9 Best Tattoo Artists in Lexington

Asa Castle Tattooer has been tattooing at Charmed Life Tattoo in Lexington since 2010. The artist is focused on American traditional tattoo art and inks everything from classic flash and original watercolor paintings to full back pieces and lettering on a wrist. The artist does not work on Monday or Tuesday but is available all other days, and interested parties can contact the shop via an online form or visit the studio to schedule an appointment, book a consultation, inquire about fees, and ask other questions. Clients may also purchase available paintings and prints on display at the store, and the tattooer's distinct style can be seen on the shop's website as well as via his Facebook page.

Bleed Blue Tattooing and Piercing, Inc. has been tattooing individuals in the Lexington area since 2008. Thousands of clients over the years have come to the studio for its warm and relaxing atmosphere and range of styles as seen via the artist portfolios online. Bleed Blue's award-winning artists have been featured in multiple magazines, continuously take part in various conventions, and have tattooed celebrities including UK basketball players, professional UFC fighters, and musicians such as the members of Montgomery Gentry. Customers can also purchase top-end body piercing jewelry, Bleed Blue apparel and merchandise, and aftercare products. Founder Tommy Ray Cornett is a US Army veteran and was named Kentucky’s SBA 2014 Small Business Person of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Kentucky District Office.

Castle of Color, Inc. is a Nicholasville tattoo studio with over 75 years of combined experience. The shop has been serving the area for over 20 years and can cater to all styles including black and gray, portraits, custom work, tribal, traditional, and New Skool. The studio follows strict guidelines for sterilization including the use of single-use products, protective barriers, and cleaning with EPA-approved disinfectants before and after every procedure, and employees stay on top of the newest techniques, trends, and procedures via continuous training as well. Piercing services are also available along with an extensive collection of body jewelry. Clients can make an appointments every day of the week, and walk-ins are welcome as well.

Charmed Life Tattoo has been tattooing in Lexington for 17 years. Customers can first look through the resident artists' online portfolio to get an idea of which tattooer would best fit their needs, then an individual needs to fill out an online form with as many details as possible about their desired tattoo such as its size, location, color, and style. It is ideal if a person can also send any related photos of the concept as well as of the location where they will want it inked, especially if for a cover-up. Most of the studio's artists are booked one week in advance, and a deposit is required at the time of scheduling an appointment.

Dream Chaser Tattoos & Body Piercings brings over 30 years of combined tattooing experience to Lexington clients. The shop is known for top-notch customer service, custom designs, and high quality ink work, and clients visit the studio for cover-ups, traditional tats, realism, black and gray, full color, portraits, illustrative designs, old school, new school, and lettering. Potential clients can take a look at all resident artists' work on Instagram via a link on the studio's website as well as bios and/or personal Facebook pages to get an idea of the range of styles each artist has to offer. Appointments are preferred, although walk-ins are welcome, and those under the age of 18 must have a notarized form signed by a parent or legal guardian.

Joker's Inkwell provides tattoo artwork to residents in the Lexington area. The shop specializes in custom artwork and cover-ups, and potential clients can look through a gallery of past ink on the company's website for an idea of the artist's style. Past clients have praised the studio for its friendly staff, clean environment, and amazing designs, and one newbie was grateful for an artist who comforted her through the whole process. Appointments can be scheduled on Mondays as well as on any Wednesday through Saturday from 12 PM until 10 PM, and interested parties can contact the studio via an online form. Body piercing services are also available, and the studio features art on its walls by local artists as well.

Lucky Lady Tattoos has been a Richmond tattoo parlor for over 20 years. The studio has a reputation for being friendly, creative, and family-oriented and is especially known for its custom designs. Clients can also bring in their own artwork and ideas, and the in-house artists can tattoo full color, black and gray, portraits, new and old school, lettering, and cover-ups. Hours and portfolios for each tattooer are available for viewing online, and Luck Lady offers piercing services as well. Clients must have a State issued photo ID to prove they are at least 18 years of age and must bring a parent with photo ID as well if they are between 16 and 17 years old.

Trials and Grace Tattoo bring over 15 years of experience in tattoo art to the Harrodsburg area. The studio is known for its laid-back and friendly environment and specializes in creating custom tattoos from client ideas with styles ranging from black and gray to New Skool color. One of the in-house artists has won multiple awards at conventions around the country, and his work has been seen in Skin Art, International Tattoo, PAIN Magazine, Savage, and Skin Deep magazine. Customers can take a look at artist galleries via links online and can phone or stop by to make an appointment. The Trials and Grace website lists step-by-step tattoo aftercare instructions as well.

Zig & Zag Tattoo Creations has been providing tattoo art in Nicholasville for over five years. Owner Ken Sperry boasts almost 15 years of tattooing experience and over 4,000 designs, and the studio maintains a safe and clean environment including via the use of single-use pre-sterilized needles. Clients can choose from the many tattoo styles offered by the shop or can bring in one of their own designs for a custom piece. A portfolio of past artwork can be seen on the company's website as well as via the artist's Facebook pages, and customers can set up an appointment or stop by the shop Monday through Saturday. Bike night takes place every Friday from 7 PM until 11 PM, and piercing services are also available.