A Stettler tattoo artist wants to pay it forward by holding a special fundraiser for the Royal Canadian legion. Kayla Kobi, owner/artist of Twisted Sisters Tattoo Studio, announced this week she’s organizing a special event to raise funds to support the Legion’s work assisting veterans.

Kobi noted she’s been feeling very fortunate lately and wanted to give something back to the community. As she thought her options over she realized her family has connections to the Royal Canadian Legion. So she decided to hold a special two-month event at her tattoo studio to help the Legion.

With the goal of raising at least $2,000 to donate to the Legion, Kobi stated she’s going to donate 30 per cent from tattoo work to the Legion. “If it’s more, that’s amazing,” said Kobi in an interview Sept. 11. “I’ll be pretty happy (to hit $2,000).”

The amount donated from each project will vary noted the artist as not all tattoos are created equal. Kobi observed she currently has a client voicing interest in a full-sleeve tattoo which she estimates will take 15 hours to craft and cost about $2,250. If that project comes to fruition a donation to the Legion would add up to about $600 from that tattoo alone.

Kobi pointed out it’s not unusual for tattoo work to take multiple sittings and many hours to complete. “It’s strenuous work, for sure,” said Kobi. “It’s stressful.”

As Twisted Sisters is a home-based business, Kobi noted she is planning to have a donation box for the Legion in her studio, which she may also bring with her to an industry event in Veteran later this year.

Kobi noted her studio is over three years in age and is busy, almost too busy: the self-taught tattoo artist has recruited about 400 clients from areas as far apart as Grande Prairie and Nova Scotia.

Kobi said she’s a versatile tattoo artist who can do pretty much anything. “I do a little bit of everything,” she said. “I do the custom work the best.”

Kobi noted she does black and grey, neo-traditional, some Japanese and Chicano.

While Kobi said she doesn’t make promises when it comes to unexpected or surprise requests coming through her door, she tries to stay open-minded. “I am willing to look at anything,” said Kobi.

She noted one class of work she said is popular is “cover up” or alteration work for people who want changes made to tattoos they already have.

Kobi said the best way to contact her is to send a text to 403-741-2646 or email her at twistedsisterstattoo2022@gmail.com.