Art of CORT TATTOOS

Map-marked-alt

By Appointment Only,
Privately Located

Direct Text is Easiest - 337.441.2504

Tattoo Course Enrollment

Map-marked-alt

By Appointment Only,
Privately Located

Direct Text is Easiest - 337.441.2504

Tattoo Course Enrollment

About/FAQ

  • Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, University of Louisiana at Lafayette
  • 26 Years Owner/Operator Art of Cort
  • 8 Years Owner/Operator of Evermore Tattoo, Los Angeles, CA
  • 3 years Owner/Operator of Swampland Tattoo, Broussard, LA (Pre-Covid)
  • 2 Years Owner/Operator of Southland Tattoo, Lafayette, LA (Post-Covid)
  • Current studio is Art of Cort Tattoo (Private, Sole Artist)
  • I have shared clients with world known artists such as: Nikko Hurtado, Jun Cha, Mike Devries, Gwen Douglas… not many local artists can claim that

Tattooing is permanent. When it’s done poorly, the damage is permanent too.

 

In many cities, a tattoo license only confirms legality — not competence. It does not guarantee experience, discipline, or the ability to produce work that heals and ages correctly.

 

That reality has consequences.

 

Inexperienced or underqualified tattooing commonly results in:

  • Poor line control

  • Incorrect needle depth

  • Blowouts and scarring

  • Designs that don’t heal or age well

  • Work that requires painful or expensive correction

 

This is why I work in a private studio.

 

My process requires controlled conditions, uninterrupted focus, and time. A private environment allows me to prioritize execution, communication, and long-term results over speed, volume, or turnover.

 

Clients deserve to understand the risks involved — and to choose accordingly.

I prefer in-person consultations, though I do accommodate out-of-state clients when needed.

I tattoo a lot, which is why written communication is best and phone tag is best avoided. It may take anywhere from a few minutes to a few days for me to respond, but I do respond.

 

A few important notes:

  • On rare occasions, I don’t require a retainer for smaller tattoos.

  • For small tattoos, no-shows or no-calls will result in a $40 fee to reschedule. Courtesy still matters, and I practice it myself — you’ll always be notified in advance if something changes on my end.

  • Repeated calls without a voicemail or text will be added to my spam filter.

Step 1: Consultation

Small projects can usually be discussed by text or in person.

For local medium-to-large projects, meeting in person is preferred. Clients more than an hour away may consult by phone.


Step 2: Design Preparation

Your tattoo is designed after booking and presented on the day of your appointment.

Full sleeves and other complex, multi-element projects may require a $200 planning fee. When necessary, this may include one rough composition review—not a polished advance design.


Step 3: The Tattoo

Before tattooing begins, placement and any text, names, dates, symbols, or intended meaning will be verified with you.

Prepare your skin by moisturizing regularly and using sunscreen for at least a few weeks before your appointment.

In-person consultations are always preferred when possible.

 

  • Consultations can be booked online or via text.

  • Consultations are free as long as you show up.

  • An in-person consult helps me understand your design goals more clearly. For out-of-state clients, consultations can be done via FaceTime.

  • During the consultation, I create a rough mockup with you. This helps align expectations and reduces the likelihood of rejecting the initial sketch.

  • A retainer is only required if you decide to move forward and book time with me. If you plan to book at the consultation, please be prepared with the required retainer amount.

Tattoos

  • $180 per hour
  • Day rate $640–$775 for qualifying larger projects with no cancellations.
  • Small to medium tattoos (Size of the average hand or smaller) priced in person.

 Promotional credits:

  • No 3.5 percent charge on any cash amounts used to pay your tattoo.
  • $50 credit per person, per review, per social venue after I have tattooed you, if you are satisfied enough to leave a 5 star review with words.
  • Credit for each referral that results in a completed tattoo from your person. 1 credit per person, a minimum of 9% of the dollar amount matched.

Artwork

  • I prefer to design tattoos that look best. Often times clients have ideas that may or may not work. Barring subject matter errors during sketch check or things that weren’t right when compared to our initial consultation notes, I prefer the labor to be free on smaller projects to incentivize sticking with what I designed. 
  • As designs can take the better part of an entire day, I charge for as follows:
  • Free for small to medium tattoos, $30 dollars per major change/redraws thereafter.
  • $100 for sleeves, $200 for pant legs with the same charge for each major change thereafter. 
  • What counts as a major change is up to my discretion.

I take your tattoo project very seriously

  • All designs I have tattooed are my original art, you will never have to worry about me copying from Pinterest or another artist. If you see a copy online it was copied from my work!
  • If copying a specific pre-published work exactly, or if “directing” the artist is the experience you’re looking for, you will want to seek out a street shop experience. No refunds are given for insisting I copy or pressing me to do things that won’t heal right or look right. 
  • For as much as I enjoy the fun of doing walk in tattoos, I have not been able to do them in 15 years.
  • Ethically I do find impulse tattoos to be not the best long term.
  • If you find yourself to be less patient, (wanting an artist who is available sooner) ask yourself: You got your tattoo from an artist who can get you in the same day or sooner, but probably lacks in skill both technically and creatively. They still got their money, you got your very permanent tattoo. Who made it out ahead? Just something to consider. Many of my clients share this sentiment.
  • Daniel Silva posted a really informative video that explains this perfectly.
  • In any event, the tattoo design created over the course of days is way better than any tattoo designed while you wait. It’s not a hamburger, it’s permanent and you will be much happier for it. I guarantee it. 

You will get to see your final design

  • Your final design will be reviewed prior to tattooing, usually on tattoo day.
  • For more complex designs with a design labor charge, we may meet approximately a week beforehand to review the overall design.
  • Final design layout and fit are still up to my discretion.
  • I generally create a 2D or 3D map of the area being tattooed, allowing you to see how the design will sit on your body before we begin.

Come ready

  • Make sure you’ve eaten. Low blood sugar can cause undesirable results with regard to longevity.
  • Make sure you’ve rested, it makes the experience a lot better.
  • Please make sure your skin elasticity is the best it can be by applying lotion and sunblock at least a few weeks prior to getting tattooed. I have had rare occasions where the client’s skin is too brittle and sun damaged to work on the day of. 
  • To work on skin that isn’t optimal can result in poor quality that’s hard to reverse. 

Instructions

  • Keep your bandage on for a few hours after the procedure. I have had to correct tattoos from bandages being on for days due to improper artist instruction. If you had a solid experience with that in the past, just understand it was in spite of keeping the bandage on that long. 
  • Wash with a gentle dove or dial soap.
  • Pat, don’t rub dry.
  • Rest, elevate if near a joint, and make sure you eat again.
  • Wash twice daily for 4 weeks, once in the morning, once at night, a third if having been active/sweaty.
  • Only when your tattoo starts to feel tight and dry should you apply Aquaphor or Palmer’s cocoa butter. This could even be days after the tattoo, as well as the first night. Everyone is different. I promise you will know when to put something on it.
  • Apply your solution in very thin coats, only as you need.
  • Do not soak or swim for a week and a half to two weeks post tattoo procedure.