the Tattoo Shop that changed the game

Black & Blue Tattoo is a queer and woman-owned tattoo shop established in San Francisco in 1995. Back in the 90s, tattoo shops looked a little different – male dominated, rare custom options, and oftentimes flash sheets weren’t even created by the artists themselves. Offering free hand and custom tattoos, Captain, Idexa, quickly stood out. 

Idexa also trained and taught with Fakir Musafar, The Father of Modern Primitives. Throughout the 90s, she learned and taught extensively about clean and sterile technique, ritual, consensuality and collaborations, not just within Fakir’s Body Piercing and Branding Intensives.

As the Bay Area’s first queer, women-owned and operated tattoo shop, Idexa and her crew opened up the space for folks of all genders and sexualities to share their creative talents. Creating this space had customers feeling safe and welcome in a time where tattoo shops were typically very homogeneous. Today, our artists reflect a range of diverse styles and talents!

Here high quality, collaborative artistry, combined with a warm, inclusive space allows artists and clients alike to feel comfortable in their own skin.

Maritime theme

At Black & Blue Tattoo our Maritime theme pays an homage to the history of tattoos, as well as our Captain’s personal history. Back in the day, sailors commonly got tattooed at ports during downtime – mermaids, ships, amongst other nautical imagery were commonly depicted and these “sailor tattoos” later informed what is now known as the American traditional tattoo style. 

This relationship of artist and sailor is what led to the establishment of the first tattoo parlors in the port cities. We remember these roots of our craft proudly with our maritime theme. 

Additionally, our Captain, Idexa Stern, has always lived on the coast, near an ocean. The fresh ocean breeze and calming sense of being by the water, are intrinsically linked to her tattooing practice. As the Captain of Black & Blue Tattoo, she makes sure everyone on the crew is  enthusiastic to create and open to learning.  

Idexa is a San Francisco tattoo legend who believes that the significance of a tattoo lies beyond the ink. She is particularly interested in the personal, spiritual experience tattooing can evoke and views tattooing as a means of self-transformation. Idexa works closely with her clients to create one-of-a-kind pieces that are drawn directly on the skin.

san Francisco Legacy Business

As of November 2022, Black & Blue Tattoo is recognized by the San Francisco Small Business Commission as a San Francisco Legacy Business. Legacy businesses are seen as “the soul of the city.” They are recognized as cultural assets, and bedrocks for the local communities they are in. From creating community in their local neighborhood, to drawing tourists from around the world, these businesses dedicate themselves to maintaining San Francisco’s unique cultural identity. 

Black & Blue Tattoo’s stewardship in being the Bay Area’s first queer, woman-owned tattoo shop back in 1995 is an example as to how the shop pushed the industry forward so that more people can feel safe, welcome, and included. 

We are honored to have this recognition.