Culture

On Trend: 6 B.C. tattoo artists making their mark on the province

As the pandemic's YOLO mindset prompts more people to get inked, these B.C. tattoo artists are keeping busy

By Saphiya Zerrouk /

Credit: Allef Vinicus / Unsplash

As the pandemic’s YOLO mindset prompts more people to get inked, these local artists are keeping busy

1. Palace Tattoo

Going for a bold look? Vancouver’s Palace Tattoo stays true to the American Traditionalist or old-school style, defined by its black outlines and red, green, yellow and blue palette.


2. Haida Inkk

Gregory Williams (Haida name K’aajuu G’aaya), a member of the Skedans clan, focuses on Haida formline and realism at Haida Inkk in Queen Charlotte.


3. Liquid Amber Tattoo & Art Collective

In a male-dominated industry, female-owned Liquid Amber Tattoo & Art Collective has a roster of talented resident artists from around the world and regularly welcomes guest tattooists. The Vancouver studio also offers permanent face makeup and artwork for purchase.


4. The Ink Parlour

In Kelowna, The Ink Parlour is a female-run tattoo studio offering standard and single-needle designs–for those fine lines–in colour and black-and-grey hues.


5. Gastown Tattoo Parlour

For a unique take, visit Gastown Tattoo Parlour, where owner Mitch Kirilo creates body art that blends Traditionalist and Japanese styles.


6. Nakkita Trimble

From the Nisga’a Nation, Nakkita Trimble uses hand-poke and skin-stich techniques at her Terrace studio. Her next project: decolonizing her tattoo practice through a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts. In exchange for traditional potlatch gift-giving, Trimble will complete 80 hand-poke tattoos for members of her community.