It’s getting to be that time of year again when you might be looking for the best Vancouver tattoo artists for your next ink.
Tattoo artists and their work can now easily be viewed on Instagram, and this has caused an explosion in the discovery of tattoo artists’ work. However, finding the right artist for you can still be a stressful search.
YVR offers some of the best tattoo artists in the country, no matter what style you’re looking for.
Here are some of the best Vancouver tattoo artists whose work you must check out.
Billy DeCola
View this post on Instagram
Billy DeCola is one of the best talents in the world of tattooing. DeCola’s style is an original mix of traditional Japanese tattooing and custom artwork, and his exceptional skill was showcased on the popular TLC show NY INK.
DeCola dedicates much of his time now to tattoo removal, but his love for tattooing remains and is evident in every piece he finishes.
Address: 3787 Canada Way #218, Burnaby
Phone: 604-430-4990
Mitch Kirilo
View this post on Instagram
The Gastown Tattoo Parlour has one of the best reputations in YVR due to the talented team of artists Mitch Kirilo, the owner, has assembled. He also happens to be one of the most impressive artists in Vancouver.
As he says, he does “tuff tattoos for soft people.” With an interesting blend of American Traditional and Japanese, all of his tattoos seem to jump right off the skin.
Address: 105 W Cordova Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-642-6556
Rachel Clark
View this post on Instagram
Rachel Clark takes fantastic ideas and images and turns them into entirely unique works of art. Whether you want a portrait, a scorpion, a knife, an animal, or a flower — Clark will tattoo it in bold blacks and perfect lines.
Clark’s style is all her own, so if you have an idea but aren’t sure where to go, she’s a great person to go to.
Address: 105 W Cordova Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-642-6556
Colioscopy
View this post on Instagram
Tattoos with nothing but bold blacks are very popular right now, and Colioscopy can do it as well as any artist out there. He also creates imagery that has made his tattoos recognizable in Vancouver — you know a Colioscopy when you see one.
His tattoos are often floral and skeletal and flow across the skin, using deep blacks with little to no shading.
Nina Chwelos
View this post on Instagram
Self-described as the butterfly girl, Nina Chwelos has been perfecting her highly detailed, delicate tattoos. As if lightly drawn with pencil, Chwelos’ work isn’t all beautiful butterflies; quotes, portraits, and roses are common too.
A butterfly tattoo from Chwelos is a must for any ink collector in Vancouver.
Serein Horn
View this post on Instagram
The work of Serein Horn has a quality that makes the pieces feel like Renaissance paintings. Tattooing art by the work of Kramskoi, Dore, and Aino, Horn manages to turn these iconic images into tattoos that feel made for the skin.
If you have a favourite classic image or painting, Horn is the person you want tattooing it on you to admire forever.
Address: 119 E Pender Street, Vancouver
Phone: 778-379-9975
Danielle Zastowny
View this post on Instagram
Zastowny is easily one of the most exciting up-and-coming artists in the city.
The style is fine line with blacks and greys, and Zastowny manages to create astonishing images that look crystal clear but also not picture perfect. Whether it’s a bird, a heart, a rose, a dragon, or otherwise, her pieces are exactly how they SHOULD look.
Pifa
View this post on Instagram
Pifa, who hand pokes all of her tattoos, is an artist with many distinct collections. She does simple portraits of cultural icons, like Frank Ocean, and captures what we love most about them in every piece. There’s also cute work of dogs and ketchup packets.
Pifa takes her role seriously as an artist but makes getting a tattoo fun! Her list of available flash is extensive, so whatever you’re going for — serious or goofy — a sit with Pifa is a great time.
Mr Lauder
View this post on Instagram
James Lauder, aka Mr. Lauder, creates realistic and lifelike images that still feel like art. The portfolio and flash contain many portraits of icons, chrome robots, and animals that simply appreciate the naked human body.
Lauder’s work is greatly influenced by queer culture, often exploring the vulnerability of masculinity and challenging gender stereotypes.
Diana Lin
Liquid Amber Tattoo & Art Collective
View this post on Instagram
If you’re looking for a bright, eye-catching piece, then Diana Lin is the artist for your tattoo idea. Her colourful style is a quirky take on realism, often of images of animals and flowers.
Address: 62 Powell Street, Vancouver
Phone: 603-738-3667
Jamie Kan
View this post on Instagram
Jamie Kan is a master of the floral tattoo. Mostly using black, her lines are outrageously clean, with fine details and intricate shading. When she does tattoo something other than her flowers, or a mix of both, it’s just as impressive. She’s also on the Inkbox artist crew, a site that helps artists distribute amazing temporary tattoos.
Leanne Thief
View this post on Instagram
Leanne Thief can do anything with black ink. Her tattoos vary from detailed portraits to American trad to neo-classical to Japanese and beyond. Her work can be bold and dark or delicate and shaded. Her portfolio at Rain City speaks for itself.
Address: 1077 W Broadway, Vancouver
Phone: 604-569-1522
Follow Channels and Categories