Considering some new ink? First it is always wise to take a look at the tattoo artist portfolios to help make this very important decision.

There are many styles of tattoos available these days. It is always recommended that when considering permanent art work on your body to first see if the tattoo parlor you choose to do business with has the right artist for your tattoo. The tattoo artist portfolio will give you an idea of the style of art work the artist feels confident in doing.

Tattoo artists are like fingerprints. No two are the same. You probably wouldn’t want a portrait artist doing a traditional full color back piece. On the other hand, you also would not want the traditional ship and anchor guy doing your grandma’s portrait. Some artists are very versatile and can do many different styles. Most artists have a style they prefer to focus on and that will show in the tattoo artist portfolios.

If you are looking for a very small tattoo, it may not be so important to shop around for the best tattoo artist in your community. You just want to find the right person for the job. Small tattoos are important too! Actually some of the small tattoos are difficult to perfect. One really needs to find an artist that does super clean work. One tiny mistake shows up more on a little tattoo than it will on a large piece.

One can’t express how important it is to study tattoo artist portfolios. Our studio has seven artists available for that tattoo you’ve been thinking about. We have a variety of styles represented here. Jasen “Swarm” Wood @darthswarm is a very experienced artist with a traditional style. Mike Biggs @biggsstudio is anything but traditional. He loves to do creepy, spooky stuff and is very accomplished at photo realism. Tyson Taumaoe @savageson is an amazing illustrator with a background in caricature art. He has adapted his illustration skills to tattooing and it works extremely well! Nick Bones @nickbonestattooshas a neo-traditional style and loves to do anything with a pug in it! Phil Luck @phillucktattoo is an outstanding east coast style traditional tattoo artist with many years experience. He also produces tattoo flash that is amazing!

The owners here at Studio 21 Tattoo are also very experienced tattoo artists having been busy tattooing in Las Vegas since the late 90’s. Austin @onmydong is an amazing illustrator/painter. He has a tattoo style all his own. Austin specializes in colorful artwork with flowing designs. Charlie @21tat sticks with a traditional style. Perfect line work and bold colors with simple designs is what you will find here.

If you are considering getting tattooed on your next trip to Las Vegas or you are a local looking for the right artist for you, make sure to check out our tattoo artist portfolios before you make that decision for a lifetime!

A common question we are faced with is “What is the best tattoo aftercare for my new tattoo?”. Many artists have different opinions on aftercare, often based on the information they were given from those who taught them to tattoo. Since the body does the healing on it’s own, there really is not a whole lot to do as far as aftercare is concerned.

Many times, we hear customers say that their friend told them to do this or that. Sometimes a friend’s advice may not be the where you will find the best tattoo aftercare advice. Over the years, we have heard some very interesting ideas on how to treat that new tattoo. Many of these, we would not ever recommend.

There are numerous products available to make your healing experience more comfortable. Here at the studio, we have a nice variety of products available including soaps, lotions and creams to aid the healing process. Upon completion of a service, each artist will walk you through the aftercare process. The receptionist will provide the customer with a printed copy of our best tattoo aftercare recommendations. If there are any questions after leaving the shop, our customers are always welcome to give us a call. We are always glad to help explain what is going on during the healing process.

It is always recommended that the tattoo area be kept clean at all times while it is fresh. I always tell people the first two or three days, the tattoo looks really nice and feels at bit like a bad sunburn. Then, the area affected starts to get dry and itchy. This is normal. Often times scabs will begin to appear. DO NOT PICK AT THESE!!!! It is highly recommended that you just leave the scabbing alone until it all flakes off. Most of this will happen when in the shower.  It is also wise not to go swimming or sit in the hot tub or ocean water for about two weeks. This is the amount of time the average tattoo takes to heal. Sometimes they may take a little longer, depending on the size of the piece.

Hopefully this will help inform you a bit on the subject of tattoo aftercare. Cheers!

Chas T. Spencer @21tat  Owner/Artist Studio 21Tattoo

Here at the studio, we have the opportunity to meet and tattoo folks from all over the world every day. Guess that’s one of the advantages of tattooing in Las Vegas. We have a tremendous clientele from Alberta. Mostly from Calgary and Edmonton, but many from British Columbia, primarily Vancouver. It seems Canadians like getting their commemorative tattoos for their holidays in Las Vegas. Most of them return every year for one or two sessions, sometimes more.

The attitude of Canadian people who get tattooed is what always stands out to me. These guys really know how to have a good time. It’s a very rare occasion when we meet an unfriendly or rude Canadian. Always smiling and having a great time telling stories of home.

When the recession hit Las Vegas back in 2008, the Canadian tattoo enthusiasts along with the European clientele were the ones who kept us afloat through the tough times. When locals here in Vegas couldn’t fit the tattoos in their budgets, the Canadians just kept coming.

I do a tattoo convention in Calgary, Alberta every October. It’s called Alberta Bound tattoo and Arts Festival. It’s put together by a very nice guy named Steve Peace. He owns Immaculate Concept Tattoo up there in Calgary. You couldn’t find a nicer guy to work with. He’s got the best tattoo convention going right now. It’s always buzzing with activity from beginning to end. Steve provides great entertainment at a really nice venue. The convention is always held at the Calgary Stampede Grounds which is a perfect spot in downtown Calgary. Looking forward to making the trip real soon! Love tattooing Canadians!

I always take a couple extra days to go sight seeing when the convention is done. It’s always great to drive west out of Calgary toward the Rockies! The scenery can’t be beat.The traffic is not bad. Occasionally, you’ll run across a tour bus full of Japanese people who don’t know how to behave in public, but, what the hell, they’re just trying to snap as many photos as possible with their iPads and yell at the top of their lungs in the most pristine, quiet places. That brings me to Lake Louise. this is possibly one of the most beautiful spots I’ve ever seen. Amazing!

Canada eh? Love it!!!

Chas. T. Spencer @21tat

Owner/ Artist

Studio 21 Tattoo

Las Vegas

It’s another beautiful day to tattoo in Las Vegas, Nevada! As usual, I went on a long bicycle ride to get some fresh air and a little exercise. Exercise is not something a tattoo artist gets during the work day. There is a lot of sitting involved in the tattoo process.

As I was rolling around in this perfect weather, I couldn’t help but feel very fortunate to be where I am on the earth doing what I do. The dry, desert breeze never fails to appeal to a desert rat such as myself. Having grown up on the gulf coast of Texas, mostly in the Houston area, I have developed an appreciation for the desert. Humidity, what’s that? We just don’t get a lot of that damp, muggy air around these parts. In fact, it’s really hard to work up a sweat on a day like today. Awesome!

The desert flora are in bloom and the mountain backdrop is amazing!  As I head west on parts of my ride, I can see the Spring Mountain range and the Red Rock Canyon National Recreation Area. No matter how many times I’ve looked at this view, I never get tired of it. It is absolutely gorgeous.  On the flip side, as I head east, I have a view of the fabulous Las Vegas Strip and the Stratosphere Tower. Another view that just doesn’t get old. My family has been in Las Vegas for twenty-five years now. How time flies. Austin and Courtney were just little farts when we moved here. A move that we have never regretted!

As I begin my day trying to make sure all of our amazing tattoo artists are busy. I feel lucky to be here tattooing in Las Vegas. I feel lucky to have a staff of hard working artists with loads of talent to spend my days with. How could you not like this job?

I have to thank my lucky stars for this life. Now lets get to work!

Chas T. Spencer @21tat

Owner/Artist

Studio 21 Tattoo

Las Vegas, Nevada

It’s Saturday morning in fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada. Well, not for long. Here at Studio 21 Tattoo, our doors open at noon. I can hear Penny in there counting the drawer and getting ready for a very busy day. Penny is one of our counter girl, customer service representatives. The other one is Courtney, my daughter, who has the day off today. These two provide, without a doubt, the best customer service in the tattoo industry in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Not enough can be said about how important these two ladies are to us. They are the first impression with every new customer. As we all know, first impressions are extremely important.

I frequently hear from my customers that it is very hard to get some of the other Las Vegas tattoo parlors to return emails and even phone calls. I really like hearing this!

That’s how our competition sends us business. Thanks guys for not returning those emails! We appreciate every customer you send us.

Once Courtney and Penny communicate with the customer and figure out what crazy tattoo idea they have, it’s time to assign the job to one of our excellent tattoo artists.

The idea is then presented to the artists. The next step is to estimate the price. This is passed on the the customer for approval. The appointment is set and we are ready to rock!

Studio 21 also takes walk-ins on a first come, first served basis. Usually we have an extra artist on staff just for this purpose.

With almost two hundred tattoo studios, shops, parlors or whatever in Las Vegas, it’s increasingly difficult to stay on top. We have eight experienced tattoo artists on staff to take care of any tattoo style. Courtney and Penny are always available to get you set up with the best artists for your style of tattoo.

Thanks Courtney and Penny for all you do!!!

Chas. T. Spencer @21tat

Owner/Artist at Studio 21 Tattoo, Las Vegas