I remember scrolling through Instagram three years ago, completely mesmerized by this artist's work but feeling crushed when I realized they were based in Portland and I lived in Atlanta. The style was exactly what I'd been dreaming about for months. I thought I was stuck with whoever happened to be in my city.
Boy, was I wrong about that.
Turns out, some of the most incredible tattoo artists spend chunks of their year traveling to different shops as guest artists. It's totally normal to feel overwhelmed when you first discover this - I had no clue how any of it worked. Don't worry, though. Once you understand the guest artist world, it opens up so many more possibilities for finding your perfect tattoo.
Guest artists travel for tons of reasons. Maybe they want to build their client base in new cities. Sometimes they're exploring different tattoo scenes or working with artists they admire. Others are just restless creative types who love the adventure of working somewhere new every few months.
Here's what I wish I'd known back then: booking with a guest artist isn't nearly as complicated or intimidating as it seems. You just need to know when they're coming, how their booking process works, and what to expect. The hardest part is usually just working up the courage to reach out.
We're going to walk through some amazing shops that regularly host guest artists - places like Old Familiar Tattoo Company down in Mobile, Ember Fine Art and Tattoo in Rogers, Arkansas, and Black Pines Gallery in Texarkana. Plus me2tattoo in Memphis, which has become one of my favorite spots to follow for their rotating lineup.
You'll learn how to track guest artist schedules, what questions to ask when you're ready to book, and how to prepare for working with someone who might only be in town for a week or two. I remember feeling so nervous about that timeline pressure, but honestly? Some of my best tattoo experiences have been with traveling artists.
Ready to expand your options beyond just your local shops?
Old Familiar Tattoo Company
When I think about shops that really get the guest artist thing right, Old Familiar Tattoo Company in Mobile, Alabama keeps coming up in conversations. They've built something special down there.
What makes them stand out? Their booking system actually works. I've heard from multiple people who got appointments way faster than expected, which is huge when you're trying to coordinate with a traveling artist's schedule. CW, the owner, has this reputation for being straight-up honest about timing and availability. No games, no false promises.
The vibe there sounds incredible too. My friend Sarah drove down from Birmingham specifically because she'd heard how comfortable they make first-timers feel. She wasn't wrong. The whole crew apparently goes out of their way to accommodate different artists' styles and setups, which isn't always a given when someone's working outside their home shop.
Here's what really caught my attention though. Jack, one of their artists, has this legendary patience that people won't stop talking about. That matters so much when you're dealing with guest artists who might work differently than the regular crew. Some shops get weird about outside artists disrupting their flow, but Old Familiar seems to embrace it.
Mobile's not exactly a major tattoo destination, but that might be part of their appeal. Guest artists can focus on their work without the chaos of bigger cities. Plus, with over 300 five-star reviews, they've clearly figured out how to make both artists and clients happy. That's not easy.
If you're tracking a specific artist who mentions hitting up Alabama, Old Familiar's probably worth checking out. Their whole approach to hospitality seems genuine, not just for show.
Mobile's got that Gulf Coast charm, but if you're willing to drive a few hours north into Arkansas, there's another shop that caught my attention. Ember Fine Art and Tattoo in Rogers operates on a completely different wavelength. Where Old Familiar keeps things traditional, Ember pushes boundaries.
Ember Fine Art and Tattoo
When I think about shops that really get the guest artist concept, Ember Fine Art and Tattoo in Rogers, Arkansas comes to mind immediately. They've built something special there.
What struck me about Ember isn't just their stellar reputation - though 269 five-star reviews definitely speak volumes. It's how they handle the whole artist-client matching process. You know that awful feeling when you walk into a shop and they just don't vibe with your design? Ember's upfront about their artists' specialties from the get-go.
Their approach is refreshingly honest. If your piece doesn't align with what their current roster can deliver, they won't waste your time or theirs trying to force it. That kind of clarity actually makes them perfect for hosting guest artists because they understand style compatibility matters more than just filling appointment slots.
I've heard amazing things about their attention to detail too. Claire, one of their piercers, apparently moved marker placement multiple times for one client's daughter until it was absolutely perfect. That level of patience and precision? That's exactly what you want when a traveling artist sets up shop temporarily.
The practical stuff matters just as much. They keep snacks on hand for clients prone to fainting and send people home with electrolyte packs. Those little touches show they think beyond the immediate appointment, which is crucial when guest artists are working longer sessions or unfamiliar schedules.
Rogers might not be the first city that pops into your head when thinking about tattoo destinations, but Ember's building that reputation one careful appointment at a time. When guest artists know a shop operates with that level of professionalism and client care, it becomes a no-brainer booking decision.
Speaking of artistic range, there's another spot worth checking out if you're willing to make the drive. Black Pines Gallery down in Texarkana operates on a completely different wavelength than what you'll find up in Rogers.
The distance might seem like a hassle, but sometimes the right artist is worth the road trip.
Black Pines Gallery
Black Pines Gallery in Texarkana caught my attention when I was researching shops that consistently attract traveling artists. There's something special happening there.
What makes this place stand out isn't just the 366 five-star reviews (though that's pretty impressive). It's how they've created an environment where artists actually want to work. You know how some shops feel rushed or sterile? Black Pines is the opposite - laid back but professional, which is exactly what guest artists need when they're working in an unfamiliar space.
I've heard from several people who've gotten work done there, and they all mention the same thing: the artists have room to breathe and create their best work. One friend told me about getting an American Traditional piece from Connor, and she couldn't stop talking about how comfortable the whole experience felt. No pressure, no rushing.
The guest artist angle makes total sense when you see how they operate. Artists like Alexis Holder, who's built a reputation for incredibly clean linework even when clients are nervous and shaky, show what happens when a shop gives their artists the right support. That skill doesn't develop overnight - it comes from working in a place that prioritizes quality over quantity.
If you're trying to book with a guest artist who's planning a stop at Black Pines, don't wait. Shops with this kind of reputation tend to fill their guest spots quickly because the artists know they'll have everything they need to do their best work. The traveling artists I've talked to specifically seek out shops like this one - places where they can focus on the art instead of worrying about whether the shop has their back.
That's the kind of place where magic happens.
Moving northeast to Memphis, the scene shifts completely. Where Black Pines keeps things intimate and focused, me2tattoo throws open the doors to pure creative chaos. Good chaos, though.
I discovered this place through a friend who swore by their color work. Sometimes you need that bustling energy instead of quiet concentration.
me2tattoo
When I think about shops that really know how to work with traveling artists, me2tattoo in Memphis keeps coming to mind. There's something special happening there.
I've watched several guest artists rotate through their space over the past year, and what strikes me is how they handle the collaboration process. The artists there don't just rent out chair space and call it a day. They actually work with visiting tattooists to develop designs that blend different styles and approaches.
Memphis has this incredible music culture, right? Well, me2tattoo leans into that vibe hard. I've heard from multiple people that they'll customize the playlist for your session, sometimes even playing gospel or blues depending on what fits the mood of your piece. It sounds like a small detail, but when you're sitting for hours getting work done by an artist you've never met before, those personal touches matter.
The design collaboration is where they really shine with guest artists. Instead of the usual "here's my flash, pick something" approach, they'll spend time working with both the client and the visiting artist to create something unique. One friend told me about getting a piece there where the resident artist helped translate her rough idea into something the guest artist could really run with.
With 253 five-star reviews, they've clearly figured out how to make both artists and clients comfortable. That's not easy when you're constantly rotating new people through your space.
If you're trying to book with a guest artist there, don't wait. Memphis isn't as saturated with shops as some cities, so when word gets out about a talented visitor, appointments fill up fast. Follow their social media religiously and be ready to move when they announce someone new.
Getting a guest artist appointment isn't rocket science. But it does take patience.
The shops we talked about in Mobile, Rogers, Texarkana, and Memphis all handle guest bookings differently. Some want emails months ahead. Others prefer Instagram DMs. A few still do old-school phone calls (I know, weird right?). The key is following their specific process instead of assuming they're all the same.
Here's what actually matters when you're trying to snag that coveted guest spot. Research the artist's style obsessively before reaching out. Know their rates, their booking timeline, their preferred communication method. Don't be that person who asks a blackwork specialist about watercolor tattoos.
Start planning now if you want something for spring or summer. Guest artists book up fast, especially the good ones. I learned this the hard way when I missed out on an incredible artist who came through town because I waited too long to email.
Follow the artists you love on social media. Turn on notifications. Most announce their travel plans there first, sometimes weeks before the shops post anything official. That early heads-up can make the difference between getting your dream appointment and joining a waitlist.
Remember, guest artists travel because they're passionate about their craft and meeting new clients. They want to create amazing work for you. Your job is making their decision easy by being prepared, respectful, and genuinely excited about their art.
Don't overthink it. Just start reaching out.