As the Indiana Pacers gear up for their first NBA Finals appearance in over two decades, a local tattoo artist has captured national attention with a viral tattoo honoring star guard Tyrese Haliburton.
Kiarra Baxter, who works under the name KirayTattoos, created the tattoo after Haliburton’s now-iconic “choke” celebration during the Eastern Conference Finals ignited fan reactions across social media. Days after the moment went viral, Baxter offered to ink the image for free, sharing the announcement in a Facebook post.
“I posted I would do it for free because it’s a style I’ve really been interested in,” Baxter told the Indianapolis Recorder. A devoted Pacers fan since childhood, Baxter said basketball was a way she bonded with her father while growing up.
The tattoo, completed during an eight-hour session, was done for a 21-year-old Indianapolis resident. Baxter described the client as a casual fan driven by pride in her hometown team and inspired by the energy of the playoff run.
“I went with the first person who messaged me,” Baxter explained. “She was proud to be from Indiana and support her hometown team.”
Baxter’s path to becoming a professional tattoo artist began eight years ago in Anderson, Indiana, where she sketched designs for friends. She later trained under tattoo artist Brian Winston and completed a two-year apprenticeship with Amani Tre Niner before launching her independent career.
Now gaining wider recognition, Baxter is preparing to attend a prestigious tattoo convention in Trinidad, part of an international circuit that has also brought her work to London.
“The convention reached out directly, which was a big deal for me,” Baxter said. “Taking opportunities like this is part of the craft. I am excited.”
Though she typically charges for her work, Baxter said she waived her fee for the Haliburton piece as a tribute to community pride and shared fan enthusiasm.
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