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Living Canvas Tattoos

About Living Canvas Tattoos

Few tattoo shops get their own day on the calendar. In 2024, Tempe Mayor Corey Woods proclaimed September 27 "National Living Canvas Tattoos Day," honoring a Mill Avenue institution that has been tattooing since 1993 and is recognized as Arizona's oldest single-owner tattoo shop. Founder and owner Mark Walters, a Japanese-style tattooer, still runs the shop more than three decades later. Woods even planned a tattoo of his own with Walters as part of the celebration.

That history shows in the space. A recent remodel gave the shop a Japanese-themed interior that reviewers call a destination in itself, steps from ASU and the bars and restaurants of Mill Avenue. The roster is deep, so you can match almost any idea to the right artist. Andrew Tamayo turns rough concepts into custom geometric tattoos that flow with the body, Jake Granberry is a favorite with nervous first-timers and out-of-towners, and Manny Fares, Ryan, and Mariah Mazon round out a crew that covers Japanese, fine line, black and grey, bold color, and cover-ups.

Walk-ins are a big part of the shop's personality. Groups regularly arrive without an appointment for matching tattoos and leave inked in under two hours, and the shop runs flash sales on premade designs. Clients mention that tools and surfaces are disinfected between every tattoo. Piercings, including nose, eyebrow, and dermal work, round out the menu. With nearly 800 reviews averaging 4.8 stars, Living Canvas remains one of the most storied tattoo shops in Tempe.

Living Canvas Tattoos Hours

  • Monday

    12:00 pm - 8:00 pm

  • Tuesday

    12:00 pm - 8:00 pm

  • Wednesday

    12:00 pm - 8:00 pm

  • Thursday

    12:00 pm - 8:00 pm

  • Friday

    12:00 pm - 8:00 pm

  • Saturday

    12:00 pm - 8:00 pm

  • Sunday

    12:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Living Canvas Tattoos Services & Shop Details

  • Phone number

    (480) 829-6966

  • Payment options

    Credit Card

  • Services

    Custom Tattoos, Walk-in Tattoos, Flash Tattoos, Matching Tattoos, Japanese Tattoos, Fine Line Tattoos, Cover-Up Tattoos, Geometric Tattoos, Sleeves, Tattoo Touch-Ups, Body Piercing, Nose Piercing, Eyebrow Piercing, Dermal Piercing, Aftercare Guidance

  • Accepts Appointments

    Yes

  • Accepts walk ins

    Yes

  • Consultation Available

    Yes

  • ID Required

    Yes

  • Deposit Required

    Yes

Tattoo Styles at Living Canvas Tattoos

Explore the tattoo styles available at Living Canvas Tattoos, from established techniques to specialized styles represented in the shop’s work.

  • American Traditional

  • Black & Grey

  • Color Realism

  • Fine Line

  • Japanese

  • Illustrative

  • Geometric

  • Neo-Japanese

Tattoo Subjects & Themes

Discover the tattoo subjects and themes available at Living Canvas Tattoos, from popular design concepts to more specialized artwork.

  • Animal Tattoos

  • Couple Tattoos

  • Dragon Tattoos

  • Family Tattoos

  • Floral Tattoos

  • Friendship Tattoos

  • Koi Fish Tattoos

  • Memorial Tattoos

  • Patriotic Tattoos

  • Phoenix Tattoos

  • Samurai Tattoos

  • Snake Tattoos

  • Tiger Tattoos

  • Travel Tattoos

Meet the Artists at Living Canvas Tattoos

Andrew Tamayo, tattoo artist at Living Canvas Tattoos

Andrew Tamayo

  • Ornate, geometric, American Traditional, mandala tattoos
Ryan, tattoo artist at Living Canvas Tattoos

Ryan

  • Tattoo Artist

Explore Living Canvas Tattoos's Portfolio

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Amenities at Living Canvas Tattoos

  • Walk-ins Welcome

  • Open 7 Days

  • Japanese-Themed Remodeled Studio

  • Group & Matching Tattoos

  • Flash Design Sales

  • Disinfection Between Every Tattoo

  • First-Timer Friendly

  • Near ASU & Mill Avenue

  • Owner-Operated Since 1993

Reviews of Living Canvas Tattoos

What people are saying

Alexis Goga (Powered By Google)

  • I have gotten all of my tattoos, minus 1, at Living Canvas! They are always so nice, and make you feel super comfortable. Went in for the flash on Fri...

Robert Khaler (Powered By Google)

  • Mark Walters did my full Japanese koi and peony sleeve from start to finish, and I couldn’t be happier with how it came out. I basically told Mark wha...

Cassie Freerks (Powered By Google)

  • They lead me on for over an hour that they could do my nose... then put dot and said "oh sorry we ran out of tools that were sterilized to do a nose"...

Emmanuel Hernández (Powered By Google)

  • I have gotten 4 tattoos from this shop and it has always been a pleasant experience. Andrew is an awesome artist and person!! Price $350–400

Jen Lemmelin (Powered By Google)

  • One of the most well-decorated and cleanest shops I've seen

Location & Directions

Living Canvas Tattoos is located at 930 S Mill Ave, Tempe, Arizona, 85281. Use the directions button below to open navigation to the shop.

Get Directions

Frequently Asked Questions About Living Canvas Tattoos

Yes. Walk-ins are welcome every day, and groups often come in without an appointment for matching tattoos. Call (480) 829-6966 ahead if you want a specific artist.

The shop has been tattooing on Mill Avenue since 1993 under founder and owner Mark Walters. It’s recognized as Arizona’s oldest single-owner tattoo shop, and in 2024 the City of Tempe named September 27 “National Living Canvas Tattoos Day.”

The shop is known for Japanese-style work, led by owner Mark Walters, plus fine line, black and grey, color, geometric, and cover-up tattoos. Browse the artists’ work on Instagram to find the best match for your idea.

Yes. The artists regularly handle group walk-ins, helping with sizing and placement so everyone’s matching tattoo fits well.

Yes. Along with tattoos, the shop does body piercing, including nose, eyebrow, and dermal piercings.

Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Arizona law requires clients to be 18 or older, or to have a parent or guardian present. Eat beforehand, stay hydrated, and bring any reference images for your design.

Last reviewed: October 2026

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