Scotch Ink: Finding Healing Through Art

In the heart of Whitehall, a new beacon of creativity and healing has emerged: Scotch Ink Tattoo Studio, located next to The Healing Spot at 13 North Main Street in Suite 2. The shop opened in late 2023 and has steadily been making a great name for itself with its creativity, artistry, and compassion. Behind its doors lies not just a tattoo parlor but a sanctuary where pain is transformed into art and scars are adorned with beauty.

Shilo Baker, the founder and artistic soul behind Scotch Ink, has forged this haven from the depths of her own tragedy. On May 18, 2023, she lost her one-year-old son, Ian, in a devastating accident. In the wake of her unbearable loss, Baker turned to art as a lifeline, finding solace in the delicate dance of ink on skin. The answer is clear when asked the "Why?" of opening a tattoo shop in Whitehall, Montana.

"I needed something. This is Ian for me, just working out emotions - stress, anger, everything," Baker said. "I'm not the person who can sit still in their emotions. I hate them - I hate emotions - they make me feel bad. When we lost Ian, I was lost too."

She explained that she'd always drawn and painted. She and her husband had talked about her venturing into tattooing many times before, and finally, she dove in.

"Art has always been a default for me, whether it was painting or drawing or whatever," Baker said. She has been tattooing for about two years now but only leaned into it after the accident. "This was a way for me to keep going, keeping myself here, keeping me grounded. But yes, to make a long story short, Ian is my reason."

With Scotch Ink Tattoo Studio, Baker has created more than just a business; she has crafted a space where pain is met with compassion and transformed into artistry. Specializing in fine line drawings and cover-ups of past regrets, Baker brings a unique blend of skill and empathy to her craft.

"I love black and gray, traditional, that kind of thing. I will do color, but I like to stay with what I love," Baker said, adding that she's grown fond of floral tattoos, which she never thought she would enjoy doing.

"I love tattoos with stories. I've done a lot of memorial tattoos - which makes me feel, just, a lot. I got a lot heavier tattooed in the last few months. For me, it was a part of processing my grief. I love that I can be a part of helping people process," Baker explained. "It releases endorphins and I don't feel for a minute. My son is everywhere on my body. There's not an inch of tattoo on my body that doesn't have my son in it, both my sons, they are the biggest part of my life. I like to be able to help people process that pain."

Scotch Ink is currently open by appointment only, and Baker has stayed consistently busy with new clients and a large repeat clientele who enjoy her work, vibe, and shop.

"I've been busy. I could be busier!" she said with a laugh. "But this works for me because I can make my hours. I'm a wife, I'm a mom - making my hours fits me." Baker recently quit her other job and is now at Scotch Ink full-time.

"This shop reflects me a lot as a person-I want people to feel comfortable. It's clean and welcoming; I'm not going to give you a hard time because it's your first tattoo. You don't have to be part of a club. You're here, and you're obviously processing something-good, bad, or otherwise-or you're branching out or rebelling, which is a valid thing to go through in life, too.

As for the name? Ian, or something to represent him, was a consideration when choosing the name, but it didn't seem to fit. Baker previously created wedding cakes under the name Butter & Scotch. However, she had difficulty turning her mixers on after the accident, as her son was no longer there to help. But carrying Scotch over the name seemed to work; she also has Scotch Highland cows and is Scottish.

"Ian is my reason for just about anything anymore," Baker said. "I'm here going through my own emotions, and I'm happy to help others with theirs.

Indeed, Scotch Ink Tattoo Studio is more than just a place to get inked; it's a haven for those seeking beautiful art and a healing touch. With each stroke of her needle, she honors not only her own journey but also the journeys of those who walk through her doors, seeking solace in the embrace of ink and creativity.