POLAND — Nikki Morrone is grateful her clients can see beyond her disability.

And if her appointment book is any indication, it’s clear word has gotten out about her talent and attention to detail.

For a legally blind tattoo artist, that’s a pretty big deal.

Morrone, 32, an artist with Trademarked Society Tattoo, 35 W. McKinley Way, has definitely seen an uptick in business since her story and portfolio made waves on social media.

“It’s definitely not been quiet,” she said with a laugh. “I stay pretty busy.”

She’s now booking into February for weekday appointments, and late March for Saturday slots.

Morrone said her interest in the art form took shape around her 17th birthday, when she got her first “ink.”

She grew up with a love of art and said she was fascinated with tattooing in high school, but figured she’d have a tough time in the industry because of her eyesight.

Morrone was born in 1993 with congenital nystagmus, severe myopia and lattice / myopic degeneration.

“The nystagmus is the biggest contributing factor as it affects the nerves surrounding my eyes and makes them shake uncontrollably,” she said.

Right after delivering her, doctors suspected Morrone had a brain tumor because of the way her eyes moved. She was told the condition would likely worsen over time, but she said she chooses to focus instead on what’s right before her.

In 2015, she received a bachelor’s degree in studio art from Marietta College, minoring in organizational communications and public relations.

Her focus was oil painting and the walls in her studio are adorned with her work.

After college, Morrone said she ran a photography business for eight years before her doctor told her the amount of time she spent editing on the computer was worsening her condition and she needed surgery.

Morrone put down her camera and stayed home for a few years with her children before gathering up the courage to walk into Trademarked Society, where she became an ongoing client and felt at home with the staff.

“I finally got the courage and asked Josh, the owner, to interview me as a potential apprentice,” she said. “He took me on despite my disability and I have flourished here since.”

She’s been with Trademarked for more than two years, saying “I found my place and my people.”

Though intimidated at first, Morrone said she knew she could succeed the minute she had that tattoo gun in her hand.

She said she’s always been adaptable and determined.

“If I have a goal, I don’t let anything get in my way,” she said.

From the day she opened her appointment book, spots filled quickly, and she’s grateful customers trust her.

“I was, and still am, overwhelmed by the amount of support from my clients, friends and family for how busy they keep me,” she said. “I’m booked months out, and it’s such an amazing feeling to have that kind of support and security in my field.”

When working, Morrone, who specializes in color tattoos, doesn’t wear her glasses because, she said, she needs to see up close.

“They only help me see at a distance,” she said.

Earlier this week, Danielle Bennett, of Warren, rolled up her sleeves to let Morrone tattoo a raven on her arm, to cover three other tattoos she no longer wanted.

She said she sought out Morrone specifically because of the portfolio she saw online.

Morrone lives in Canfield with her boyfriend, Corey Little, and her sons, Everett, 6, and Archer, 3.

Over the years, she’s had multiple surgeries. A procedure at 17 tried to correct her vision but was unsuccessful, she said, adding her condition will progress as she ages.

She also has lattice and myopic degeneration and said, “It basically means that I have little pinholes in my retinas.”

Despite that, she plans to continue in her trade as long as her eyes will allow.

She calls tattooing “the best thing I’ve ever done for myself” and said she puts in 30 to 40 hours per week.

“My condition is pretty stable right now,” she said, adding “I’m hopeful it will stay that way.”

Josh Trolio owns Trademarked, which opened five years ago in the center of Poland.

He said he knew it was a “little bit of a gamble” taking on Morrone, but it quickly became a “nonissue” when he saw her work, saying it was “too good to pass on.”

The shop has four artists, including Trolio, who said he first met Morrone when she became a frequent customer.

Any reservations he may have had were gone within a few days of hiring her, he said.

“She quickly built up her own clientele,” he said. “She’s really taken off.

Nikki Morrone

AGE: 32

RESIDENCE: Canfield, but grew up in Mineral Ridge

EDUCATION: Graduated from Mineral Ridge High School, 2011; Marietta College, 2015

OCCUPATION: Tattoo artist at Trademarked Society Tattoo, Poland

FAMILY: Two sons, Everett, 6, and Archer, 3; boyfriend, Corey Little