Insider's Guide to Austin's Tattoo Parlors

By Spike Gillespie

February 03, 2010 at 1:00 PM

Sporting a tattoo — or, more likely, multiple tattoos — may someday become a requirement for Austin citizenship. Anyone 18 or older can legally obtain one and plenty of us do. Once reserved for sailors and bikers, the art form gained purchase among the mainstream years ago, as demonstrated by people from all walks sporting body ink.

Some folks like to just flirt with a little ankle flower, or some itty-bitty artwork on the nape of the neck — tattoos easily camouflaged by socks pulled up or a ponytail let down. But more than a few of us, present company included, enjoy covering large areas of our bodies with anything from original art to classic flash. Yes, that's me in the photo — I've got some recommendations and tips for you.

I Heart Bart

My fairly large back piece was applied by Chris Trevino at Perfection Tattoo (get directions) back in the mid-90's. Booking an appointment with Trevino, now world-renowned, requires luck, patience, and big bucks.

In the past couple of years, I had half-sleeves put on by Bart Willis at Southside Tattoo (get directions). One, a magnificent cover up — you wouldn't know it hides another tattoo if I didn't tell you — features beautiful flowers and a pretty bird. The other incorporates a copy of a drawing my son made when he was ten with multiple characters Bart designed to go along with it. No wonder "art" makes up the better part of his name — Bart's creativity, color work, and swiftness with the needles make him a favorite in Austin. Plus, if the tattoo you want requires many hours in the chair, as mine have, you want a guy like Bart: great conversationalist, hilarious, and a terrific listener.

Choose Wisely

Remember: tattoos are forever so — take it from an unfortunate expert — choose your ink wisely, unless you want to deal with the complicated logistics a cover job can require, or crazy expensive laser removal, which doesn't always work. So while impulsiveness might seem romantic at the outset, recall the guy who got the infamous dolphin in a lounge chair, and don't rush any ink decisions.

A good artist listens to what you want, offers suggestions, clearly enjoys their job, and works in a clean, well-lit, busy shop. Make sure the place you select has a current license from the Texas Department of State Health Services, and that artists wear latex gloves and use disposable needles. Learn more.

Tattoo Shop Resources

Austin hosts enough tattoo shops to make it seem like there's a different artist for every tattoo you see. Karen Slafter, a five-time award-winner in the annual Best of Austin Awards, sponsored by the Austin Chronicle, just opened a new shop, Spellbound Tattoo (get directions). Bob Moreau at Perfection Tattoo does great work. Jon Reed at True Blue Tattoo (get directions) also gets high marks, as does Luar at Ancient Ink (get directions). Check out the reviews on Yelp.