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.

David “Izzy” Irizarry: Bold and Brilliant Art
David “Izzy” Irizarry: Bold and Brilliant Art
David “Izzy” Irizarry turns bold ideas into amazing tattoos. From dramatic large-scale pieces to custom designs packed with personality, he blends styles, stories, and inspiration to make every tattoo truly...
Ian Carey: First Tattoo to Fierce Collector
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...
David Staniforth: Black & Gray Storytelling
David Staniforth: Black & Gray Storytelling
David 'Stani' Staniforth brings over a decade of experience to his stunning black and gray tattoos, blending Renaissance-inspired artistry with modern precision. From lifelike portraits to sculptural florals, his work...
Cortney Norton: Deco-Rating Your Skin
Cortney Norton: Deco-Rating Your Skin
Cortney Norton blends Art Deco elegance with natural-world subjects to create ornamental tattoos that feel both timeless and imaginative. Discover how her thoughtful approach and artistic precision set her work...
Robert Beeman: Realism Refined
Robert Beeman: Realism Refined
Through black and grey realism and large-scale storytelling, Robert Beeman brings classical inspiration and thoughtful collaboration to every tattoo. Get to know the artist behind some of Ink & Dagger’s...
Ryan Stancill: Commitment and Craft
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...
Mel Perlman: Not Your Garden-Variety Tattooing
Mel Perlman: Not Your Garden-Variety Tattooing
Mel Perlman brings dreamy, nature-infused tattoos to life through her illustrative style, here’s a deeper look into her creations!
Ink & Dagger Artists on the Road- to HELL!
Ink & Dagger Artists on the Road- to HELL!
Our team took over Hell City Tattoo Fest in Columbus, Ohio.This year’s Hell City Tattoo Fest in Columbus, Ohio was a huge success for the Ink & Dagger crew. We...
Michel Parisay: Keepin’ It Classic
Michel Parisay: Keepin’ It Classic
Get to know Michel Parisay, your friendly neighborhood traditional tattooer.
Lilith Jacobs: Old-School Meets New Wave
Lilith Jacobs: Old-School Meets New Wave
Get to know our resident Neo-traditional artist, Lilith Jacobs!
Collector’s Guide: Getting a Small Tattoo
Collector’s Guide: Getting a Small Tattoo
Getting a small tattoo? Here’s what you need to know.
Russ Abbott: Pushing Tattooing into the Future
Russ Abbott: Pushing Tattooing into the Future
Learn about Ink & Dagger’s fearless leader, Russ Abbott.
Perfectly Complex Tattoos: Geometric Style
Perfectly Complex Tattoos: Geometric Style
Minimalistic geometric tattoo by Luis Hinestroza . Geometric tattoos blend the rich traditions of ancient symbols with the sleek, modern aesthetics of minimalist design. Renowned for their precise and symmetrical...
Traditional Framed Tattoos: An Interview with Craig Brock
Traditional Framed Tattoos: An Interview with Craig Brock
We interview our resident artist Craig Brock about one of his signature project styles -traditional framed tattoos.
Collector’s Guide: Getting a Full Sleeve
Collector’s Guide: Getting a Full Sleeve
Thinking about a full sleeve? Here are the key areas to consider.
Matt Perlman: Master of the Macabre
Matt Perlman: Master of the Macabre
Ink & Dagger’s resident black and gray horror artist Matt Perlman. Since 2001, Matt Perlman has been weaving horror and artistry into the skin, earning his place as a go-to...
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THE TEAM

A hive of creativity.

Housing as many as 15 resident artists and a flow of talented guest artists, Ink & Dagger is a hive of creativity. We host regular "Art Nights" to sharpen our skills and share creative methods. Every individual, from our artists to our support team, led by the incredible Harrison Knolle, plays a pivotal role in ensuring our studio is a beacon of artistry and impeccable service.
Amber Grey

Amber Grey

Blackwork, Ornamental, Floral, Fine Line

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Brian Bennett

Brian Bennett

Illustrative, Japanese, Traditional, Neo-traditional, Cartoon

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Bryn Riihimaki

Bryn Riihimaki

Traditional, Minimalism, Small Tattoos, Lettering

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Cortney Norton

Cortney Norton

Art Deco, Art Nouveau, Ornamental

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Craig Brock

Craig Brock

Illustrative, Ornamental, Black & Gray, Traditional, Neo-traditional

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David Irizarry (Izzy)

David Irizarry (Izzy)

Illustrative, Realism, Large-Scale

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David “Stani” Staniforth

David “Stani” Staniforth

Black & Gray, Realism

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Lilith Jacobs

Lilith Jacobs

Neo-traditional, Traditional, Black & Gray

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Mark Kalinskiy

Mark Kalinskiy

Illustrative, Fine Line, Blackwork, Traditional

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Matt Perlman

Matt Perlman

Horror Black & Gray, Realism, Illustrative

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Mel Perlman

Mel Perlman

Illustrative, Blackwork, Pop Culture, Floral

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Michel Parisay

Michel Parisay

Black & Gray Traditional, Color Traditional

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Robert Beeman

Robert Beeman

Black & Gray Realism, Large-Scale

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Russ Abbott

Russ Abbott

Large-Scale, Illustrative, Ornamental

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Taylor Helman

Taylor Helman

Fineline, Black & Gray, Realism, Microrealism, Minimalism

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What our clients say

The staff and artists here are incredibly friendly and professional, and really make an effort to make sure clients have a great experience.
Starting with my consultation, I walked in with a simple concept, and Stani really took the time to discuss my idea, and he came up with an initial design, completely transforming it into a beautiful realism piece.
Stani is an incredible artist, and I highly recommend him if you are looking for a black and grey realism tattoo. Thank you, Stani and everyone at Ink & Dagger for an awesome experience!

Deanna Lenore

I have been tattooed many times at Ink and Dagger and I highly recommend this location. I have been getting tattooed by Mel Perlman for the past year, and it's been such an amazing experience that I already have 5 of her tattoos. Three of her fabulous flash and two custom tattoos. She is currently designing a sleeve that flows through the four seasons. She did part 1 recently and completely knocked it out of the park. I couldn't be happier. I highly recommend checking out her flash or inquiring about a custom tattoo. Not only is she a great artist, she is a wonderful person to chat with while you are getting your tattoo!

Elizabeth Williams

I have now gotten three pieces done at this shop by the incredible Lilith Jacobs. All three have turned out incredible and I cannot say enough good things about Lilith. She is an absolute artist and if you want a piece, I highly recommend her.
The staff as a whole, from the front desk to the management to the other artists are a joy to interact with. The decor is amazing and feels like a space where artists are free to be themselves. Make sure you schedule for when they're playing the entire Shrek 2 soundtrack for extra special ambiance.

Eamon Frawley

Mel did a brilliant job on my cover up!! You would never expect there to be a tattoo under this one. The detail is gorgeous. I am beyond thrilled!!

Mel was very easy to discuss ideas with. She sent the initial design a week before my appointment. I really appreciated the time to think about it and make adjustments before our session.

The salon was clean and welcoming.
I loved the vibe.

Alice Wunderlund

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