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This is a dangerous list. The more tattoo artists you follow on Instagram, the more likely you are to book an appointment for just one more — or maybe this will be the start of your addiction. Regardless, you should be following these Louisville area tattoo artists anyway for the sole reason that they’re ridiculously talented, and they deserve more attention.

We’ve put together this (unranked and definitely non-exhaustive) list of 14 local tattoo pros to follow on Instagram.

Links to each Instagram are included in the names of the artists.

Note: sought-after tattoo artists tend to book up quickly, and some of the artists on this list are not currently taking new clients. If you want to book a tattoo appointment, check the artist’s social media or website for their availability first.

Amber Bananafish | @amberbananafish Bananafish Tattoo Parlour You’ll spot all sorts of creatures in Amber Banafish’s bright tattoos: Pride-flag mermen, green fairies and folk demons. You’ll also be astonished by the detail: mammoth pieces with innumerable lines that never look too busy, no matter how much is going on. Bananafish is the owner of her tattoo parlor.
Amber Bananafish | @amberbananafish Bananafish Tattoo Parlour You’ll spot all sorts of creatures in Amber Banafish’s bright tattoos: Pride-flag mermen, green fairies and folk demons. You’ll also be astonished by the detail: mammoth pieces with innumerable lines that never look too busy, no matter how much is going on. Bananafish is the owner of her tattoo parlor.
Amber Bananafish | @amberbananafish Bananafish Tattoo Parlour You’ll spot all sorts of creatures in Amber Banafish’s bright tattoos: Pride-flag mermen, green fairies and folk demons. You’ll also be astonished by the detail: mammoth pieces with innumerable lines that never look too busy, no matter how much is going on. Bananafish is the owner of her tattoo parlor.
Ashley “Bubbles” Burton | @tatsbybubbles Highland Tattoo Co. Ashley Burton, whose clients know her better as “Bubbles,” specializes in working with members of the LGBTQ community. Her Instagram spotlights not only her formidable tattooing skills in a variety of styles, but also sweet shots of her wife and their dogs.
Ashley “Bubbles” Burton | @tatsbybubbles Highland Tattoo Co. Ashley Burton, whose clients know her better as “Bubbles,” specializes in working with members of the LGBTQ community. Her Instagram spotlights not only her formidable tattooing skills in a variety of styles, but also sweet shots of her wife and their dogs.
Ashley “Bubbles” Burton | @tatsbybubbles Highland Tattoo Co. Ashley Burton, whose clients know her better as “Bubbles,” specializes in working with members of the LGBTQ community. Her Instagram spotlights not only her formidable tattooing skills in a variety of styles, but also sweet shots of her wife and their dogs.
Ben Barnhart | @benbarnhart_ Good Karma Tattoo Barnhart is clearly a master of neotraditional tattooing. Follow him if you like eye-catching designs with plenty of red, yellow, and black.
Ben Barnhart | @benbarnhart_ Good Karma Tattoo Barnhart is clearly a master of neotraditional tattooing. Follow him if you like eye-catching designs with plenty of red, yellow, and black.
Ben Barnhart | @benbarnhart_ Good Karma Tattoo Barnhart is clearly a master of neotraditional tattooing. Follow him if you like eye-catching designs with plenty of red, yellow, and black.
Steve Gatrost | @stevegatrost No Division Tattoo Steve Gatrost’s Instagram bio proclaims “quality over quantity,” but Gatrost is as prolific as he is artistic. His vibrant and fanciful tattoos cover several different styles.
Steve Gatrost | @stevegatrost No Division Tattoo Steve Gatrost’s Instagram bio proclaims “quality over quantity,” but Gatrost is as prolific as he is artistic. His vibrant and fanciful tattoos cover several different styles.
Charlie Browy | @charllie_devil1985 Bananafish Tattoo Parlour Charlie Browy’s sleeve work goes from midnight black to glaring white, which makes for a fun viewing experience. New details seem to never stop appearing from his massive pieces. Plus, for you young’uns, Browy is quite adept at TikTok, too.
Charlie Browy | @charllie_devil1985 Bananafish Tattoo Parlour Charlie Browy’s sleeve work goes from midnight black to glaring white, which makes for a fun viewing experience. New details seem to never stop appearing from his massive pieces. Plus, for you young’uns, Browy is quite adept at TikTok, too.
Charlie Browy | @charllie_devil1985 Bananafish Tattoo Parlour Charlie Browy’s sleeve work goes from midnight black to glaring white, which makes for a fun viewing experience. New details seem to never stop appearing from his massive pieces. Plus, for you young’uns, Browy is quite adept at TikTok, too.
Christopher M. Waugh | @christopher_m_waugh Five Star Tattoo Christopher M. Waugh is an American traditional artist, but that doesn’t mean his work is repetitive. His subject matter is ever evolving. A quick look at his portfolio shows a peacock, a nun with a skull and the three muses. As a bonus, Waughn also curates another tattoo-centric page, @tattoo_origins, showing the original references to iconic tattoos.
Christopher M. Waugh | @christopher_m_waugh Five Star Tattoo Christopher M. Waugh is an American traditional artist, but that doesn’t mean his work is repetitive. His subject matter is ever evolving. A quick look at his portfolio shows a peacock, a nun with a skull and the three muses. As a bonus, Waughn also curates another tattoo-centric page, @tattoo_origins, showing the original references to iconic tattoos.
Christopher M. Waugh | @christopher_m_waugh Five Star Tattoo Christopher M. Waugh is an American traditional artist, but that doesn’t mean his work is repetitive. His subject matter is ever evolving. A quick look at his portfolio shows a peacock, a nun with a skull and the three muses. As a bonus, Waughn also curates another tattoo-centric page, @tattoo_origins, showing the original references to iconic tattoos.
Darin Ennis | @darinennistattoos Tattoo Charlie’s If you want an artist to accurately replicate your favorite superhero or sci-fi character with a dose of electrifying color, Daren Ennis is your dude. He can also dream up original fantasies, such as a skeleton geisha, that will make you wish that they had their own comic book series.
Steve Gatrost | @stevegatrost No Division Tattoo Steve Gatrost’s Instagram bio proclaims “quality over quantity,” but Gatrost is as prolific as he is artistic. His vibrant and fanciful tattoos cover several different styles.
Darin Ennis | @darinennistattoos Tattoo Charlie’s If you want an artist to accurately replicate your favorite superhero or sci-fi character with a dose of electrifying color, Daren Ennis is your dude. He can also dream up original fantasies, such as a skeleton geisha, that will make you wish that they had their own comic book series.
Darin Ennis | @darinennistattoos Tattoo Charlie’s If you want an artist to accurately replicate your favorite superhero or sci-fi character with a dose of electrifying color, Daren Ennis is your dude. He can also dream up original fantasies, such as a skeleton geisha, that will make you wish that they had their own comic book series.
Dave O’Neill | @david_oneill_tattooing Ink & Dagger Tattoo Co. Dave O’Neill’s pieces are often small, but that doesn’t mean they’re not impressive. His delicate line work gets better the closer you inspect it. And, when he does go bigger, he still nails it.
Dave O’Neill | @david_oneill_tattooing Ink & Dagger Tattoo Co. Dave O’Neill’s pieces are often small, but that doesn’t mean they’re not impressive. His delicate line work gets better the closer you inspect it. And, when he does go bigger, he still nails it.
Dave O’Neill | @david_oneill_tattooing Ink & Dagger Tattoo Co. Dave O’Neill’s pieces are often small, but that doesn’t mean they’re not impressive. His delicate line work gets better the closer you inspect it. And, when he does go bigger, he still nails it.
Dennis Pase | @dennispase_iet Infinite Electric Tattoo All of Dennis Pase’s work is fantastic, but most notable are his intricate, Japanese-inspired back and chest pieces that will make your jaw drop and your muscles tense (because how painful must have that been?!) Pase owns Infinite Electric Tattoo.
Dennis Pase | @dennispase_iet Infinite Electric Tattoo All of Dennis Pase’s work is fantastic, but most notable are his intricate, Japanese-inspired back and chest pieces that will make your jaw drop and your muscles tense (because how painful must have that been?!) Pase owns Infinite Electric Tattoo.
Dennis Pase | @dennispase_iet Infinite Electric Tattoo All of Dennis Pase’s work is fantastic, but most notable are his intricate, Japanese-inspired back and chest pieces that will make your jaw drop and your muscles tense (because how painful must have that been?!) Pase owns Infinite Electric Tattoo.
John Embry | @johnembrytattoos Muse & Myth If the world was in black and grey, it would look like John Embry’s tattoos. His photorealistic work looks like it’s alive and right in front of your face, even when it’s a towering haunted house with the Grim Reaper waiting outside. Embry owns his own tattoo parlor.
John Embry | @johnembrytattoos Muse & Myth If the world was in black and grey, it would look like John Embry’s tattoos. His photorealistic work looks like it’s alive and right in front of your face, even when it’s a towering haunted house with the Grim Reaper waiting outside. Embry owns his own tattoo parlor.
John Embry | @johnembrytattoos Muse & Myth If the world was in black and grey, it would look like John Embry’s tattoos. His photorealistic work looks like it’s alive and right in front of your face, even when it’s a towering haunted house with the Grim Reaper waiting outside. Embry owns his own tattoo parlor.
Kandi Killjoy | @kandikilljoy Acme Ink Tattoo What if Pikachu ate Pocky? Or Squirtle visited the beach? Kandi uses her cartoonish style to recreate favorite animated characters — sometimes in all-new situations — as well as to tattoo fun, original works. She’s just as good when she branches out, too, with floral pieces and realistic portraits.
Kandi Killjoy | @kandikilljoy Acme Ink Tattoo What if Pikachu ate Pocky? Or Squirtle visited the beach? Kandi uses her cartoonish style to recreate favorite animated characters — sometimes in all-new situations — as well as to tattoo fun, original works. She’s just as good when she branches out, too, with floral pieces and realistic portraits.
Kandi Killjoy | @kandikilljoy Acme Ink Tattoo What if Pikachu ate Pocky? Or Squirtle visited the beach? Kandi uses her cartoonish style to recreate favorite animated characters — sometimes in all-new situations — as well as to tattoo fun, original works. She’s just as good when she branches out, too, with floral pieces and realistic portraits.
Maddason Metcalf | @the_maddason Family Tradition Tattoo Studio Metcalf’s Instagram portfolio shows how incredible she is with various types of tattoos, but you’ll definitely see plenty of well-executed florals and line art.
Maddason Metcalf | @the_maddason Family Tradition Tattoo Studio Metcalf’s Instagram portfolio shows how incredible she is with various types of tattoos, but you’ll definitely see plenty of well-executed florals and line art.
Maddason Metcalf | @the_maddason Family Tradition Tattoo Studio Metcalf’s Instagram portfolio shows how incredible she is with various types of tattoos, but you’ll definitely see plenty of well-executed florals and line art.
Turner Puckett | @tpucks_tattoo Ageless Art Tattoo & Piercing Puckett, who is based in Clarksville, is adept at tattooing characters both from pop culture and his own designs. Follow him to see plenty of those, plus sweet tattoos of bugs and animals.
Turner Puckett | @tpucks_tattoo Ageless Art Tattoo & Piercing Puckett, who is based in Clarksville, is adept at tattooing characters both from pop culture and his own designs. Follow him to see plenty of those, plus sweet tattoos of bugs and animals.
Turner Puckett | @tpucks_tattoo Ageless Art Tattoo & Piercing Puckett, who is based in Clarksville, is adept at tattooing characters both from pop culture and his own designs. Follow him to see plenty of those, plus sweet tattoos of bugs and animals.
Victoria Kurtz | @victoriakurtztattoos Mama Tried Tattoo Parlour If you curate your Instagram feed for the ~aesthetics~, Victoria Kurtz’s tattoos should fit in nicely. The pleasing greens and strawberry icing pinks in her original, cutesy designs look as good on skin as they do on your screen.
Victoria Kurtz | @victoriakurtztattoos Mama Tried Tattoo Parlour If you curate your Instagram feed for the ~aesthetics~, Victoria Kurtz’s tattoos should fit in nicely. The pleasing greens and strawberry icing pinks in her original, cutesy designs look as good on skin as they do on your screen.
Victoria Kurtz | @victoriakurtztattoos Mama Tried Tattoo Parlour If you curate your Instagram feed for the ~aesthetics~, Victoria Kurtz’s tattoos should fit in nicely. The pleasing greens and strawberry icing pinks in her original, cutesy designs look as good on skin as they do on your screen.

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