It’s not a secret – Greenville isn’t necessarily known for its tattoo culture – Although, it doesn’t mean it’s not there.

Most of my upper left arm is covered with a big typewriter + camera piece, and I have severals down my arms. I can’t tell you how many times people stop me in Greenville and ask who my artist is (shoutout to Keesha in Fort Collins).

However, with a thriving arts community, Greenville’s tattoo scene is bound to grow. Which, will be welcome to those looking for complex, unique + intricate body art.

We asked you guys to share some of those stories with us (read all 40+ here) and help us round up some great tattoo shops and artists nearby.

People’s choice

💉: Physical Graffiti South | 475 Haywood Rd Suite 8, Greenville

The artist: 17 people commented on our Facebook post that they have gone to Steve Cochran at Physical Graffiti South. Plus, others said Allison + the rest of the Physical Graffiti South team is simply the place to go around here.

The story: “I got my dog #fleatheheeler tattooed on me yesterday at @pgstattoo and it's amazing!! He's the best companion and he will forever be with me now. 🐶💕” - @slickasafox1

💉: Persecuted Tattoo | 1788 E Poinsett Street Extension, Greer

The artist: Justin Walker is a second generation tattoo artist – his dad taught him the trade in 2012. He specializes in Traditional Americana, Neo Traditional, and Japanese.

The story: “I have one heartbeat tattooed on my neck. I'm an ICU Nurse and deal with a lot of life altering/end of life situations. I have learned the importance and value of every single heartbeat and have taken a vow to do everything I can to make that heartbeat happen, even if for minutes or hours longer. But I am also often the one who is there when someone's heart beats for the last time and have learned the importance and value in providing dignity and comfort in those last moments of life. To me every heartbeat matters and is a sign for something to be thankful for.” - @taylor_jean_o

💉: Lady Liberty Tattoo Parlor | 109 Spartanburg Hwy, Lyman

The artist: Jennifer Sellers

💉: Main Street Tattoo | 1178 Woodruff Rd #7, Greenville or 303 N Main St, Mauldin

The artist: Lindsey or Chris Glover

💉: Blvd Tattoo Co. | 3704 Liberty Hwy, Anderson

💉: Relentless Tattoo | 34 Halter Drive, Powdersville

💉: Siren’s Cove | 3121-A Highway 153, Piedmont

💉: 123 East Coast Ink | 4134 Calhoun Memorial Hwy, Easley

💉: Magic Rooster Tattoo | 255 W Butler Rd, Mauldin

💉: Glover Tattoos | Located at Main Street Tattoo: 1078 Woodruff Rd

If you’re willing to take a short road trip…

💉: Freaks & Geeks Tattoo Sideshow | 745 Haywood Rd, Asheville NC

The artist: Julian Llouve + commissioned by local Greenville artist Sunny Mullarkey

The story: “I have a tattoo commissioned by @sunnymullarkeystudio I then took the amazing artwork to Asheville where I had @julianllouve make it into a piece of magic onto my arm. A feather- my Native American background where inside has crop rows (for the farm I work on) 2 hemlock trees (my two children) the foothill mtns (where we live) and the sunshine (because who doesn't love it's rays?) It is the embodiment of who I am!!!” - @sem9548

💉: Thistle and Pearl Tattoo | 107 Merrimon Ave #310, Asheville NC

The artist: Brittany Brunken (watercolor) and the other two were done by Patrick Flynn

The story: “I have six tattoos total, all with meaning, but most notably I have a watercolor elephant. I grew up with two brothers and my mom was a single mom, and we are all extremely close. We decided we wanted to do a family tattoo and considered our options. We ended up settling on elephants, because elephants are known to be very family-oriented and compassionate towards their blood relatives. Each of us got an elephant with a touch of our personality and our mom got a momma elephant with three babies trailing her. It's very sentimental and my favorite tattoo 😀” - @jessicajoy_af

💉: Heart of Gold Body Arts | 218 5th Avenue West, Hendersonville NC

The artist: Keri Burke

The story: This one is a kind to my Cherokee heritage and my last name (Wolfe): it represents the Cherokee fable called Two Wolves.

💉: Empire Tattoo | 83 Patton Ave, Asheville NC

The story: I have four and will probably get at least a couple more, but my favorite is an illustration from Shel Silverstein's "Where the Sidewalk Ends" from the poem "LOVE". It was my favorite book as a child and really cemented my love of reading. Also, the line in the poem is "I guess I'm all of love that could show up today"... sometimes I feel like I'm one of the only people I know who is consistent and always "shows up", I feel like it's a good illustration of my loyalty.