West Side Tattoo — Attraction in Colorado Springs

Getting my first tattoo was a significant decision, driven by my deep bond with my German Shepherd dog of over 10 years. I wanted a lasting tribute to our immeasurable connection as he ages, so I sought an artist who could capture not just his image, but the essence of our relationship.

I found that artist in Johan Nieto at West Side Tattoo. West Side seeks out and brings in some of the greatest talents from around the world, and to my fortune, they brought in Johan.

Johan is a phenomenal black and white portrait specialist from Colombia. While many artists are skilled, Johan's work possesses a rare poetic quality, capturing profound emotion and detail that goes beyond mere replication. His portfolio immediately impressed me with its depth and artistry.

I entrusted Johan with a custom sleeve inspired by Khalil Gibran's "The Prophet," depicting the journey of my dog and me together. The three-phase piece began with a flawless portrait of my dog’s face, capturing his spirit and intricate details with breathtaking accuracy. The second phase featured a realistically rendered 18th-century galley.

The final phase was truly exceptional, weaving our bond into Gibran's imagery. Johan captured the deep poetic and spiritual aspect of the connection I share with my dog, and the eventual journey we’ll take.

It's impossible to fully articulate the personal significance of a tattoo, but it underscores the absolute importance of choosing the right artist. Johan’s exceptional skill, artistic vision, and ability to connect with the emotional core of his subject matter are truly remarkable. If you are seeking a tattoo that is more than just ink, but a profound and meaningful work of art, I wholeheartedly and without reservation recommend Johan Nieto and West Side Tattoo. Johan is an extraordinary artist, and I am eternally grateful for the beautiful and deeply personal tribute he has created for my...

I've never gotten a tattoo and had not been inside a studio before, so this is a raw, first-timer's impression; I was there with a family member who was getting his first ink. The facility is attractive and well located; the staff mostly engaging and professional. I say "mostly" because we were left alone, waiting, for considerable lengths of time with no explanation multiple times during our visit.

First, after a brief introduction, our artist vanished for well over a 1/2-hour to make his own sketches, even though we had supplied digital files containing exactly what we wanted done. Is this customary? I couldn't say.

Once the work started, there were more breaks, prefaced with little more than, "I'll be back in a few minutes." This was disconcerting for several reasons, not the least of which was my constant awareness that we were being charged by the hour.

In the end, we were there for four hours, we were charged for two (which felt fair; it was a 3"-5" piece on the forearm, and the artist did put in 2 hrs of work), and the recipient was very pleased. I should add that our artist stayed well past closing time - with the shop's full cooperation - in order to finish the job.

During that time, we perused samples on the wall and in portfolios that each artist has near their station, as my wife is considering getting her first ink. We did not see much in the samples that matched what my wife wants, so we will likely not return if and when she decides to go for it, but her son is quite pleased, and I don't mean to say that there's generally any reason not to make the trip. We were confused noobs who ended up with a positive experience; definitely give this...

Overall I am extremely happy with my tattoo. This is my second tattoo, first from this shop. Hannah Shea was kind, took her time, made sure I was comfortable with everything, and followed the artwork I had commissioned from Etsy. I chose her specifically because of her line work and shading techniques, and she delivered! I would highly recommend her!

The reason for the minus one star is that communication beforehand could have been better and it would have been nice to have a chance to chat with the artist (even a 5 minute phone call) or have a consultation before coming in so we could have a better understanding from the get-go, but I don’t think that falls on the artist and maybe the shop itself could facilitate that. At least, that’s how it was for my first tattoo experience elsewhere. Here, they see your request online, and the receptionist consults with the artist on your behalf, then sets up your appointment and takes a deposit. It’s not a bad system and I’m sure they gets hundreds of requests every day. It would just be nice to speak to the artist a little before the appointment. I would still recommend West Side to anyone looking for a high...