Making high quality traditional style tattoos in San Luis Obispo county since 2008.
the slo tattoo story
SLO and steady. Raised in Bootjack, CA, Danny Derrick started his tattoo journey in 2003 when he first moved to San Luis Obispo at the age of 18 and started working in local tattoo shops. He later secured a formal apprenticeship from his strong drawing portfolio and studied under renowned artist Craig Beasley for two years before starting his professional tattoo career in 2008.
After apprenticing, Danny cut his teeth as a walk-in tattooer at Sink Or Swim Tattoo in Grover Beach. Several years later, he wanted to settle down in a private studio in SLO. That’s when he opened San Luis Tattoo Company in 2011 and in the same location on Higuera St where it resides currently.
Now 15 years later, this small, hidden tattoo studio on the corner of Marsh and Higuera remains SLO’s cornerstone tattoo shop for refined traditional style tattoos made in a comfortable setting with one on one attention. No rush. No audience. Just carefully detailed, beautiful tattoos made with love, by appointment.
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![Traditional owl tattoo custom]()
Chest owl
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![Custom Traditional panther with a dagger tattoo]()
Panther Dagger
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![Traditional Tattoos San Luis Obispo]()
traditional gypsy
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![traditional tattoo slo wolf dagger]()
wolf dagger
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![Traditional Tiger tattoo SLO]()
Jungle Tiger
Driven by passion
Danny Derrick has always been driven to create the best work possible for his clients. This passion has allowed him to travel world wide doing guest spots in New York, San Francisco, Toronto, Portland, Atlanta, Nashville, New Zealand and beyond working alongside world-class tattoo artists. When not traveling, Danny works at his studio, The San Luis Tattoo Company in SLO, full-time.
If you’re looking for a traditional tattoo artist in San Luis Obispo, the focus here is on doing things the right way with clean application, strong composition, and respect for the roots of tattooing. While the foundation comes from classic American traditional imagery, each piece is drawn specifically for the client.
Common subjects include roses, eagles, panthers, daggers, and other timeless designs, but the goal is always to create something personal within that framework. Whether it’s a smaller piece or part of a larger collection, consistency and readability are key.
Clients travel from across San Luis Obispo County, the Central Coast, throughout California, and internationally for custom traditional tattoos done in a private setting. Being appointment-only allows for a more focused experience and a higher level of attention to detail.
american Traditional style Tattoo Artist in San Luis Obispo
San Luis Tattoo Company is a private, appointment-only tattoo studio in San Luis Obispo specializing in American traditional tattooing. With over a decade of experience, Danny Derrick focuses on bold, clean, and readable tattoos designed to last.
Traditional tattoos are built on strong fundamentals with solid lines, simple color palettes, and clear designs that hold up over time. This style has remained consistent for a reason. When done correctly, it ages better than most modern approaches and keeps its impact for years to come.
Working out of a private studio in downtown San Luis Obispo, every tattoo is done one-on-one in a calm, focused environment. The goal is to create custom work that fits both the client and the body, rather than forcing a design into a space where it doesn’t belong. Placement, flow, and longevity are always part of the process.
Custom, refined Traditional Tattoos
Every tattoo is custom designed with longevity in mind. Trends come and go, but traditional tattooing has proven itself over decades. The approach here is to take those classic principles and apply them in a way that works for each individual.
If you’re interested in getting a traditional tattoo in San Luis Obispo, you can view the full portfolio to see recent work or reach out to start the booking process. Each project begins with a conversation to make sure the final result is something that will hold up and still look strong years down the line.