After dabbling in tattooing throughout the 1980s, Aaron began his professional career in ’93 after relocating from California to Seattle. He opened Slave to the Needle (Ballard’s first tattoo shop) in 1995, expanding his operation to Wallingford in 2005. Aaron focuses on rendering beautiful large-scale custom tattoos with speed and efficiency. He enjoys building lasting relationships with clients who share his appreciation for traditional western and Japanese style tattoos.
Scheduling: Aaron’s hourly rate is $300, with a $500 minimum. In an effort to minimize wait times, Aaron may suggest another artist that he feels is best suited for your tattoo. Its Aaron’s highly talented group of artists that have helped earn the shop’s great reputation, and he completely backs their work. Although Aaron tries to accommodate as many people as possible, there is no guarantee that he will personally be able to take on your project (even if you are on his waiting list). Please contact our Wallingford shop at 206-545-3685 if you’re interested in being tattooed by Aaron.
Conventions: Aaron’s convention rate is $350 an hour. If you’re interested in getting tattooed by Aaron at a convention, shoot us an email with a general description of what you want, then please be patient. Although he usually responds promptly, there are times when he doesn’t coordinate his schedule until a few weeks prior to the show. Thanks for your interest. We’re looking forward to hearing from you…
Aaron's Portfolio
Aaron on Instagram
Good progress today on Edward’s sleeve #slavetotheneedle #tattoodo #envyneedles #bishoprotary #eternalink
Glad I did this MLK portrait a couple years back… otherwise, what the heck would I post today!? #slavetotheneedle #seattletattoo #tattoodo @tattoodo #envyneedles #bishoprotary #eternal #ink
Dragon and Koi sleeve from last year. It’s so hard to convey how a sleeve really looks when it’s confined to this little box #slavetotheneedle #seattletattoo #envyneedles #tattoodo #eternalink #bishoprotary #jetblack
A little elbow action today. Casey sat like a champ!
A few moments from 2022. It may have ended like shit—pumping flooded sewage out of my basement throughout Christmas while suffering from a brutal Covid fever—but, thanks to all the people in my life, the rest of the year had some great moments: Had some fun parties at my house with friends and coworkers, went to Hawaii to celebrate Vyvyn’s long run in tattooing, finally got back to a couple tattoo conventions, started playing some punk rock shows again with Red Reaction, and enjoyed a cruise to Central America.
This 10 pic limit isn’t nearly enough, but here are a few tattoos from 2022. Been doing lots of other fun projects but they won’t get wrapped up until next year. Thanks to my friends, followers, clients, sponsors, etc. for the continued support! I am so grateful, and don’t take any of it for granted. Hope you all have an amazing New Year!!!❤️🙏 #slavetotheneedle #tattoodo #envyneedles #jetblack #bishoprotary #eternalink #sullenfamily
Donghee is an amazing client. So far I have been unable to get even the slightest flinch out of him, and he often falls asleep during our sessions! It’s a 10 hr drive to get to his appointments, and he has never been late… definitely knows how to honor his commitments! Very grateful #slavetotheneedle #seattletattoo #japanesetattoo #irezumi @tattoodo #tattoodo #envyneedles #jetblack #eternalink #bishoprotary #sullenfamily
Oil painting I did for our Holiday Gift Exchange. #slavetotheneedle
Nailed down the background on on Nick’s dragon today (back of the arm is already healed) #slavetotheneedle #tattoo #seattletattoo #eternalinks #bishoprotary #envyneedles #jetblack
Leah’s Hannya all healed up #slavetotheneedle #eternalink #envyneedles #jetblack #bishoprotary #tattoodo #seattletattoo #hannyatattoo #japanesetattoo
We have a permanent artist position available at our Wallingford location. If you’re an experienced professional, and love tattooing like we do, then get in touch with us slaveeast@msn.com congratulations @elijahcole on your new home in Kansas City! We’re gonna miss ya lots and look forward to future guest spots 🍻#slavetotheneedle #seattletattoo #seattletattooer #tattoojobs
RIP Shanghai Kate. She was one of those rare gems that I really admired. I called her my tattoo mom—she is a legend—and she’d even inspired my band to write a song called Golden Years, which I was able to share with her this year. Kate had asked me one year to be on her roast panel at an NTA Convention, but I’d declined, in part because I just couldn’t think of any digs to make on her, even jokingly.
I recently posted about her health here on Instagram and shared her address, and am so glad I did! You guys brought her much joy by sending letters of support, including roses and lilies! She called to tell me how loved she’d felt and that she had been in tears for days. So thank you to everyone who did that! And thank you Ross for being so supportive and standing by her side every step along the way of her journey into the great unknown. I believe you are in a better place now Kate. I will really miss your great sense of humor, and your strong passion, both for tattooing, and for life in general❤️🙏.
@doktor_ross
Tattooed my daughter’s leg yesterday. Not a fun spot but she sat like a rock! #slavetotheneedle #seattletattoo #hannyatattoo #hannya #tattoodo #eternalink #envyneedles #jetblack #bishoprotary #sullenfamily
This weekend!! If you’re racking your brain over what to get me for Christmas… a painting from here will do😉
Picked up a new Tattoo Life magazine the other day and and was happy to see this… A nice little feature and promo for the digital version of my sketchbook, which is only available @tattooebooks Thanks! @tattoolifemagazine #slavetotheneedle #seattletattoo #tattoodo.com
A few sessions in on this one
Getting all the foreground stuff sorted out on Jason’s sleeve
Finished Kelly’s koi project today #slavetotheneedle @tattoodo #tattoodo #eternalink #envyneedles #bishoprotary #jetblack #sullenfamily #japanesetattoo #koitattoo #seattletattoo
Finished Sean’s Shishi today. Hannya was from a couple years ago #slavetotheneedle #seattletattoo #tattoodo #envyneedles #jetblack #eternalink #bishoprotary #sullenfamily #japanesetattoo
Session number two on Edward’s snake
Finished Daryl’s dragon sleeve yesterday #slavetotheneedle #dragaontattoo #japanesetattoo #sleevetattoo #tattoodo @tattoodo #envyneedles #eternalink #jetblack #bishoprotary #sullenfamily
