10 Oregon Tattoo Artists to Follow on Instagram

The City of Roses and other cities across Oregon are newly minted destinations for those seeking permanent body art. If you’re jonesing for a new tattoo and want to get poked by one of the best, then book one of these guys or gals (if you’re lucky enough to get an appointment). These are the 10 Oregon tattoo artists to follow on Instagram.

This tattoo artist, who goes by Winston the Whale, is probably the most buzzworthy in Portland right now. He works out of a private studio and specializes in 3D tattooing. The artist/illustrator-turned-tattoo artist got to where he is today by accident after a friend asked him for a “stick and poke” tattoo a few years ago, and then another asked for a skull in red and blue, like a 3D image. His Instagram started blowing up; he found himself booked solid. And the rest is history.

Alice Carrier specializes in botanical blooms that look so real that you can almost smell the floral scents. The Portland-based artist is a self-claimed descendant of Salem witches and loves nature. “I get excited about roses, peonies, hellebore, feathers, sticks, bones, pointy things, unconventional placement ideas, and positive attitudes,” she says on her website. If you’re looking to get a beautiful bouquet inked on your body, you can book an appointment with Alice here.

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This tattoo artist started studying the art nearly a decade ago in Denver, Colorado. He quickly moved to Eugene, where he’s been working ever since. Jordin Klapp’s inspired by cartoon and anime illustration, giving his work a light-hearted, carefree feel. If you’re looking for minimalistic blackwork or dot work, Jordin’s the guy for you. You can book an appointment with him through Northwest Tattoo.

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Kyle Stacher may have only started tattooing six years ago, but he’s already made a pretty impressive name for himself. The artist works out of Ever True Tattoo in SW Portland and specializes in illustrative blackwork while adhering to traditional methods as the backbone of his work. If you want to get inked by this guy, you’re going to have to wait—he’s booked until January 2019.

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Laura Graham has a unique style. Her Instagram feed is brimming with traditional style and illustrated nature tattoos, and no matter if it’s colored or blackwork, cartoonish or realistic, her work is flawless. She works out of Grizzly Tattoo off North Williams, but good luck getting an appointment with her anytime in the foreseeable future.

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Gregory Whitehead lives an adventurous life. Born in the Caribbean, Whitehead moved to New Zealand at the age of five and then to the States in 2011 when he began tattooing. The artist works out of the North Portland shop Atlas Tattoo and has developed “an energetic and bold style that honors the rich histories of Japanese and 20th-century American tattooing.”

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Alice Kendall owns Wonderland Tattoo in Southeast Portland and has been tattooing professionally for nearly 20 years. During her illustrious career, she’s tattooed basically anything you can think of. However, nature- and science-themed work is her true passion, and that is showcased in her majestic Instagram feed. The shop’s books are currently closed, but its website urges visitors to check back in soon for some openings.

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From the looks of his Instagram feed, Sean Belida will tattoo just about anything on you. The artist works out of the boutique White Light Tattoo Studios in Bend and has a knack for the unusual, boasting everything from alien invasion-themed ink to patriotic tats, bald eagles and all.

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Joe Bass is a special kind of tattoo artist. Yes, he owns the Jade Mermaid Tattoo Parlor in NW Portland, and yes, he is an exceptional artist who focuses on realism with a cartoon edge. However, what really makes him stand out is his love for his clients. He makes it a point to get to know his clients and learn the story behind their tattoos before working on them, and that’s something not a lot of popular artists can say. Also, his Instagram feed features not only his beautiful portfolio but also photos of his Pomeranian, Kennedy, which is an added bonus.

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Jessi Preston owns Lombard Street Tattoo in St. Johns and specializes in vibrant, colorful, traditional-style ink. Her bio says she “has traveled as an unarmed gypsy, mastered the art of pinata destruction, and managed to elude Bigfoot since receiving her BFA from the Tyler School of Art,” and after studying her Instagram feed, we believe it.

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