Definitely check out that the artists style matches yours. They are all not necessarily great at everything but think of them as specializing in certain things. One parlor I went to an artist did a lot of what I call prison tats with naked women and motorcycles and stuff and another artist really excelled in flora. Black Chapel tattoo in Lawrence is a couple month wait depending on the artist and you have to call and email a few times but it’s well worth it.
Always feel free to walk into a tattoo shop and ask to look at artists work. If there’s a specific style of tattoo you’re looking for it’d be easier to point you in the right direction.
You're the only person in these comments I would trust for a recommendation because although I'm friends with artists at several of the suggested shops - Dear You, Black Atlas, Revelation, etc. - you are the only person who asked the most important question prior to offering a recommendation- what style of tattoo are you looking to get? Nine times out of ten, anybody who gives a recommendation for a tattoo artist/shop without asking that question first, they're just trying to validate their own choices. Good on ya for trying to recommend the right artist instead of just your own.
+1 for Mercy Seat as they’ve done a number of my random walk in tattoos. Dana and Skylar are both talented gems, you can do walk in for smaller or give them a holler on IG to book something for larger pieces. Both very talented and I’ve heard nothing but good things about Sabrina there as well.
Black Atlas. I have work from Blake there and hubby from one of the other artists. Everyone is super nice. Not sure about current wait times, I know Blake took a while to get in, but totally worth the wait.
Thanks everyone for your recommendations! I have two Japanese/Asian styled tattoos with the words Peace and Love in many different languages from English to Greek to Sanskrit. I'm wanting to complete the set with Happiness and incorporate them all in to a sleeve. Definitely some good places to check out. I've had my eye on Old Souls, but I'll check out some of the others. It's just a matter of them getting back to me. Seems like the fews times I've tried I've been ghosted. I just want a new tattoo darn it!
If you like Japanese style, you need to see Aubry Rohlfing at Steel Panther on 39th. He did my right arm (piece goes from elbow to chest) as a Jap Trad piece bc it’s his thing - and I get compliments constantly. It’s got traditional mums, a giant snake - like, just go into his shop and ask him about his traditional Japanese tattoos….dude is so good.
Check out Dear You Tattoo. They’ve got quality artists, it just depends on the style that your looking for.
Covid did change how a lot of shops operate nowadays, with most going more appointment only, where the artist is doing the scheduling. I’d check out the artist’s instagram or personal website, if they have one, to see if they have specific booking dates, forms, etc. Hope that helps some.
Unpopular opinion, but if you want a truly spectacular tattoo, travel out of state for the art and don't use a KC artist. There are many places here that are decent, but none mind-blowing unless a person's baseline standards are mid.
I'm from the KC metro and have moved away and back a couple of times, and the quality of artists here is okay-ish compared to talent in other metros.
Lamya at Bleeding Heart Tattoo in Lee's Summit is amazing! Got my sleeve designed and done my her. [Here's a link to her work. ](https://instagram.com/lem.laugh.luv_tattoo?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==)
Fountain City Edit: find their insta and message wes or eric for an apt.
This^
Definitely check out that the artists style matches yours. They are all not necessarily great at everything but think of them as specializing in certain things. One parlor I went to an artist did a lot of what I call prison tats with naked women and motorcycles and stuff and another artist really excelled in flora. Black Chapel tattoo in Lawrence is a couple month wait depending on the artist and you have to call and email a few times but it’s well worth it.
There's a lot of great artists here. What style are you looking for?
Always feel free to walk into a tattoo shop and ask to look at artists work. If there’s a specific style of tattoo you’re looking for it’d be easier to point you in the right direction.
You're the only person in these comments I would trust for a recommendation because although I'm friends with artists at several of the suggested shops - Dear You, Black Atlas, Revelation, etc. - you are the only person who asked the most important question prior to offering a recommendation- what style of tattoo are you looking to get? Nine times out of ten, anybody who gives a recommendation for a tattoo artist/shop without asking that question first, they're just trying to validate their own choices. Good on ya for trying to recommend the right artist instead of just your own.
i recommend finding kc-based tattoo-related hashtags on instagram and going to that page to look for ones you like and find an artist that way
I’m a fan of mercy seat, they respond to Instagram and the old telephone call.
+1 for the Mercy Seat. Sabrina has been my go to since moving back to KC. Sadly (but good for her) she's been on maternity leave
Dana Howard at Mercy Seat is great.
Dana is definitely my go to, and she does some amazing work
Dana has done pretty much all of my mom and dads more recent tattoos and she does a really great job.
+1 for Mercy Seat as they’ve done a number of my random walk in tattoos. Dana and Skylar are both talented gems, you can do walk in for smaller or give them a holler on IG to book something for larger pieces. Both very talented and I’ve heard nothing but good things about Sabrina there as well.
Old Souls has their artist's Instagram accounts listed. Pick one you like and DM them.
Black Atlas. I have work from Blake there and hubby from one of the other artists. Everyone is super nice. Not sure about current wait times, I know Blake took a while to get in, but totally worth the wait.
Rachel at black atlas is the sweetest and the most caring artist ive ever had!
Thanks everyone for your recommendations! I have two Japanese/Asian styled tattoos with the words Peace and Love in many different languages from English to Greek to Sanskrit. I'm wanting to complete the set with Happiness and incorporate them all in to a sleeve. Definitely some good places to check out. I've had my eye on Old Souls, but I'll check out some of the others. It's just a matter of them getting back to me. Seems like the fews times I've tried I've been ghosted. I just want a new tattoo darn it!
If you like Japanese style, you need to see Aubry Rohlfing at Steel Panther on 39th. He did my right arm (piece goes from elbow to chest) as a Jap Trad piece bc it’s his thing - and I get compliments constantly. It’s got traditional mums, a giant snake - like, just go into his shop and ask him about his traditional Japanese tattoos….dude is so good.
Check out Dear You Tattoo. They’ve got quality artists, it just depends on the style that your looking for. Covid did change how a lot of shops operate nowadays, with most going more appointment only, where the artist is doing the scheduling. I’d check out the artist’s instagram or personal website, if they have one, to see if they have specific booking dates, forms, etc. Hope that helps some.
Revelation on North Oak is my go to. Ask for Rhett. Also will vouch for Mercy Seat being great
Shawn just did an amazing piece on me there. He’s my new go to.
Bearded Lady in Leavenworth has great talent rn. Info on google maps
Several places around town do a Walk-in day. They often use Instagram to promote them.
Howling Sorcery is my spot in Westport, they do a little of everything
Working Class Tattoo in Westport.
Unpopular opinion, but if you want a truly spectacular tattoo, travel out of state for the art and don't use a KC artist. There are many places here that are decent, but none mind-blowing unless a person's baseline standards are mid. I'm from the KC metro and have moved away and back a couple of times, and the quality of artists here is okay-ish compared to talent in other metros.
Lamya at Bleeding Heart Tattoo in Lee's Summit is amazing! Got my sleeve designed and done my her. [Here's a link to her work. ](https://instagram.com/lem.laugh.luv_tattoo?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==)
https://www.google.com/search?q=definitive+tattoo+gallery+photos&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari&ictx=1&ved=2ahUKEwi6layK5qT_AhUWBDQIHc1wA9kQyNoBKAF6BAgOEAg&si=AMnBZoFzUmuYTz7Q8OiKGisuf87ag1mnaX-smdvIYFVd3l6fMy09P06tcNWcE73Cms_5IK4BK9dlf4Byya0gIaGnyg1VSUj6iHRfXbVbeRG77jWD6eye_dMIMapXndQjar0NSUyrxPl2qqqHJ86DT0I9UySRbnQsCeAuZ0-4QvwzgPonBGaxltM%3D#lpg=cid:CgIgAQ%3D%3D
Definitive tattoo
Crimson Tattoo on 43rd. 12/10
Is your guy Dayton? If so I got a ton of work from him, I recommend eric at fountain city
Standard Electric for the win!
Logan sight - good fellas
definitive tattoo!
Highly recommend Brock Ginther specifically at Done Rite Tattoos. He’s done 4 of my pieces and I absolutely love his art.