9 Most Talented Tattoo Artists Across the Nation

Looking to get inked? A tattoo is a personal thing and the best artist for you depends on so many factors. Don’t just go for a “celebrity” artist. Do your homework. Does the artist’s style mesh with your personal aesthetic? What kind of feeling do you get when you first walk into their tattoo shop?

With lockdown restrictions slowly being relaxed state by state, tattoo parlors will likely be some of the last businesses to open. In the meantime, we’ve been trolling Instagram to give you a roundup of the most talented tattoo artists you should consider.

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Darkest monuments.. lead us to seek an enlightened way of living. We are unable to hear the voice leading to our own salvation until we fall into the depths of an abbess manufactured by living a heedless life. From this state of floundering in the gloomy lagoon, we can awaken to find the light bearing the seeds of truth that will redeem us. Looking inward, we overcome stubborn resistance, and we revivify long lost and forgotten powers. From our dark pit, a fire of light emerges. Signature Custom Dragon Tattoo by @sarahgaugler – Private Studio By Appointment www.snowtattoo.com/subscribe – sign up for pop up announcements!!! @snowtattoonyc No two are exactly the same! 100% original .⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀ . . . . . . .⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀ #sarahgauglerquotes #sarahgaugler #snowtattoo #snowtattooshop #sarahgauglertattoo #snowtattoonyc #newyorktattoo #signaturetattoo #fire #veganink #vegantattoo #thintattoo #detailedtattoo #finelinetattoo #femaledragontattoo #customtattoos #dragon #vegantattooartist #turbogoth #femaledragon #fineline #finelinetattoo #microtattoo #signaturetattoo #finelinetattoos #dragons #filipinaartist #newyorktattoo #classytattoos #filipinotattooartist www.snowtattoo.com

A post shared by Sarah Gaugler (@sarahgaugler) on Jan 14, 2020 at 7:33pm PST

@sarahgaugler

Sarah Gaugler of Snow Tattoo in New York creates incredibly delicate black and white fine line tattoos.

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Thank you Megan #tattoo #tattoos #bostontattoo #bostontattoos #brilliancetattoo #brilliancebabes #bodybybrilliance #bostontattooartist #botanicaltattoo #botanicaltattoos #botanicaltattooartist #elizenazelie #elizenazelietattoo #rosetattoo #collarbonetattoo #shouldercap

A post shared by Elize Nazelie (@elizenazelietattoo) on Jan 27, 2020 at 2:00pm PST

@elizenazelietattoo

Elize Nazelie of Brilliance Tattoo in Boston creates stunning botanical tattoos that leap off the skin with their realness. All of her tattoos are one of a kind and although she no longer does custom work for clients, she posts artist-arranged designs on her Instagram every 2-3 months.

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Hummingbird for Justin, done at @thstattoo in LA #tattoo #tattoos #latattoo #japanese #hummingbird #hummingbirdtattoo #chesttattoo #watercolortattoo #enso #sun #colortattoo #birdtattoo #memorialtattoo #ink #inked #freshink #tattooed #inklovers #skinartmag #inkedmagazine

A post shared by Emma Grace (@emmagracetattoo) on Mar 5, 2020 at 6:47am PST

@emmagracetattoo

Emma Grace is combining watercolor style with black ink tattoos to create some surreal and inventive designs. She’s working in New York.

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illustrative Indian bridal portrait inspired by her mothers wedding photos. I would loveee to do more like this so please email me if interested. I will also be posting similar designs soon, so keep an eye out. (Also please excuse the goosebumps, it was a little chilly) Im now booking for APRIL with a few March appointments still available. Email me directly to book

A post shared by Kandace Layne (@kandacelayne) on Mar 15, 2020 at 8:57am PDT

@kandacelayne

Kandace Layne is based in Atlanta, Georgia, and does amazing geometric, ornamental, and henna style tattoos inspired by Eastern Aesthetics.

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almost cried multiple times when tattooing this baby deer for sophie soooo cute!! done @valentinestattoo . . . . . #handpoked #deer #babydeer #animaltattoo #deertattoo #seattletattoo #valentinestattooseattle

A post shared by emma (@thorn_pokes) on Oct 3, 2019 at 11:58am PDT

@thorn_pokes

Emma Kates-Shaw works exclusively in hand poke tattoos! For those not in the know, poke tattooing is a traditional, non-electric freestyle tattooing method. It is especially suited to geometric patterns and when done by a pro, can produce stunning results. Emma Kates-Shaw is working in Seattle.

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Things I love to do! #miryamlumpinitattoos

A post shared by The Witchdoctor Los Angeles (@miryamlumpini) on Jan 5, 2020 at 8:43am PST

@miryamlumpini

Miryam Lumpini will wow you with her bold, illustrative style packed with super-saturated color. She works in Los Angeles.

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Before and After from last night’s session! Turned his old design into this Poseidon piece. Swipe to see the before! I’m now booking April appointments. Email [email protected] for appointments. Y’all stay safe out there! . . #enigmatattoo#enigmabeverlyhills#la#latattooartist#tattoo#tattooartist#beverlyhills#luxury#luxurylifestyle#losangeles#tattooed#tattoolover#tattoosofinstagram#inked#art#tattoo#tatted#artshow#enigmaartshow#tattoostudio#tattooshop#latattooshop#inked#beforeandafter#coverup#coveruptattoo#poseidon#poseidontattoo#greekmythology

A post shared by Kat Tat (@kattatgirl) on Mar 19, 2020 at 11:41am PDT

@kattatgirl

You’ve seen her on Black Ink Crew: Chicago, but Kat Tat is more than just a bold, gothic artist with a flair for shading. She’s also the first black woman to own a tattoo shop in the Beverly Hills area!

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One of my favorite cat heals!!! I can’t believe there’s still probably a month ahead with no tattooing Please send me healed pictures if you haven’t yet

A post shared by 𝓐𝓷𝓴𝓪 𝓛𝓪𝓿𝓻𝓲𝓿 (@anka.tattoo) on May 2, 2020 at 6:09am PDT