Matthew and The Little Tattoo Shoppe truly are the top shelf of tattoo shops. Matthew has created an amazing experience for his clients. The shoppe itself is inviting, comfortable, and calm. Matthew's skill is unparalleled. He's an incredible individual with the very best taste in tattoos. If you're looking for something unique designed specifically for your body, give Matthew a call. Read Less

Matthew is a goddamn artistic genius... portraits, detail and color... does not matter. I have been coming to him for 10 years and he has done over 50 hours of work on me. Not only is he incredibly talented, but he is also very polite, courteous and funny. Trust me... if you are looking for a tattoo that turns heads... and one you are proud of... look no further than The Little Tattoo Shoppe and Matthew Mattison. Read Less

I got my first tattoo here. Toby Good was wonderful, calming, kind, and open. He was honest and helpful as we were discussing the tattoo I wanted, and gave me some suggestions I used. His coworker was really funny, too. They both made me feel really at ease right off the bat. I think one of them even offered me coffee. Toby was very understanding when I had to go back in for a touch up. The pricing altogether was so reasonable. I had an overall awesome experience with these guys. I would recommend them to anyone. Read Less

Matthew is super talented but just a look at his portfolio and that's easy to tell. He's worked on portraits for both my husband and I and we get stopped everywhere we go with compliments on both our work. I will never ever go to another artist, I will be going back to Matthew for any and all work from here on out! Read Less

I cannot give a high enough recommendation for Matthew! I have gone to him for all of my tattoos and over the years I have directed thousands of dollars in work his way! He's the best I found in my research and he's worth every penny he's ever asked me for from me. He's fair and honest! I love his work and work ethic and think everyone should at minimum have a consultation with him! Read Less

Matthew Mattison is an old soul. He is thoughtful and kind hearted. Our conversation was effortless and I felt heard as if we were old friends. At the same time he was a perfect combination of professional and precise with an artistic mastery of his craft. I felt at ease and confident in his care. Thank you Matthew for an amazing first bodywork experience.More to come for sure! Read Less

This was my first tattoo, I was completely nervous. I came in as a walk-in, and I got my tattoo sketched by Toby. He perfected the sketch to exactly how I wanted and he was very friendly. Toby put my nerves at ease and made the whole experience great. If I get another tattoo, definitely going back here. The atmosphere of the shop was very unique and relaxed. Read Less

I had Toby do my tattoo and he was so easy and fun to talk to! I was on edge and tense since this was my first tattoo. He really listens and gives good feedback and input for ideas. He's really good at what he does. I had my brothers and niece tag along and made this a family event. Toby made us his top priority and took his time. Too awesome! Read Less

So, we made this a family outing, with my partner and I coming to get matching tattoos, and our niece as well as my sister-in-law came along to also get tattoos. Toby made this his all day project, taking great care of all of us. I can highly recommend him. He is extremely personable and friendly, really puts you at ease. And he is a great artist. He did a fantastic job on our tattoos, but if you don't already know what you want, he is a great artist in his own right and will help you to develop just the right piece for you.Read Less

The best. That's all there is to be said. Matthew Mattison has been the only one to do my tattoos. I've been seeing him since 2000. He's an amazing artist, and super friendly. He makes the whole experience comfortable, and enjoyable. I have no reason to ever use another artist. Top notch. Read Less

My friends and I've been getting tattooed with Toby since a while ago. He recently made an awesome birdcage piece on me and the design was totally amazing. If you wanna get a great tattoo and also great conversations this guys are just the best. Funny how I laugh and scream of pain at the same time. I can't wait to go back for another tattoo! Read Less

So I went in tonight to have my first ever tattoo done. To be quite honest, I was totally nervous. I was scared about the process and how it would hurt. I saw Toby who was absolutely amazing. He walked me through the process, showed me the needle gun, had conversations with me while I was waiting and made me feel at ease. The shops atmosphere was something weird and cool that helped me focus when I got nervous. I showed him what I wanted, only finding a few fonts online that I liked, he came out with something so much more beautiful than I could have imagined. Who knew lettering could look so pretty and be so simple? Anyways, my tattoo took less than an hour, and with only a few very tender parts, came out amazing. Toby was very light handed, or I just handled the pain very well. I will most definitely be going back to get my next piece done with this artist. Thanks for the amazing first experience! Read Less

The "shoppe" is beautifuly decorated. Matthew was the one who tattooed me, we had a really fun time with him. He is very nice, and his work is flawless. Never made us feel insecure. Everything was super clean. Definetely Portland's #1 Tattoo Shoppe Read Less

This place is a gem! Toby let us in on a random rainy Sunday afternoon and was as excited about my tattoo idea as I was. It's a huge relief to me when the artist approves of the thing you had in mind, cause it's confirmation that it's not dumb and I won't regret it in a week. He drew up a few designs and worked patiently with me to tweak it to the style I wanted: classy and minimalistic. I wanted a compass rose on my forearm, and Toby did a beautiful, super pro job. He was really easy to talk to and put me at least during the process even though I really, really hate pain. The shop is on a really cute street and there are only two artists, so my overall experience felt very personal and genuine. My tattoo is healing nicely now, and I've gotten endless compliments. Way to go! Read Less

Couldn't be happier. Walked in and was greeted by Toby around noon. He made time for me to come back and see him later in the day. I had a decent idea of what I wanted and he drew it up better than I could have expected on the first go. He took a lot of care in the placement and making sure it was what I wanted. Friendly, professional, great guy. Love the final product. Read Less

Matthew was awesome. It was my second tattoo I'd ever received (first by him) and he did a wonderful lettering job on my wrist. Was incredibly nice, very friendly, and unlike most tattoo artists, made me feel very welcome and comfortable and had great customer service skills. Didn't have the normal "too cool" feeling of most tattoo shops that usually drives me away and really took his time and consideration into my wants/desires for the lettering. Also - LGBT friendly and does lots of tattoos for the LGBT community. Highly recommend him and this shop! Read Less

Matthew was awesome. It was my second tattoo I'd ever received (first by him) and he did a wonderful lettering job on my wrist. Was incredibly nice, very friendly, and unlike most tattoo artists, made me feel very welcome and comfortable and had great customer service skills. Didn't have the normal "too cool" feeling of most tattoo shops that usually drives me away and really took his time and consideration into my wants/desires for the lettering. Also - LGBT friendly and does lots of tattoos for the LGBT community. Highly recommend him and this shop! Read Less

I'm not a tattoo newbie, but only had little ones done and a mediocre cover up.  So when I decided to get a bigger piece, I did my due diligence.  Matthew is a friend of a friend, so when I was recommended to his shop, I took it with a grain of salt.  I checked out his work in his online portfolio and felt like his style wasn't really what I was looking for.  Super tight portraits and blackwork.  But I wanted something more feminine and girly.  Toby's style seemed to suit me better.So like a totally horrible high-maintenance client, I compiled a pinterest board of colors, other tats I liked, flowers I liked, etc.  Then I came in for my consult with him complete with a couple printed things and the link.  He was very patient with me.  We went back and forth a bit on the design.  He offered advice as to what would look good without adding too much- keeping the design classy and lasting.  I came in to see the design he came up with a few days before my ink apt.  He traced it out and put it on my back.  NOT at all what I thought I wanted. Bigger, much different than I pictured in my head.  But DAMN GINA!  in love.  Major swoon. He knew what I NEEDED better than I knew what I wanted.  It fit the space perfectly and my style.  Came in a few days later and sat for an hour and a half for my outlines.  He was incredibly patient, very calming.  I'm not a complete wuss, it's not like I was writhing and crying.  But when it got to be a bit much, he would move to another spot and then come back.  Done.Next session, two hours for color.  Again, amazing.  Shot the breeze, cracked jokes, told stories.  It was like hanging out with a couple of buddies.  I got to watch Matthew work both days on two incredibly different but super rad pieces.  His work is solid, his bedside manner also awesome.Month and a half goes by, I need a few things touched up.  Some tiny spots where ink didn't take very well, mostly.  He wasn't happy with a few things so he fixed them.  No charge.  We talked about ideas for my next piece.  I love this boy.  In fact, I'm currently formulating my next tat.  It's been a year, almost exactly from the time I started the process.  I'm just as in love and happy now as I was then.  I constantly get complimented on my piece. I've sent a few other people there who are also super happy with the work that Toby did.  All in all, solid shop, clean, nice guys, great art.  Not for an impulse tat, they are busy. Make an appointment and wait.  Not for trashy flash work, these guys take their art seriously.  It's an investment, but worth it.  You get what you pay for.  Thanks so much Toby, see you soon!!! Read Less

I went to The Little Tattoo Shoppe after meeting Matthew and his wife at the crossfit gym I joined. I think just as important as the art itself is the artist's ability to interact and relate with people. Matthew is a very humble and relatable person and it is his genuineness that really puts me at ease. I have come across way too many temperamental artists in the past. My husband and I needed a simple script tattoo and I also wanted a silhouette of a fur tree. Matthew was already booked on the day that I had open in my schedule but recommended we see his other artist Toby. Toby did a great job. He took the time to draw, re-draw, and draw again as I detailed out the changes I wanted in my tree. Where other artists may have been annoyed, he conveyed that my satisfaction is of the utmost importance and made me feel like I knew best (after all it's going on MY body). During my time I got to see both the artists interact with several clients. What I appreciated was the way they respect each client's vision and that they come with  a "no tattoo is too small or trivial" approach.I recommended my friend to Matthew for her Frankenstein portrait. I'll assure you her tattoo is the most tragic and hauntingly beautiful depiction of Frankenstein I have ever seen! I will definitely be going back to Matthew and Toby myself in the future! Read Less

This review is for Matthew as I have not had the pleasure of being tattooed by Toby yet.I cannot give enough stars to Matthew and this shop.  I first came here to get an older piece touched up/fixed because it features a face that the original artist left very plain and flat.  Several friends who'd had work done here recommended Matthew and I saw by his portfolio online that he does great portrait and detail work so I chose him to fix the face.  I ended up getting three more tattoos made by him since that first appointment and have no plans to see any other artist.  There are a few things that make Matthew a great tattooist.  He is incredibly talented as an artist, of course.  His style is delicate while strong.  He is great at doing feminine tattoos that flatter the body.  He will tell you so if he thinks a piece will not be flattering and he works hard to make custom pieces that fit to your form and really wrap around you.  He makes absolute sure you are happy with a piece before he starts making it permanent, something that I can't say every tattooist I've met prioritized.Along with his artistic skill, he's an incredible fun person to be tattooed by.  He's fun to banter with and I always look forward to our appointments for this reason.  For his skill, his prices are very reasonable and he has only ever charged me for actual tattoo time, not drawing or talking about concepts.All said, I deeply appreciate having this shop in town and look forward to my future appointments with Matthew! Read Less

First off, I created an account on yelp just so I could write a review of this place. I'm not normally one to write about my experience. I've had a lot of work done by a lot of artists but the piece that Toby did is beyond incredible. My time spent in the chair was so enjoyable I almost forgot that my arm was being impaled by tiny needles. Toby, who did the work on me, is fun to talk with and the owner Matthew was very congenial as well. He did a good job distracting me by feeding me yummy Hawaiian chocolate. I've never been to a spa but this was like a spa day for me... chocolate, shaving cream, and a comfy chair?? Check. It felt like I was in a friend's living room. Both artists talked through ideas with me to make sure that what I got in the shop was the best piece of work to date. I've never had so many people stop me on the street, on the bus, and at work to compliment a tattoo but it seems like I can't go anywhere without someone drooling over it. Toby did such an incredible job that one woman told me she hates tattoos and has never in her life thought they were attractive and said she had never commented on a tattoo before. But she told me she loved mine and found it beautiful.Toby's line work is perfect and his shading is spot on. It doesn't look like I have another tattoo on my arm--it looks like I have a painting. I've had 6 different artists and 10 tattoos and this is BY FAR the best. I'll never sit in anyone else's chair again. Read Less

Toby and Matthew have a great little shoppe here in Portland. When I decided I wanted a tattoo I walked into their shoppe and was welcomed with open arms. Toby was extremely helpful and patient. I described what I wanted and gave him a few photos to work off of and he created a beautiful elephant that was one of a kind and specific to my ideas. When I went in to get the tattoo (my first tattoo) I was very nervous and anxious about the placement since it would be visible. Both Toby and Matthew talked me through it and suggested that I take more time to think about it and look at new placements. I set another appointment (on my birthday) and was more excited than ever. They never made me feel uncomfortable and I was always able to drop by the shoppe whenever I had a question or an idea. I will be getting a tattoo here again, they are excellent in their art and in their client service. Read Less

Best Tattoo Shop in Portland!To begin with the shop is not your average shop. There's no posters of tattoo flash to choose from because it's all custom work they do. They're happy to accommodate you if you come in with art, however. Also the typical tattoo shop people are not there. You know, the desk girl who thinks she's a Suicide Girls model on account of having tattoos, the multiple jerks who judge you if you come in for your first tattoo or if they don't like what you want done. Thankfully these sorts of people are pleasantly absent. Owner Matthew and apprentice Toby are kind, welcoming, friendly and cordial. The shop decoration is sorta gothic victorian, with deep purples, reds and blacks throughout. There's great music playing and a huge comfy couch to sit in while you wait.Owner Matthew is a commensurate artist. He has been tattooing for 25 years and it shows. His fine line work as absolutely, ridiculously good. Both my partner and I got work done from him and even months later the lines are sharp, crisp and dark. His shading is super realistic. He does it all. Portraits, abstract, traditional, etc. He makes you feel at ease. A pleasant mix of conversation and periodic silence makes for an enjoyable experience having someone drive a needle repeatedly into your skin. While I have never had a tattoo by Toby his work seems solid as well.Overall I will never seek out another tattoo shop in Portland, or Oregon as a whole for that matter. There's a reason the hourly rate is about $20 higher than some other shops and that there is over a month wait to get in to see Matthew. His work is absolutely, insanely good. Go in for a consult (usually no appointment needed for just that) and wait any amount of time it takes to get work done here. I've gotten two pieces done here and will be back for many, many more. Read Less

Had a fantastic experience getting tatted by Toby Good! He did a great job hearing me out on the tattoo concept, came up with a great sketch in record time, and was a complete professional from start to finish. Love the look and feel of the Little Tattoo Shoppe, it's light and open while still being private. Can't wait to go back and add to my half sleeve- recommending Toby to all my friends. Read Less

Wow!  I'm not even really sure where to begin, there are just So Many great things about the Little Tattoo Shoppe!  ;)For one, Toby was the artist for my partner and I, who were visiting Portland from SF. Now, there are lots of great artists in SF, for sure, but it's fun to get tattoos while traveling. My partner and I both had pieces that needed a bit of massaging and Toby did an amazing job with drawing, placement and overall design.  In fact, he did such a great job, that our current plan is to visit Portland every few months (not just for Toby, we also have family and friends there, haha) and have Toby do a little work on us each time. We're both working on arm pieces and it'd be great to have an artist like Toby, with a real vision for unification, placement and design, do most of the work.On top of it, he came in on his day off, since we only had one day in our visit to get tattoed. Thank you Toby, we really appreciate that!  Matthew is the owner and he has created a vibe in his shop of customer service, caring, professionalism, kindness, and beauty. These guys will get you in and out in the nicest and most competent way.   ;) Read Less

My expectations were exceeded at The Little Tattoo Shoppe. Matthew Mattison is an extraordinary artist who has honed his craft  to a T. He not only does amazingly beautiful work; he  has a good eye for placing the image in such a way so that it becomes a part you,naturally .The shop is very cozy ., the vibe is relaxed. I LOVE this place, & will recommend it to everyone . I  will  definitely be going back in the very near future.Thank you again Matthew., i Love love love my tattoo, you rock!! Read Less

I love this place! It has a very warm and classy feel to it. Toby E. Good is an excellent artist and an all around nice guy. I won't let anyone else tattoo me. For the last couple weeks, Toby has been tattooing my wife and has done a wonderful job. Always kind and respectful to her. The Little Tattoo Shoppe is also in a great location, so you can easily grab a slice of margarita pizza at Whole Foods after your tattoo! Read Less

Best tattoo experience so far, hands down. Matthew is an amazing artist who is great at turning an idea into a kick ass tattoo. The shop is super cozy, friendly vibe and overall awesome.  Matthew has taken his many years of experience in different shops to create an atmosphere unlike any other shop I have been in. I have seen Toby work a lot as well, while I have been sitting getting a big side piece done, and he always produces clean original work. Consultation was great and I am so happy with how my piece is turning out! Some of the best talent in town, I recommend  anyone their direction. These guys are booked up, so be sure to get in the calendar early! Read Less

Disclosure: I have not been to the actual location.However! Having tried many of the better artists in town, I will say that the newest addition to their staff: Toby E. Good--who did over seven hours on my back when he was at his former location--is absolutely amazing. I have never worked with an artist who was more patient, attentive, and professional as Toby... not to mention totally sweet and unpretentious :) I would definitely follow Mr. Good wherever he goes; and since he gets over five stars in my book, The Little Tattoo Shop definitely gets the max for having such wonderful taste. Read Less