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 2 of 2
An example of Gogo's fine line work.
COURTESY OF GOGO MARZ
An example of Gogo's fine line work.
21 of 37
Gogo's private studio is located at 325 Cherokee Street.
PAULA TREDWAY
Gogo's private studio is located at 325 Cherokee Street.
22 of 37
Valencia Miller The bubbly Miller, who can boast of being the first Black woman to own a tattoo shop in the city, brought her shop to Lafayette Square in 2021. She's known for her portraits, floral and all-organic subject matter. Shop details: Onyx Dagger (1917 Park Avenue, text or call 314-745-8641); open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday Appointments or Walk-ins: Appointment only Years tattooing: Over 16 years Specialty: Black and gray realism, fine line, portraiture, floral and organic subject matter To note: Will take on different tattoo styles No face tattoos No minors $$$: Minimum ranges from $150 to $300 depending on the artist Best way to contact: Shop’s website
COURTESY OF VALENCIA MILLER

Valencia Miller

The bubbly Miller, who can boast of being the first Black woman to own a tattoo shop in the city, brought her shop to Lafayette Square in 2021. She's known for her portraits, floral and all-organic subject matter.

Shop details: Onyx Dagger (1917 Park Avenue, text or call 314-745-8641); open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday

Appointments or Walk-ins: Appointment only

Years tattooing: Over 16 years

Specialty: Black and gray realism, fine line, portraiture, floral and organic subject matter

To note:

  • Will take on different tattoo styles
  • No face tattoos
  • No minors

$$$: Minimum ranges from $150 to $300 depending on the artist

Best way to contact: Shop’s website

23 of 37
An example of Valencia's organic tattoo work.
COURTESY OF VALENCIA MILLER
An example of Valencia's organic tattoo work.
24 of 37
Onyx Dagger is located in Lafayette Square at 917 Park Avenue.
COURTESY OF VALENCIA MILLER
Onyx Dagger is located in Lafayette Square at 917 Park Avenue.
25 of 37
Kirby K If you’re looking for a funky animal tat — say, an ape waterskiing in a bikini — Kirby in Dutchtown can make your dreams come true. His designs have so much detail, they look real.  Shop details: Sign of the Times Tattoo (4722 Virginia Avenue #1F; Dutchtown); open 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday Appointments or Walk-ins: Appointment only  Years tattooing: 15 Specialty: Dot work, black and gray, animals and sometimes geometric To note: No Polyenisan or tribal  No hyper realism  No minors $$$: Minimum $100-$200 or $180 an hour for multi-sessions Best way to contact: Instagram (@kirbyktattoos)
PAULA TREDWAY

Kirby K

If you’re looking for a funky animal tat — say, an ape waterskiing in a bikini — Kirby in Dutchtown can make your dreams come true. His designs have so much detail, they look real. 

Shop details: Sign of the Times Tattoo (4722 Virginia Avenue #1F; Dutchtown); open 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday

Appointments or Walk-ins: Appointment only 

Years tattooing: 15

Specialty: Dot work, black and gray, animals and sometimes geometric

To note:

  • No Polyenisan or tribal 
  • No hyper realism 
  • No minors

$$$: Minimum $100-$200 or $180 an hour for multi-sessions

Best way to contact: Instagram (@kirbyktattoos)

26 of 37
Previous work by Kirby.
COURTESY OF KIRBY K
Previous work by Kirby.
27 of 37
Sign of the Times Tattoo is located in Dutchtown at 4722 Virginia Avenue.
PAULA TREDWAY
Sign of the Times Tattoo is located in Dutchtown at 4722 Virginia Avenue.
28 of 37
Megan Castro Megan, who is new to the St. Louis scene, is known for her cute, colorful pop culture designs and her love for anime.  Shop details: TRX Tattoo and Piercing (3207 South Grand Boulevard, 314-664-4011); open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily Appointments or Walk-ins: Both Years tattooing: 6 Specialty: Anime, fine line, pet portraits, pop culture/Kawaii characters and vibrant colors To note: No minors $$$: Flat rate by piece  Best way to contact: Email (megan@happytearsink.com)
PAULA TREDWAY

Megan Castro

Megan, who is new to the St. Louis scene, is known for her cute, colorful pop culture designs and her love for anime. 

Shop details: TRX Tattoo and Piercing (3207 South Grand Boulevard, 314-664-4011); open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily

Appointments or Walk-ins: Both

Years tattooing: 6

Specialty: Anime, fine line, pet portraits, pop culture/Kawaii characters and vibrant colors

To note:

  • No minors

$$$: Flat rate by piece 

Best way to contact: Email ([email protected])

29 of 37
Previous work by Megan.
COURTESY OF MEGAN CASTRO
Previous work by Megan.
30 of 37
TRX Tattoo and Piercing is at 3207 South Grand Boulevard.
PAULA TREDWAY
TRX Tattoo and Piercing is at 3207 South Grand Boulevard.
31 of 37
Art Thomas Art Thomas operates out of a low-key strip mall in Maryland Heights. His eye-catching realism portraiture has earned him a big Instagram following. Shop details: Top Tier Tattoos and Body Piercings (11646 Dorsett Road, Maryland Heights; 314-517-5214); open 1 to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday Appointments or Walk-ins: Appointment only Years tattooing: 10+ Specialty: Black and gray, urban, realism and anime  To note: Not too big into color, some primary colors Must be 17 and older $$$: Minimum is $250 Best way to contact: Instagram (@art_thomasink)
PAULA TREDWAY

Art Thomas

Art Thomas operates out of a low-key strip mall in Maryland Heights. His eye-catching realism portraiture has earned him a big Instagram following.

Shop details: Top Tier Tattoos and Body Piercings (11646 Dorsett Road, Maryland Heights; 314-517-5214); open 1 to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday

Appointments or Walk-ins: Appointment only

Years tattooing: 10+

Specialty: Black and gray, urban, realism and anime 

To note:

  • Not too big into color, some primary colors
  • Must be 17 and older

$$$: Minimum is $250

Best way to contact: Instagram (@art_thomasink)

32 of 37
Previous work by Art.
COURTESY OF ART THOMAS
Previous work by Art.
33 of 37
Top Tier Tattoos and Body Piercings is located in a strip mall in Maryland Heights at 11646 Dorsett Road.
PAULA TREDWAY
Top Tier Tattoos and Body Piercings is located in a strip mall in Maryland Heights at 11646 Dorsett Road.
34 of 37
Megan Lindemann Megan has made a name for herself at Dead Sure Studio in downtown St. Louis with her vibrant and beautifully shaded anime and Kawaii designs. 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: 2 Specialty: Color, anime, Kawaii and black and gray work To note: Doesn’t do realism Prefers not to tattoo the ribs No minors $$$: Full days are $1,000 and half days are $500 Best way to contact: Instagram (@psychetattoos)
PAULA TREDWAY

Megan Lindemann

Megan has made a name for herself at Dead Sure Studio in downtown St. Louis with her vibrant and beautifully shaded anime and Kawaii designs.

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: 2

Specialty: Color, anime, Kawaii and black and gray work

To note:

  • Doesn’t do realism
  • Prefers not to tattoo the ribs
  • No minors

$$$: Full days are $1,000 and half days are $500

Best way to contact: Instagram (@psychetattoos)

35 of 37
An example of Megan's anime designs.
COURTESY OF MEGAN LINDEMANN
An example of Megan's anime designs.
36 of 37
Dead Sure Studio's address is 1006 Olive Street.
PAULA TREDWAY
Dead Sure Studio's address is 1006 Olive Street.
37 of 37
Page 2 of 2
Previous Page
Start Over
Arts & Culture

This Soulard Townhouse Has a Rooftop Deck With a Killer View

Anyone who loves fireworks might want to take a close look at the townhouse now for sale at 2518 South 12th Street.…

By Sarah Fenske

The house at 2518 South 12th Street offers incredible views of the Gateway Arch, and more.
20 slides
ReeferFront Times

Weed Lovers Came to Cherokee Street for the Second Saturday Social

St. Louis cannabis enthusiasts gathered on Cherokee Street over the weekend for the Second Saturday Social hosted by STL Canna Community. Hosted…

By Zachary Linhares

Weed Lovers Came to Cherokee Street for the Second Saturday Social
47 slides
ReeferFront Times

The 11 Best St. Louis Dispensaries for Very Specific Stoners

It's no secret that St. Louis loves its weed. Since recreational cannabis use was legalized last year it seems like the city…

By Riverfront Times Staff

For Potheads Who 
Are Feeling Pious Swade Cannabis, multiple locations including 6166 Delmar Boulevard Maybe you find consuming cannabis to be akin to a sacred act, or maybe you're just feeling nostalgic for the days when you'd sneak away from your parents' side at mass to smoke weed with the window cracked in the church's bathroom — whatever the case may be, Swade's Delmar location has got you covered. The Loop dispensary is housed in a renovated church building, making it one of the more unique places to purchase weed in the area. That seems to be part of a larger trend for Swade, whose flagship Grove location — itself a beautiful space, if not quite as holy — was named by Architectural Digest as one of the country's 12 Most Stylish Dispensaries in 2021. In addition to its friendly and helpful budtenders, Swade also has a touchscreen display on its sales floor through which you can peruse its menu in peace before deciding what to purchase. To that we say a hearty "amen." Swade is open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Check out their full menu at swadecannabis.com.
11 slides
ReeferFront Times

11 Weed-Friendly 4/20 Events For Those Who Celebrate the High Holiday

St. Louis is going all out for 4/20 this year. Whether you plan to celebrate on Cherokee or in the Delmar Loop…

By Paula Tredway

Green Light District Festival Get high at the Green Light District Festival on Cherokee starting Friday, April 19 at the Cola Private Lounge (2834 Cherokee Street) for a night of laughs. From 8 to 10 p.m. the Best Medicine: Comedy, Dinner and Cannabis event will have a rotating lineup of hilarious comedians, with food from Rooted Buds to keep the munchies at bay. Doors open and dinner starts at 7 p.m. Then, on Saturday, April 20, from noon to 11 p.m. enjoy a day of markets, live concerts, DJ sets, skate demos and vendors; a scavenger hunt; classes in dance, painting and yoga; and hang out at the Cola Lounge. The real showstopper, however, will be the 4:20 Street Crawl Parade. Then, on Sunday, April 21, cool down from the weekend’s festivities with a yoga class and chef competition. General admission tickets ($20) include access to Saturday’s festival, market and live music; entry to the Cola Lounge all weekend; special discounts at participating Cherokee Street businesses; and participation in the 4:20 Street Crawl Parade. Separate tickets are required for the comedy show and dinner; dance, painting and yoga classes; yoga and sound therapy; and the chef competition. To purchase tickets visit gldstl.com.
11 slides
More »

The New Sinse Fire Prerolls Pack a Powerful Punch in a Flavorful Package

By Thomas K. Chimchards

Sinse Fire preroll

Missouri’s First Cannabis Chief Equity Officer Is Already Gone

By Jessica Rogen

Cannabis

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.

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

Powered By Foundation
Subscribe