19, forcing her to learn in unconventional ways. With a strong art background, she started tattooing independently while also studying the safety and sanitation practices required. When studios began reopening, she was able to join a shop, gaining critical experience working alongside other artists.

That time was invaluable:

“I’m so happy I didn’t jump into working alone right away. There’s so much to learn from other people. My time in studios before opening my own was crucial.”

Today, she still values learning from others through guest spots at different tattoo studios, ensuring that growth and collaboration remain central to her craft.

Inspiration in Color: Bringing Playfulness to Tattoo Art

Christina’s tattoos are marked by vibrant use of color and playful design. She describes her inspiration as rooted in both the natural world and her inner child.

“There’s always room for more color, play, and joy in life. The world is hard. Finding ways to bring objects to life through color will always be my main source of inspiration.”

For her, color isn’t just aesthetic, it’s a philosophy. By bringing vibrancy to her designs, she seeks to spark joy for both herself and her clients. It’s a reminder that tattoo art, while permanent, can also feel playful and uplifting.

The Studio as an Extension of Artistic Identity

Alphabet Soup Studio’s interior reflects Christina’s artistic vision. She describes the design as influenced by Scandinavian minimalism but infused with bursts of playful color. Natural wood elements anchor the space, while whimsical touches, including a colorful ceiling, express her personality.

A friend once joked that the studio looks like a children’s playroom, which Christina embraces:

“I think life’s too short to hide away. It makes me happy, it makes other people happy, and I hope the people who like my style also love the space.”

The result is a tattoo studio that mirrors her art: bold, colorful, and unapologetically joyful.

Detroit’s Creative Community and the Role of Art

Living and working in Detroit has shaped Christina’s perspective as both an artist and a business owner. She recognizes the unique way the city is revitalizing its historic buildings, often transforming them into creative hubs. Alphabet Soup Studio itself is part of that wave.

“Detroit is bringing back these old buildings by putting murals on them and making them spaces for creative people. I hope that continues,” she said.

While she acknowledges the tension of being a newcomer to the city’s art scene, she views her role as contributing color and joy without overshadowing Detroit’s local roots.

More importantly, she believes in art as a tool for connection:

“In the absolute worst of times, art is how we connect with one another. That’s true throughout history. In Detroit, the creative community is strong and community is what holds people together. If we can use art as a platform to connect, we’ll be okay.”

Building the Future of Tattooing in Detroit

Alphabet Soup Studio represents more than one artist’s dream. It reflects a broader shift in the tattoo industry toward intentional, safe, and community-oriented spaces. Christina hopes to one day mentor new tattoo artists, just as she was supported during her own unconventional path.

Her story is proof that tattoo studios are not just businesses, they’re cultural spaces where personal expression, community, and art intersect. In Detroit, a city defined by resilience and reinvention, that intersection feels especially powerful.

For Christina, every tattoo is a chance to give someone not only artwork they’ll carry forever but also a moment of empowerment and connection. And for the city, Alphabet Soup Studio is one more brushstroke of creativity in Detroit’s ever-evolving canvas.