On the fateful night the Eaton Fire ignited, Isabela Livingstone found herself working late in her Altadena tattoo studio, June Bug.
With only the harsh beam of her headlamp illuminating the space, Livingstone was determined to finish inking her final client, despite the howling Santa Ana winds that had knocked out the power in the strip mall on Fair Oaks Avenue.
Situated between a pizza parlor and a landscape architect, her shop would soon become a part of local history.
“The tattoo itself was a lantern surrounded by smoke, which is very eerie,” Livingstone stated.
Little did they know, it would be the last tattoo ever completed in that location before a devastating fire engulfed the space just hours later.
In the five months following that night, Livingstone has navigated a whirlwind of challenges, fueled by adrenaline, determination, and immense support from her clients and the tattoo community.
In April, she and her team of artists opened a new location in Eagle Rock, designed to replicate the warm and inviting atmosphere of their original studio.
This new space was intentionally created to welcome women, the queer community, and people of color.
Yet, Livingstone has not forgotten her roots in Altadena, where her family has deep ties and where she was educated at the Pasadena Waldorf School.
In a meaningful initiative, she and her fellow tattoo artists have tattooed over 100 residents affected by the fire, providing a unique form of healing and remembrance through body art.
“There’s so much mutual aid out there and help with clothing and resources,” Livingstone remarked.
“But I noticed what was really needed was an acknowledgment of the loss.
And tattooing is an incredible way to support someone through loss.”
The June Bug artists have crafted pre-drawn “flash” designs, which include stylized versions of the name “Altadena,” beloved local animals like bears and bunnies, and iconic landmarks such as the Fox’s restaurant and the Rancho bar.
Many residents have opted for these flash designs, while others have collaborated with artists for custom illustrations.
Kari Kretch, an assistant professor at the University of Southern California, chose a delicate black-and-white line drawing of a phoenix for her first tattoo.
She decided on this piece after her life was irrevocably changed when the fire destroyed their home, which she shared with her husband and 7-year-old son.
“When I look down and I see this tattoo, it makes me kind of feel strong,” Kretch explained.
“It reminds me of the strength that I need to remind myself that I have.”
Kretch’s family, like many others in Altadena, faced underinsurance challenges, which have complicated their recovery process.
Though their insurance via the state’s FAIR plan did not cover rental costs, the generosity of friends and family has allowed them to rent an apartment while they make plans to rebuild.
In the midst of this upheaval, Kretch felt compelled to commemorate her journey with a tattoo.
“I wanted to honor this enormous life-changing thing that had happened to me,” she said.
Pitelka Kazi, a retired musician living in Altadena since 1995, also sought a tattoo as a symbol of resilience at the age of 72.
After losing a barn and 25 trees in the fire, she and her husband have been residing in a friend’s backyard unit while awaiting home restoration.
The idea for a tattoo emerged when she saw June Bug’s one-day event offering free flash tattoos for fire survivors.
Choosing a tattoo location was pivotal for Pitelka; she wanted it to be visible yet meaningful.
“With age, we’re not as firm as we used to be, and I wanted it to last and look good for a long time,” she said.
Working with Livingstone, she selected her lower left forearm for a tattoo featuring a flowering lemon tree branch and the words “Beautiful Altadena,” with a hummingbird nearby.
This tattoo pays homage to her property where she lost many trees and a barn, and reflects the beauty of her home that still attracts hundreds of hummingbirds each dusk.
“I love this tattoo,” Pitelka confessed.
“Sometimes it even makes me a little teary, because it’s so representational of my home, and that gives me comfort.”
Livingstone envisions that a decade from now, as Altadena hopefully thrives and retains its unique charm, the tattoos she has inked will symbolize the residents’ resilience and strength.
“It would mark a moment in time where a community of really incredible people overcame something really difficult,” she said.
“I just hope it carries that meaning through the years.”
Through art and expression, Livingstone and her team have illuminated a path forward for fire survivors, offering a tattooed testament to their journeys and a reminder of their strength.
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