Inside Neon Moon: Grinnell’s new tattoo studio

Neon Moon Tattoo opened its doors in August of last year, and 30-year-old owner Karina Schreur brings not only her skill as a tattoo artist, but also a small-town sensibility that makes the studio feel welcoming to everyone who walks through the door.

“I prefer small-town vibes,” Schreur said. “I grew up in a small town, and I like the sense of community. You know people. You can make connections and build a life beyond just going to work and going home.”

Schreur said moving to Grinnell with her husband in 2022 offered the perfect blend of city conveniences and small-town charm. Her husband works as the horticulturist for Grinnell College’s facilities management, and Schreur said she saw the opportunity to bring her business closer to home, ending her long commute to Des Moines and opening a studio that reflects her personal and professional values.

An inside look of Karina’s studio. (Julia Marlin)

Schreur said her path to tattooing was gradual, influenced by both her artistic upbringing and a fascination with the medium.

“I grew up always being attracted to how tattoos look,” she said. “I would watch ‘LA Ink’ when I was younger, and I liked Kat Von D’s story.”

Schreur said her artistic roots were nurtured at home and she began studying graphic design at Iowa State University before deciding to pursue tattooing full-time. “I realized I wasn’t thriving in college or as a graphic designer,” she said. “I was excited about the potential of being a tattooer and making a living doing what I love.”

At Neon Moon Tattoo, Schreur specializes in botanical illustration and illustrative works. “If someone asks for a rose, I draw it based on a photo, but it looks like a drawing, not a photo,” she said. “I’m drawn to vintage botanical illustrations.”

One notable project involved tattooing a client undergoing in vitro fertilization after four miscarriages. Schreur said she worked closely with her client to complete a full-arm tattoo in just two sessions, making the experience both meaningful and unforgettable.

“It was emotional, and I learned a lot about her. She’s a strong person who has been through a lot,” said Schreur. ”We would sit together and envision her life with a baby. It was a cool experience. I felt like we accomplished that together, along with modern medicine.”

Jorge Salinas `26 said Schreur was the only tattoo artist with whom he had made a genuine connection. “With Karina, I had a real conversation,” he said. “We talked about random stuff while she tattooed, and I felt seen and understood. Some artists rush you, but she balances skill and speed while maintaining a human connection.”

He said his first tattoo at Neon Moon, an eagle-and-snake design reflecting Aztec mythology and the Chicano movement, was an experience that connected him to his history, culture and community.

Salinas also emphasized the importance of the client-artist connection.

Jorge Salinas `26 receives a tattoo reflecting the Chicano movement. (Julia Marlin)

“I appreciated knowing she was taking the work seriously. There was never a sense of ‘let me rush him out of here.’ It was purely ‘I’m going to do this and I’m going to do it right,’” he said.

“The connection is really important because if your client doesn’t feel comfortable, there’s going to be tenseness,” he added.

“At no point should a tattoo feel tense. With Karina, I’ve never had a tattoo experience as great as I did with her.”

For students getting their first tattoo or seasoned collectors of them, Neon Moon offers a local option. “She’s done a lot of first-time tattoos for college students,” Salinas said. “Having someone like Karina a block or two down simplifies it. She’s versatile.”

Neon Moon Tattoo has held flash days for students during welcome weekends, Halloween and other seasonal events. She said she plans to continue celebrating the studio’s milestones, including an open house to mark the studio’s first successful year.