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Welcoming Leo - Our New Resident Artist
We're happy to share that Leo Olmos is joining Sunset Tattoo as a resident artist.
Leo guested with us earlier this year, and it's safe to say the response spoke for itself. We're glad to have him back, this time for good.
Born and raised in Chile, Leo has spent the past seven years tattooing in Perth, Australia, building a strong reputation in traditional and neo-traditional work. His style covers a lot of ground; pop culture, gaming, dark fantasy, animals, movies, western themes, and everything in between. Always delivered with bold, timeless line work.
Whether you're after something meaningful or just a cool tattoo for a cool person, Leo's approach is all about bringing your ideas to life properly.
Come say hi, browse his portfolio, or book in for your next piece. Leo is now taking bookings at Sunset Tattoo.
Tiger by TomTom
A big Japanese tiger by TomTom, covering the whole thigh, teeth bared mid-turn, bamboo and maple leaves worked in around it to fill out the panel.
Tigers have long stood for courage and protection in Japanese tattooing, traditionally worn as a guard against bad luck and evil spirits. It's a subject with real weight behind it, which makes it a natural fit for a piece built to take up serious space.
Going big doesn't have to mean a full leg. The thigh alone gives plenty of room to work with, enough for real scale, detail, and background without locking into a hip-to-ankle commitment straight away. This piece was planned with that in mind too, so if Bernie wants to extend further down the leg down the track, the composition's set up to carry on naturally rather than needing to be reworked around.
Tattooed over two back-to-back days, it's got the density and boldness that Japanese-style work is built on, solid black, strong colour, and a layout that fills the space without overcrowding it.
Thinking about a large piece but not ready to go full sleeve or leg? Come in and talk to us, we can design something that looks complete now and leaves room to build on later.
Meet Whitu: Sunset Tattoo's Tā Moko Artist
A couple of months ago, we welcomed Te Whitu Kahurangi Hotere to the Sunset Tattoo whānau, and it's about time we introduced him properly!
Whitu was born and raised in Manurewa, South Auckland. His path into tā moko didn't start with a tattoo machine, it started with wood. He's spent years learning under experienced kaiwhakairo (traditional Māori carvers), including Jay Rawiri Mason and Bobby Te Huia, alongside formal study at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa. That grounding in whakairo — the knowledge, the research methods, the way patterns carry meaning — is something he's carried straight into his tattooing, just embedded in skin instead of wood.
Whitu specialises in tā moko and kirituhi, using traditional Māori patterns and motifs to tell stories of culture, ancestry, tribal affiliation, and personal journeys of self-discovery. He works with both Māori and tauiwi clients, and every piece he does carries that same intention — nothing is just decoration.
He's been immersed in his own mahi toi (art practice) for over 10 years now, with 5–6 years specifically in tattooing, including the last year working in a professional studio setting. All of that experience shows in the way he approaches each design — considered, researched, and deeply personal.
We're stoked to have him as part of the studio, and even more stoked to share what he's been creating since he got here. If you're interested in a tā moko or kirituhi piece with Whitu, get in touch with the studio to start the conversation!
Tiger Time with Gordy Evelyn
If you needed proof that traditional Japanese tigers never get old, look no further than this stack of work from Gordy Evelyn. We've been sitting on these photos for a while and they deserve their own moment, so here's a quick showcase of some of our favourite tiger tattoos made by Gordy.
There's something so satisfying about the classic Japanese tiger motif; the rope-like muscle definition, the wind-blown fur, the wide eyes and gnashing teeth. Gordy's take on it hits all of those traditional notes while still feeling fresh piece to piece, whether it's bold and colourful or held back in moodier black and grey.
If you're after a tiger of your own, get in touch with the studio to see what Gordy's got coming up.
Sunset Tattoo is the home of some of New Zealand’s most celebrated tattooists, and located on Karangahape Road (K Road). We specialise in timeless, professional tattoo styles such as Japanese, American/western traditional, fine line and black work. With a friendly team, a gorgeous studio and decades of knowledge we would love to help you with your next tattoo project. For more information, get in touch with us. Contact: info@sunsettattoo.co.nz
Snake Arm Sleeve by Horiyama
The snake in Japanese tattooing carries a lot of meaning; protection, transformation, good fortune. This one is rendered in the classic Irezumi palette: deep navy black, bold red underbelly, white wave crests, and gold lightning cutting through the background. The colour balance is what makes it work. Heavy black keeps it grounded, the red stops it from going flat, and the lightning adds movement without cluttering the composition.
The waves and storm elements are a natural pairing with a snake; water and serpents have a long association in Japanese mythology, and visually they give the piece a sense of the body moving through something rather than just sitting on skin.
The chest panel ties it all together, giving the snake a place to rest its head while the body continues the journey down the arm.
Sunset Tattoo is the home of some of New Zealand’s most celebrated tattooists, and located on Karangahape Road (K Road). We specialise in timeless, professional tattoo styles such as Japanese, American/western traditional, fine line and black work. With a friendly team, a gorgeous studio and decades of knowledge we would love to help you with your next tattoo project. For more information, get in touch with us. Contact: info@sunsettattoo.co.nz