Toby Linwood
Tattoo interests and specialties: large scale tattoos, neo tribal, traditional tribal, black work, fine lines, micro tattoos, dot work, mandala, floral, ornamental, illustrative, script, single needle, cover up and reworking tattoos.
Lead Tattoo Artist
Toby participates in most Walk-in Wednesday’s September- May.
Three way to work with Toby:
Fresh walk in tattoo by Toby-
(scroll down for more examples)
Walk in Tattoo (Wednesday)
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Walk in’s consist of pre drawn tattoo flash options as well as small/short custom tattoo requests. Walk in’s are not for clients who want to continue on a large piece or start a big project.
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Toby’s minimum: $200
2 hours (or less): $400
Walk in days are the most cost effective for a small tattoo.
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Walk in tattoos are small or simple and take 2 hours or less (see examples on the walk in day tattoo page).
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Walk in Wednesday 12-6pm on the Wednesday’s he is working, see the walk in tattoo day page for the calendar of which artists are working what days.
Toby only does walk in Wednesday’s September-May.
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If you come in for a walk in tattoo and after healing (4 weeks) think a touch up is needed, you can come back in on a Wednesday that Toby is working and get it done for free.
These tattoo touch up’s are 1 hour or less, otherwise it’s a paid tattoo appointment.
Healed back tattoo (one & done) by Toby-
(scroll down for more examples)
Hourly Rate Tattoo Appointment
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Hourly is for a tattoo that only requires one appointment (one & done) that takes over 2 hours and less than 7.
Or to finish a multi-session tattoo project that needs less than 7 hours of tattoo time.
Or if you prefer shorter sessions (3-6 hours) when getting tattooed- no matter the tattoo project (booked at least 4 weeks apart).
If you want to meet with Toby before booking, you are welcome to stop by Tattoo 34 during a Walk-In Wednesdays (September–May) that he is working, or schedule a tattoo consultation with Nisha by text at 415-370-1298. -
Minimum for any scheduled appointment is $440 (if you want a 2 hour or less tattoo and want to potentially pay less- see the Walk in Tattoo info).
Toby’s hourly: $220
Hourly appointment pricing is calculated after tattooing and reflects both drawing (on you) and tattooing (needle-to-skin) time.Deposit is the minimum: $440
Any remaining balance is due on the day of your tattoo. Deposits go toward the final cost of your tattoo.Pricing is calculated after tattooing for the day is complete and the day’s total can be adjusted regardless of which appointment type you booked (hourly or session). Under 7 hours is $220 per hour. Over 7 hours can be the session rate of $1500.
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This appointment type is generally best to book at 10/11am: Monday, Tuesday or Thursday.
Feel free to arrive about 10 minutes after your scheduled appointment time. Time may not be one of Toby’s superpowers, but art certainly is!
An hourly appointment is 3-6 hours. His stop time is around 7pm.
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New clients book an hourly appointment with Toby here:
For your new client appointment to be confirmed, you must do both.
*In progress clients of Toby’s book an hourly appointment here (at least 4 weeks apart if booking multiple sessions):
CLICK HERE to schedule and put in the “Appointment Note” what tattoo you are working on.
If you’re unsure which appointment type to book (hourly or session), or how many appointments your tattoo may need, that’s completely okay. You’re welcome to book either option and pricing can be adjusted as needed on the day of your tattoo. During your appointment, you and Toby will talk through your budget, finalize the design together, and decide what that means for time and future sessions, if needed.
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For a touch up on a one and done tattoo (must be at least 4 weeks healed), you can come in on a walk in Wednesday or schedule a touch up on a Monday (other days may be available, depending). Contact Nisha by text (415-370-1298) to schedule.
A free touch up for a one and done tattoo is 2 hrs or less, otherwise it’s a paid hourly tattoo appointment. -
If you are already a client of Toby’s and you need to book another hourly appointment for your in progress tattoo:
CLICK HERE to schedule and put in the “Appointment Note” what tattoo you are working on.
If you have a tattoo started by Toby and you want us to periodically check in and send you reminders:
If you have special pricing or are a “trade” client, fill out the form only. so Nisha can send you different booking info.
Fresh and some healed (multiple sessions) back tattoo by Toby-
(scroll down for more examples)
Full Session Tattoo Appointment
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A full session appointment is for a tattoo that will take more than 7 hours (to design, draw and tattoo).
Or a multi-session tattoo project that requires more than one appointment (booked at least 4 weeks apart).
A session includes:Collaborative design time
Drawing directly on your skin (marker to skin)- in most cases
Confirms the perfect placement
Tattoo time (needle to skin) including any touch up needed from past sessions
And any other time that you need (to make decisions, take pain breaks, eat, etc.)
If you want to meet with Toby before booking, you are welcome to stop by Tattoo 34 during a Walk-In Wednesdays (September–May) that he is working, or schedule a tattoo consultation with Nisha by text at 415-370-1298.
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Toby’s Session Fee: $1500 capped (for 7+ hours of on-body drawing time and tattooing time).
Payments: $750 for the deposit (paid when appointment is scheduled) and the other half paid the day of the tattoo appointment.
Pricing is calculated after tattooing for the day is complete and the day’s total can be adjusted regardless of which appointment type you booked (hourly or session). Under 7 hours is $220 per hour. Over 7 hours can be the session rate of $1500.
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This appointment type is generally best to book at 10am: Tuesday, Thursday or Friday (at least 4 weeks apart).
Feel free to arrive about 10 minutes after your scheduled appointment time. Time may not be one of Toby’s superpowers, but art certainly is!
Full Session is 7+ hours. His stop time is around 7pm.
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To book with Toby for a new tattoo project:
For your appointment to be confirmed, you must do both.
If you are already a client of Toby’s and you need to book another session for your in progress tattoo (at least 4 weeks apart):CLICK HERE to schedule and put in the “Appointment Note” what tattoo you are working on.
If you’re unsure which appointment type to book (hourly or session), or how many appointments your tattoo may need, that’s completely okay. You’re welcome to book either option and pricing can be adjusted as needed on the day of your tattoo. During your appointment, you and Toby will talk through your budget, finalize the design together, and decide what that means for time and future sessions, if needed.
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For a multi session tattoo project Toby generally touches up as he goes (during the next appointment). Once a piece is totally complete and fully healed (at least 4 weeks) and if it needs a touch up please contact Nisha by text (415-370-1298) to schedule.
A “free touch up” for a multi session tattoo is within the first year of completion of the entire tattoo project and takes 3 hours or less, otherwise it’s a paid hourly tattoo appointment.
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If you are already a client of Toby’s and you need to book another session for your in progress tattoo:
CLICK HERE to schedule and put in the “Appointment Note” what tattoo you are working on.
If you have a tattoo started by Toby and you want us to periodically check in and send you reminders:
If you have special pricing or are a “trade” client, fill out the form only. so Nisha can send you different booking info.
For any questions about Toby’s info above, to schedule a consultation or a tattoo touch up with Toby, or for a question about an upcoming tattoo appointment with Toby, text Nisha at: 415-370-1298 (or email admin@tattoo34pdx.com but text gets a quicker reply!)
Nisha, Toby’s wife and the other owner of the tattoo shop, runs the back end of the shop and Toby’s tattoo schedule. Nisha is the point of contact for Toby’s clients. There is a delay in the summer June-September when they prepare for and participate in their tribal ceremony.
Toby Linwood (he/him) is a BIPOC (Black & Indigenous Person of Color) tattoo shop owner and licensed tattoo artist at Tattoo 34 in Portland, OR. Toby has been tattooing since 2010. He started his tattoo career in the Bay Area and then moved with his family to continue his profession in Portland.
Toby started his passion for art in Southern Oregon, as a graffiti artist when he was a teen. Between that art form and this one he has taught art to children, done graphic and interior design, painted, drew, sculpted, carved, and etched, among so many other art-related endeavors. He has had his sculptures featured at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Italy, the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, the 2010 Winter Olympics in Canada, at the "Pillsbury Bake-Off Contest Award Show" and on the "Queen Latifah Show".
Toby said he enjoys tattooing because, "I love working with and creating artwork with other people. I've created artwork in many other forms but this one is more lasting and personal." Toby is comfortable doing most styles of tattooing and can be very adaptive however he is narrowing down his tattoo focus to encompass the styles and content he finds most fulfilling to tattoo: large scale neo-tribal that stems from Toby’s Afro-Indigenous roots, floral, ornamental work, traditional tribal, black work or a mix of those styles. Toby is also known for his script, lettering work and cover up/rework ability. Toby's passion and dedication to his art shows in every tattoo he creates.
Toby stays busy between his art, this business, his family and participating in his own, as well as his wife's tribal ceremonies. Toby is striving for a healthy work/life balance and focusing his tattoo schedule to prioritize his personal and professional goals. To achieve this, he tattoos in Portland, Oregon September-May and has limited tattoo appointments available in California (on the Klamath River) June-August.
The things to know about scheduling & tattooing w/Toby.
Toby tattoos on weekdays only (Monday-Friday), during the daytime. Toby’s stop time is around 7pm, for any tattoo or appointment.
Walk in tattoos: Toby participates in walk-in Wednesday, most weeks from September-May. No appointment is needed for walk-in day’s. Walk in’s are first come, first served and must fit the walk in tattoo guidelines (see the walk in page for examples). Walk-in tattoos are 1-2 hours max, the day starts at noon and can require patience.
Appointments: (hourly or sessions) can vary in length based on the design, decisions, drawing time on your skin, breaks and the tattoo process itself. When using Toby’s scheduling link (find it above) to book an appointment with Toby, the set time shown is only a placeholder, not a guaranteed length. For the best tattoo results plan to come in with an open day, an open mind and with trust and patience. Feel free to arrive to your scheduled appointment about 10 minutes after your booked time. Time may not be one of Toby’s superpowers, but art certainly is!
Appointment payments: A deposit is required to secure your appointment date. The remaining balance is due on the day of your tattoo. Deposits go toward the final cost of your tattoo. See above for more specific tattoo pricing details.
For more information about all of this in detail see above, in the drop down menus for each tattoo option.
Multiple Session Tattoo (tattoo in progress)- By Tattoo Artist Toby at Tattoo 34 in Portland, OR
Walk in Tattoo- By Tattoo Artist Toby at Tattoo 34 in Portland, OR
Multiple Session Tattoo (cover up tattoo)- By Tattoo Artist Toby at Tattoo 34 in Portland, OR
One Full Session Tattoo Appointment- By Tattoo Artist Toby at Tattoo 34 in Portland, OR
Multiple Session Tattoo (tattoo in progress- By Tattoo Artist Toby at Tattoo 34 in Portland, OR
One Full Session Tattoo Appointment (cover up tattoo) - By Tattoo Artist Toby at Tattoo 34 in Portland, OR
One Full Session Tattoo Appointment - By Tattoo Artist Toby at Tattoo 34 in Portland, OR
One Full Session Tattoo Appointment- By Tattoo Artist Toby at Tattoo 34 in Portland, OR
Hourly Appointment Tattoo - By Tattoo Artist Toby at Tattoo 34 in Portland, OR
Hourly Appointment Tattoo (micro-tattoo) - By Tattoo Artist Toby at Tattoo 34 in Portland, OR
Toby’s tattoo process:
Toby’s pricing and process are a little different than other tattoo artists, both in the industry and at our tattoo shop. For about 95% of his clients, the design process happens with you, in real time. Instead of applying a pre-drawn, printed stencil, Toby generally freehands the design directly onto your skin using markers. This allows the tattoo to evolve naturally with your body, the placement, your ideas, and gives you the chance to see, adjust, and fully love the design and placement before tattooing begins.
Toby’s rates include both the on-body drawing time and the tattooing time (needle to skin). While his hourly rate may appear lower than his level of experience and expertise, it reflects this integrated, collaborative approach.
Toby prefers the content he tattoos to be fresh and created in the moment. His creative process works best when he can focus deeply, stay in a flow state, and respond intuitively to the design as it comes together, often losing track of time in the process.
If you have a specific stop time on your appointment day or a budget you want to stick to, please include it in your appointment notes when booking and let Toby know the day of. Toby’s general stop time is around 7pm for all tattoos and appointments. For the best results, we recommend scheduling your tattoo on a day when you can arrive with an open schedule, an open mind, and trust in the process.
Consultations: If you want to meet with Toby before booking, you are welcome to stop by Tattoo 34 during a Walk-In Wednesdays (September–May) that he is working (check the schedule here) or schedule a tattoo consultation with Nisha by text at 415-370-1298.
Toby usually doesn’t require tattoo consults, in general he can get what he needs from the tattoo info form and on the day of the tattoo appointment. If he has any questions from you before your tattoo appointment, we will contact you.
Touch up’s (at least 4 weeks healed):
Walk in tattoos can be touched up at another walk in day Toby is working, a free touch up on a walk in tattoo is within 1 year of getting the tattoo.
One and done tattoos can be touched up at a walk in Wednesday or you can schedule a touch up by texting Nisha (415-370-1298). A free touch up for a one and done is within 1 year of appointment and takes 2 hrs or less- otherwise it’s a paid hourly tattoo appointment.
For a multi session tattoo project Toby will generally touch up as he goes (during the next appointment). Once a piece is totally complete and fully healed (at least 4 weeks) and if it needs a touch up please contact Nisha by text (415-370-1298) to schedule. A free touch up for these is within the first year of completion of the entire tattoo project and takes 3 hours or less- otherwise it’s a paid hourly tattoo appointment.
Drawn on and then tattooed by Toby, before and after pics:
(Before) Drawn On- By Tattoo Artist Toby at Tattoo 34 in Portland, OR
(After) One Full Session Tattoo Appointment- By Tattoo Artist Toby at Tattoo 34 in Portland, OR
(Before) Drawn On- By Tattoo Artist Toby at Tattoo 34 in Portland, OR
(After) Multiple Session Tattoo- By Tattoo Artist Toby at Tattoo 34 in Portland, OR
(Before) Drawn On- By Tattoo Artist Toby at Tattoo 34 in Portland, OR
(After) One Full Session Tattoo Appointment- By Tattoo Artist Toby at Tattoo 34 in Portland, OR
(Before) Drawn On (cover up tattoo)- By Tattoo Artist Toby at Tattoo 34 in Portland, OR
(After) Hourly Appointment Tattoo- By Tattoo Artist Toby at Tattoo 34 in Portland, OR
(Before) Drawn On- By Tattoo Artist Toby at Tattoo 34 in Portland, OR
(After) Multiple Session Tattoo- By Tattoo Artist Toby at Tattoo 34 in Portland, OR
(Before) Drawn On- By Tattoo Artist Toby at Tattoo 34 in Portland, OR
(After- unfinished) One Full Session Tattoo Appointment- By Tattoo Artist Toby at Tattoo 34 in Portland, OR
(Before) Drawn On- By Tattoo Artist Toby at Tattoo 34 in Portland, OR
(After) One Full Session Tattoo Appointment- By Tattoo Artist Toby at Tattoo 34 in Portland, OR
(Before) Drawn On- By Tattoo Artist Toby at Tattoo 34 in Portland, OR
(After) Multiple Session Tattoo- By Tattoo Artist Toby at Tattoo 34 in Portland, OR
FAQ’s about tattoos & scheduling with Toby.
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The online calendar only allows scheduling 2- 3 months out. More days will open as we go.
A few days each month are blocked out for reschedules and flexibility. Those can become available as we get closer to them as well. We want anyone who is sick to change their appointment date and be able to rebook in a reasonable timeframe.
If you can’t find an available date right now, check back periodically at the scheduling link, more days continue to open.
Toby only tattoos Monday-Friday and he doesn’t tattoo in Portland most of June-August to prepare for and participate in Tribal ceremony so those dates will always be unavailable.
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We added this question (it is not a required question) to some of Toby’s client forms because prioritizing Indigenous/Native, Black and other POC (People of Color) tattoo clients is important to us.
Toby is one of only a few Indigenous and/or Black tattoo artists in Portland, OR.
If it is important to a client to have a cultural connection and understanding of identity with their tattoo artist as an Indigenous, Black, or a Person of Color, we want to recognize that and prioritize those tattoo clients.
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As a Native owned tattoo shop, we receive requests for Indigenous chin tattoos, and we want to approach this with care and transparency.
At Tattoo 34, and in Toby’s practice specifically, these markings are deeply sacred and carry cultural and ancestral meaning. They are not fashion statements, decorative tattoos or trends, they represent lineage, identity, and lived experience within specific Indigenous communities. Traditional chin tattoos deserve to be understood, respected and earned.
Toby cannot and will not decide who has “earned” a traditional tattoo. He does not tattoo women’s chin markings (paint) on just anyone, especially anyone outside of their cultural or ceremonial context. These tattoos are not done “just because” nor needs to be ‘reclaimed’ without the personal effort and work it takes to earn them.
If you are seeking this kind of tattoo, we encourage you to connect with your own community and cultural teachers to learn about your regions specific meanings and your personal process to earn the right to wear it. When and if the time feels right, we’re open to a conversation about how Toby might support that journey in a respectful way.
Walk-in Tattoos by Tattoo Artist Toby:
What clients are saying about Toby and the tattoo shop:
I absolutely LOVED working with Toby Linwood on this flash tattoo that he originally designed for Chuck Palahniuk’s book “Consider This’. Every step of the process (from the consultation to the finished product) was a pleasant experience. He was professional, precise, and easy to talk to. The tattoo has healed wonderfully. The pricing was incredibly reasonable. I would absolutely recommend Tattoo 34 to anyone.
— Sarah 8/21 (google)
“So grateful for Toby and the experience. I felt safe, emotionally supported, and seen and my tattoo, which he designed and created, was the perfect visual representation of my journey of reclamation of my Native heritage. This experience was truly a gift.”
— Molly W. 2/21 (yelp)
Absolutely loved my experience at this tattoo studio! From the moment I walked in, I was welcomed by the friendly and professional team, and the atmosphere was just perfect. The studio is beautifully decorated with a bright, clean, and relaxing vibe, enhanced by all the lovely plants around. Everyone was incredibly professional, making me feel at ease throughout my visit.
A huge thank you to Toby for his amazing work on my tattoo! I was blown away by how well the hand-drawn design came to life — it exceeded all of my expectations. The attention to detail and artistry is truly remarkable. I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out.
This was hands down the best tattoo experience I’ve had, and I’m already looking forward to coming back. Thank you so much for creating such beautiful art for me! Highly recommend this place to anyone looking for an amazing tattoo experience!
— Gabriella K. 2/25 (google)
“I had a fantastic experience at Tattoo 34. Toby is amazing. Actually, Toby is a bad ass! Went in for a consultation to update a tired, faded and old tattoo I had on my shoulder. After the consultation, I sent him a few ideas about what I was thinking. On the day of my appointment, we talked about the design, he pulled up a couple of examples and he created a masterpiece half sleeve cover-up. His work is amazing! Even his staff was engaged in the process. The vibe in his shop was so relaxed and super chill it was hard to believe I spend the day there. Toby is great and the experience in his shop was truly amazing!”
— J.P. 4/24 (yelp)
“Absolutely amazing experience. Toby is a beautiful human. I will never forget this piece, the stories we shared, and we will definitely be seeing him again in the good fight!”
— July H.
“Went in yesterday for touch up. Great experience!
My tattoo was near perfect, but Toby made a couple suggestions on how to improve and make the colors really pop. I accepted. Here is a man that stands by his work and knows his art reflects on him. None of that “there you go, it’s done. Gimme my money” Even after he’s done Toby looks at how his work can be improved.
Thank you for a great tattoo and human experience.”
— Dan P. 11/18 (yelp)
“Absolutely recommend! Nisha had great communication pre and post tattoo. Building has a nice design and vibe. Toby is kind, thoughtful, and a very gifted artist. I feel very fortunate to have a tattoo that he created. My appointment turned into a very long day, but a really special experience. And I love my new tattoo. Thank you Tattoo 34.”
— Wendy L. 1/26 (google)
“Toby is great to work with, super patient and focused on helping the client to feel comfortable with the art they are choosing. I really appreciate how he talked to me through the process.”
— Tina A. 10/20 (square)
“Toby had so much patience with my ton of ideas. With his talent and creativity he captured what I was looking for. Looking forward to our next session.”
— Katrina J. 1/22 (square)
“I now have two pieces completed by Toby. I work as a touch/energy therapist. From my experience with my work I can vouch for Toby’s wonderful care of his clients. He is a gentle and loving spirit with an amazing ability to transform an artistic concept into a stunning and unique tattoo. His touch is caring and light and you can see his passion for his work shine. I trust his ability to craft a tattoo in the spirit of what I imagine and I would encourage you to give him as much creative freedom as you can with your piece. Every time I have given him freedom to express his artistic creativity with my tattoos he has blown my mind and left me extremely happy.”
— Adam C. (facebook)
“I got my first tattoo, and I am extremely happy to say that I did not leave disappointed. Toby first spoke to me while I babbled in my nervousness and I showed him a quick sketch I’d done of an idea I’d like to have tattooed. He looked at my tattoo, listened to my idea, and hashed out more about the piece I was hoping to get. Within minutes, he had a good idea of what I’d wanted.
Toby took my idea and did a freehand sketch before tattooing. He made sure that I was comfortable with the idea, and liked the design before he put ink in skin. I felt that he was extremely accommodating and professional throughout the process as well - he would check in to make sure that I was doing ok, and that the tattoo was looking the way I wanted it to.
The end result is stunning, and better than anything I could have hoped for. Toby executed my idea brilliantly and he knew how to draw a straight line really well! I’m especially awed at the fact that what I’d asked was an equal sign (meaning straight edges and straight lines throughout) and how he did all that freehand!
I love my tattoo, and love the fact that this shop is minority-owned and is a safe space for all. It is listed on Gay PDX’s site as one of the inclusive tattoo shops around Portland, and comes highly recommended for anyone who wants to get good tattoos while being treated fairly. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience, and can’t wait to get another tattoo!”
— Julie L.
“Toby was very thoughtful and considerate. He helped replicate my sister’s writing. I look forward to working with Toby again because of the delivery of the piece, his kindness and professionalism. It’s a plus that Tattoo 34 is Black and Indigenous owned and share some of the same values as me!”
— T. Morrison 11/21 (instagram post)
“Very welcoming vibe and outstanding artists. I've been working on a custom sleeve with Toby for several sessions and I appreciate his thoughtfulness, patience (I can't really go more than a few hours at a time), and kindness. And they always have great tunes playing. Couldn't imagine going anywhere else!”
— Cody E. (yelp)
“I'd been waiting to get tattooed by Toby for 2 years when I found him during a search for BIPOC tattooers/shops. So worth the wait! 10.5 hrs under Toby's needle was a breeze. It barely hurt, and the results are STUNNING. I'm so happy.”
— Jessica P. 5/24 (google)
I had my very first tattoo with Toby and I'm glad it was with him! He was attentive and detail oriented and absolutely professional. He answered all my questions and was receptive to feedback as we worked out the final design. In particular, I really liked how he made suggestions regarding certain details that really helped bring the final piece to life. It's like he sees more than just the visual design of the piece, he can glimpse the soul of it, and that comes out as he's working. I'm immensely satisfied with the results and I'm so happy that my first tattoo experience was with him!
— Philip E. 1/25 (google)
Great vibe in the shop, Toby was my artist and he was fantastic to work with. He gave me some advice on changing the design a little
to add more shading and I'm so glad I went with it because it looks better than I imagined. I will definitely be coming back.
— Mason R. 2/23 (google)
Covid Tattoo Days with Tattoo Artist Toby:
(He will still wear a mask if requested or if he is sick)
