At Black Needle Tattoo, our team of talented artists is the heart and soul of our Oakland-based studio. Each artist brings a unique style, vision, and passion to their craft, creating tattoos that are as individual as the clients who wear them. Whether you’re looking for bold traditional designs, fine line detail, or custom artwork tailored to your story, our artists are here to collaborate and bring your ideas to life.
Our commitment to excellence goes beyond artistry. Each artist at Black Needle Tattoo adheres to the highest standards of cleanliness, safety, and professionalism, ensuring a comfortable and positive experience for every client. Explore our artist profiles below to discover their portfolios, learn about their specialties, and find the perfect match for your next tattoo.
From first-timers to seasoned collectors, we’re here to make your tattoo journey unforgettable.
Ready to get started? Book a consultation with your favorite artist today and let’s create something extraordinary.
Alex Glenard
Alex, the owner and artist at Black Needle Tattoo in Oakland, has been perfecting his craft since 2008. With over 15 years of experience, Alex specializes in traditional French blackwork tattoos, known for their bold lines, dark shading, and timeless aesthetic. His passion for tattooing is rooted in delivering custom designs that capture each client’s unique story, blending traditional techniques with modern artistry.
Dedicated to creating an inclusive and eco-conscious tattoo studio, Alex brings a deep commitment to sustainability, using eco-friendly products and maintaining high hygiene standards. Clients describe his style as striking, clean, and bold—a hallmark of French blackwork tattooing. Alex believes in a collaborative approach to tattooing, working closely with clients to bring their visions to life in a comfortable, welcoming space.
Looking for a custom blackwork tattoo in Oakland? Book a consultation with Alex at Black Needle Tattoo to experience expert craftsmanship and a passion for art that’s unmatched
Fabián Márquez
Fabián Márquez doesn’t just draw on the skin; he transforms it, turning it into a vibrant canvas where dreams and identities find their most authentic form. As a Bay Area artist with over 15 years of experience, he’s beginning a new chapter at Black Needle Tattoo, merging impeccable technique with a deep understanding of each client’s individuality. His mastery encompasses a wide range of styles, from detailed Realism and precise Microrealism, to bold American Traditional, distinctive Blackwork, and the depths of Black & Grey. He also specializes in the precision of Fine Line, the complexity of Geometric, and the vibrant narrative of Anime.
Lucas Zhao
Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan to Chinese ancestry of both the northern lands bordering Mongolia and the western hills at the frontier of Tibet. I mix elements of landscape photography and Indigenous optical systems in my design and tattoo work. With roots in being a self-taught photographer and spending most of my adolescence on the road, tattooing or as I see it as “the way of sword” found me while living in Brooklyn in 2020 after having been a committed activism photographer which informs my value system in this craft. My approach to tattooing is unconventional and oftentimes considered indigenous but it centers the individual that is going through the transformation of being tattooed. My passion is helping others feel safe in their truth. Happy to be working with the artists at Black Needle Tattoo. Excited to help more people share their stories in a way that centers their truth as the central axis opposed to fitting into a history that leaves no roles for the courageous when crowns are stolen and seldom earned. Tattoo is a way forge to your own crown.
Artzy Valo
Artzy Valo is a black & grey tattoo artist advancing her own style. Bringing creative ideas to life and confidence in the mirror is a passion that she aims to forever progress in. Distributing her art in a variety of ways around the Bay Area lead to the interest in a more permanent direction. Her intentions are and always will be to encourage others in being themselves unapologetically, no matter the norm wherever they might be. Outside of the studio she’s likely still drawing with her family, friends & pets
Sam Kaso
Sam is an artist from Alameda, Ca. They attended art school locally, with a focus on mural design and creation, figure drawing, and painting.
Sam became drawn to tattooing because of the collaborative aspect. To them, working with another human to create art they will carry with them for a lifetime embodies the ideals of being a working artist who uses their skills to create and support community. As they learn and grow, their goal is to create tattoo work that will convey similar aspects to their personal work; a sense of play, immediacy, and vulnerability. At this stage of their apprenticeship, their tattoo designs focus on black work.