Tattoo Nova Scotia – Award-Winning Realism & Fine-Line Artist

✅ Minimum price: $200 + tax

As a versatile artist, I can create a lion tattoo in a credit card size for as low as $200 or refine it into a highly detailed piece for $1,500—it all depends on the level of detail and artistry you want. I specialize in multiple techniques, allowing me to tailor each tattoo to your vision.

The time required for each tattoo varies based on the design, details, and placement. That’s why I don’t follow a fixed hourly rate—every piece is unique and requires a customized approach.

With 13 years of experience, I’ve refined my technique to work efficiently without compromising quality. This means I can often complete tattoos faster while maintaining precision and detail. That’s why I prefer a value-based pricing system rather than an hourly rate.

⏳ Hourly Rate vs. Total Cost

A lower hourly rate doesn’t always mean a cheaper tattoo! For example:

• A $100/hour artist might take 6 hours → $600 total

• A $250/hour artist could finish the same piece in 2 hours → $500 total + you save time

🎯 Best Approach?

Always ask for a price quote and time estimate based on your design. Or, if you have a budget in mind, let me know—I’d love to create something incredible that fits within your range!

Just fill out this form Request tattoo appointment and this will enable us to process your request quickly and efficiently.

We kindly request that you attend your tattoo appointment alone, similar to a doctor's office. This is to ensure that the tattoo artist can fully focus on their work without distractions. Bringing a friend may divert the artist's attention and potentially compromise the quality of the tattoo. Additionally, it is important to consider that fatigue can increase when multiple individuals are present during the session. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in maintaining a conducive environment for the tattoo artist to provide the best possible service.

There are a few important things to keep in mind before your tattoo session:

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1. Skin Type & Placement: Not all skin types are suitable for certain tattoo styles like color realism. It is recommended to choose a body part where your skin is the lightest/palest—the lighter the canvas, the more visible the shades, resulting in a better-looking tattoo.

2. Moisturization: Start moisturizing your skin at least a week prior to your session using Bepanthen or Coconut Oil any good moisturizer, couple a time a day. This ensures your skin is in optimal condition for tattooing.

3. No Alcohol / Proper Nutrition & Hydration: Do not consume alcohol at least 72 hours before and after your session. Instead, drink plenty of water and focus on high-protein meals. Avoid arriving on an empty stomach—especially if you’ve been out in the sun. Eat well and stay hydrated to avoid dizziness or fainting during the session.

Also, please bring snacks and a sugary drink to consume during the session. This helps maintain energy levels and keeps you feeling comfortable throughout the process.

4. Clothing: Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that gives easy access to the area being tattooed. For example:

• If your tattoo is on the back or ribs, avoid bras or tight tops.

• If your tattoo is on the thigh, wear shorts or dresses above the knee.

5. Clothing Colors:

Please wear all-black or neutral/earth-tone clothing to your session. Avoid bright, high-chroma colors like pink, orange, cyan, purple, etc. These can visually interfere with the tattooing process, affecting the artist’s perception of shades and your actual skin tone—which can impact tattoo quality. Neutral clothing also prevents your clothes from getting stained by ink, and results in better tattoo photos as well.

6. Do Not Use Numbing Cream:

Avoid applying numbing creams before your session. They can interfere with ink absorption and affect the final outcome. If ink retention is poor, the artist will not be responsible, and you will need to bear the cost of a touch-up. Please note, touch-ups/reworks require a minimum waiting period of 90–100 days for proper healing.

7. Aftercare for Opaque Black & Grey or Color Tattoos:

I personally recommend traditional healing methods. Use Light Panthenol Cream for the first 4–5 days, then switch to coconut oil for continued nourishment and healing.

8. Shaving (Depilation):

Please shave the area to be tattooed just before the session. This helps save time and allows the artist to focus entirely on your tattoo.

9. Avoid Water, Dust, Sunlight & Pets (First 3–4 Weeks): Your fresh tattoo is essentially an open wound, so it's important to protect it during the initial 3–4 weeks of healing. Avoid prolonged water exposure (like swimming or soaking), direct sunlight, dusty environments, and close contact with pets, as they can cause infections or irritation.

Please plan your activities accordingly—especially vacations, beach trips, or events involving physical contact or outdoor exposure.

10. For Women—Choose Your Appointment Date Wisely: If your tattoo session is expected to last more than 2 hours, please DO NOT schedule your appointment around your menstrual cycle. During your period, you may experience increased sensitivity to pain, irritability, discomfort in sitting for long periods, and other common symptoms.

These factors can make the tattooing process unpleasant for you and may unintentionally affect the artist’s workflow. As a result, the overall quality of your tattoo may be compromised.

To ensure the best experience and results, it’s highly recommended to choose a date when you're feeling your best physically and mentally.

It is strictly prohibited to tattoo a minor, even with parental consent. Therefore, we have a strict No Minors policy in place, and all clients must be at least 18 years of age to receive a tattoo. Additionally, we require valid Photo ID to prove age, and we do not make any exceptions to this policy. We understand that this policy may cause inconvenience, but it is important to prioritise the safety and well-being of our clients and comply with state laws.

It is natural to wonder about the level of pain involved. While everyone's pain tolerance is different, it is important to note that the sensation of pain during tattooing is linked to the presence of free nerve endings and nociceptors in the skin, which react to tissue-damaging stimuli. However, it is also worth noting that the body releases endorphins and adrenaline during the tattooing process, which can result in a euphoric state and make the experience more enjoyable for some individuals.

Helping You Stay Comfortable During Your Tattoo Journey:

1. Mindset Matters

• Pain is not just physical; your mental state plays a big role.

• If you approach the pain with anxiety or fear, it will feel worse.

• Staying calm and positive can make the pain easier to handle.

• Sometimes, ignoring the inner voice that wants to complain helps a lot.

2. Commit Fully

• Paying for the full session upfront creates a mental commitment.

• When you know you’ve invested fully, you’re more motivated to endure the entire session.

• This commitment helps reduce negative thoughts and complaining.

3. Avoid Complaining

• Complaining often makes the pain feel worse by focusing your mind on discomfort.

• Acknowledge the pain but try to shift your focus to positive or neutral topics.

• Talking with your artist, listening to stories, or distracting yourself with music can help.

4. Set Clear Expectations

• Before the session begins, discuss what level of pain to expect.

• Understanding that pain is part of the process and preparing mentally will help you stay resilient.

5. Manage Breaks Wisely

• Taking breaks is important but too many can disrupt your mental focus.

• Keep breaks short and spaced out to maintain a strong mindset.

6. Keep Your Mind Occupied

• Listening to music, podcasts, or engaging in conversation helps distract you from the pain.

• The more your mind focuses on something other than pain, the less intense it will feel.

7. Health & Nutrition

• Being well-rested, eating properly, and staying hydrated improves pain tolerance.

• For women, hormonal cycles may increase sensitivity to pain, so it’s good to be aware of that.

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🖤 Final Thought:

Your mindset is powerful. Pain is just one part of the journey—but your story, your art, and your strength are what truly stand out in the end.

I am with you all the way.

NO, Avoid overstraining and overheating the tattooed area during the first two weeks after the session. Engaging in intense workouts can raise your body temperature and cause excessive sweating, which may prolong the healing process and potentially affect the outcome of your tattoo.

No, Alcohol significantly lowers your immunity, so the results can be unpredictable. Abstain from alcohol for 5-7 days after and before the session.

Here is a detailed guide on how to take care of your fresh tattoo.

Read here.

Good sleep and breakfast is a must. This will significantly reduce your reaction to pain. Prepare your skin as described above. Come alone and on time.

Plan ahead and make sure you have enough time set aside. A full day tattoo session can take more than five to eight hours, including breaks and discussions of details, so it is important to clear your schedule for the day.

Cash and E-transfer only.

Yes, a minimum of $150 + tax is deposit for tattoos costing less than $250.

For tattoo costing above $250, a 50% deposit is required to secure your spot. This deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable, and it will be applied towards the final price of your tattoo. This policy ensures commitment from both parties involved and allows the artist to prepare the design and station for your session. By requiring a deposit, we aim to ensure a smooth and efficient process for both you and the artist. It helps us manage our schedule effectively and provide you with the best possible experience during your tattoo session.

I am generally booked a few weeks in advance. However i also offer walk-in sessions on a first-come, first-served basis, depending on availability due to cancellations. I will always do my best to accommodate your request to the best of my ability.

Yes, I do take all kinds of cover-up projects, including creating new designs over old/existing tattoos, covering up scars, birthmarks, or any kind of mark or spot you want to hide with a beautiful design. I understand that everyone has their own unique reasons for wanting a cover-up tattoo, and I am here to help you achieve your desired result. However, it's important to understand that there are limitations, and it's not always possible to choose a design that exactly matches your liking. Therefore, it's important to be flexible and open to suggestions from the artist.It's also important to understand that the process of covering up a tattoo is a long one and takes multiple sessions to layer up the tattoo ink. Therefore, patience is key. Cover-up tattoos cost more than fresh new tattoos because of the expertise, skill set, effort, and time required. However, I assure you that the end result will be worth it.If you're interested in getting a cover-up tattoo, I highly recommend booking an in-person appointment and discussing the possibilities with the artist. Together, we can come up with a design that you'll love and that will make you feel confident and beautiful.