Istari Studios

Amazing talent and great environment! I could not recommend this tattoo shop enough. Artists all have unique styles and amazing talent. Shop is clean, inviting, and comfortable. Artist never rush their custom work to make sure their tattoos are perfect. Well worth the wait in scheduling. You won’t regret getting your next tattoo here. I recommend Jim Quinn II.

Jerry Wagner is an awesome Tattoo artist. If you want a special tattoo, he can do it for you. Call him for an appointment, you will not regret it!

the whole shop was gorgeous and obviously well kept. the manager was super sweet, and the staff are all really welcoming. Moses did our tattoos– they were small, but he did an excellent job making sure it was exactly what we wanted. fantastic experience, best tattoo shop experience I’ve had! :]

I was visiting from CA and I have been wanting to get a lotus tattoo on my wrist. Checked out Unilocal and decided to check out Itsari. I called first to see if an appointment was needed for what I wanted and Moses said he was able to do fit me in that same day. Walking into the shop was great. The shop was clean and décor was nice. Moses was real friendly and did a great job with my tattoo. Next time you’re in the area, check out Itsari and look for Moses. You won’t be disappointed.

I got my very first tattoo done with Roman and I couldn’t be happier! He made me feel relaxed and comfortable, and his tattoo work was incredible. I didn’t have a specific design in mind, but what he drew up was perfect. His lines are sharp and his attention to detail is great.

Istari is THE place to go for awesome, high-​quality tattoos in a relaxed, clean, and unpretentious atmosphere. I recently had a forearm piece done by Roman and he did an absolutely amazing job. I will without a doubt be going back to see him in the future to get more work done.
Also, if you don’t already have a go-​to tattoo aftercare regimen, Istari sells an aftercare pack (soap and balm) locally made by Sweet P’s that has helped me so much in the healing process and I would highly recommend it, especially to those with sensitive skin like me.
If you’re thinking of getting some new ink, stop by Istari Studios and check them out! Great place!

Hands down the best tattoo shop ever! I can honestly say the 5 stars is not enough to show how amazing this tattoo shop surpassed our expectations! When we first pulled up we were a bit skeptical do to the fact that the building doesn’t resemble a typical tattoo shop! As we entered the shop I was blown away by the ambiance of the shop, the edgy yet super sophisticated décor, and the most genuine tattoo artists I have ever met in my life! We were greeted by each and every artist there, and even the owner came out and played Street Fighter with us! Yes you heard right, Street Fighter which is also an extra bonus incentive while your friends are getting some ink done! Our artist just started there that day his name was Mike, aka the, «Best Ginger Tattoo Artist ever!» His work is simply amazing and I can now say we have found our new tattoo artist! I recommend this spot to anybody looking to receive any ink done in Arizona, don’t forget to set an appointment, and unless you’re a beast at Street Fighter don’t play against anyone working at that shop, they show no mercy!

Went into Istari looking to get a memorial piece for a family member and I wanted a realistic rose with the name below it. I had been to a few other shops, all of which tried either talking me out of my idea or some even telling me my idea was «generic».
Not at Istari. I met with Roman Casillas and after telling him what I was looking for I was booked. I had checked out his instagram (You should too! @elchangofeo) and knew that this was my guy, he’d do exactly what I was imagining. Wrong. But in the BEST way. My rose tattoo came out perfect, better than I dreamed it up. It is seriously the perfect way to remember Levi. He is definitely light on the hands where it counts and he made those three hours seem to fly by because I was mesmerized at seeing the rose come to life.
I have one other small tattoo and the next day it was itchy as hell, this tattoo already is set the next day, no pain, no itch. So I’m thinking this one will set well and look just as good after the healing process. If you’re looking for a realistic tattoo, or anything floral, he’s the absolute best!

Hands down, the best artists and shop in Tucson! I’ve had work done a few places in town, and Istari is the only place I recommend.

Justin did my first tattoo and I absolutely love it! Definitely recommend seeing him!

By far the best tattoo shop I have ever been into. All the artists are super amazing. I go to Justin for all mine now and tell everyone I know about him. He does incredible work and I would recommend him to anyone. I just tell him an idea and he draws up something more amazing than I could ever even imagine.

Let’s get down to it: I don’t know much about quality tattoos. My first tattoo was done at enchanted dragon, it hurt like hell, and I hated looking at it. After researching, I decided Istari looked like an awesome shop. So, I called to see about making an appointment.
I called, and spoke to Jay, who was chatty and friendly. I told him what I wanted (a cover up on the ugly mess, with water color flowers) and he immediately told me I needed to see Justin. So, he took my number, and promised to have Justin call me. An hour later, he did, and after chatting about what I wanted, we set up a time to have a look at my arm, and look at designs.
Well, on the day of my appointment I made my friend come with me, he worked at Fast Lane, so I trusted him to tell me if the shop looked shady.
We walked in, and we’re blown away. It’s a pretty shop, and Jay greeted us right away. He offered us a tour, after having me fill out some paperwork. After that, it was time to get started! Justin and I chatted, and he drew up the design on my arm. I couldn’t have been more excited!
We got settled in and down to work. I won’t say justin has a light hand, but it didn’t hurt, (just normal tattoo ouchies) and Jay popped by more than once to see if I wanted a coke, or anything.
4 hours later, I have a half sleeve of beautiful water color flowers covering up the nasty piece that plagued my arm. I couldn’t be happier with my tattoo!
Don’t hesitate to go see Justin! I’ll definitely be going back!

When I decided to get inked, I waited over a year before I started. I did my research and homework. I found Jenny D. She was able to take my piss poor, tequila induced ideas and drawings and turn them into works of art! She listens to what you want, I mean she really listens! She takes her time to get to know why and how it’s important to you. If you have been looking for a artist that’s going to take the time and energy to give you exactly what you want, check out Jenny D. She’ll give you a tattoo that you’ll be proud of! I started with one, we’re working on my fifth. Your money, your body, make it count!

Got some work done by Jim and was extremely impressed. Can’t wait to get some more done.

Thanks Roman for fixing the worst tattoo on my back, he’s really talent n gentle, his works are awesome!

Getting tattoo’d by the best in town. ZIP!

Art is pretty subjective so it’s a bit difficult to leave a review on what you think looks cool versus what other people think looks cool. That said, this shop is really, really great as far as tattoo shops go. I’ve had Zip Howard do a full sleeve and giant chest piece on me so far. What I’ve seen, in spending a hundred or so hours in Zip’s chair, from the other artists is top notch stuff. Jim (shop owner) has collected a select group of some of Tucson’s best artists. Everybody there is really professional and courteous. The shop manager and helpers keep everything clean, well organized, and make sure the artists schedules are looked after. All of this is important since a lot of tattoo artists can be real flaky.
I think you would be hard pressed to find a better custom tattoo shop in Tucson. The caliber and stylistic diversity of the artists that works here, along with how well Jim and his helpers keep things running, would make anyone really impressed with the work they’d have done here.

Edited review:
Originally I was thrilled to find this place… see below for my original 5-​star review. That being said about half-​way through a back tattoo the artist up and moved out of state. This is obviously not something that a company can prevent but notification would have been nice. I called three times over the course of a month attempting to make an appointment before I was finally told that the artist was gone.
Original review:
If I could give this place 100 stars, I would. Cozy atmosphere, personalized attention from the artists, and they always have awesome music playing.
I found the studio online while searching for a cover up artists for a couple of tattoos I have on my back. Jerry, based on some reference art I brought in during our initial consultation, drew me a custom cover-​up piece. It isn’t finished yet, but is coming along beautifully and Jerry is always very willing to work with my schedule and tolerance which allows me to sit in shorter sessions if I need to.
Tip: Parking kind of sucks. There is free parking on 10^th street, West of Park Avenue.

I was referred to Istari Studios and Jim a few years ago when I was new to Tucson and in need of a new tattoo. I met with Jim and talked about the kind of design I was looking for, brought a couple of idea images — and he turned it into an amazing tattoo. He even offered suggestions for placement and ideas that I hadn’t thought of before. Since this was in memory of my brother, it had to be something incredible — and it was/​is! Thanks, Jim!

I love tattoos! I have been fascinated by them since I was a little kid (seriously, if I could have gotten a tattoo at 6, I would have). Since my 18^th birthday I have been amassing a modest collection on strategic parts of my body. I move around a lot so finding a tattoo artist that fits and can share and help create my vision is quite the task! After months of searching online and through the phone book (old fashioned, I know) I had narrowed the selection down to three artists, then, one night I was out listening to a local band when I noticed the ink on this guy in front of me. I couldn’t help it, I tapped him on the shoulder and asked who had done his work. He told me Jim Quinn at Istari Studios, handed me a card and the rest is history (marked indelibly on my skin).
Istari Studios is clean and has an awesome vibe about it. Definitely loved the comfortable, intimate feeling that the studio gives off.
Jim is one of the best artists I have been to. Professional, creative and laid back. Had a truly enjoyable experience and a beautiful piece of art. I think I am due for another one pretty soon!