Hands down, definitely the best tattoo shop in Portsmouth and in all of New Hampshire. Stina, James and Steph are all amazing and wonderful people. I have been getting tattooed by Stina for over 7 years and I genuinely hesitate to go anywhere else. Stina's work is beautiful and everything she draws up for me is perfect. I give her free rein to come up with designs and placement that will work best for the design and for where it is on the body. I trust her 100% and I do not question her skill or judgement. Anyone who knows Stina will tell you that she is 100% committed to giving you a tattoo that looks the best it can possibly look on your body. She will not hesitate to tell you if an idea or picture you had in mind for your tattoo will not work best for the design, and she will tell you why and make suggestions based on her experience- THIS IS A GOOD THING. A good tattoo artist will not just tattoo something on you, regardless of whether it's a good design or placement. They will work with you and try and come up with something that will both make you happy, as well as look good once on your body. Good on paper and good on skin are two different things. I don't think you need to be a "tattoo person" to figure that one out. Fantastic shop, on so many levels. I will be a customer for years and years and years. :) read more

I knew of James and Stina because they are friends of a friend and were very highly recommended. Based on what style I was looking for I decided James would be able to do an amazing job on my first tattoo...I was right. Since then I've been back for a couple of "littles" and am in the midst of a half sleeve with James. Several of my close friends have also been tattooed by James. He's awesome to work with and I love everything he's done on me. Stina is an incredible artist--they both are. Steph is nice and friendly as well. I was a little mad to see some bad reviews, but based on conversations with James while he's tattooed me, clearly some people don't "get" it. You need to trust your tattoo artist, that they know what they are doing and what will and won't look good. If you want to go to Joe Schmo in his garage and get a tattoo for $20, it's going to look like that. A tattoo studio isn't like going to a retail store where "the customer is always right," you are creating a working relationship with an artist. That involves trust and respect, plain and simple. You can bet I will be going to Grim North as long as it's open. Hands-down amazing shop, beautiful, clean and owned by awesome people. I'm not sure you could ask for more. read more

I've had work done by Stina before she and James started Grim North. I wanted a very specific custom tattoo drawn for me (a dragon knitting curled around a ball of yarn with the yarn coming off the ball to spell "Yarned & Dangerous") and she emailed me back, answered all my questions, and set up an appointment. When I arrived for the appointment, she had a perfect design drawn, particularly after the crappy sketch/photoshop amalgam I had emailed her as my basic idea, and she was really great about discussing color options. She had done research into how people's hands actually look as they knit so she could figure out how to make a three fingered dragon knit. I couldn't believe the level of research she had done to make this design work. I also expected to have to go back for another visit, but she managed to do the outlining and the color in a very short time. This was my first tattoo, and I am so happy with it. It's absolutely just what I wanted and it looks fabulous. I highly recommend her! If I'm ever daring enough to get another one (my finger didn't go back to normal for three days because I bit it so hard trying to distract myself from the pain), I want her to do it no matter what shop she's working for. read more

I am in the process of doing a sleeve with Stina and my experience thus far has been excellent. Prior to starting this sleeve I only had a handful of small tattoos, so planning a larger piece was new to me. After nailing down the concept of what I wanted I began looking at various tattooers in the area. Ultimately, thanks to recommendations from friends that had been tattooed by her and my appreciation of her portfolio, I came to the conclusion that not only was Stina extremely talented but also that her abilities perfectly suited my concept. I loved what she drew up for my arm, she took my references into account and has done a fantastic job translating these references into a tattoo. Also Stina is fantastic, she's very nice and funny, which helps to pass the time spent having needles stuck in you. So I've had a great experience getting this tattoo and I have recommended her to friends, both with many tattoos and those without. read more

Well I must say I looked for over 6 years for an artist that I trusted enough to do my sleeve, before I met James. James Stina and Steph have ALWAYS been inviting and easy to chat with and produce AMAZING art!! I personally am always asked who did my sleeve!! To the point I have James business card's in my wallet to give out! Ive been going to these guys for almost 2 years. My arm turned out amazing and healed amazing soo much so that I gave James free will on my left lower leg. I had a loose idea of what I wanted and threw the idea to him and he ran with it. The "Day of the Dead" theme was the idea.... What I got was a piece Of art that ABSOLUTELY blew me away! So much so that I've had some VERY popular local artist go out of there way to compliment me on my work...I cant recommend them enough and will gladly show off any of there work I have gotten to anybody as its some of the best in Portsmouth! read more

I can't express it much clearer than this: Grim North is a fantastic, clean, professional shop with terrific artists! For me, this was my first tattoo and it could not have gone better. James was my artist, and from day one he made the experience enjoyable. We did an initial consultation, and then when I came back for the work, James had sketched out a myriad of options to help hone the finished product. He was patient, diligent, and knowledgable, and it resulted in a tattoo that I am VERY happy with now. To boot, even though this tattoo was entirely for myself, it's been nice that so many of my friends have also expressed how wow'd they are at Grim North's ability to bring my initial concept to a total reality. James and Grim North came to me with many positive recommendations, and now I'd say the same thing to anyone looking for ink: Check out Grim North! You won't be disappointed. read more

Every industry has the bad, the good, and the very few that can be called "excellent". In the tattoo business, Grim North is at the very top, they are extremely professional and talented, true artists. I have been tattooed many times by Stina. She makes the process very easy for me. She listened to my ideas, to what i like, she took the time to get to know me, and then she came up with incredible creative custom designs for me. The tattoos are truly works of art, from the detail, depth, her vibrant colors, absolutely no regrets. Stina and James have built a beautiful and clean shop in downtown Portsmouth, they are very friendly, extremely patient, willing to listen to your ideas, and if you are opened minded and let them run with your idea to come up with a custom design for you, you will end up very happy. read more

This is the second tattoo that I have gotten from Stina and I the first one that I got back in July of 2007 is still as bright as the day that I got it. I felt completely comfortable and never doubted her suggestions. She made sure that I knew what I was getting and made sure I understood everything before she began the tattoo. I got a complete preview of the work she was going to put on my body and kept reiterating that it was MY BODY and it was MY CHOICE - she gave suggestions but made sure I was 100% happy before anything was even stenciled on my body. I am unsure of what happened at Alexis' sitting but I am sure it would be chaulked up to a general misunderstanding. I have RAVE reviews on my tattoo - Stina is the 'bees knees' in my opinion!!! read more

I got my first ever tattoo at Grim North from Stina and the experience was more than I could have hoped for. I'm someone who's been easily intimidated by tattoo shops in the past, but Grim North was SO welcoming-- from beginning stages of booking an appointment to the end. I felt comfortable, at ease and I really enjoyed the whole process. I'm so lucky to have found Stina-- she was able to take my description and turn it into EXACTLY what I had always pictured. I have a large-ish full color forearm piece. The color is bright and the details are carefully placed. Everywhere I go, I get comments on it and how high quality the work is and everyone wants to know where I got it. I will definitely be coming back for more ;) read more

I had an absolutely outstanding experience with Stina at Grim North! I had a horrendous tattoo that I'd lived with for over 10 years. I had previously been to two different "artists" to try to get it fixed and they both made it worse! I came to Stina with very little hope. She was absolutely amazing! She not only covered my hideous tattoo with something I could just live with, she created something that I now love! She was extremely patient, very professional, and addressed all of my concerns fully. I felt completely comfortable with her. Stina is a very gifted artist! I am so grateful that I found her! I will never go anywhere else again for my tattoo work. Thank you!! Minda read more

Stina, James, and Steph are awesome! I have two tattoos from Stina and they are beautiful and very well done. My husband has tattoos from Both Stina and James and they also turned out wonderful. We get compliments on them constantly! The atmosphere in their shop is very relaxed and calming. All three of them are fun to chat with and they really make you feel comfortable as a customer. They are all very artistic and creative with their styles in tattooing, so if you want something unique, then this is the place to go to! Their pricing is more than fair for the quality of work they provide. They are a hard working small business with big service and impressive work! read more

I've been going to Grim North for 3 years now. They are extremely professional, everything is super clean, and they always use brand new materials when tattooing/piercing. (Needles and such). Everyone here makes you feel super comfortable and at home. They're also some of the best artists I have ever seen, they're all very skilled at what they. I recommend people to them every day, I work in retail so I meet a lot of people, and I pass out cards to anyone who asks about my tattoos. I run out pretty quick. So to wrap it up, if you're looking for a clean professional place to get tattooed or get a piercing, you won't find a better place than Grim North. read more

I can't say enough wonderful things about this establishment. Not only is the shop clean, inviting and fun to be in, Stina, James and Steph are all truly remarkable people. My husband and I have been seeing Stina since 2007, and between us have numerous pieces that are absolutely amazing. There isn't a time that goes by that if my tattoos are visible that people don't comment on the phenomenal artistry and beauty of her work. She has also given excellent insight and advice to placement, size and other potential concerns you may have. I recommend anyone who asks about my tattoos to them with the highest regards and praise. read more

This is a fantastic shop! Great atmosphere and very clean. Professional, friendly, and talented staff. I've had everything from the basic rook piercing to micro dermals done by Stephanie and all of them healed perfectly and look fabulous. Stina is an amazing artist and is responsible for most of the art that dons my body, including one of my most prized possessions, my sleeve, which I receive compliments on no matter where in the world I am. Some of my favorites being "tattoos aren't really my thing, but that is a gorgeous piece of art!" If you are in the seacoast area this is definitely the shop you want to go to! read more

If you're looking for an amazing artist and experience, Grim North is the place to go. I love everything they do there. Stina and James Wolfe are both amazing artists and are talented in their craft. They are wonderful people and they care about the art and the work they put in. I've gotten most of my work done with them and each time I've been wicked happy with the results. I can't think of better people to recommend to work done by. Also, Stephanie does amazing piercing as well. I love working with them and this shop. It is always warm and inviting, and I leave really satisfied and extremely happy every time. read more

Tattoos are forever and when you finally decide what you want to adorn your body with Grim North is the place to go. Stina and James are true artists, with that said, if you are a lover of creativity and master artistry, this is the place to get your ink done! True professionals, clean and friendly shop. Steph is the piercer and she always has a smile on her face, her work is stellar. Myself and my husband have both had work done here after lots of research and I have been back 6 times since. I wouldn't dream of going elsewhere. I would recommend this shop to everyone. The custom work is award winning. read more

I start my half sleeve in a few weeks and I am so excited I found a shop like Grim North to do this large piece for me. I went in to have a consultation with James Wolfe and made an appointment immediately. He is open minded and listens to what you want. Instead of trying to take control of the design, he asks questions and helps you mold an amazing piece of artwork. I can't wait to get this sleeve finished so I can proudly walk around showing off the proof of how awesome the artists at this shop are. As far as how nice and professional, well, I guess you'll have to take my word for it. :-) read more

I approached Grim North based on the recommendation of a close friend and came away very impressed with the professionalism and friendliness of the staff. The entire tattoo process was explained to me prior to getting started and I was provided with a detailed aftercare guide as well. Stina's artwork was beautiful and I couldn't be happier with my tattoo. Her level of detail was outstanding. Stina, James, and Stephanie have clearly put a lot of work into their business and deserve the success that is sure to follow. They are artists, first and foremost, and I highly recommend their work. read more

Hello Perhaps my review could have stated "nice work if you can stand the abuse later" As I explained to you that I only have issue with the color. Which I didn't know before but, I am aware of now that it can be changed. As I'm sure you know the wrong color can make even the nicest art UNATTRACTIVE. As I stated to you. I was pleased with the tattoo and I trusted your artistic ability. I am UNHAPPY with the treatment I received on the phone after the tattoo. B/C you were EXTREMELY VULGAR toward ME! Any attempt to make me it "the wrong" is unfounded! Thanks again read more