Tattoo Artists in NC

February 2, 2012 1:12 PM

I am looking for recommendations for truly excellent tattoo artists ideally in NC, but am willing to travel to neighboring states. I live in Chapel Hill. More inside.

I am looking to get two cover-up tattoos on my back - essentially a whole back piece. I want a tattoo artist that has amazing attention to detail and that understands that colors can be soft instead of always bold (like most tattoos). While not by profession, I consider myself an artist, so I will be doing a lot of the design for the tattoo, but obviously can only go so far with this as these tattoos are on my back and I can't see them directly.

I am looking to meet a fellow artist - not just someone good at putting ink on skin - that can work with me to achieve an artistic vision together. I appreciate all recommendations. Thanks! :)

posted by corn_bread to Grab Bag (7 answers total)

My brother just got an amazing tattoo from this guy, in Athens, GA. Not sure what you'll think of his coloring, but his detail and line work is unreal. The guy worked with my brother, who is himself an artist, to get it right. Looks like a six hour drive for you?
posted by postel's law at 1:51 PM on February 2, 2012 [1 favorite]

Sarah Peacock has a parlor here in Wilmington, Artfuel, Inc. Her work is very very good; she has a bit of a waiting list and is somewhat pricey, but you won't be disappointed. I've gotten a few different tattoos here in town, and I won't go anywhere other than Artfuel or Family First, but there are artists for every style in town. There are plenty of shops in the area. Greensboro also has some amazing artists, and a guy that used to work at Artfuel, John Williams now works in a shop in Charlotte, Absolute. Good luck! NC is a haven for artists.
posted by sara is disenchanted at 3:03 PM on February 2, 2012

You may want to check out Tom Blackmar's gallery, he's in Durham.
posted by pinky at 3:09 PM on February 2, 2012

My artist is Lacie Frain, at Phoenix Tattoo in Raleigh. Her gallery on that site is good, but not totally illustrative of how great she is. Both of the tattoos she has given me are very pretty and soft. She gave me a tattoo of a witch hazel flower that is startlingly complex in coloration.
posted by Coatlicue at 3:20 PM on February 2, 2012

I'm not a tattoo person but I'm thinking you might want to check with people in Fayetteville. We gotta be one of the tattoo centers of the universe here. If you do at least I can tell you don't judge the joint by the polish of the facilities. The better artists seem to be concentrated nearer Bragg.
posted by St. Alia of the Bunnies at 4:35 PM on February 2, 2012

A friend of mine has a pretty massive following for his tattoo work. He's in Pennsylvania, so not close, but he does great work. I don't have a tattoo myself, but if I did, this would be the guy I'd go to.
posted by ThaBombShelterSmith at 5:18 AM on February 3, 2012

Immortal images on Monroe, I had work done there by a woman named Haley who came very highly recommended by friends and she was truly amazing. I Sat with her for 45 min telling her the story behind what I wanted, and she dame back with a sketch that was spot on and beautiful. Couldn't be happier.
posted by danapiper at 5:20 AM on February 3, 2012