Art that earns its place on your skin.
Black Serum Studio · 310 Valencia St, San Francisco
I'm Kseniia Oliinyk — known in the tattoo world as Ksu Storm. My work lives at the intersection of fine art and permanent body modification: saturated color realism that moves, Japanese compositions that breathe, cover-ups that make the past disappear.
At Black Serum on Valencia Street, I treat every piece as a collaboration between my artistic vision and your life story. Whether you're bringing reference photos for hyper-realistic color work, trusting me to transform something you've grown to hate, or chasing an anime dream — my commitment is the same: art made for you and no one else.
Ksu Storm is a San Francisco-based tattoo artist specializing in color realism and cover-up work. Featured in TH-INK Magazine for her unique approach to tattoo therapy and scar transformation.
Read Full Article →"A tattoo might be the only way a family can identify a loved one." Kseniia Oliinyk draws on her nursing background to transform scars into meaningful art, with special significance for soldiers seeking protective symbols and identity restoration.
Read Full Article →"Right now I specialize in covering up old tattoos and scars — I call it tattoo therapy. By covering a scar, the person no longer associates that part of their body with a traumatic event, and this helps improve their quality of life."
Read Full Article →"My passion for art really began in my early childhood. At 14, when I saw Miami Ink — especially Kat Von D — I realized tattooing combined two things I loved: art and medicine. That's when I decided tattooing would become my life's work."
Read Full Article →Combining artistic education, published research, and the development of the Hand-Over-Hand Experiential Methodology (HHEM), Kseniia Oliinyk has built a career that bridges art, professional education, and innovation within the tattoo industry.
Read Full Article →"A strong foundation does something more than improve technique. It builds confidence — in your actions, in your results." Kseniia Oliinyk on structuring professional tattoo education through guided, experiential learning.
Read Full Article →Fill out the booking form with your idea, size, placement, and reference images. I review every request personally within 3–5 business days.
We'll discuss your vision, refine the concept, and choose placement together. Remote consultations available via video call or DM.
I create a design made exclusively for you. No flash. No repeats. A deposit secures your appointment and kicks off the design process.
Arrive at Black Serum on Valencia Street ready to transform. I guide you through every step for a comfortable, memorable experience.
Everything you need to know before booking. Don't see your question? Send me a message.
Submit an inquiry through the booking form below. Include your idea, approximate size, placement, and any reference images. I respond to all inquiries personally within 3–5 business days.
Pricing starts at $300 for small pieces and varies based on size, complexity, and placement. Every consultation includes a full price estimate. A deposit is required to secure your appointment and goes toward the total cost.
Cover-ups are one of my core specialties. Send clear photos of the existing tattoo or scar with your inquiry — I'll assess what's possible and design something you'll be proud of. No judgment, ever.
I work by appointment only. My schedule typically books out 6–10 weeks in advance, so I recommend reaching out as early as possible for your preferred date. For large or complex pieces, 2–3 months ahead is ideal.
Full aftercare instructions are provided at your appointment. The short version: keep it clean with fragrance-free soap, apply a thin layer of unscented moisturizer, stay out of direct sun, and avoid soaking in water for the first two weeks. Protect your investment — good aftercare is 50% of a great healed result.
Yes — I attend conventions and do guest spots throughout the year. Follow @storm_tattooart on Instagram for announcements of upcoming dates and locations.
My focus is illustrative color, anime, and black & gray. I don't typically take on strict fine-line minimalism or traditional American styles, as those aren't where my expertise lives. I'd rather refer you to the right artist than compromise on quality.
Fill out the form and I'll get back to you within 3–5 business days. The more detail you share, the better I can plan your piece.
Thank you! I'll get back to you within 24 hours.