12 St. Louis Tattoo Artists Doing Sensational Work

By on Sat, Apr 13, 2024 at 7:04 am

What’s more musical than the sweet buzzing from a tattoo gun? The answer is nothing. 

If you’re looking for some new ink, look no further than St. Louis, as the many fine artists here have you covered — or, if they haven’t yet, they’re ready to do so. Whether you’re looking for some good old American traditional tats, a fine line design, customs, black and gray dot work, or lots of color, there’s a shop for everyone here.

We did some digging and found 12 tattoo artists that every St. Louis ink lover should have on their radar.

Scroll down to view images
Page 1 of 2
Katelynn Rhea When it comes to shading, Katelynn’s your go-to. She can create beautiful, dimensional designs by using her smooth, light-handed skills.  Shop details: Promised Land Tattoo (3118 Morgan Ford Road, 314-250-7223); open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday Appointments or Walk-ins: Primarily appointment only Years tattooing: 6 Specialty: Black and gray, dot work, illustrative and traditional To note: No realism Will tattoo minors $$$: Shop rate is $150 an hour, with a $100 minimum for walk-ins and a $150 minimum for appointments. Best way to contact: Instagram (@katelynnrhea) or the shop’s website
ZACHARY LINHARES

Katelynn Rhea

When it comes to shading, Katelynn’s your go-to. She can create beautiful, dimensional designs by using her smooth, light-handed skills. 

Shop details: Promised Land Tattoo (3118 Morgan Ford Road, 314-250-7223); open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday

Appointments or Walk-ins: Primarily appointment only

Years tattooing: 6

Specialty: Black and gray, dot work, illustrative and traditional

To note:

  • No realism
  • Will tattoo minors

$$$: Shop rate is $150 an hour, with a $100 minimum for walk-ins and a $150 minimum for appointments.

Best way to contact: Instagram (@katelynnrhea) or the shop’s website

1 of 37
Katelynn's previous work.
COURTESY OF KATELYNN RHEA
Katelynn's previous work.
2 of 37
Promised Land Tattoo is located at 118 Morgan Ford Road.
ZACH LINHARES
Promised Land Tattoo is located at 118 Morgan Ford Road.
3 of 37
Marcus Cole Marcus, who originally started out as an apprentice at Self Inflicted, is your man if you’re looking for a vibrant, colorful American traditional piece.  Shop details: Self Inflicted Studios (1325 Washington Avenue, 314-621-4660); open noon to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday  Appointments or Walk-ins: Both Years tattooing: 10 Specialty: American traditional and folk art  To note: Marcus is only at the shop Wednesday through Saturday Doesn’t do anything hyper-realistic No minors  $$$: Shop minimum is $100 Best way to contact: Instagram (@marcus_downtown) or come by the shop
ZACH LINHARES

Marcus Cole

Marcus, who originally started out as an apprentice at Self Inflicted, is your man if you’re looking for a vibrant, colorful American traditional piece. 

Shop details: Self Inflicted Studios (1325 Washington Avenue, 314-621-4660); open noon to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday 

Appointments or Walk-ins: Both

Years tattooing: 10

Specialty: American traditional and folk art 

To note:

  • Marcus is only at the shop Wednesday through Saturday
  • Doesn’t do anything hyper-realistic
  • No minors 

$$$: Shop minimum is $100

Best way to contact: Instagram (@marcus_downtown) or come by the shop

4 of 37
Some previous work of Marcus.
COURTESY OF MARCUS COLE
Some previous work of Marcus.
5 of 37
Self Inflicted Studios is at 1325 Washington Avenue in downtown St. Louis.
ZACH LINHARES
Self Inflicted Studios is at 1325 Washington Avenue in downtown St. Louis.
6 of 37
Christina Passanise Christina’s shop is located in Chesterfield inside of Wink Beauty Studios. She is known for her fine line tattoos of any size, microblading and powder brows.  Shop details: Linear Tattoo (14131 Clayton Road, Town & Country; text 636-323-9047); open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday Appointments or Walk-ins: Appointment only Years tattooing: 4 Specialty: Fine line script, block lettering, handwriting tattoos, micro realism, tiny tattoos, flash art, illustrative, black and gray, geometric, floral, animals, large scale and small scale. To note: Does not tattoo minors $$$: Shop minimum is$250 Best way to contact:Website via tattoo request form
COURTESY OF CHRISTINA PASSANISE

Christina Passanise

Christina’s shop is located in Chesterfield inside of Wink Beauty Studios. She is known for her fine line tattoos of any size, microblading and powder brows. 

Shop details: Linear Tattoo (14131 Clayton Road, Town & Country; text 636-323-9047); open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday

Appointments or Walk-ins: Appointment only

Years tattooing: 4

Specialty: Fine line script, block lettering, handwriting tattoos, micro realism, tiny tattoos, flash art, illustrative, black and gray, geometric, floral, animals, large scale and small scale.

To note:

  • Does not tattoo minors

$$$: Shop minimum is$250

Best way to contact:Website via tattoo request form

7 of 37
Christina's previous work.
COURTESY OF CHRISTINA PASSANISE
Christina's previous work.
8 of 37
Linear Tattoo is located inside Wink Beauty Studios in Chesterfield.
PAULA TREDWAY
Linear Tattoo is located inside Wink Beauty Studios in Chesterfield.
9 of 37
Jamantha Smith Jam’s colorful, fun designs earned her a spot at the pretty-in-pink Pastel Devil Tattoo Shop where she churns out her unique flash tattoos. Shop details: Pastel Devil Tattoo Studio (1800 Chouteau Avenue, 314-261-4719); open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday Appointments or Walk-ins: Appointment only Years tattooing: 6 months Specialty: All things lighthearted, weird, wonky, folky and colorful. To note: No minors No fine line No portraits No realism Typically only works from flash, no customs $$$: Palm size is $200-$350, hand size and larger is $350+ Best way to contact: Instagram (@jamanthasmith) or email (tattooladyjam@gmail.com)
COURTESY OF JAMANTHA SMITH

Jamantha Smith

Jam’s colorful, fun designs earned her a spot at the pretty-in-pink Pastel Devil Tattoo Shop where she churns out her unique flash tattoos.

Shop details: Pastel Devil Tattoo Studio (1800 Chouteau Avenue, 314-261-4719); open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday

Appointments or Walk-ins: Appointment only

Years tattooing: 6 months

Specialty: All things lighthearted, weird, wonky, folky and colorful.

To note:

  • No minors
  • No fine line
  • No portraits
  • No realism
  • Typically only works from flash, no customs

$$$: Palm size is $200-$350, hand size and larger is $350+

Best way to contact: Instagram (@jamanthasmith) or email ([email protected])

10 of 37
A previous tattoo by Jam.
COURTESY OF JAMANTHA SMITH
A previous tattoo by Jam.
11 of 37
The Pastel Devil Tattoo Studio is located at 1800 Chouteau Avenue.
PAULA TREDWAY
The Pastel Devil Tattoo Studio is located at 1800 Chouteau Avenue.
12 of 37
The pastel colors give Pastel Devil's studio a unique look.
PAULA TREDWAY
The pastel colors give Pastel Devil's studio a unique look.
13 of 37
Azra Selimovic Azra opened one of the first Bosinian-owned tattoo shops in St. Louis in 2023. She specializes in fine line tattoos but is always looking for a challenge. Shop details: Azara Tattoos (8005 Mackenzie Road, Affton; 314-755-0176); open 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday  Appointments or Walk-ins: Appointment only but does do walk-in consultations Years tattooing: 5 Specialty: Fine line but willing to take on a wide variety of tattoo styles To note: No minors, 18 and older  No eyeball or eyelid tattoos $$$: Shop minimum is $100 or $180 an hour Best way to contact: Come into the shop
COURTESY OF AZRA SELIMOVIC

Azra Selimovic

Azra opened one of the first Bosinian-owned tattoo shops in St. Louis in 2023. She specializes in fine line tattoos but is always looking for a challenge.

Shop details: Azara Tattoos (8005 Mackenzie Road, Affton; 314-755-0176); open 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday 

Appointments or Walk-ins: Appointment only but does do walk-in consultations

Years tattooing: 5

Specialty: Fine line but willing to take on a wide variety of tattoo styles

To note:

  • No minors, 18 and older 
  • No eyeball or eyelid tattoos

$$$: Shop minimum is $100 or $180 an hour

Best way to contact: Come into the shop

14 of 37
A previous floral design by Azra.
COURTESY OF AZRA SELIMOVIC
A previous floral design by Azra.
15 of 37
Azra Tattoos is located in a strip mall at 8005 Mackenzie Road in Affton.
PAULA TREDWAY
Azra Tattoos is located in a strip mall at 8005 Mackenzie Road in Affton.
16 of 37
Aaron Wall Aaron, co-owner of Dead Sure, is the only tattoo artist in St. Louis known for heavy blackout work. He aims to create a safe, comfortable, positive and creative environment for his clients. Shop details: Dead Sure Studio (1006 Olive Street, Suite 200; 314-301-9625); open 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday Appointments or Walk-ins: Appointment only Years tattooing: 15 Specialty: Heavy blackwork, blackout and abstract  To note: Primarily focuses on heavy blackwork No minors $$$: Full days are $1,500 and half days are $750 Best way to contact:  Instagram (@blackwall.tattoo)
COURTESY OF AARON WALL

Aaron Wall

Aaron, co-owner of Dead Sure, is the only tattoo artist in St. Louis known for heavy blackout work. He aims to create a safe, comfortable, positive and creative environment for his clients.

Shop details: Dead Sure Studio (1006 Olive Street, Suite 200; 314-301-9625); open 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday

Appointments or Walk-ins: Appointment only

Years tattooing: 15

Specialty: Heavy blackwork, blackout and abstract 

To note:

  • Primarily focuses on heavy blackwork
  • No minors

$$$: Full days are $1,500 and half days are $750

Best way to contact:  Instagram (@blackwall.tattoo)

17 of 37
Previous blackout work done by Aaron.
COURTESY OF AARON WALL
Previous blackout work done by Aaron.
18 of 37
Dead Sure Studio is located inside the Lidwig Lofts in downtown St. Louis.
COURTESY OF AARON WALL
Dead Sure Studio is located inside the Lidwig Lofts in downtown St. Louis.
19 of 37
Gogo Marz Gogo’s private studio, which makes you feel as though you’re getting special treatment, and detailed, fine-line, dainty tattoos create a tattoo experience that feels luxurious.  Shop details: Dreamland (3325 Cherokee Street); open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday Appointments or Walk-ins: Appointment only Years tattooing: 3 Specialty: Fine line, micro-realism and color micro-realism To note: Doesn’t do tattoos over 5 inches American traditional No minors; 21 and older $$$: Shop minimum is $125 Best way to contact: Instagram (@gogomarz)
COURTESY OF GOGO MARZ

Gogo Marz

Gogo’s private studio, which makes you feel as though you’re getting special treatment, and detailed, fine-line, dainty tattoos create a tattoo experience that feels luxurious. 

Shop details: Dreamland (3325 Cherokee Street); open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday

Appointments or Walk-ins: Appointment only

Years tattooing: 3

Specialty: Fine line, micro-realism and color micro-realism

To note:

  • Doesn’t do tattoos over 5 inches
  • American traditional
  • No minors; 21 and older

$$$: Shop minimum is $125

Best way to contact: Instagram (@gogomarz)

20 of 37
Page 1 of 2
Next Page

Vibe's Mississippi Nights Strain Combines Weed and St. Louis History

By Aaron Childs

Tree1Four Genetics' Jay Wills, center, with Rosin Extraction Manager Max Platt and Live Resin Extraction Manager Rob Dunse.

Missouri Got High as Hell in the Past Year

By Kallie Cox

Missouri smoked a lot of (newly legal) weed in 2023 and the first few months of 2024.

Missouri AG Launches Investigation of Intoxicating Hemp Products

By Rebecca Rivas

Attorney General Andrew Bailey speaks at a press conference in the Missouri House Lounge, flanked by House Speaker Dean Plocher, left, and state Rep. Justin Sparks.

All material © 2024 Riverfront Times, St. Louis, MO. All rights reserved.

Powered By Foundation
Subscribe