Immortality Through Ink: Bayla Peña on Tattooing

The Brooklyn-based artist specializes in abstraction, distortion, and blackwork.

Tattooing is known to date back over 5,000 years. The permanent technique has acquired regional and cultural styles, such as Tribal, Japanese traditional, Chicano style, American traditional, and more. In recent years, more niche, universal styles have become prominent amongst all cultures worldwide: realism, geometric, abstract, script, blackwork, blastover, and more. While these styles have less cultural context than regional styles, they have a timeless element that leaves you marked for life.

Bayla Peña, a Brooklyn-based tattoo artist specializing in abstraction, distortion, and blackwork, connects the dots between self-expression, art, and permanence. Peña, also known as Uglytat222s, has tattooed clients throughout the whole body: heads, palms, backs, necks, stomachs, nipples, and more.

Tattoos are permanent, and Peña doesn’t believe you need to remove one if you regret it. Instead, she encourages layering. This technique doesn’t erase a story or experience, but transforms it through movement and boldness. Peña uses her intuition to create flow-based experimental art, creating a sense of immortality and timelessness.

Peña spoke with 1202 MAGAZINE on how she helps clients express themselves through tattoos, why she chose the path of tattooing, and how her styles and techniques go beyond solely putting a needle to the skin.

I would love to hear about your upbringing and how it led to a passion for tattooing.

I grew up around art my entire life; drawing, painting, and mostly experimenting. Creating art was always my first language. Out of every form of expression, tattoos became my favorite because they’re immortal. They live in the body, they move through life with someone, and they hold a meaning that lasts. That connection between creativity and permanence is what pulled me into tattooing and body modification.

What excites you most about tattooing?

What excites me most about tattooing is when I create a piece or drop a flash, and people love it so much they want it to live on their bodies forever. That feeling to me is unmatched; it’s confirmation of who I am as an artist. Knowing that something I created resonates so deeply with someone that they want it permanently! That’s what keeps me inspired every day.

How would you describe your style of tattooing? What does that process look like for your designs?

My style is mostly a blend of abstraction and distortion. I’m drawn to expressive shapes, movement, and high-contrast layering that break away from traditional structure.

I especially love blastovers because of the meaning behind them. I honestly don’t believe in erasing the past. I believe in layering it, transforming it, and adding something new that feels fresher or modern—you can say, more aligned with who someone is now. Blastovers let me merge old stories with new art in a way that respects both.

My creative process is intuitive and flow-based, I would say. I sketch until the piece’s energy feels right, study how it will look with the body, and refine the lines or add textures so that everything feels natural. My goal is always to create work that feels alive, like it’s shifting, warping, or evolving on the skin.

What are some challenges you face while tattooing?

The only challenges I face are mostly anatomical placements and making sure every piece sits perfectly with each client’s movements. Piercing also requires precision and a calm energy, especially for clients who are nervous. But those challenges push me more to become more intentional and sharpened in my craft.

Who are some people you want to tattoo, and why?

I love working with people who trust my artistic vision and give me full creative freedom. People who appreciate abstract expression and want something that stands out. Collaborating with people who understand my art form makes the experience even more meaningful.

Are there any other tattoo styles you want to explore?

I’ve always been open to exploring new approaches as long as they align with my visual identity. I’m primarily interested in expanding deeper into distorted forms or laying clockwork and more experimental placements. These let me push boundaries while still staying true to the abstract energy in my work.

What are you looking forward to regarding your craft?

My goal is to build a stronger, recognizable identity within the abstract and blackwork lane to elevate my designs. People can expect more unique designs, more intentional artistic direction, and more ways to tap into that—like more custom work and collaborations.

What would you tell someone who wants to get tattooed by you but has never been?

I’d tell them to come with an open mind and trust the process. I make sure every client feels comfortable, informed, and confident overall. Whether it’s your first tattoo, I will guide you through everything to feel safe, heard, and excited about what you’re getting.