tattoo artist

tattoo artist

If you have ever been tattooed, then you may already know that, depending on where you live, you may have to invest a bit of commute time to find a good studio.

Bar Harbor is essentially a seasonal, waterfront resort town, which means that most attractions and amenities shut down in the off-season…and that’s really not conducive to a tattoo studio.

So, if you’re going to be in Bar Harbor and are jonesing for a bit of ink, you’ll have to grab your car keys and plan for up to an hour’s commute—which, in my thinking, isn’t far at all when you’ve tracked down a talented artist for your chosen body art.

Map of Bar Harbor-Area Tattoo Studios

Get a permanent reminder of Bar Harbor at any of these cool tattoo stuidos.

Disconnected Tattoo & Art Company

This studio, which is under 15 minutes from Bar Harbor, has a team of friendly, talented artists that offer style specialties like black and grey, botanical, neo-traditional, portraiture, and custom-designed body art—and pretty much anything else you can dream up.

While walk-ins are accommodated whenever possible, if you don’t have an appointment it’s best to check their social media page for last-minute availability posts—because these folks are popular and book out months in advance.

Projects of every size and subject matter are welcome here, and as with most tattoo studios, deposits are required when you book an appointment.

Location: 225 High St Ste 6, Ellsworth, ME 04605 (14 minutes)
Website Disconnected Tattoo & Art Company

Shipwreck Tattoo & Art Gallery

Targeting the age-old stereotype of gruff, standoffish tattooists and turning it on its head, the artists at Shipwreck have made a concerted effort to provide clients with “a safe, comfortable, and welcoming space.”

Specializing in custom work, the artists here draw from a wide variety of tattoo styles like American traditional, black and grey, blackwork, cartoon, Anime, botanical, portraiture, and more.

Walk-ins are welcomed at Shipwreck, which is only 16 minutes from Bar Harbor—but if your tattoo of choice involves any custom work, you’ll need an appointment for a consultation before booking.

Location: 11 High St, Ellsworth, ME 04605 (16 minutes)
Website Shipwreck Tattoo & Art Gallery

Ghost Rose Tattoo

Ghost Rose Tattoo (which is also only 16 minutes away from Bar Harbor) specializes in custom tattoos, which means in most cases, you’ll need to book an appointment—walk-ins are few and far between here.

Pretty much every tattoo style can be inked here; examples on their social media page include bright botanicals, stipple work, black and grey, linework, script, tribal, and so much more.

Customers cite caring, talented artists and a clean, comfortable space in their glowing reviews.

Location: 112 Main St Suite A, Ellsworth, ME 04605 (16 minutes)
Website Ghost Rose Tattoo

Nuclear Tattoo

Established in 2007, Nuclear Tattoo is just under 45 minutes from Bar Harbor and is owned by Brooke Duperry, who is also the sole artist.

With a focus on creative, custom body art, Brooke feels that the process of getting a tattoo is just as important as the art itself; her view is that getting inked is “an extremely personal exchange between the artist and the client.”

In order for each piece to be truly unique to you, you’ll have an in-depth consultation with Brooke before your appointment…and then she puts her heart and soul into your custom-designed, watercolor-style tattoo.

Location: 62 Charles Dr, Holden, ME 04429 (42 minutes)
Website Nuclear Tattoo

Sons of Loki

Liam Reading opened his art and tattoo studio, Sons of Loki, in 2021 just under 50 minutes from Bar Harbor.

His custom body art is predominantly linework as well as black and grey, although he does take on color projects as well, “creating bold and elegant original compositions with fine detail as well as abstraction.”

Because his tattoos are all custom-designed, Liam does not take walk-ins, and both a consultation and deposit are required before booking your appointment.

Location: 510 S Main St, Brewer, ME 04412 (49 minutes)
Website Sons of Loki

Raven’s Thorn North

Kiel Slayton, owner and operator of Raven’s Thorn North, has been tattooing for over 12 years.

While he is talented in all areas of tattoo styles, his passions lie in black and grey, and his favorite subjects to ink include portraits, realism, erotica, surrealism, and fantasy.

Raven’s Thorn North is 51 minutes from Bar Harbor—and Kiel’s talent is well worth the drive; his loyal customers inevitably return for more ink, and all recommend giving the artist free rein when designing your body art.

Location: 584 Hammond St, Bangor, ME 04401 (51 minutes)
Website Raven’s Thorn North

Forecastle Tattoo

Since 2013, the artists at Forecastle Tattoo have been turning happy clients into friends.

Located just over 50 minutes from Bar Harbor, this studio features three experienced tattooists, each with their own favorite styles and subject matter, such as black and grey illustrative, linework, surrealism/realism, pulp art, pinups, machinery, and more.

The best way to figure out which artist to schedule your consultation with is to review each one’s online portfolio; it’s also a great way to get ideas if you’re not sure what you want inked.

Location: 60 May St, Bangor, ME 04401 (52 minutes)
Website Forecastle Tattoo

Timber Hearth Tattoo Company

Located 52 minutes from Bar Harbor, the Timber Hearth Tattoo Company features a substantial team of talented artists—which means there will certainly be someone there that can bring your body art ideas to life.

The owner, David Aston, has been inking for over 6 years, with a focus on fine-line black and grey work; all of the other skilled professionals here have their own niche and are more than happy to point you in the right direction when it comes to choosing an artist.

While most tattoos are appointment-only, Timber Hearth does offer “Walk-in Wednesdays” for small pieces or flash work.

Location: 58 Main St, Bangor, ME 04401 (52 minutes)
Website Timber Hearth Tattoo Company

Blind Faith Tattoo

This all-custom tattoo studio opened in 2005 and is 53 minutes away from Bar Harbor.

Founder D.J. Price specializes in large pieces, but is always willing to discuss any style or size of body art; Tyler Hall, the other resident tat artist, focuses on bold, classic, bright work in the American Traditional style.

Between the two, you’ll have no problem getting the tattoo of your dreams; walk-ins are often available and are posted on social media daily.

Location: 92 Central St, Bangor, ME 04401 (53 minutes)
Website Blind Faith Tattoo

Diversified Ink Tattoo

Offering seven licensed tattoo artists and a professional piercing technician—each with private, segregated workspaces—Diversified Ink Tattoo is only 53 minutes from Bar Harbor and has been in Bangor since 2000.

At this studio, you can rest assured that every tattoo and piercing implement is either single-use or, if not, they are “sterilized in a high-pressure, high-temperature autoclave.”

Open 7 days a week, most of the artists at DI work on an appointment-only basis (piercings are walk-ins only), but any last-minute cancellations are posted on social media.

Location: 51 Washington St, Bangor, ME 04401 (53 minutes)
Website Diversified Ink Tattoo

Body Graphics Tattoo & Piercing Studio

Established in 2010 and located just under an hour from Bar Harbor, Body Graphics features artists that specialize in custom designs—which means no walk-ins.

If you have a design idea for your tattoo, be sure to bring or send any images for your chosen artist to start with; from there, they’ll draw from their creativity and experience to design a one-of-a-kind piece of body art you’ll adore.

Also offered here are piercings and board-certified, micropigmentation (permanent makeup) services.

Location: Next to KeyBank drivethru, 27 Bangor Mall Blvd, Bangor, ME 04401 (56 minutes)
Website Body Graphics Tattoo & Piercing Studio