SoCal Tattoo Artist Recommendations

[Englewood]

I had a well-known guy lined up and he went MIA...Does anyone have a referral for a "realistic color" tattoo artist who isn't booked years out? Anywhere in SoCal/Vegas/Phoenix/Etc. Not looking for a strip-mall tweeker tattoo...I want high quality and willing to pay for skilled artists.

 

[Shane54]

I had a well-known guy lined up and he went MIA...Does anyone have a referral for a "realistic color" tattoo artist who isn't booked years out? Anywhere in SoCal/Vegas/Phoenix/Etc. Not looking for a strip-mall tweeker tattoo...I want high quality and willing to pay for skilled artists.

I had some work done by Brad Reis, nothing huge just a small piece and he was professional and I was impressed by his work.

About — Brad Reis

www.artofbradreis.com

I found Brad when he used to work at Black Lantern in Dana Point. The owner of Black Lantern, London Reese, also does incredible work, but not sure how far booked out he is.

London Reese

www.theartoflondon.com

 

[seanroberts]

I had a well-known guy lined up and he went MIA...Does anyone have a referral for a "realistic color" tattoo artist who isn't booked years out? Anywhere in SoCal/Vegas/Phoenix/Etc. Not looking for a strip-mall tweeker tattoo...I want high quality and willing to pay for skilled artists.

Revolt Art Corps - Home | Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com › riqoberhaustattoo

Revolt is outstanding, Riq has been offered to be on all the tattoo shows and turned them down. Gavin and Nomi are also great artists. They are booked out but not years, you can normally get to see one of them in about a month.

My work is over 10 years old and looks great.

805-405-3825.

Let me know if you have any questions.

 

[King295]

Tim Hendricks @ Classic Tattoo in Fullerton.

 

[liquid addiction]

My son is an artist at Modern Ink in Peoria. They have some good artists there and would be able to accommodate you with whatever type you want.

https://modernmodstattoo.com/

 

[Heylam]

Tim Hendricks @ Classic Tattoo in Fullerton.

Impossible to get in to. He’s no longer taking appointments.

 

[BTR]

Six Feet Under

Historic Six Feet Under Tattoo Parlor owned by Corey Miller in Upland, CA.

www.sixfeetunder.com

My long time friend Cory Miller’s shop in Upland.

 

[LakeMeadLavey]

Unfortunately, any good artist is going to be booked out these days.

Jim Hayek (Ventura County, CA)
805-906-1100

I grew up with Jim and he is very talented in color but not sure how booked he is. You can see his work on IG @jimhayek 25+ years experience

Another is Inkfiend Art Tattoo but probably booked way out as well.
Alhambra 626-588-2078

 

[81Sprint]

Mike Dewey @ Empire Tattoo in Upland. 909-985-8889

 

[JUSTWANNARACE]

Six Feet Under

Historic Six Feet Under Tattoo Parlor owned by Corey Miller in Upland, CA.

www.sixfeetunder.com

My long time friend Cory Miller’s shop in Upland.

Cory Miller is BADASS!! Amazing work!.
If you could pull strings for an appointment my wife would love a tattoo from Cory!!



And when it comes to a tattoo, location of artist is the last to think about. I live in PNW Oregon and the last trip for the wife to get some ink done was Chico, Ca!

 

[JUSTWANNARACE]

Six Feet Under

Historic Six Feet Under Tattoo Parlor owned by Corey Miller in Upland, CA.

www.sixfeetunder.com

My long time friend Cory Miller’s shop in Upland.

Cash in hand, no cards or checks! Let me know if that is something you could make happen! Her last tattoo was $2800 just for reference

 

[redone76]

Old Glory Tattoo in Placentia...Matt the owner and artist Big J are personal longtime friends of mine. Great guys and great artists.
714-577-8226

 

[She's Mine]

Artifacts Ink Studio in Fontana. 8631 Sierra Ave. Fontana, CA 92335 (909) 357-1023 Bryne the owner is a great dude and a fellow boater.

 

[BIG MIKE]

Old Glory Tattoo in Placentia...Matt the owner and artist Big J are personal longtime friends of mine. Great guys and great artists.
714-577-8226

Matt has done every one of my tattoos expect for one. Started going to him in 2002 when he was at Aces High.

 

[BTR]

Cash in hand, no cards or checks! Let me know if that is something you could make happen! Her last tattoo was $2800 just for reference

Send them an email. Not super fast to respond but you can book a date and time. That’s how I do it. [email protected]

 

[BTR]

Cory Miller is BADASS!! Amazing work!.
If you could pull strings for an appointment my wife would love a tattoo from Cory!!



And when it comes to a tattoo, location of artist is the last to think about. I live in PNW Oregon and the last trip for the wife to get some ink done was Chico, Ca!

I booked a month ago. Going in 12/15. Massive cover up including his original work from back on the day. I inquired about touching up the dragon he did and he talked me into a whole new piece. Getting a new dragon to cover all this. Gonna work the wife’s name back in with a flaming ball of fire in its talons.

 

[idk]

I think my guy is outstanding, I think he’s booked a few months out but anyone good is going to be. His name is Ray and it’s Alteredflesh he does it all himself he doesn’t have any knuckle heads in there.

alteredflesh - Google Search

 

[badgas]

Six Feet Under

Historic Six Feet Under Tattoo Parlor owned by Corey Miller in Upland, CA.

www.sixfeetunder.com

My long time friend Cory Miller’s shop in Upland.

Very Cool !

I only have one tattoo and it is 31 years old. Cory did it back at Tatooland on Lincoln when I was 22 and it actually ended up being in a magazine when they did an article on him. He also did a few for my brothers. It was unreal to watch him freehand a drawing with a bic pen and then just go to town. Incredible artist.

 

[Desert Whaler]

@hopperdoggy on Instagram…. Or @tattuna also on Insta-dork

 

[DaBank]

Jamie Schene

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.instagram.com/jamie_schene/%3Fhl%3Den&ved=2ahUKEwiaw-Svz6D0AhVoJTQIHV9JBg8QFnoECAQQAQ&usg=AOvVaw011D2KnvVPHIfJW2_IL_-I

 

[redone76]

Matt has done every one of my tattoos expect for one. Started going to him in 2002 when he was at Aces High.

That’s awesome! I started going to Aces High around ‘98. Got a lot of work from Matt and Todd. Big Jay did most of his apprentice work on me as well.

 

[BIG MIKE]

That’s awesome! I started going to Aces High around ‘98. Got a lot of work from Matt and Todd. Big Jay did most of his apprentice work on me as well.

I remember when J was doing his apprenticeship there. And the same time I was getting a lot done my buddy was having all his work done by Todd. All great guys

 

[wet hull]

Dave Hartman owner of Big Fish Tattoo in Solana Beach. Has done all my work and family members. Definitely not cheap but if its a large piece he will work with you. Classical trained artist that became at Tattoo artist. He is on Instagram if you want to look up.

 

[redone76]

I remember when J was doing his apprenticeship there. And the same time I was getting a lot done my buddy was having all his work done by Todd. All great guys

Damn straight!!

 

[Xring01]

If your remotely interested in Polynesian or Tribal designs.
Take a Look at Island Tat in Lemon Grove.

Those guys do alot of the rich and famous work. Including Hollywood and NFL customers.

It took me awhile to rise from the bottom of the waiting list, but its well worth it.

Look up Joshua Elias… I cant remember the exact spelling of his name,,, but that dude is fucking amazing.

www.islandtat.com, Josh is the guy who did my work. Seriously his customers are truly the rich and famous, and I am not joking. His work is that good. I know thats not everyones style, but for those that are interested in that style, he is your guy.

 

[ArizonaKevin]

I'm not sure what his schedule is, but Brian Zolotas in ventura is one of the best of color realism IMO

 

[TrollerDave]

If your remotely interested in Polynesian or Tribal designs.
Take a Look at Island Tat in Lemon Grove.

Those guys do alot of the rich and famous work. Including Hollywood and NFL customers.

It took me awhile to rise from the bottom of the waiting list, but its well worth it.

Look up Joshua Elias… I cant remember the exact spelling of his name,,, but that dude is fucking amazing.

www.islandtat.com, Josh is the guy who did my work. Seriously his customers are truly the rich and famous, and I am not joking. His work is that good. I know thats not everyones style, but for those that are interested in that style, he is your guy.

I love Polynesian tats. I would love to get some, but i would feel weird being a white guy from So Cal. I don’t think “Well, I’ve been to Hawaii twice” qualifies me. Pics on the home page look like they do Awesome work.

 

[Xring01]

I love Polynesian tats. I would love to get some, but i would feel weird being a white guy from So Cal. I don’t think “Well, I’ve been to Hawaii twice” qualifies me. Pics on the home page look like they do Awesome work.

I felt that way for a long time.
But I was born and raised in Texas, Killing deer, hogs, rabbits, guinea, catching fish… Learned from day one, how to provide for myself and my family…

Thats the culture… Plain and Simple.
Either is resonates or it doesnt. I have never caught grief over my tats. But I am one big ugly mutherfucker. So most are not stupid enough to challenge me.

 

[JSquared]

Check out Maddtatters in Riverside. Alfred’s on Instagram. Top voted in the IE, 5 years running.

 

[LakeMeadLavey]

Another amazing artist haven't seen mentioned here is Mike DeVries, MD Tattoo Studio in the SFV. Probably impossible to get an appt but definitely worth checking out his work. Next level.

 

[IanGrahamd]

I think you need to find a tattoo artist who specializes in realistic watercolor tattoos. Although I think you need to look through a lot of portfolios of tattoo artists, and their groups on social networks with some tattoo examples. Never come to a tattoo session with a specialist whose work looks bad or wrong. After all, such guys can stuff bloody wounds on your body instead of red flowers. I don't like the watercolor style. I like classics or Persian Tattoo's. I visited a famous tattoo artist for this. He encrypted the names of my kids in my tattos.

 

[BTR]

Then now. Free hand. Corey Miller.

 

[JUSTWANNARACE]

I think you need to find a tattoo artist who specializes in realistic watercolor tattoos.

Let me guess.. you do water color tattoos and you are the best seems like an odd first post to dig up a 2yr old thread about tattoos on a boating forum

 

[JUSTWANNARACE]

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Then now. Free hand. Corey Miller.

That turned out badass!! Corey knows his shit!

 

[BTR]

That turned out badass!! Corey know his shit!

That is not green ink. He used black mixed with yellow because the black pigment will cover up the old tattoo. Interesting.

 

[BIGRED9158]

If anyone is looking for tattoos hit up my cousin at breakthrough tattoo in Upland

 

[attitude]

@hopperdoggy on Instagram…. Or @tattuna also on Insta-dork

Do you happen to know Ryan?

 

[Livewire Fabworks]

If anyone is looking for tattoos hit up my cousin at breakthrough tattoo in Upland

Which one is your cousin? I get all my work done there.

 

[BIGRED9158]

Which one is your cousin? I get all my work done there.

Bryan

. — Breakthrough Tattoo

www.breakthroughtattoo.com

 

[Livewire Fabworks]

Bryan

. — Breakthrough Tattoo

www.breakthroughtattoo.com

Snacks is a good dude and does awesome work.

 

[BIGRED9158]

Snacks is a good dude and does awesome work.

who do you see when you go?

 

[Livewire Fabworks]

who do you see when you go?

Kevin. I really like Bryan's work as well. Can't go wrong with any of the guys there and a cool vibe in the shop.

 

[TPayne]

If anyone is looking for tattoos hit up my cousin at breakthrough tattoo in Upland

I get all my work done by Kevin at Breakthrough. Been going to him since he was at six feet under.

 

[BIGRED9158]

Kevin. I really like Bryan's work as well. Can't go wrong with any of the guys there and a cool vibe in the shop.

 

[Livewire Fabworks]

I get all my work done by Kevin at Breakthrough. Been going to him since he was at six feet under.

Kevin does all mine as well.

 

[BIGRED9158]

Just got my sleeve done by my cousin still a few more sessions left

 

[Desert Whaler]

Do you happen to know Ryan?

I Do … but I haven’t talked to him in quite a while. Cool Dude !

 

[attitude]

I Do … but I haven’t talked to him in quite a while. Cool Dude !

I grew up with him, he’s my half brothers half brother but I just considered him my oldest brother. I haven't seen him since my 18th birthday which coincidently was at the Tattoo shop off Newport Blvd.

 

[Desert Whaler]

I grew up with him, he’s my half brothers half brother but I just considered him my oldest brother. I haven't seen him since my 18th birthday which coincidently was at the Tattoo shop off Newport Blvd.

Nice !
Last time I talked to him he was working out of a tattoo shop in either Sunset or Seal Beach, ( I forget which).
He had restored a bichin little 13 Boston Whaler that he was fishing in the ocean, and He'd take it down to Bullhead and fish stripers on the river as well.
He & Chloe were living in Costa Mesa and they had a Son . . . really cool kid . . . 'Oliver' I think.
I just sort of fell out of touch with him, unfortunately. Way cool dude . . . super talented with lots of things.

 

[attitude]

Nice !
Last time I talked to him he was working out of a tattoo shop in either Sunset or Seal Beach, ( I forget which).
He had restored a bichin little 13 Boston Whaler that he was fishing in the ocean, and He'd take it down to Bullhead and fish stripers on the river as well.
He & Chloe were living in Costa Mesa and they had a Son . . . really cool kid . . . 'Oliver' I think.
I just sort of fell out of touch with him, unfortunately. Way cool dude . . . super talented with lots of things.

Sounds like him! He just had another kiddo too. Small world!