Meet our owner and Head Artist , Connie

Meet Connie Westgate: The Artist Behind Heart & Dagger Tattoo

If you've been searching for a tattoo artist in Edmonton, there's a good chance you've come across the name Connie Westgate. As the founder, owner and head artist of Heart & Dagger Tattoo, Connie has spent decades developing her skills as both a fine artist and tattoo artist while creating a studio focused on individuality, creativity and meaningful tattoo experiences.

Located on Edmonton's 124 Street, Heart & Dagger Tattooreflects Connie's belief that getting a tattoo should be about much more than simply putting ink on skin. It's an opportunity to tell a story, celebrate an important moment, reclaim your body or turn an idea you've carried with you into a piece of art.

From Fine Art to Tattooing

Connie's artistic journey began when she was young. Her background in fine arts helped establish the foundation for the detailed, illustrative approach that has become an important part of her tattooing.

She also holds a degree in Women's Studies from the University of Alberta, with a focus on women's health, and has a background in counseling. That combination of art, communication and understanding of women's experiences has become particularly meaningful in her work with clients seeking mastectomy and scar tattoos.

Connie's Tattoo Specialties

Connie is particularly known for neo-traditional tattooing, combining bold tattoo techniques with colourful, detailed and imaginative artwork. Her portfolio includes illustrated fantasy pieces, characters, animals, florals, sleeves and custom designs.

She also specializes in cover-up tattoos, memorial tattoos, mastectomy tattoos and scar cover-ups.

For Connie, these projects can carry a deeper meaning. Her own experience with surgical scars helped shape her understanding of how tattoos can change the way someone feels about a part of their body. Heart & Dagger's scar tattoo work includes designs intended to incorporate and transform existing scars into personalized artwork.

A Tattoo Should Tell Your Story

One of Connie's central philosophies is that the client should never feel like just another appointment. Her approach begins with listening: understanding what the client wants, discussing style and placement, and determining how an idea can become a tattoo that works with the body.

Heart & Dagger offers free consultations, giving clients an opportunity to discuss their ideas, references, placement, size and expectations before committing to their tattoo.

More Than a Tattoo Shop

Connie has also made community involvement part of Heart & Dagger's identity. The studio regularly supports local causes, including the Second Chance Animal Rescue Society (SCARS), using tattoo events and fundraising initiatives to give back to the community.

Today, Connie continues to create custom artwork at Heart & Dagger Tattoo on 124 Street in Edmonton while helping clients find the right artist and approach for their own ideas.

Looking for a custom tattoo artist in Edmonton? Meet Connie Westgate and explore her work at Heart & Dagger Tattoo.

How to Choose a Tattoo Artist in Edmonton

How to Choose a Tattoo Artist in Edmonton

Choosing a tattoo artist is about more than finding someone who can create a design you like. A tattoo is permanent, so finding an artist whose style, experience and approach match your vision is one of the most important decisions you will make.

Whether you're getting your first tattoo or adding to an existing collection, here are five things to consider when choosing a tattoo artist in Edmonton.

1. Find an Artist Who Specializes in Your Style

Every tattoo artist has their own strengths and artistic style. Some specialize in traditional tattoos, while others focus on realism, fine line, black and grey, neo-traditional, illustrative work or cover-ups.

Start by looking through an artist's portfolio. Don't just choose a tattoo because you like it—look for multiple examples of the style and type of tattoo you want. If you're considering a neo-traditional tattoo, for example, find an artist who regularly creates that style.

At Heart & Dagger Tattoo, our artists have individual styles and specialties, which allows us to help match clients with the artist who is best suited to their project.

2. Look Beyond Instagram's Best Photos

Social media can be a great way to discover tattoo artists, but don't judge an artist solely by their most impressive or newest posts.

Look for consistency across their portfolio. If possible, look at healed tattoos as well as freshly completed work. Healed tattoos give you a better idea of how an artist's linework, colour and shading settle over time.

Pay attention to tattoos similar to what you want—not just the artist's overall follower count or popularity.

3. Make Safety a Priority

Tattooing involves breaking the skin, so professional hygiene and infection-control practices are essential. Alberta Health Services recommends looking for a clean studio, single-use sterile needles and appropriate sterilization and safety practices. You should also be able to access the studio's health inspection information.

Don't be afraid to ask questions about safety. A professional tattoo artist should be comfortable explaining their procedures.

4. Pay Attention to the Consultation

A good consultation should feel like a conversation, not a sales pitch.

Your artist should listen to your ideas, discuss size and placement, explain what will work well on your body and offer honest recommendations. Sometimes the best artist is the one who tells you when an idea needs to be changed to create a better tattoo.

5. Don't Choose Your Artist Based on Price Alone

Cost matters, but the cheapest tattoo isn't necessarily the best value. Experience, artistic ability, time, design complexity and the quality of the finished work all contribute to the price.

Instead of asking only, "How much will this cost?" ask whether the artist is the right person to create something you'll be happy to wear for years.

Looking for a Tattoo Artist in Edmonton?

Heart & Dagger Tattoo is located on 124th Street in Edmonton and brings together independent tattoo artists with different styles and specialties. Whether you're looking for a custom neo-traditional tattoo, cover-up, scar cover-up tattoo, mastectomy scar cover-up, memorial tattoo or another personalized piece, we're happy to help you find the right artist for your idea.

The right tattoo starts with the right artist. Take your time, do your research and choose someone whose work you trust.

We Are Hiring !

Are you a tattoo artist in the Edmonton area looking for a space to grow your tattoo portfolio, create your style and expand your clientele? We can help you with this. Heart & Dagger Tattoo is expanding and would like a talented tattoo artist to come along for the adventure. We offer a reasonable booth rent, or percentage ; whichever works best for you.

We supply most supplies except ink and needles. We are mainly a custom studio, however we do offer flash and walk ins, as we do get consistent foot traffic. If you would like to learn more please feel free to call /text Connie at 780-934-8415 for an in person interview. Please bring a physical portfolio if you have one.

How to Choose the Best Tattoo Artist in Edmonton in 2026: A Practical Guide

Learn how to choose the best tattoo artist in Edmonton in 2026 with practical tips on style, safety, pricing, reviews, and booking.

Finding the best tattoo artist in Edmonton starts with one thing many people overlook: compatibility. A great tattoo is not just about technical skill. It is also about how well an artist understands your idea, your style, your comfort level, and the experience you want to have. When the fit is right, the whole process feels easier, safer, and more collaborative.

This guide will help you choose wisely, whether you are planning your first tattoo or adding to an existing collection.

Start With Compatibility

Not every artist is right for every person or every project. Some artists shine in bold neo-traditional work. Others focus on realism, black and grey, geometric pieces, or coverups. The best tattoo artist in Edmonton for you is the one whose style matches your vision and who makes you feel heard.

That is why artist-client matching matters. At Heart & Dagger Tattoo, the focus is on pairing clients with the right artist for their idea, not just filling a time slot.

Review Healed Work, Not Just Fresh Tattoos

Fresh tattoos can look bright and crisp in almost any photo. Healed work tells the real story. Look for tattoos that still read clearly after the skin has settled. Check line quality, shading, colour retention, and how the design sits on the body.

When comparing portfolios, ask yourself:

• Does the artist post healed results?

• Do their tattoos still look clean months later?

• Is their work consistent across different clients and placements?

At Heart & Dagger Tattoo, you can easily see the portfolios of artists Connie, Breanna, and Shauna.

Check Studio Hygiene and Safety Standards

A tattoo studio should feel creative, but it also needs to feel professional and safe. Clean stations, proper setup, fresh gloves, sterile tools, and clear aftercare guidance are non-negotiable.Ask about certifications and inspection standards.

Heart & Dagger Tattoo on 124th Street in Edmonton emphasizes quality and safety, with artists who are blood-borne pathogen certified and a studio that is AHS inspected and approved. Those details matter. They help protect your health and show the shop takes its work seriously.

Read Reviews Carefully

Reviews can tell you a lot beyond whether someone liked their tattoo. Look for patterns in what people say about communication, professionalism, cleanliness, comfort, and how the artist handled the process from start to finish.

Good signs include reviews that mention:

• A welcoming atmosphere

• Honest advice

• Strong artist-client communication

• Clean, professional service

• Great healed results

If a studio is consistently praised for both the tattoo and the experience, that is worth paying attention to.

Evaluate the Consultation Process

A good consultation should feel like a real conversation, not a rush job. The artist should ask questions, explain what will work best, and be honest about size, placement, detail, and timing.

This is often where you can tell whether you have found the best tattoo artist in Edmonton for your piece. A strong consultation builds trust. It shows the artist cares about the final result, not just getting you booked.

If you are ready to talk through your idea, you can reach out through the Heart & Dagger Tattoo booking page.

Understand Pricing: Cheap Tattoos Cost More Later

Price matters, but bargain hunting can go badly with tattoos. A low price can mean rushed work, weak design, poor placement, or technical problems that cost more to fix later. Coverups and reworks are usually more expensive and more limiting than getting it done well the first time.

Value matters more than the cheapest quote. When you pay for experience, safety, custom design, and careful application, you are paying for something that lives on your skin for years.

Look for Custom Work, Not Copy-Paste Designs

Your tattoo should feel like yours. That does not mean every design must be huge or complex, but it should suit your body, your idea, and your style. Be cautious if an artist seems too quick to reuse the same concepts without adapting them.

Heart & Dagger Tattoo is known for custom work and for helping bring personal ideas to life. That approach leads to stronger tattoos and a better overall experience.

Consider Communication and Personality

Skill matters, but so does how an artist communicates. You want someone clear, respectful, and easy to talk to. Tattoos can be personal. Some are fun, some are meaningful, and some mark major life events. You should feel comfortable asking questions and speaking up.

The best tattoo artist in Edmonton is not only talented. They also know how to guide you through the process with care and confidence.

Check Availability, But Don’t Chase Immediate Openings

A fast opening can be convenient, but it should not be your main reason for choosing an artist. Great artists are often booked ahead, especially for larger or custom work. That is usually a sign people trust them.

Heart & Dagger Tattoo does welcome walk-ins for smaller pieces, which is great if your idea fits that format. For larger or more detailed work, it often makes sense to book ahead and wait for the right artist rather than settle for whoever is free first.

Trust Your Instincts

If something feels off, pay attention to that. If you feel rushed, dismissed, pressured, or unclear about the process, keep looking. The right artist and studio will make you feel informed, respected, and comfortable.

Choosing the best tattoo artist in Edmonton is part research and part instinct. Look at the work, ask questions, read reviews, and trust your gut.

If you want custom tattoo work in a creative, caring, community-minded studio, Heart & Dagger Tattoo on 124th Street is here to help. Whether you are planning something deeply personal or stopping in for a smaller piece, you can book a consultation or get in touch here and find the right artist for your idea.

Spring is Almost here-Convention 2026 is around the corner!

Convention season is officially upon as spring tries to valiantly overcome winters dominance. Seriously Mother Nature, more flowers less snow please. This year’s convention will be at the Edmonton Expo like past years. This year two of our three team members will be representing Heart & Dagger Tattoo , Shauna Bauer @tattooedtides and Connie Westgate@conniewestgatetattoos. It will taking place April 17-19, 2026.

We look forward to seeing you there and we are ready to take your walk up requests for small tattoos. If you are feeling really brave, larger scale projects are always offered and can be started at portfolio pricing at the show. We are also here to answer your questions, do consultations , and just say hello. You can come visit us at booth 326 ,( by the food trucks). We will have sweet little stickers and hundreds of tattoo designs for you to choose from, if your are really have the itch for new ink.

Thanks so much for your support and we would love to see you there!

The Heart & Dagger Tattoo Team :)

Convention 2024 Spring Events at the shop

First convention in the Books !

Hey Folks well, your old Gal Connie Finally got over it and did her first convention, ( I have been tattooing along time, the idea just overwhelmed me , so here we are) ; Darren and Bree have done them before and gave me the lets do this to go forth and let the city of Edmonton know that we are here and happy to tattoo you. Lol

We have video of highlights for you to watch , go to our instagram @heartdaggertattoo and enjoy . I will prob do it again it is a fun event and our clients were such great support. You rule.

@conniewestgatetattoos will be repping the shop and the fundraiser we are doing to help the animals of @scarscare . May 3 and 4 ( see above four details ) she will be selling prints, original paintings sculptures and the like from herself and the gang at Heart & Dagger Tattoo . This will be our first time participating in this event .Come by say hello and and help us support this wonderful organization.

We will also be doing loonie press on tattoos for the kids at Local 124 annual skate event which will take place Saturday May 11, in our parking lot. We will be out there in the afternoon between 2;30 and 4:00 pm.

Thanks again for all your support and we look forward to giving you all great ink.

Soooooo you want a Cover-up?? Tips on getting through the Process

We love that @conniewestgatetattoos and @breeannatattoos do coverups. That being said there are things that you need to keep in mind when booking in your consultation.

1/ Bring us all of you inspiration that you would like your coverup to look like , keep in mind not all ideas will work , as cover ups need to be bigger , and darker , heavily saturated with pigment in order for the original tattoo to be camouflaged.

2/ Most coverups ups take more than one sitting, so plan on healing out in between sessions at least 4-6 weeks.

3/ Cover-ups require at least a $200.00 deposit due to the extra work involved in the initial design process, and the extra sessions most coverups require to be done properly.

4/ Make sure you work with us in regard to your design process. Make an appointment to see the design we have come up with for you ahead of your tattoo appointment. It is critical that you are honest with us about the design. We want to know if it works with your initial vision of what you wanted your coverup to look like. We will not be insulted if you want changes or alterations to the design , as this is critical to having the possible outcome.

5/ Coverups cost more, take more time , and commitment. Period. The results are always rewarding for the artists as well as the client as they are getting a tattoo that they now love and happy to have permanently on their body.

If you would like a FREE consultation feel free to contact our artists via the book now button on this website or CALL the shop 780-934-8415 for their booking information.

Cover up by @conniewestgatetattoos before and after .

Summer is finally here in the City of Edmonton!

Summer is here in Edmonton. That being said, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, PLEASE KEEP YOUR TATTOOS OUT OF THE SUN. Joking aside, burnt skin is no joke it not only hurts but can negatively impact any tattoos that you have. Tattoos are in an investment of your hard earned time and money so be sure to wear sunscreen and cover up when you can . We get it though, we have a very limited time to mingle with the sun in this part of the world. We kindly ask you keep your tattoos in mind when you are going out to enjoy what the summer has to offer. :)

Pro tips on getting tattooed in summer.

Not only should you keep your fresh ink out of the sun, there are a few things you should keep in mind when you get tattooed in general but in the summer you need to be more mindful of.

1. HYDRATE! - with the summer heat we need as a general rule more water please feel free to bring water , juice, and /or energy drinks to the shop to drink while you are at your appointment. This keeps your skin happy , receiving ink well and keeps your energy stores up. We have water and Gatorade here for our clients as well if you forgot to bring your own.

2. EAT!!! - with the weather being warm we know it can affect the appetite. We have seen folks get faint, or pass out completely if they have not fed their body properly before they get tattooed. A decent meal is always best a few hour prior this way you have something to sustain you during your tattoo session and will keep your energy up. If you have longer tattoo session feel free to bring food and snacks with you to much on during your stretch breaks , this way your sugar will not dip, and cause issues.

3. Keep your healing tattoo and /or your second skin bandage out of the sun. Light weight, loose fitting clothing are key here. Once your tattoos are healed, continuing to either sunscreen or cover up your investment is recommended. This way your tattoo will last allot longer. Sun worshipers tend to need touch ups much earlier than their counterparts, the sun can fade your ink. 4.

4. Make sure you moisturize your skin regularly before your tattoo. ( even the week before) It will help your skin receive the ink as well as keep it heathy.

Frame of Fame Flash for June is up !

As usual, the first of the month is when we feature flash from all of our artists s at Heart & Dagger Tattoo that is up for grabs. A deposit claims the design you like . You can send a message of this website to claim the design or call/text the shop 780-934-8415 to contact the artist who’s flash you are interested in.

Photoshoot Shenanigans at Heart & Dagger

A lovely client of ours contacted us and said , photoshoot? And we said . “Heck ya!” Mickela of @mickelasvision on Instagram came out and we had a ton of fun. Make sure you check out this young ladies work, give her a follow and support her vision.

Needless to say, silliness occurred in front of the camera; which made our busy day at the shop , beyond enjoyable. Here’s a few of the pics she snapped ( we will posting more on our instagram , @heartdagger tattoo, so keep an out ).

Northern Chicken Tattoo Flash - Starts May 26- end of 2023.

Heck ya ! We love our incredibly hard working neighbours Northern Chicken on 124 street ( across the street from us!), with a tattoo flash sheet . They have been so kind and supportive over the years of the shop and we thought we would surprise them with a flash sheet in their honour. The flash drops tomorrow May 26, 2023 and the designs will be available until December 30, 2023.

For the month of June if you get one the flash pieces tattooed and go the Northern Chicken and get a picture of your eating some of their delicious eats eight your fresh ink and tag @heartdaggertattoo and @northernchickenyeg on your IG you will be entered into a contacts to win a free hour of tattooing with @conniewestgatetattoos.

Come by , check out the designs and afterwards go have a delicious post tattoo meal at Northern Chicken, and show off your latest body art. We love our local chicken , because ; ‘We are not fucking around’ ( like their chicken) about great local businesses .

Minimum Charge Increase

It had to happen. We are increasing our minimum charge to $150 plus GST per tattoo. Please note that our deposit policy has been updated in the last few months, please go our website section under policies and you will find the whole list of current prices there.

Lots of good changes at Heart & Dagger Tattoo

Hello Folks !

Fun

Well the sunny weather has arrived in Edmonton, AB. The patios are open on 124 street and people are ready to get outside . We recently supported our neighbours at Local 124 Skate shop with a custom painted skateboard for their free skate event in our buildings parking lot . It was a fun filled day watching the skating community do their thing.

NEW ARTIST ALERT

We have a full house again in the shop with addition of the talented Darren who does a mix of neotraditonal, etching , and black work. His unique approach to tattoo design makes the team at Heart & Dagger Tattoo complete. Give him a follow at on IG: @rat.tooth.tattoo, he’s taking appointments and his books are open.

ICYMI MONTHLY FEATURED FLASH

Don’t forget we have monthly flash available featured in our frame of fame . We pick different themes to keep it interesting . We also have our door that houses our tattoos in need of good homes. If you are looking for something specific, all of our artists do custom designs and our consultations are free of charge. We do require a deposit for drawing your tattoo which is taken off of your tattoo time.

SUMMER IS HERE - TAKE EXTRA CARE HEALING OUT YOUR TATTOOS

That’s right folks , with the hot weather comes all the fun outdoor activities. Camping, hiking,swimming, etc. and being out in the sun are all great , but terrible for healing out tattoos. Please make sure you are NOT doing any of the aforementioned activities after you get tattooed . As pretty awesome your tattoo is , it is still an open wound that is vulnerable to infection. Follow the instructions we give you and feel free to reach out to your artist if you have any questions about your healing process. We are hear to help.

Take care of your ink , as you have it for life. If you need touch ups , no need to fear , we understand that life happens. Call the shop 780-934-8415 to book in with your artist.

Stay safe and healthy out there folks!

The Heart & Dagger Team