JOSEPH — The meadowlark — Oregon’s state bird and the name of Tim Biedron’s new tattoo business located in Joseph.

Biedron, an avid birder, said he wanted a bird name and kept coming back to the meadowlark.

Biedron has been doing tattoos for 27 years. His artistic background dates to when he and a friend decided to attend art school in Chicago.

He was drawn to tattooing and completed an apprenticeship in 1993. He worked in a tattoo shop in Chicago before moving to Fort Collins, Colorado. He said he wasn’t sure what to expect moving to Wallowa County, but said, “it’s been great.”

He opened his business in September 2022. A former CPA, Beidron admits he enjoys the shorter hours of his business. He is usually finished by 4 p.m. In Chicago, he said his tattoos were larger pieces.

“Out here, I’m working on smaller things,” he said.

He said he enjoys the originality that comes with his craft. The tattoos he helps design for people are originals, and won’t be replicated on another person.

He explained that some people come in with an idea for a tattoo but need direction.

“That’s how I like it. With their ideas,” he said.

He said one of his favorite parts of tattooing is getting to know his clients and “making sure they are happy and had a great experience…putting them at ease and making it as enjoyable an experience as possible.”

For more information, visit meadowlarktattoos.com.