Tattoo Artist in Mpls?

[Charlotte Rowan]

I have decided I'm ready to get my first tattoo. I have a design in mind - a Celtic knot with a proverb in Gaelic around it. Now I just need  a recommendation for a good tattoo artist in Minneapolis. My brother recommended someone, but he's in Hopkins and I don't want to drive all the way out there!

[Rage]

I got mine at ACME in St. Paul. The one on LD's leg is from the same shop. Same artist.

http://www.acmetattoo.com/info.htm

This is Don Nolan's shop. Its clean and they win lots of awards at shows. They are abit more expensive but I think they are worth it. If I ever get off the blood thinners I will be going back to them for another one.

With this group you will be getting lots of suggestions.

Post em if you got em:

Design:


Tattoo (sorry about the yellowish color, my old camera was junk):

[Will Gamwell]

Hey Charlotte,
I am in the same spot as you.  I have a design in mind, but nothing more.  I know who I want to do it, but just waiting on fundage.  I have two friends that recommend Tatu's by Kore (http://www.tatusbykore.com/).  The artwork is very original, and the finished work is beautifully done.  From all they have said it is a very personal & private setting.

Sean

[Sorcha]

Leviticus Tattoos on 41st and Lake St in Mpls does really nice work.  Clean shop as well.
They have a MySpace page if you want to check them out.
M~

[Muffin]

Uptown Tattoo.. They do awesome work!! (Nick comes very highly recommended) Or you can check out Wingnut Tattoo, my friend owns that shop and they do great work as well (but they are in Anoka)..

Have fun!!!! 

[atysmee01]

Uptown Tattoo.. They do awesome work!! (Nick comes very highly recommended) Or you can check out Wingnut Tattoo, my friend owns that shop and they do great work as well (but they are in Anoka)..

Have fun!!!! 

Ditto on the vote for Uptown Tattoo.  Great artists there.  Check out the site and see which portfolio fits your style needs:  www.uptowntattoo.com

I ended up going to Cactus Tattoo down in Mankato because it was just as easy for me to get there as it was Mpls, so highly recommend them as well, but my B-I-L is a body piercer and tattoo artist and recommended these guys above just about any other studio.

[Will Gamwell]

I would have to say that Uptown would be a great option as well.  My girlfriend's tattoo is from Uptown and was done about 11 years ago.  The color still looks fantastic.

Sean

[Erynn]

Man, now I'm really itching to get my tattoo recolored and a new one done.

[groomporter]

Uptown Tattoo.. They do awesome work!! (Nick comes very highly recommended) Or you can check out Wingnut Tattoo, my friend owns that shop and they do great work as well (but they are in Anoka)..

Have fun!!!! 

Yeah several of our friends have used Nik Skrade at http://uptowntattoo.com/

[Rage]

I looked for a long time. Best advice I can give you is visit the shops, talk to the artists and check out their art work.

[Rune]

Saint Sabrina's has pretty consistently won best tattoo parlor in Minneapolis from City Pages

http://www.saintsabrinas.com/

[Storm]

I recommend Randall, the Owner of Visual Addiction on West 7th st. in St. Paul. He has done both of mine and Gins, as well as many friends of mine. Heck, there are even a few other Forum members here who sport his art work. Anyway, everyone I know who he has tatted by him has been very pleased with his work.

http://www.visualaddictiontattooing.com/

[Phelyp, Lord Maydestone]

I had one done years ago at Uptown and my neice had one done in Hopkins - both are nice work!

[Kiss-me-Kate]

My Dad had both of his done at Acme, and they did a gorgeous job.

[DeadBishop]

If you're getting a celtic knot, check out  http://www.visualaddictiontattooing.com

This is where I got mine, as did Lord Figaro and Storm. Randall's specialty is celtic knotwork.  I plan on going back for very serious detailed work in the near future, most likely after fest is over.

[renren]

Good luck on your first Tat, Charlotte!

[Toarmod]

Gotta throw some props out there fer my fav 
Eric Silverman at Twin City Tattoo (formerly Tattoo's by Yerkew)  did my dragon, and a whole bunch of Synn's stuff. Including a lil knot work on her ankle. They run a clean no-nonsense shop.

http://www.twincitytattoo.com/

I agree with Rage. Go into the shops and talk to the artists, ask to see there works, make sure you like what you see!

[DeadBishop]

As a few have mentioned, the best idea would be to "shop around" and take a closer look at all the artists everyone have suggested already, and find the one that feels right to you. 

[Obadiah Jib]

Here's a tattoo question:  Does the artist always 'sign' his tat when he puts it on you?  Can you request that he not sign his name on your body?  Is it polite?  I know it's art but it is your body too.

[DeadBishop]

Here's a tattoo question:  Does the artist always 'sign' his tat when he puts it on you?  Can you request that he not sign his name on your body?  Is it polite?  I know it's art but it is your body too.

Wow, I can't say I've ever heard of a tattoo artist doing this...

[Storm]

As a few have mentioned, the best idea would be to "shop around" and take a closer look at all the artists everyone have suggested already, and find the one that feels right to you. 

I agree with DB about this!

I didn't do this when I got my 1`st tattoo and regretted it. I choose I terrible artist (at Yerkew). Luckily, a few months later Randall re did it and fixed it up mighty fine!

Another thing to consider. Some artists book up months in advance so it pays to make your appointment as soon as possible. Chances of just walking in the door of a reputable artist and getting tatted right away are almost nil. A lot of of the better artists are by appointment only and do very limited walk in's. I got one from Randall in September of last year, but made the appointment for it in early June. He books up about 3 months in advance.

[Rage]

Here's a tattoo question:  Does the artist always 'sign' his tat when he puts it on you?  Can you request that he not sign his name on your body?  Is it polite?  I know it's art but it is your body too.

Wow, I can't say I've ever heard of a tattoo artist doing this...

I have heard of some doing this if its a large backpiece that will be featured in a show. Other than that I have never heard of or seen someone with a signed tattoo. 

[Muffin]

Here's a tattoo question:  Does the artist always 'sign' his tat when he puts it on you?  Can you request that he not sign his name on your body?  Is it polite?  I know it's art but it is your body too.

I have never heard of any tattoo artist signing their work... I would be mighty ticked off if some random person wanted to put their name on my body... Think of all the explaining you would have to do... "Hey Muffin kick weed puller ink, but who's Fred"?

So no.. It would not be rude at all in my opinion to request this not be done, but in reality I am sure most if not all tattoo artists would not ask to sign your tatt...

Happy inking all!! 

[Charlotte Rowan]

Wow, thanks, everybody, for all the great suggestions. I'll definitely look at all the galleries and see if any of them seem right for me. I'm not planning on getting it done at least until after Fest, and it doesn't matter to me when I get it done, so there's no problem about scheduling a few months out.

[atysmee01]

If you're getting a celtic knot, check out  http://www.visualaddictiontattooing.com

This is where I got mine, as did Lord Figaro and Storm. Randall's specialty is celtic knotwork.  I plan on going back for very serious detailed work in the near future, most likely after fest is over.

I do agree.  Randall does amazing celtic knotwork!

[peggyelizabeth]

www.artwithapoint.com
She specializes in celtic tattoo, is super cool and does AMAZING work! Someday, when I have some $, I'm having Awen ink me.

[Lord Figaro]

If your stuck on sticking to the cities then like those before have said Randall at Visual addiction would be my recommendation as well.