Absolutely wonderful experience. Soren has done 4 tattoos for me so far and I will definitely be returning for more. He is incredibly creative, patient, and listens to exactly what you want. The tattoo sessions are always a comfortable experience and I enjoy chatting with him during the process. His talent is clear in all his work and I consistently receive compliments on the tattoos he's done for me. You will not regret getting a tattoo from Soren! read more

True Art Tattoo - Tattoo Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

I walked in off the street and was met with a classic old-school vibe with friendly staff. I asked for an intricate single line tattoo on the inside of my ankle and for a touch up on an old tattoo from 20+ years ago. Gerald was accommodating and obvious with lots of flash to showcase his talent. He's easy to talk to and most of the flash you see is his work. The place is clean and there are multiple private rooms. Highly recommend! read more

I thought I wanted a very small, simple tattoo...that was a year ago. Throughout that year, it grew in size AND I wanted more details to it. I'm sure glad I waited, because I'm totally thrilled with it now!!! I have the pleasure of knowing Bobby Magnante within my community and he's a great guy. I also get to see, and really started to admire, his art. So, when I finally decided to get the work done, I was confident he was where I needed to go. I was not let down. He asked what I wanted. I him a general idea of what I was thinking. He truly listened. And, I love what he did with it. I couldn't be happier! Thanks Bobby! read more

True Art Tattoo - Who's next? - Tattoo Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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This place is amazing! Bob is very personable and made it a great experience. I just moved to Santa Cruz and was nervous about finding an artist up here, but I found this gem of a place and I couldn't be happier! It felt like a leap of faith because there aren't a whole ton of reviews here on Yelp, but I want to express that I would definitely come back. The shop is beautiful and very COVID safe:) so grateful read more

I went to true art for my eighteenth birthday tattoo and that was a fine experience. Basic little design on my foot and bobby did a great job. After a great experience I went back to get another. Bobby wasn't available so I took whoever was available. That was mistake number one. I ended up with Paul. His work was alright and I was pretty happy with the result. After it healed I went back to get the text touched up because it healed out all blotchy. That's where the trouble started. During the touchup, he made lines jaggedy, letters uneven, and color just...wrong, and I swear on my life I wasn't moving, the errors in the lines were all him. Soooooo after That all healed I went back again to get all the errors fixed, since they claim to guarantee their work. I was then informed that it would not be touched up again for free. That pissed me off because the mistakes were all made during the free touchup. I then decided that i was going to pay to touch it up because I hated how it looked. So we started going over what I needed fixed and I pointed out the really sloppy lines and color issues. He then tells me that I'm being "nitpicky" and that "tattoos aren't perfect". Well excuse me for thinking lines that I paid two hundred bucks for should be clean. I walked out of there extremely upset and in tears. I have since found a much better and compassionate artist who fixed it for me. I won't say where but ill say this much... I will be going to him for the rest of my life. read more

I went in looking for some one to help me add to a tattoo I already started. Bobby was super cool and helped me figure out a great solution. Thanks, these guys are awes read more

True Art Tattoo - Ibew tattoo - Tattoo Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

This is a review of 2 tattoos I got here about 3 years ago by Flip (not sure if he is still there or not)..... He did a great job on both of my tattoos they are both Amy Brown inspired fairy pieces on each shoulder, Flip as a great eye for color, lettering (they say "HOPE and FAITH" underneath)...and always made me feel welcome. The shop is in a convent location with parking, it the floor inside is pretty cool. The prices are pretty standard, you don't feel like you're getting robbed. If I hadn't moved away, I would have kept Flip as my tattoo artist, I was and still am, very happy with this work.... read more

Went in for a tattoo and the place was very clean and sanitary with very friendly staff. Bobby did an amazing job and exactly what I asked for. Highly recommend! read more

Bob Magnante is an artistic genius. He has done almost all of my tattoos and never failed to leave me ecstatic about the finished product. He is communicative, laid back, and professional. I am so happy I started going to him years ago! The shop itself is always clean and tidy and you can tell Bob and his staff take great pride in their craft. I can't recommend this place enough and refuse to get any work done elsewhere. read more

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I was a walk in and Felix was super welcoming! Did my outline about 13 times, to make sure it was just how I wanted it. Gave advice on colouring, and shading to get the most out of the tattoo. Stunning work and could not be happier. read more

True Art Tattoo - This is the work he did on my forearm. - Tattoo Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

Great atmosphere! Super clean shop. The guys are super nice and courteous. My self and my husband have been traveling up over the last couple of years from Atascadero to get work done by Bobby. He always comes up with great drawings and does some really nice work. Super clean lines and just straight up superior art work. You can tell that he really cares about the quality of his tattoo work and is constantly striving for improvement as any good artist should. If you get a chance and you are in the Santa Cruz area looking for some good tattoo work you should pop in and see these guys. You won't be disappointed! read more

Go see Bobby!!!!! I got my first tattoo here and have been back multiple times. They treat you wonderfully here! I absolutely love his work and recommend him to the moon and back. Chris is also rad af! read more

Disappointing shop with flaky employees. Never got my deposit back, even though I was told I could get it back. Lost 60$... for nothing. Didn't even get the work done. There are much better shops in Santa Cruz, don't settle for this one. read more

I had the best time at True Art. I was looking for a nose ring and didn't know what size I needed, if it would fit my nose well, etc. After an awful experience at Staircase, I was hoping for better service here. THESE PEOPLE ARE GREAT. I was helped immediately. Everything was super sterile and I was out of there in twenty minutes with a beautiful new ring and a new deep love for True Art. read more

I wanted to write about Jack, the body piercing practitioner at True Art. In the past two years, I have had a few 'issues' with a piercing. There was a construction accident in my back yard which was unfortunate and alarming. After everything healed and I had it re-done it simply fell out in the shower. After closing and re-piercing, I had to remove it for a medical test and I again waited until it had closed before I went to a shop to get it re-done. This makes me something of a subject matter expert on getting a piercing done because I have done the same thing several times in recent memory. Get this: Not all body artists are created equally. Jack is super clean and not at all creepy. That's important. He knows how to keep it practical, quick and accurate...my piercing would look like a Walleyed Pike if it was crooked and he nailed it. Jack was recommended to me by my tattoo artist and I am really glad...the other body artists did not make me feel comfortable like he did and at the end of the day, that matters, too. read more

I have had a couple tattoo's done by Bob, and I love them. He really listens to what you want and is a great artist as well as an epic tattoo artist....Sometimes someone can draw but they can't tattoo. Wonderful bright colors and shading. My son has also gone to see Bob and his tattoos are awesome too! I highly recommend checking out True Art! They also are not snobs, some shops are not very welcoming to new clients...go figure. read more

Bobby is awesome! Most of my tattoos are script and his is amazing. Scriptures, names, dates, anything in words....very very nice! read more

The art work was amazing, service was impeccable, Chris was patient, kind, focused on the details and it reflects in the finished product. Everyone is commenting on how amazing my new piece of art is Thank you Chris Culpit you nailed it. read more

I brought my daughter to get her ear pierced and it was a great experience. The technician was kind and reassuring as well as professional. He told us step by step what he was going to do and it was relatively pain free. Her ear is healing up just fine and it looks real good. I'm sure that if she chooses to get another piercing or a tattoo she will go back to True Art. read more

I just got a tattoo from Bob at True Art. I showed him what I wanted and he nailed it! I felt very comfortable around him and appreciated all the precautions he took to avoid any problems. I would highly recommend True Art for anyone who wants expert tattooing in a clean, safe environment. read more

So I was shocked to see that True Art only had a couple crappy reviews... until I realized that they actually have 30 filtered amazing reviews! Hmm kinda shady, but anyway.. I've been coming to True Art since 5 days after my 18th birthday (yes I was very eager to get tattooed growing up...) I'm now 28 and I will never go to another shop! True Art has been through a lot of changes throughout the decade that I've been collecting body art there, but where it's at today- I personally think is the best it's ever been. They've recently done some remodeling, and it looks absolutely beautiful. It's always super clean and sterile, and everything they do is by the book and with great care. This is a legit tattoo shop! That's what they do: TATTOOS! ..and they're the best at it. You wont walk in and see water pipes alongside 2Pac t-shirts and tacky body jewelry for sale. I've seen Bob for several tattoos over the last few years, and we currently are working on completing my sleeve. Not only is he incredibly creative & talented, but he's REALLY nice too! In fact, all of the guys at the shop are, and that's one of the many reasons I always come back to True Art. You'll never get some egotistical-too cool-I'm harder than you-douchey tattoo artist here. The environment is always warm & welcoming, and I'm always looking forward to getting my next piece done! Thanks guys! read more

I got a tattoo from Bobby. and he's good at it.. and made my peace sign come to life. but he added a shading part with a color i didnt even ask for.. I told him i hated the color red and he used that color. IT pissed me off but.. whatever. he's chill.. nice man. just doesnt listen. read more

Flip is great. His work always turns out awesome. I got my first tattoo there and I went back for more. He even tattooed my mom. How sweet.

Bob Magnante at True Art is my favorite artist in town. He's got such a good eye and skill with the whipshader. I've seen a lot of his work and I always ask "who did that one?" and my buddies say it was Bobby. He's all old-school taste and creativity. I give him my highest regards. read more

Ever since getting my second tattoo here (now im on my 7th) I've never gone anywhere else. Bobby is the best! Makes you feel comfortable and gives you good ideas. I would highly recommended this place to anyone. read more

I have gone to True Art for 5 of my ten piercings and the experience has always been superb. The staff is friendly and welcoming and I have always felt comfortable there. Jack is the nicest and most knowledgable piercer I've encountered. Along with the welcoming atmosphere, True Art boasts great prices, high quality work and jewelry, and hygenic procedures. Today, my friend and I spontaneously decided to go and get matching double piercings on the outer rim of our ears. When we walked in, Jack was lovely as ever, and he clearly outlined our options. After we were finished, he made sure to explain how to care for the new piercings. Once again, we could not have asked for better service or experience. True Art will definitely be our first choice for any future work! read more

Daughter got a piercing here a couple weeks ago from Jack. He was fantastic! He clearly cares about his work, is kind and compassionate, keeps everything clean, and gives great advice on caring for the piercing. At two weeks hers looks better than mine did at 2 months. Would recommend him for anyone looking for a skilled piercer! read more

This place is great! I was really wanting a new tattoo so I decided to check this place out since I had never been before and I loved it. Chris did a great job with my tattoo. He drew up my tattoo pretty quick and did an amazing job with the shading and it turned out perfect! The shop was really clean and everyone there was very nice and friendly. I have a few other tattoos that were done at other shops and this was the first one I plan on going back to. I can't wait to come back and get more done! read more

Bobby is awesome. I walked in half expecting the folks in True Art to laugh my sorry, shy and distinctly un-tattooed ass onto the curb. Not the case. After I chose the portfolio I liked the most, Bob shook my hand, introduced himself, and spent 20 minutes or so talking about ideas. He was friendly and enthusiastic about my design-and for god's sake, you've got to trust someone who has tattoos on his eyelids. He had art for me within a week, and I made an appointment for the next weekend. When game time came around, Bob talked me through the process to calm my nerves and was conversational and attentive during the 3 hour session. He refused to skimp on quality-he wouldn't put the design somewhere that he thought wouldn't flow well, and he seemed excited not about making money but about putting his art in someone's skin. The guy's been tattooing for as long as I've been walking this earth, and he knows his trade well. My designed looked good on paper, but it's absolutely awesome in real life (and it doesn't even have color yet). I visited a few other places before coming here, and Bob and True Art are second to none. read more

You know what? The owner is right. There is more to the story. The guy who took my money and promised me a tattoo was friends with my boyfriend at the time's boss. My ex quit his job. Me being a rational adult assumed this wouldn't effect my deal with a professional tattoo artist who already took my money. Because it had nothing to do with me. Well apparently i was wrong and apparently this tattoo shop employs children who hold grudges and steal from young women because their friends told them to. I still haven't hear anything about getting my money back from the owner who replied to my review. He makes the comment that I should have contacted the shop. I tried to contact the artist and once I realized i had been screwed over I decided I wouldn't want a tattoo from a place that employs people like that. Tattoos are permanent and I wouldn't want someone giving me a bad tattoo because of some silly grudge. read more

I actually wound up at True Art because I followed my tattoo artist, Adrian, when he moved here from Guru Tattoo in San Jose. I had him do a tattoo for me when he was at Guru and I loved it so much I followed him all the way to Santa Cruz. He does amazing work and is really good at running with my vague, poor descriptions of what I want. The last tattoo he did for me is on my forearm and people are constantly stopping me in the street to see it, and they are always asking me who does my work. I will definitely keep going to Adrian for my work. Oh yeah, the shop is cool too, very clean and they have a cool staff of people. read more

Just got my great idea inked on: my girlfriend's lips (as in a lipstick print left on a napkin) on my body. Bob was very helpful in describing the nature of the art and the possible limitations of the design idea (always better to be cautious than boastful), but with communication and listening the idea came across and the piece is a smash hit. I really could not be more happy with it. A very pleasant interaction all the way around. Thanks, Bob. read more

So I just want to say that BOB is amazing. First off I went in to Lovedogg with this picture of an idea my boyfriend had and its was his first tattoo so he wanted that idea and was told that it "couldn't be done" and it was pretty much a dumb idea. Which it wasnt so we decided we would try TRUE ART and boy was that the best choice, NOT only could he do it but what he did with the picture was just amazing and better then we had imagined. Thank you Bob we know where to go now to get a quality tat and someone who is willing to work with us. read more

Jack, the piercer there is super awesome! only the best quality!

Really amazing artists. Super clean facility. Friendliest parlor I have ever walked in, hands down! Really stoked to have these fellas in my backyard. read more

Ok So I never write on these reviews but had to. I got a tattoo today and true art rocked it. I went to another tattoo place but it seemed kinda ugh shady so I tried true art. I had no idea what I wanted but knew where on my body I wanted it. The chick at the front along with Bob(the artist) were very patient and helped me decided on a tattoo. Yes it hurt but everything was very sterile and clean. Everyone there was very sweet and I definitly will be going back, read more