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Style Breakdown:Blackwork vs other tattoo styles
Is it Blackwork or just a black tattoo? Learn the defining characteristics that separate true Blackwork from Black & Grey and Ornamental styles, including a look at technical longevity and ink application.

westsidetattoo
Feb 53 min read


Weston at the Front Desk: The Human Firewall, Digital Folder Overlord, and Chaos Coordinator of West Side Tattoo
Meet Weston — The Calm in the Tattoo Storm If you’ve ever called, emailed, or walked into West Side Tattoo , you’ve met Weston — the front desk guardian who answers the phone with the serenity of a monk while managing 20 tattoo artists, hundreds of clients, and at least six open Google Sheets. He’s the one juggling appointment calls, deposit confirmations, and scheduling chaos with the precision of a tattooed air-traffic controller. “I basically run my life out of Google Driv

westsidetattoo
Jan 253 min read


Walk-In vs. Appointment: What’s Best for Your Tattoo Idea?A Practical Guide from West Side Tattoo
Discover the best route for your tattoo idea with West Side Tattoo's guide. Learn when to walk in or book an appointment for your perfect tattoo.

westsidetattoo
Dec 25, 20253 min read


Keith Goble: Illustrative Tattoo Specialist at West Side Tattoo
Discover Keith Goble’s illustrative tattoo style at West Side Tattoo in Colorado Springs—where creative line work, bold compositions and fine detail combine to deliver tattoos that tell stories.

westsidetattoo
Dec 19, 20252 min read


Axl: Japanese Traditional and Black & Grey Realism at West Side Tattoo
Discover Axl's mastery in Japanese Traditional and Black & Grey Realism Tattoo styles at West Side Tattoo. Book your Tattoo consultation today!

westsidetattoo
Dec 13, 20253 min read


Jaime Faith: Versatility, Precision, and Bold Creativity in Colorado Springs Tattooing
Meet Jaime Faith
At West Side Tattoo in Colorado Springs, Jaime Faith brings an impressive blend of artistic range and technical precision to the table. Her work spans multiple styles—black & grey, color, fine-line, dot work, geometric, floral, and anime—showcasing both her versatility and creative discipline.
For Jaime, tattooing isn’t about following one path. It’s about exploring all of them. Each piece reflects her deep understanding of composition, balance, and flow—re

westsidetattoo
Dec 10, 20253 min read


Artist Spotlight: Jardel Canto
Experience the vivid world of color realism with Jardel Canto at West Side Tattoo in Colorado Springs. From wildlife portraits to nature-inspired tattoos, discover how his Brazilian background and 20+ years of experience translate into wearable art.

westsidetattoo
Dec 3, 20253 min read


Christian Puig: Fine-Line, Black & Grey, and Ornamental Precision at West Side Tattoo
Meet Christian Puig Elegant precision meets creative depth in the work of Christian Puig , a Colorado-based tattoo artist whose style reflects both fine-art training and technical mastery.Working out of West Side Tattoo in Colorado Springs, Christian specializes in black & grey , dot work , mandalas , and ornamental tattoos —offering designs that blend geometry, flow, and femininity with meticulous attention to detail. Her approach is refined, thoughtful, and deeply rooted i

westsidetattoo
Nov 28, 20253 min read


Clayton Girst: American Traditional Tattoo Master at West Side Tattoo
Explore the bold, timeless artistry of Clayton Girst, American Traditional tattoo specialist at West Side Tattoo in Colorado Springs. Discover his design philosophy, style highlights, and how to book with him.

westsidetattoo
Nov 25, 20252 min read


Artist Spotlight: Jean Paul Maratt
If you’re looking for bold, colorful tattoos that blend timeless tradition with modern artistry, Jean Paul Maratt is a name you need to know. Based at West Side Tattoo in Colorado Springs , Jean Paul is internationally recognized for his mastery of Neo-Traditional tattooing — a style known for its striking outlines, vivid color palettes, and symbolic imagery. What Is Neo-Traditional Tattooing? Neo-Traditional tattoos build on the foundations of American Traditional tattooi

westsidetattoo
Nov 22, 20252 min read


The Truth About White Ink Tattoos: What You Should Know Before Getting One
White ink tattoos have gained popularity for their subtle, almost secretive look. They can appear delicate, soft, and ethereal — a kind of “invisible ink” design that shows up only when the light hits it right. But while the idea sounds intriguing, white ink tattoos are one of the most misunderstood and high-maintenance styles in the tattoo world. Before you commit to one, it’s worth understanding what you’re really getting into. What Are White Ink Tattoos? White ink tattoos

westsidetattoo
Nov 19, 20253 min read


Gorajek Jarosław: Master of Black & Grey Realism at West Side Tattoo
Discover Gorajek Jarosław’s award-winning black and grey realism at West Side Tattoo in Colorado Springs. Explore his Polish roots, cinematic tattoo sleeves, and the artistry that blurs the line between skin and fine art.

westsidetattoo
Nov 15, 20253 min read


The Real Tattoo Pain Scale: Ranked by Placement
So, you want a tattoo — but you’ve also heard horror stories about ribs, knees, and “that one friend who cried halfway through their ankle piece.” Let’s talk about what really hurts (and what doesn’t) when it comes to tattoo placement. Pain is subjective, sure — but after years of watching people twitch, laugh, and occasionally question all their life choices, our artists at West Side Tattoo have built a fairly accurate pain scale. Here’s how it breaks down. 1. The Easy Bree

westsidetattoo
Nov 13, 20252 min read


Color Realism by Nesty: Turning Skin Into Canvas at West Side Tattoo
Experience the power of color realism with Nesty at West Side Tattoo in Colorado Springs. Explore his vibrant portfolio, Cuban roots, and mastery of hyper-realistic tattoo art that blends painterly depth with lifelike precision.

westsidetattoo
Nov 9, 20253 min read


Artist Spotlight: Drake Gann – Where Graffiti Roots and Botany Bloom into Tattoo Art
At West Side Tattoo in Colorado Springs , every artist brings a different kind of story to the chair. For Drake Gann , that story starts in the world of graffiti , where years of painting walls sharpened his sense of line, form, and composition long before he ever picked up a tattoo machine. Today, Drake’s tattoos carry that same bold foundation — clean structure, confident flow, and a balance of energy and control that’s instantly recognizable in his work. But his influences

westsidetattoo
Nov 7, 20252 min read


Artist Spotlight: Liv Olsen
An award-winning tattoo artist, Liv has been with us for just over two years and continues to turn heads with her versatile skill set and creative vision.

westsidetattoo
Nov 2, 20251 min read


Bold Lines, Timeless Designs: The Enduring Power of American Traditional Tattoos
Few tattoo styles carry as much weight and history as American Traditional. Thick black outlines, saturated color palettes, and bold imagery have made this classic style one of the most recognizable forms of tattooing in the world. At West Side Tattoo in Colorado Springs , our artists keep this timeless tradition alive while giving it a modern edge. The Origins of American Traditional Tattooing American Traditional (often called “Old School”) has its roots in the early 20th

westsidetattoo
Nov 1, 20252 min read


How to Prepare for a Tattoo Appointment in Colorado’s Dry Climate
Getting tattooed in Colorado is a one-of-a-kind experience — from our mountain views to our mile-high air. But that same dry, high-altitude climate that makes our state beautiful can also be rough on your skin, especially when you’re about to get tattooed. If you’re getting your tattoo done at West Side Tattoo in Colorado Springs , here’s how to make sure your skin (and your artist) are fully prepped for the best possible results. 1. Hydrate Early — and Keep It Up Colorado’s

westsidetattoo
Oct 31, 20253 min read


Tattoo Styles Explained: Finding Your Perfect Match at West Side Tattoo
So, you’ve decided to get tattooed. You’ve got the idea, the enthusiasm, and maybe even a Pinterest board that’s three miles long. But now comes the tricky part—figuring out what style you actually want. At West Side Tattoo in Colorado Springs , our crew covers just about every tattoo style you can imagine, from delicate fine-line pieces to full-color realism and bold traditional work. If you’ve ever wondered what all those styles actually mean, here’s your crash course. Fin

westsidetattoo
Oct 29, 20252 min read


Artist Spotlight: Santiago Iriarte
In the ever‐evolving world of tattoo art, few styles carry the weight and depth of black & grey realism. One artist who has been turning heads in this arena is Santiago Iriarte , based out of West Side Tattoo in Colorado Springs. Originally from Bogotá, Colombia, Iriarte brings a rare combination of technical mastery, emotional resonance, and bold vision. Early Life & Artistic Roots Santiago Iriarte hails from Bogotá, where he began tattooing roughly nine years ago. His early

westsidetattoo
Oct 24, 20253 min read
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