I reached out on Yelp and Mike responded quickly every time. I told him what day and time I would like to come in, and he told me he had an appointment, but would call when it was over. He called and I made my way to meet him! The shop is in a big building and he has a corner unit to himself. It was a really nice atmosphere. Mike was very nice, and thankfully not judgmental when talking about tattoos. As he was setting up, I was getting excited and a little hyper but he didn't care. The tattoo process went extremely well. He was courteous and asked how I was doing, and I was very entertained by looking at the books on the shelf. Afterwards, he put Saniderm on my new tattoos and gave me a packet of Aquaphor. It was really beneficial for me to be in a relaxed environment since I get so ansy. Mike was professional, super nice, chill, and very talented. When I went home and told my sister about my awesome experience, she told me that he was her most recent tattoo artist, too! I was sold by the reviews here on Yelp, but the tattoo he did on my sister is my favorite of hers. Great experience, and I'm super happy! read more

First off...Great Artist!!! Michael Gardener is extremely talented and a great guy! Second...I have liked and admired tattoos for a long time. I have wanted to get one for a long time, but didn't want to just get something done just to have a tattoo. I wanted it to mean something if I did get one. Also, I wanted to make sure I liked the artists style. After my sister in law and cousin got tattoos from him and seeing his website and Facebook page, I knew I found who I wanted to do my first. Third...My daughter drew a design for me that I had been thinking about, it signifies our family...my wife, my 2 daughters and myself. We gave it to Michael for him to make it work in ink (which he was very willing to do). He nailed it!!! I got a great tattoo!!! Really means a lot to me!!! Fourth...It was a great experience (which was very good for it being my first). Casual/relaxed/professional atmosphere. My daughters were welcome and able to come in and watch (wife was working couldn't make it). His location is the same...casual/relaxed/professional. Fifth...Can't recommend Michael enough! Great guy! Great artist! My tat is in black and grey. Michael showed me what the color version would look like both as color to begin with and with color added after the initial black and shading version. The color version added to the black and shading is soooo good it's got me thinking about going back in to get that done. He's good!!! Sixth........oh just go to Michael!!! You won't be disappointed!!! read more

Michael is a true artist and professional. He was able to transform a 20 year-old tattoo into something beautiful and meaningful to me. He was very personable and responded to all my questions promptly and thoroughly. I didn't think I was necessarily in the market for more tattoos but I may give it some serious thought after a great experience. Highly recommend read more

I got my tattoo from Mike around the same time my husband got his from Mike. My husband got a full sleeve/chest/upper back piece which Mike drew freehand and then inked. This tattoo is a true work of art. I told Mike that I wanted a tattoo that was an homage to my marriage, and he came up with a gorgeous piece that incorporated my husband's design, yet mine was ultra feminine and totally representative of my style and personality. Not only is Mike a phenomenal artist and tattoo genius, but he's also a nice guy who makes his customers feel comfortable. I can't recommend him enough! read more

Whoa... Mike is the consummate professional! We saw him tonight for a simple forearm tattoo (script only) for my husband. He was patient, listened to the story and the meaning behind it, and used his expertise to help us pick the right font and dimensions, as well as expert placement, for this stellar tattoo. He was ultra-hygienic, took his time, double-checked his work and stopped periodically to ask how my husband was doing. He was friendly, personable, and made us feel right at home. His aftercare instructions were very specific, easy to follow, and he also gave us a copy to take home. I 100% recommend Tattoo Garden, and Mike, for all these reasons. Thank you so much! read more

Both my husband, daughter and I recommend Micheal and Tattoo Garden. He does EXCELLENT work. He is very talented at designing custom art. My daughter and I both had our first-ever tattoos and it was a wonderful experience. My husband had a new tattoo done, as well as an existing tattoo enhanced with custom work by Michael. We are all extremelly happy and would not hesitate to return. It's also a very calm atmosphere at his studio, as he works on his own. Prices are reasonable for the outstanding quality. Overall, just a great place! read more

Michael is AWESOME! Not only is he an extremely talented artist, but he's super laid back and witty. I enjoyed spending that time with him while getting inked. Can't wait to get more from him! read more

Michael is absolutely amazing! From his quick response time, ease and flexibility with scheduling appointments, and his artist opinion and talent, I can hands down say the entire experience could not have gone any better. I brought in a couple pictures of the flower I wanted, and his design was even better than I could have imagined, he also had a few suggestions on the placement of my tattoo and it seriously blew me away with how perfect it turned out! I felt like I was in really good hands, and even more importantly I felt like he truly listens to what you want and does a beautiful job bringing it to life. I will definitely be recommending him to anyone interested in getting a tattoo in their future! read more

I originally bought a Groupon and that is what brought me to Garden Tattoo. I was going to get a 3"x3". I brought in a sketch that my husband had drew of 3 lotus flowers that I thought was very pretty. After Mike got done doing his magic by adding his artistic touch to the sketch, my tattoo turned out to be better than I could have anticipated. I love it. I have several other tattoos, but none of them compare to this new one. I will never go anywhere else but to Mike to get another tattoo. I have nothing but great things to say about Tattoo Garden. read more

Absolutely amazing! Mike read my mind and was able to make the image that I had in my head a reality. I felt very comfortable and welcomed. I highly recommend this place. read more

Tattoo Garden was a great experience! Micheal Gardner is a very good artists and a really nice, easy going guy that makes you feel very comfortable. Highly recommended. read more

First off, I felt comfortable walking into the studio right away. I like the privacy of it, as opposed to other places I have been that are much more out in the open. As for Michael, well, he was awesome. He did a tattoo on my back of my two sons' names and I love it even more than I had anticipated. Michael was very easy to talk to and honest and upfront. He made suggestions that would make my tattoo look better (for example, I brought in a picture of how I wanted it to go on the left side of my back, in a straight line down) He suggested giving it more of a curve to go with my body shape, explaining how a straight line would go against the natural curves... I'm SO glad I took his advice, because now that I look at it, I agree that it would not have looked good in a straight line. It's things like this that I greatly appreciate, and especially how he didn't do it in a rude way, or make me feel like he was putting down my ideas, but rather working with me to make sure the end result turned out perfect...which it did! Like I said, I'm glad he made suggestions and I am very glad I listened to them :) The process itself was good and he made me feel totally at ease (well, AS at ease as one could feel while getting a needle jabbed in their back repeatedly!) At the end, I wanted to take a picture of my tattoo to show my husband, but my phone was dying so he took some pictures with his own camera which he immediatley emailed to me. I thought that was really nice :) This is my 5th tattoo and I can honestly say that my expereince with Michael at Tattoo Gargen was the best. He was a very nice, cool guy who made me feel right at ease and I could not be happier with the tattoo he gave me. I only wish I had known about him sooner! I will most definitely be back! Thanks Michael! read more

I reviewed several other artists work but liked Michael's style the best. He pays a lot of attention to detail. I brought a custom concept to him and he captured it with ease. It turned out better than I ever expected, and he really brought the ideas to life. I It was my first tattoo, and Michael took the time to answer all of my questions, put me at ease, and make me feel good about my decision to work with him. Michael is a phenomenal artist; a true talent. He provides a great experience and amazing art that you'll love for a lifetime. read more

I've had many tattoos done in Everett and Bellingham, but Michael at Tattoo Garden has been my favorite. I've sent friends to him and will go back to him, myself! read more