Detailed color tattoo of ornamental scrollwork and a geometric star pattern along a client's side and ribs

Tattoo Stories,
Guides & Artist Insights.

An editorial archive from the floor of Ink & Dagger — tattoo education, artist features, client stories, and creative inspiration. Read by collectors and first-timers alike.

Liam Connolly: Classic Ink, Modern Collector
Liam Connolly - Client of the Month For some collectors, every tattoo is planned years in advance. For others, the best pieces come from trusting the process and allowing the...
Chad Barker: A Story That Evolves
Chad Barker - Client of the Month: For May’s Client of the Month, we talk with Chad Barker, who’s sleeve became a deeply personal collaboration between him and tattoo artist...
Like Father, Like Sleeve: Getting Tattooed by Russ Abbott
For most people, a first tattoo is a milestone. For Jonah Abbott, it was something more: a deeply personal rite of passage, and a way to carry a piece of...
Jenna Eddy-Loving: Ink, Identity, & Family Tradition
Jenna Eddy-Loving Client of the Month: This client has built a collection that spans styles, subjects, and meaningful moments in her life. From sentimental tributes to family traditions, every piece...
Rob Phillips: Joining the Circus
Rob Phillips Client of the Month: Circus themes, traditional frames, and a client who came ready to commit. Rob Phillips’ leg sleeve with Craig Brock is a project we won’t...
Shelton Thomas: Fellowship of the Sleeve
Shelton Thomas Client of the Month: From his first One Shot Wall tattoo to a full sleeve packed with pop culture references, Shelton’s journey with Robert Beeman shows how shared...
Ian Carey: First Tattoo to Fierce Collector
Ian Carey Client of the Month: From his first Motörhead tattoo on Christmas Eve to a collection of bold, traditional-inspired pieces by Michel Parisay and Lilith Jacobs. Ian Carey’s journey...
Ryan Stancill: Commitment and Craft
Client of the Month: Ryan Stancill Architect Ryan Stancill just wrapped up his second full leg sleeve with Russ Abbott. In this feature, he shares what it’s really like to...

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