Lilith Jacobs: Old-School Meets New Wave

With over a decade in the game, Lilith Jacobs has made a name for herself by creating tattoos that are both bold and intricate, nostalgic and modern.

Her style walks the line between Traditional and Neo-Traditional, striking a perfect balance between classic tattoo aesthetics and highly stylized, intricate details. As she puts it, "Something that you can look at from across the street and be like, damn that's sick."

Born into Tattooing

Tattooing runs deep in Lilith’s roots.

"My dad started tattooing in the mid-80s and tattooed through the early 2000s. My mom isn’t a tattoo artist, but she’s a huge collector. She’s even been featured in magazines and won a handful of awards for her collection."

Growing up in that world, it was only a matter of time before she picked up the torch. "I'm honored that I get to carry on the tradition."

Lilith started apprenticing in 2011 and officially began tattooing in 2012. In 2022, she made the move from Denver to Georgia, bringing her distinctive style to the Ink & Dagger crew.

A Style That Hits Different

Lilith’s tattoos are all about striking that sweet spot between traditional and contemporary. "I use a variety of bold, clean lines and finer, delicate lines for details," they explain. "My color palette is vibrant and expanded, but still rooted in traditional colors—reds, golds, browns, and greens."

Their work carries a timeless yet modern feel. "It’s caught somewhere between the nostalgia of Traditional tattoos and the intricate appeal of Neo-Traditional art."

Neo-traditional swallow flash sheet by Lilith Jacobs.

Creative Fuel

Lilith finds inspiration in moody, visually striking art forms. "I love film, especially directors with a strong visual style. One of the biggest takeaways for me from movies is color palette and contrast."

Check out some of her cinematic flash designs below!

Her top five films? There Will Be Blood, Harold and Maude, Little Miss Sunshine, The Wailing, and Aliens.

Being brought up by parents with an affinity for everything 80s also left a lasting impression. "Goth, new wave, industrial—those sounds definitely shaped my tastes. I love that mix of masculine and feminine energy, strong women, and the raw, edgy textures of the era—chains, leather, and technology colliding. You get Sorayama and Patrick Nagel from this time, and I love that aesthetic."

Neo-traditional animal foot charms flash by Lilith Jacobs.

She is also drawn to classic art. "Caravaggio and Maria van Oosterwijck are my favorites—super dark, rich paintings of simple subject matter. And I’m obsessed with 1940s-1950s photography, like George Hurrell. That super dramatic lighting that makes everyone look like a villain? Love that."

Esoteric mysticism also plays a role in her interests. "I collect tarot decks and love exploring the dark feminine. There’s probably too much to list here, honestly, but that theme connects a lot of what I love."

Outside the Studio

When she’s not tattooing, Lilith keeps things simple. "I am sleepy. I am also grateful that my cats let me live in their house and don’t murder me in my sleep."

Beyond sketching flash and prepping for conventions, she spends time watching movies or cheering on the Colorado Avalanche. "Hockey is definitely one of my passions."

Work With Lilith

Since joining Ink & Dagger, Lilith has been pushing her art to new levels, blending tradition with innovation and making their mark one tattoo at a time.

Lilith loves working on bold, impactful pieces, especially large-scale tattoos. "Cool tattoos for fun people," she says. "I like tattoos that look like tattoos—something striking, something that has that perfect blend of tough and pretty."

Intrigued? Browse Lilith’s flash or fill out a booking request form to start a custom project.