I went with my sister and best friend to get tattoos. All three of us are thrilled with the result. Brandy was our artist, and we would very highly recommend her to anyone interested in getting ink. The studio was very clean and comfortable, and not intimidating or gloomy like other places I have been. Brandy designed all of our tattoos and took extra time to be sure that we each got exactly what we wanted. The designs were beautiful. We also appreciated her honesty. She was willing to do whatever we wanted, but told us frankly what would look good and what wouldn't, (which prompted my sister to change her original idea about the design). Brandy was very thorough and made sure that we understood our home care instructions. Best of all, she was FAST. Since I had the tattoo done in a more sensitive area (my foot) I REALLY appreciated how efficient she was. Two thumbs up to Brandy at Nine Lives Tattoo. read more

I took my wife Misty there twice, to get her first real Tattoo, Josh greeted us as we walked in with a since of humor and courtesy! He talked with her about what she wanted and treated her an I excellent, then set up an appointments for her the next day. They exchanged emails so she could prepare for her second tattoo one a year in advance. Awesomely amazing Tattoo work!!! The following year Misty got her second tattoo There as well! He was busy, but he managed to get her in, for not one but two tattoo's Tattoos that meant a lot to her! I ask him if he could possibly squeeze me in, he ate lunch them did an old school skull ripping out of my Awesome Muscular Shoulder, realistically it kicked ass! I highly recommend if you want kick ass quality ink, Visit Nine Lives Tattoo in Seaside Oregon! read more

On a vacation to Oregon many years ago, I wanted to get a tattoo. Mind you, I never just walk into a shop and get a tattoo done. I had one certain person I had gone to in California, where I lived. Well, I just HAD to walk into Nine Lives Tattoo, and immediately I decided I was getting a tattoo for sure. Josh was amazingly talented, and I felt completely at ease with his hands. I pretty much surrendered my canvas to him and he didn't let me down. I had the most beautiful Hibiscus flower on my arm. Another thing I want to mention is, when I walked in, this entire place was so clean! I could smell the cleanliness, which I love. I received so many compliments on my tattoo, from the time I got it until yesterday! Now, I live here in Oregon, I will be heading over to Josh ASAP! read more

Josh James is a tattoo enthusiasts beacon of hope among a growing population of inferior artists. I've had 6 pieces done by him, and am praised and complimented on them, literally, everyday. My husband and I commute 3 hours to Nine Lives in Seaside from Tacoma because he is absolutely worth it. He has an giant selection of flash from the traditional to contemporary, and has yet to let us down with our custom requests. He's professional, makes you feel comfortable, fair with pricing, and is just amazingly talented. Just in case none of that inspired you, the shop features a fish tank filled with piranhas and he's always playing great music. Now go get tattooed! read more

I knew this place was for me when I walked in and Howlin' Wolf was playing on the stereo. Owner Josh was in the middle of a tattoo but greeted me, asked if I had any questions and to feel free to look around. Told him what I wanted and he said to leave my number and he'd contact me if he had a cancelation. Ended up getting a tatt the following day. Took the time to draw it out , and modify it by my suggestions. Friendly guy, clean shop, great music and a great tattoo that turned out better than I had in mind to begin with. I'll be returning for more work for sure. read more

I had a great experience here. Josh is laid back yet very committed to creating the best tattoo possible. The shop is well organized and clean. I have been talking to various tattoo artists for about a year and Josh was the one I chose ... he was the best at combining my ideas to with his technical and artistic skills to get a VERY cool tattoo. He also prices by the piece, not by time, so you know what the cost will be going in. Even though I live in Maryland, if I get another tattoo, I'm going to Oregon to get it from Josh. read more

Josh is very friendly and easy to talk to. Takes his time understanding what it is you want and how he can make it look as good as possible. I don't really give much to go off of but he managed to kill it. My tattoos from him are beautiful. Healed perfectly..10/10 highly recommend Nine Lives. I love all my work and I'm planning on more soon. Also goes the extra mile to have drafts and stencils ready by your appointment if you've previously talked about what you'd like. Made the whole experience so seamless and fun! read more

I went there to get my very first tattoo. I just walked in and was able to book an appointment for later that night. Josh is extremely nice and made it super comfortable to ask questions. Totally recommend to anyone who is looking for a super comfortable experience. Josh is super funny and fun to talk with! Also the tattoo he did on me was amazing and exactly what I wanted. I was super nervous but he went really slow and it turned out so good! 100% recommend. read more

Great place to be tattooed. Not only is Josh talented and professional, his shop is a feast for the eyes. Full of curios and whatnots, it's like walking into another world. The shop is impressively clean and comfortable. Easy to see the level of work ethic that goes into all aspects of the job. I always know that Josh will do quality work. All in all I have enjoyed my experiences at Nine Lives. Cool art, interesting conversations and great tattoos. read more

nine lives is my place for tattoos. i travel all the way from lake tahoe to have kimbra do my work. the first piece she did for me was a picture my brother drew. she did it perfectly!! she has also done some amazing work for my girlfriend. she gets compliments on it daily 3 years later. always funny when people start a sentence with "usually i don't like tattoos on women, but..." absolutly great work. read more

Looks mean but he's a nice guy haha. He finished my tattoo in 2 hours and was telling me stories the whole time. My piece was a traditional tattoo off old school flash so I didn't need him to do any custom work but he does all that stuff too. Nice addition to my collection, the lines on the one he did make the one next to it look bad though, guess I'll have to keep going back haha read more

This is THE place to go if you're in the area! Josh is super personable and it made the whole tattoo experience great. Good prices and he was able to take my idea and make it into the perfect tattoo! The shop is clean and bright and there was plenty of cool old posters to look at on the wall! I wouldn't hesitate to go back and get another tattoo from Josh. read more

Josh is fantastic, All the girls in my family have a matching tattoo and Josh has done most of them. My 72 year old mother got her first tattoo this year! We live in Alaska and come down every winter to visit. I wouldn't get a tattoo done anywhere else. Josh is talented and easy to talk to. The shop is clean and the prices are fair. read more

Josh is my go-to tattoo genius! I drive almost 5 hours each way to have him do my work. I have made many trips down to see him and can't imagine anyone else completing my vision. He is a true artist and so talented beyond measure. You will not be sorry if you book an appointment with him. He is also bound to make you laugh! read more

! Just got tattooed by Josh again. Shop is super clean and he was honest and funny. I feel like I definitely got value for my money, and had a great experience. Well worth the drive out from Portland, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Nine Lives to anyone. Another satisfied customer! read more

My wife and I came here for our first tattoos. Josh was great. We brought our idea to him and he drew it out perfectly. 2 ambigram initial tattoos took an hour and a half and cost $160 + tip. The shop and equipment were both clean and neat. We will be back. read more

Got my first tattoo from Josh when he was at Dragonfly in Vancouver, WA way back in 1997. I was lucky to find him again to get more ink done in 2012. He is professional, clean, and one hell of an artist. I will gladly continue to get ink done by Josh. read more

Excellent experience! Brandy applied my ink in a professional efficient manner. She was honest about what would look good and what wouldn't. The shop was clean and bright. I would fly back to Oregon to have her as my tattoo artist. read more

This shop is amazing The place is clean, the decor eclectic and Josh is the apex of all. Every piece I've had done is beautiful and exactly what I want. My husband and I drive in from Portland and will continue to do so! read more