Finding the right tattoo artist is kind of like finding your soulmate or the perfect apartment: impossible—especially in LA. There are so many factors that come into play: impeccable linework, precise shading and a mastered style, but finding an artist who meets your standards isn’t easy. Lucky for you, we scoured the internet, popped our heads into shops and spoke with artists about their respective styles and favorite designs to date.
Let’s meet the artists.
Daniel Meyer
Shop: Oak & Poppy Tattoo & Piercing
Tell us about your style.
DM: My style is heavy dot and line-work based. Strictly black ink, no exceptions. The imagery is inspired by objects and nature which surrounded me while I grew up in Europe and caters to the idea of old values. I combine those mainly “organic” elements with the skill I’ve learned in architecture classes, which is the influence for most of my geometric shapes and patterns. Both elements together, the organic “chaos” and the mathematical “order”, create a counterbalance to each other, almost like the idea of the yin-yang. Dark can’t exist without light, and chaos can’t exist without order.
What’s your proudest tattoo to date?
DM: I enjoy all of my designs since I design them in a way I would wear them myself. If I have to pick one based on background story, I would pick my design where a huge owl is fighting the moon and a wolf/dog skeleton. The tattoo itself spreads from the left side of my client's neck down to his right shin. It’s my favorite piece since I witnessed this immense transformation of my client. He only had one or two very small tattoos before and the dedication he showed to this piece was incredible. He also injured his hips and drove down from San Francisco for every session following heavy surgery. The meaning and elements which came together for the tattoo have a long and interesting story.
Daniel Meyer
Owl Fighting The Moon courtesy of Daniel Meyer
Johnny Vampotna
Tell us about your style.
JV: I affectionately refer to my style as “Spooky American Traditional”, but my style of tattooing is by no means limited to that. I always highly recommend having a black outline on tattoos so the piece has a better chance to live a life as long as you do.
What’s your proudest tattoo to date?
JV: Thankfully, my clients are the most creative, coolest and open-minded people. Since they have faith in me to create my own art on them, I end up drawing custom pieces that relate to their life yet still have my signature style. So, it's hard to pick just one favorite. I recently tattooed a few ghosts haunting a portrait of a sad goth girl which combines two of my favorite subject matters: the paranormal and sad goth girls.
Johnny Vampotna
Sad Goth Girl courtesy of Johnny Vampotna
Samantha Mancino
Shop: Ink Ink Tattoo
Tell us about your style.
SM: I would describe my style as detail-oriented, fine black and grey lines, focusing in particular on flora and fauna. I am fascinated by finding elegant compositions on the body and balancing detail with what will age gracefully.
What’s your proudest tattoo to date?
SM: I have a new favorite tattoo every 6 months or so. My current favorite is a timber rattlesnake and magnolia design that extends over the shoulders from wrist to wrist like a shawl. It was an intense process getting it done in four days, but she was incredibly happy with it at the end of her visit.
Timber Rattlesnake and Magnolias courtesy of Samantha Mancino
Kimmy Tan
Shop: Skin Deep Tattoo & Piercing
Tell us about your style.
KT: My favorite style of tattooing would have to be black and grey portraiture/realism, however, I don't like to confine myself to just one style. I feel like the best pieces are always the ones where the client gives me more creative freedom. That way a true collaboration can take place and a unique design can be created for the client and them only!
What’s your proudest tattoo to date?
KT: My favorite piece to date is definitely a black and grey memorial portrait with the finest parts of the client's grandmother's ashes added to the black ink. An extremely personal and emotional tattoo that had the client in tears afterward. I started tattooing because I wanted to change people's lives in a positive way and connect them to the things they love. In this case, I helped a grandson feel closer to his grandmother and memorialized her in a way where she'll truly be with him always. To this day, definitely, my favorite tattoo that I've ever done.
Kimmy Tan
Memorial courtesy of Kimmy Tan
Marc Nava
Shop: Port City Tattoo | Costa Mesa
Tell us about your style.
MN: My style of tattooing is a modern take on traditional Americana and Japanese tattooing. I have a great appreciation for both styles as they have such rich history in the world of tattooing definitely influence my work greatly.
What’s your proudest tattoo to date?
MN: One of my favorite tattoos I've done recently is a white tiger battling a giant cobra. The tattoo was done in one sitting on a very tough client who traveled from Canada to get this tattooed on his chest.
Marc Nava
Tiger Battling a Cobra courtesy of Marc Nava
Alayna Magnan
Shop: Rabble Rouser Tattoo
Tell us about your style.
AM: I specialize in my own stylized version of pinups and mermaids. I also do a lot of floral and feminine tattoos. I love using bright happy colors and a mix of bold and intricate linework to create a custom fit tattoo designed to showcase and flatter both the idea and form of each client. I cheerfully describe my style as "anything cute, pretty, or sexy".
What’s your proudest tattoo to date?
AM: I get asked this question a lot, and I never have a solid answer to it. Usually, my recently finished piece becomes my favorite. My top contenders are usually mermaids though. A recent piece that stands out to me is a mermaid tattoo I designed for a client who had a very special meaning behind her tattoo. I made the mermaid's face resemble the client's mother and used all of her favorite colors in the tattoo. It makes this fun awesome job of tattooing a bit magical when I realize that a tattoo I create can stir up emotions for the wearer every time they catch a glimpse of it.
Alayna Magnan
Mermaid courtesy of Alayna Magnan
Melissa Contreras
Shop: Black Diamond Tattoo
Tell us about your style.
MC: I do an illustrative style of tattooing with my own personalized twist. I prefer an organic quality, which means it's not supposed to look perfect or computer generated. I'm grateful to be in a busy shop where I get to do a lot of walk-ins and practice a variety of different styles. It's important to me to strike a balance between applying my knowledge and meeting my client's needs. I give them what they want while at the same time maintaining my integrity and allowing my creative channels to remain open. I want my clients to have a positive experience. I want to share my gifts with the world and to have a positive impact. My work is positive, fierce, powerful and a reminder that strength is personal.
What’s your proudest tattoo to date?
MC: Out of all of the pieces I've tattooed, I don't really have a favorite one. It's always an honor when someone requests my flash. I enjoy doing black work with illustrative lines and anything a bit dark with a splash of beauty. Hands, animals and flowers always seem to find their way into my designs, but it's more about the balance and experience for my client.
Melissa Contreras
Ian “Jonezy” Jones
Shop: True Tattoo
Tell us about your style.
IJ: My style of tattooing is black work and American Traditional.
What’s your proudest tattoo to date?
IJ: My tattoos are like my kids... I don't have a favorite.
Ian “Jonezy” Jones
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LA-born, Georgia-bred and one-half of a set of identical twins, Casha spends her days writing and exploring. She’s a classic film enthusiast, runner, dog walker and collector of quotes and tattoos. Follow her adventures @cashad.
Header Image courtesy of @johnny_vampotna