Lou Martins
Lou has been tattooing since 1996, first in New Haven, CT, and for the past 11 years in Portland, OR. He is a first generation Portuguese immigrant who shares a birthplace with P.T. Barnum, the circus tycoon, (Bridgeport, CT) and shares a birthday with Tom Waits (Pearl Harbor day). He grew up wishing to run away with the circus, to join forces with other weirdos, and to enjoy a life where otherness could be regarded as an asset rather than a liability.
Creating a life in Portland has been a fulfillment of that dream. Uniqueness and authenticity are prized here and this artistic climate provides fertile soil for wild creativity and self expression in the tattoo world. Lou regards every tattoo inquiry as a tremendous compliment. He is proud to have an incredibly diverse clientele and works hard to make people feel valued, respected, and cared for. His style is heavily influenced by Art Deco and Cubism, but often veers into Art Nouveau territory, always with a focus on marrying the lines of the design to the lines of the body. Lou sees tattooing as transformation magic, as a means of externalizing our inner dreams and ideas so that they may become material talismans that keep us company on our life paths.
Style:
Art Deco, Cubism, Art Nouveau, stylized animals, plants, and people.
Booking
- Walk-ins: Consultation required
- Preferred Contact: Email/Social Media
Availability
- General: Lou prefers to set appointments, but is occasionally available on a walk-in basis. Feel free to send a free consultation request to start the appointment process.
- Priority Projects: Art Deco, black and grey.
- Business Hours: Monday Tuesday Friday Saturday 12:00-6:00
- Hourly Rate: $175/hr.
- Minimum: $100/session.
- Current Wait Time: 1 Month
