I have a tradition: I get a butterfly tattooed at each tattoo convention the Male Unit and I attend. After perusing the considerable talent at the first-ever Chrome & Ink Convention in Salem, Oregon, I decided that tattoo number 16 would be the work of A.J. from right here in Portland. A.J.'s portfolio impressed me greatly: she's done a wide variety of styles, and done them well. Her non-tattoo artwork was similarly impressive. I love to support talented female artists, and do so whenever possible. So I was sold. After a short consultation, we decided on a classic Monarch on the right side of my chest. She has a great "machine-side manner," and chatting with her about our kids and our shared Southern origins was relaxing and a great deal of fun! She has exactly the sort of temperament and professionalism that everyone hopes to find for their first tattoo, and if my middle daughter (age 18) decides to get one in the near future, A.J. will definitely be the one I trust my child's skin with. But the moment when I became part of Team A.J. happened when I mentioned that my former orchestra teacher had recently died. This was an incredible woman who made certain the poor kids she taught could have instruments to practice on at home. My lifelong love of music is in great part due to her, and I am in her debt for it eternally. A group of her students decided to get either a treble or bass clef tattooed in her honor. A.J. immediately offered to do it...for no additional charge. I had not expected to get that tattoo on that particular day, but we were having such a great time and I was touched by her offer. As a result, I now have a treble clef on my right ring finger, the only non-butterfly tattoo I have ever gotten at a tattoo convention. It's been three months, and I wholeheartedly love both tattoos. Next Mother's Day, I hope to get the long-planned buttercups tattoo to represent my three children. I can hardly wait! Whether you're looking to get your first tattoo or your fiftieth, you can't go wrong with A.J. read more

See all

Went to AJ to do a custom piece. It turned out nice. Wanted to do some color enhancement and talk to her about another custom piece. She has difficulty keeping appointment times. I was to meet her one day at 1pm and because of past problems with her "writing down the time wrong", at 1230pm I texted her to say I was on my way. Sure enough she texted me back and said, "I thought it was at 430." It was NEVER at 430, I referred her to the text message string. She said, "Ok. I'll be there at 115." While I was driving there she came up with a lame excuse that the owner wasn't at the shop, she couldn't get in and would have to go find him. I was around the corner and said "Forget it". Cuz who knows how long it was gonna take her to "Go find the owner". Tried to set another appointment and now she's not responding. After I made a $50 deposit to hold the spot at 1:00, she blew off the appointment and now won't respond. I'll eat the $50. And I won't have her do any more work for me. Too much drama. read more

I highly recommend getting work done by Ashley Jade. She is equal parts professional and caring. Her attention to detail is spot on. She makes sure she understands what you want and gets it right. I made a custom tattoo and she took extra time to research what it meant to me and gave me her suggestions but also respected my decisions when she had a different opinion. Ashlee was also concerned for my comfort and asked me several times if I was cold or if I needed a break. She enjoys talking while she works which was great for me because I really enjoyed the conversation we had and it also passed the time. read more

AJ is such an incredible artist and person- her personality immediately makes you comfortable and her tattoos are detailed, beautiful, and high quality. I can't recommend her enough! read more

Have always had a wonderful experience with AJ. Several of my friends have become clients of hers because they like my work so much. I have several pieces from her and if I could afford it I'd have a standing weekly appointment. I'd get tattoos like other woman get there nails done. She gives such relaxing sessions and I'm always on cloud nine when I leave. Go in and get a free smile with your ink. read more

AJ Tattooist - Therapy for the soul. - Tattoo Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Got a whole chest piece and a sleeve. Man this girl is awesome. Like her so much that my wife just got a large piece on her arm also . Great artist doesn't copy things always creates your own piece and can adapt to many styles. Can't wait to get more work done read more

AJ Tattooist - Custom sleeve form Aj - Tattoo Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Ashley is both a sweetheart and a bad ass, spot on, talented as feck, tightest fecking lines I've seen, tattoo artist. My friend and I planned getting a tattoo together some months back and at the last minute our other artist fell through. We are sitting on the phone, the morning of, calling every tattoo artist in town and the only one that picks up her phone is AJ. She not only does have time for us but is nice and welcoming. She has us in the chair within an hour and turns what could have been a disappointing day into an awesome experience for myself and for my friend for her first tattoo. I highly recommend AJ Tattooist and will be calling on her again and again. read more

AJ is awesome! It took me years to decide on the perfect tattoo and to be honest I was very picky about who was going to do it. My boyfriend referred me to AJ and I don't regret sharing this experience with her. Not only did she do it exactly the way I wanted it her radiant personality put me at ease and I am proud to have her artwork displayed on me. I recommend her to all of my friends and family :) What speaks volumes to me is that if anyone sees my tattoo (upper thigh) they ask me immediately who did it and compliment me on how detailed the piece of art is. Again I recommend her to everyone read more

AJ Tattooist - Tattoo Near Me - Portland, Oregon

AJ has done a few pieces on me already and will probably do some more. Her work is great and consistent. She has a light touch, which means a lot. She's pretty reasonable on pricing, which also means a lot to me. Just like any other tattooer you've worked with, make sure you get a concrete appt and show up on time... with your money! Remember cheap ain't good and good ain't cheap! read more

She's amazing !!!!! I got warrior tatted with a heart for my girl and it was amazing ! Thank you for your advice ! #MuchLoveFromAllTheWayFromLA read more

Ive had several amazing experiences with AJ. The work she has done on me is fantastic and I am in the process of a big piece with her! She does a great job and is great with details. Cant wait to have my work finished so I can show it off to the world! read more

I've been waiting 10 years to be comfortable enough with an artists skills. A.J. Tattooist did a piece on a trusted friend. I was sold on the store my friend told about her experience. My experience has been everything I expected and more. She is a classy lady witha beautiful sense of creativity. I'm glad I waited so long to find her. read more

A.J. Is a talented artist! She has done amazing work on me. She is a beautiful artist! I highly recommend her work.. If you are looking for a great artist, this is your tattoo artist! read more

AJ does a great job. We came to her with a few ideas and she felt free to tell us her honest feedback as well as put in her own adaptations of the ideas we all came to her with. We'll definitely be going back! read more

Absolutely incredible!!! Instant friendship for sure! She was awesome and made sure I liked every detail and not to mention the work was better then my previous experience at another artist she is without a doubt the best artist around! I am in love with my tattoo and so is everyone else!!! read more

AJ is such an amazing artist! She makes me feel so comfortable about what we are tattooing. She really makes sure the placement and design are what you want before committing it to your body. read more

Aj will ask for a down payment, agree to do a tattoo and avoid you for a year! Once you finally get in to to see her she refuses to finish the work she started! Very poor customer service! She is currently working at murder ink and when I tried to talk to the manager about her she refused to put him on the phone! Definitely would not trust her! I did and thought we had a good relationship as far and business and she totally took my 500.00 and told me to f**k off! read more

I had breast cancer and a double mastectomy with reconstruction 11 years ago. I recently had the breast reconstruction redone and wanted to get realistic-looking nipples tattooed to complete the job. I don't have any tattoos, so I was apprehensive about putting something permanent on my body. AJ was wonderful. She asked me for lots of photos of what I was looking for. She did research about realistic, 3D nipple tattoos and watched videos before my appointment. She bought a new set of skin tone inks (normally not the colors that tattoo artists have, right?!?) and spent a large amount of time talking with me at the beginning of my appointment. Her work is so incredibly artistic and I am ECSTATIC with the results! They look 3D and realistic and have made me feel more "normal" and like my old self again. What a gift she has given me! I was referred to her by my boyfriend, on whom AJ has done some incredible pieces and I am not at all disappointed...quite the opposite, she is truly the best ever!! read more