Washougal tattoo artist makes a difference

Shonna Roberts’ new Omnis Ink parlor specializes in paramedical tattoos

Washougal High School graduate Shonna Roberts opened a paramedical tattoo business in downtown Vancouver that provides natural-looking tattoos, including areola and nipple reconstruction. During the procedure, a three-dimensional tattoo is placed on the chest or breast area where an areola once existed. (Contributed photo courtesy of Shonna Roberts)

Contributed photo courtesy Shonna Roberts Shonna Roberts examines a patient at Omnis Ink, her paramedical tattoo business, in downtown Vancouver.

Contributed photo courtesy Shonna Roberts Before-and-after photos display the scar camoflague work done by Shonna Roberts at her new paramedical tattoo business in downtown Vancouver.

Contributed photo courtesy Shonna Roberts Washougal High School graduate Shonna Roberts has a personal connection to her new business, Omnis Ink, a paramedical tattoo provider. "As a teenager, I was in a car accident, and it left scars," Roberts said. "At the time, there was no way to minimize their appearance, which meant I could heal emotionally and mentally but couldn't make the physical progress I wanted. ... I want everyone to experience the complete healing I did."

After graduating from Washougal High School, Shonna Roberts went to college, worked as a hazardous materials specialist and sales and marketing representative, married and had a child. On paper, at least, her life was good. But the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic caused her to re-think some things.

“I think that I became one of those people you read about in the newspaper, the ‘COVID migrators,'” she said. “I had some time to reflect on, ‘What am I doing? What is this job that I’m doing? What mark am I leaving? Am I making a difference?’ That sort of thing.”

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