Heather Lynn MacKinnon is a Boston-born tattooer now working out of The Torchbearer Tattoo in Providence, RI. She’s all about bold lines, rich black, and timeless designs with a little edge and a lot of heart.

Heather’s been around tattoos most of her life — she started hanging out in shops at age ten, totally drawn in by the buzz, the energy, and the art. By 2010, she was officially apprenticing and learning the ropes the old-school way, building a deep respect for the craft and its history.

Her style leans heavily into American traditional: crying cowgirls, sacred hearts, ghost hands, classic flash — all rooted in vintage tattoo language with her own spin. She’s inspired by everything from folk art and religious iconography to offbeat Americana and antique oddities.

When she’s not tattooing, Heather’s probably out shooting 35mm film, hunting through antique shops for forgotten treasures, or on a quiet bike ride through the woods, soaking in the stillness and weird beauty of nature. All of that finds its way into her work — nostalgic, sincere, a little witchy, and always intentional.

Whether you know exactly what you want or just have a flicker of an idea, Heather’s the kind of artist who’ll meet you in the middle and turn it into something bold and lasting. If you're into tattoos that tell stories, carry meaning, or are just plain cool — she’s your person.