Ottawa, ON – Rhonda Mulder, a deeply respected tattoo artist and beloved member of Ottawa’s creative community, has died unexpectedly on June 11, 2025. She was 39.
Best known for her thoughtful artistry, gentle demeanor, and unwavering belief in the transformative power of self-expression, Mulder was a resident artist at Tiger Tiger Tattoo, where she had worked for the past five years. Her death has sent ripples through the art and tattooing world, where she was admired not just for her technical prowess, but for the warmth, empathy, and authenticity she brought to every encounter.
Born on August 7, 1985, Rhonda was raised in Ottawa, where her early interest in drawing soon evolved into a lifelong calling. Even as a child, she carried sketchbooks everywhere—her notebooks filled with characters, plants, and imaginary worlds. By the time she was in her teens, she was painting murals and exploring mixed media, channeling her vivid imagination into increasingly sophisticated forms.
After completing a formal apprenticeship in her early 20s, Rhonda found her niche in tattoo artistry, a medium that allowed her to blend technical precision with human connection. “She didn’t just tattoo people,” said one longtime client. “She honored them.” Every piece Rhonda created began with a conversation—often long, always intimate—about memory, identity, grief, joy, and transformation.
That commitment made her one of the most sought-after artists at Tiger Tiger Tattoo. Clients sometimes waited months for an appointment, not just because of her versatility—delicate florals, lyrical script, rich neo-traditional imagery—but because of the experience she created. In her chair, people felt seen. Her art didn’t simply adorn; it healed.
“Tattooing, for Rhonda, was storytelling on skin,” said the team at Tiger Tiger in a statement. “Every line she drew had intention. Every appointment was a collaboration.”
Her presence inside the shop was matched by her generosity outside of it. Rhonda was a regular volunteer at Ottawa Animal Aid, where she fostered cats and donated her time to pet adoption campaigns. She frequently offered discounted or free tattoos to people navigating financial hardship, particularly for scars, memorials, or identity-affirming work. For many in Ottawa’s LGBTQ+ and youth communities, Rhonda was more than an artist—she was an anchor, a mentor, a safe space.
She also nurtured the next generation of artists, leading workshops at local high schools and mentoring aspiring tattooists with patience and candor. On weekends, she could often be found sketching at local markets, sipping lattes from mismatched mugs and chatting with vendors about the textures of tomatoes or the light at dusk.
Friends and colleagues describe her as a quiet powerhouse—funny, fiercely ethical, and deeply committed to community care. Her signature tigers, which adorned the walls of Tiger Tiger Tattoo, were both an emblem of her artistic style and a metaphor for how she moved through the world: graceful, grounded, and strong.
Rhonda is survived by her mother, Marianne Mulder; her brother, Jason; her chosen family at Tiger Tiger Tattoo; and the many friends, collaborators, and clients who came to love her. She leaves behind a body of work that spans skin, sketchbooks, and murals—and a spirit that lives on in the stories and symbols she helped others carry.
A celebration of Rhonda’s life will take place at SAW Gallery, 67 Nicholas Street, on Wednesday, June 18, at 5:00 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring memories, tattoos, sketches, and stories. The evening will be a gathering in her image: colorful, open-hearted, and community-driven.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Rhonda’s name to Ottawa Animal Aid, Youth Art Mentorship Ottawa, or to local creative nonprofits working with underserved communities.
Rhonda Mulder’s legacy is etched not just in ink, but in impact. In a world that too often undervalues empathy and artistic labor, she lived by a different code—one of fierce compassion, quiet integrity, and radiant creativity. Her absence is felt keenly. But in every mural, tattoo, and laugh shared in her memory, Rhonda remains vividly, beautifully present.